John August: Difference between revisions

John August
John August
Born	1967 (age 58–59)
Residence	Australia
Nationality	Australian
Alma mater	Macquarie University
Known for	Ritzian alternative to relativity (Walter Ritz)
	Scientific career
Fields	Physics

Latest revision as of 16:31, 20 July 2026

John August (born c. 1967) is an Australian physics graduate, broadcaster, community radio presenter and humanist activist who has taken an interest in the Ritzian emission-theory alternative to Einstein's special theory of relativity. Based in Sydney, New South Wales, he combines a background in physics with wide-ranging activity in science communication, economics, secularism and politics.

Biography

August obtained a degree in physics from Macquarie University in 1988. He subsequently trained as a patent attorney with the firm Spruson & Ferguson and worked for Cochlear, the Australian manufacturer of the bionic ear, as well as undertaking contract work in the Linux and information-technology sector.

Alongside his professional work, August has been active in a large number of community, scientific and civic organisations, including the Australian Public Network Access Association, the Australian Science Communicators, the Australian Space Research Institute and the Ryde District Historical Society. He has served as President and later Vice-President of the Humanist Society of New South Wales (NSW Humanists) and convenes the "Sydney Shove", a Sydney discussion group focused on politics and economics.

He has stood as a candidate in Australian federal elections, initially as a Senate candidate endorsed by the Secular Party of Australia, and later in association with the Pirate Party of Australia and the Fusion Party. His interests include economics, trade and globalisation, and he has expressed particular sympathy for the ideas of economist John Kenneth Galbraith. He has presented papers at conferences of the Society of Heterodox Economists.

Broadcasting and science communication

August is a long-standing community radio broadcaster. He has contributed to programs on 2SER and Radio Skid Row (2RSR) in Sydney, including the science program "Diffusion" and his own program "Roving Spotlight", on which he has discussed scientific topics such as meteors and public-health issues. He has also tutored in science and economics for the Workers' Educational Association.

Work

August's interest in physics centres on the Ritzian emission theory of light, an early alternative to Einstein's special theory of relativity. Emission (or "ballistic") theories, developed in particular by the Swiss physicist Walter Ritz (1878–1909) around 1908, propose that light is emitted at a constant speed relative to its source, rather than relative to a fixed medium or to all observers. August has publicly advocated examination of this Ritzian alternative to relativity, giving talks on the subject including one to members of the philosophy department at the University of Sydney and presentations at Humanist House in Sydney on Ritzian electrodynamics.

Media

2002 - The Ritzian Alternative to Relativity (Audio Podcast)

External links

Permutations – John August's personal website and blog
Humanist Society of New South Wales

