No better than it should be

To help Randi Svendsen and others identify bird calls (C8), Austinmer’s Janice Creenaune suggests using “the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology’s free Merlin Bird ID app.” Aside from identification, bird calls, sighting details and photos are uploaded by the global community as an important international study. Comes in handy every day but was really exciting when we spotted the difference between a Sarus Crane and a Brolga on our trips to the Cape.”

As pleasantly cheerful as the wagtail’s call of “sweet pretty little creature” may be, Joy Cooksey of Harrington warns that “the array of expletives this friendly little bird uses towards all invaders of its territory is not unlike some people even scare off Bolshie.” becomes cockatoo” (C8).”

Salamander Bay’s Ian Sanderson wonders if “Google Maps could provide data on a spike in searches for Bowling Alley Point (C8) in the past few days. I know I made one.”

A plea by Alan Phillips of Mosman. “Can a column 8 reader tell me when AI (C8) will be introduced to the general public? Can’t wait to get my hands on it. It certainly has to be miles better than the stuff I use now.”

Brisbane’s Andrew Buchanan offers some actual intelligence as a respite from artificial intelligence (C8) fears, saying that “the lowest grade of olive oil (C8) is called pomace, but it’s not really classified as olive oil at all. It is the oil residues that are extracted from the remaining pressings, usually with chemical means. The classifications go: extra virgin olive oils, refined olive oils, olive oils and pomace”.

Regarding the naming of an inferior olive oil (C8), Port Macquarie’s Don Bain says his “dear old mother would have classified it as ‘no better than it should be’.”

Terrigal’s Ian Clarke is pleased to report that his circa 1967 Coca-Cola (C8) yo-yo (C8) still works perfectly, “although I’m too scared to go ‘around the world’ if the original string breaks. Anyone know where to get new strings from?”

This can polarize readers. While waiting for his ferry at Circular Quay, Mosman’s Michael Johnston noticed “a Zaphod-Beeblebrox effect when I tried to read the illuminated timetable with my prescription sunglasses. The screen went black, only to return when the glasses were removed. Perhaps a sign of impending danger?”

Column8@smh.com.au

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