Kathy Spencer

5 days ago | outsfl.com | Kathy Spencer

How Math Shapes the Beats and Rhythms in Popular MusicStart here. Don't blink. Have you ever felt your foot tap to a beat without knowing why? Or nodded along to a chorus like your head was possessed? It's not magic - it's math. Not boring textbook math, but the kind of math that moves people. Yes, moves - literally. Beats and rhythms in popular music are built on mathematical foundations so strong and precise, you'd swear Pythagoras had a record deal. 1.

1 week ago | outsfl.com | Kathy Spencer

VPNs for Frequent Flyers: Stay Safe in the Skies and on the GroundLet's be honest: airports are chaos masquerading as order. The calm voice announcing boarding zones can't hide the fact that you're standing in a noisy, neon-lit mall with slow Wi-Fi and suspiciously unsecured networks. And for frequent flyers? It's a repeating loop. Hotel logins. Café hotspots. Conference center routers last updated in 2014. A digital minefield, in short. Enter the VPN. Three letters, one lifeline.

Dec 12, 2023 | nzherald.co.nz | Kathy Spencer

Once a medicine is approved by Medsafe, it’s still up to Pharmac to decide whether to fund it. Photo / 123rfOPINIONEconomist Eric Crampton has proposed streamlining the approval of medicines by having us “piggyback” on the processes and expertise of other countries. The proposal found its way into Act’s election policy, and has now made its way straight into the coalition agreement. I think it’s an excellent idea for the health benefits alone.

Nov 28, 2023 | nzherald.co.nz | Kathy Spencer

OPINION The devastating volcanic eruption at Whakaari/White Island on December 9, 2019, killed 22 people and left a further 25 people with serious injuries. A year later, WorkSafe laid charges against 13 organisations and individuals for alleged health and safety violations in connection with the tragedy. While these cases started to work their way through the court system, WorkSafe’s own failings in carrying out its adventure activity responsibilities came to light.

Aug 3, 2023 | nzherald.co.nz | Kathy Spencer

OpinionWhile fixing potholes is all well and good, the election promise I would like to hear, from both National and Labour, is that they will stop the continual restructuring of our public services. According to research from Victoria University of Wellington, successive governments created or abolished agencies, or reorganised whole sectors, more than 160 times in the period spanning 2000-2017.