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 | name = John August
 | alt = John August
-| birth_date = {{birth date|1967|00|00|mf=y}}
+| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1967}}
 | residence = Australia
 | nationality = Australian
-| known_for = [[Walter Ritz]]
+| fields = [[Physics]]
+| alma_mater = [[Macquarie University]]
+| known_for = Ritzian alternative to relativity ([[Walter Ritz]])
 }}
-'''In his own words:'''
+'''John August''' (born c. 1967) is an Australian physics graduate, broadcaster, community radio presenter and humanist activist who has taken an interest in the [[Walter Ritz|Ritzian]] emission-theory alternative to Einstein's [[special relativity|special theory of relativity]]. Based in Sydney, [[New South Wales]], he combines a background in physics with wide-ranging activity in science communication, economics, secularism and politics.
-At the time of writing (October 2007) I'm 40 years old, with a degree in Physics from Macquarie University which I obtained in 1988, the Bicentennial year. I currently do contract work for Paul Dane / Shoenet Australia, who sell linux systems for selling shoes.
+==Biography==
+August obtained a degree in physics from [[Macquarie University]] in 1988. He subsequently trained as a patent attorney with the firm Spruson &amp; Ferguson and worked for Cochlear, the Australian manufacturer of the bionic ear, as well as undertaking contract work in the Linux and information-technology sector.
-I've worked for Spruson &amp; Fergon, patent attorneys, where I once trained as a patent attorney, and Cochlear, where they make a bionic ear. But, for the most part, I define myself in terms of my hobbies, of which you'll find some evidence on other links in this web page.
+Alongside his professional work, August has been active in a large number of community, scientific and civic organisations, including the Australian Public Network Access Association, the Australian Science Communicators, the Australian Space Research Institute and the Ryde District Historical Society. He has served as President and later Vice-President of the Humanist Society of New South Wales (NSW Humanists) and convenes the "Sydney Shove", a Sydney discussion group focused on politics and economics.
-Groups I'm involved with include the Australian Public Network Access Association, Australian Science Communicatiors, The Sydney Outdoor Lighting Improvement Association, Abolish the States Collective, The Australian Space Research Institute, The Ryde District Historical Society, Dorkbot and The Cave Clan. I'm also getting more involved the the Grameen Bank Australia.
+He has stood as a candidate in Australian federal elections, initially as a Senate candidate endorsed by the Secular Party of Australia, and later in association with the Pirate Party of Australia and the Fusion Party. His interests include economics, trade and globalisation, and he has expressed particular sympathy for the ideas of economist John Kenneth Galbraith. He has presented papers at conferences of the Society of Heterodox Economists.
-I'm also President of the NSW Humanists and a Senate candidate endorsed by the Secular Party for the upcoming Federal Election, and circulate in the Sydney Atheist and Humanist meetup groups.
+==Broadcasting and science communication==
+August is a long-standing community radio broadcaster. He has contributed to programs on 2SER and Radio Skid Row (2RSR) in Sydney, including the science program "Diffusion" and his own program "Roving Spotlight", on which he has discussed scientific topics such as meteors and public-health issues. He has also tutored in science and economics for the Workers' Educational Association.
-My hobbies include reading and watching sf (including one reading group), programming linux, electronics and bushwalking. I've done some segments on various morning shows on 2SER and current put some stuff on the "Diffusion" program. And, of course, working on the Ritzian alternative to relativity ! I recently gave a talk on this to part of the Philosophy department at the University of Sydney.
+==Work==
+August's interest in physics centres on the [[Walter Ritz|Ritzian]] emission theory of light, an early alternative to Einstein's special theory of relativity. Emission (or "ballistic") theories, developed in particular by the Swiss physicist [[Walter Ritz]] (1878–1909) around 1908, propose that light is emitted at a constant speed relative to its source, rather than relative to a fixed medium or to all observers. August has publicly advocated examination of this Ritzian alternative to relativity, giving talks on the subject including one to members of the philosophy department at the University of Sydney and presentations at Humanist House in Sydney on Ritzian electrodynamics.
-I also do reading outside of sf. Some books I've read which I've found notable include : Guns, Germs and Steel; The Coming Plague; Among the Barbarians; Why Economists Disagree; The Golden Age of Myth and Legend; The Affluent Society; The Theory of the Leisure Class; Chemistry in the Marketplace; How to Want what You Have; The Millenial Project; In the Blink of an Eye; Long Drive Through a Short War and Leviathan.
-I'm currently reading "A History of Civilisation" by Wil Durant. Thanks Luke !
-I'm interested in economics, trade (including globalisation) and wealth &amp; poverty in the world around us. "Why Economists Disagree" was an enlightening book in this regard. I have most sympathy with the views of Galbraith, and his way of looking at the world strikes a chord with me.
-Developing my interest in economics and politics, I convene the Sydney Shove - see my whole set of web pages on that.
-I've presented a paper on corporations at the Fifth Australian Society of Heterodox Economists Conference, and hope to present one on the accomodation market and affordability at the upcoming conference.
-I enjoy the odd play, and particularly like amateur performances. In todays world, amateurs aren't any worse than the pros - the pros have just been lucky.
-I'm starting to get into the spoken word scene. You can hear some of my pieces on the website archive through the Sydney Shove website. I read one of them out live (1870), and several on a special one hour TiN radio program at the most recent "This is Not Art" Festival in Newcastle.
-I'm interested in movies, too.
 ==Media==
@@ Line 40: / Line 29: @@
 * 2002 - [http://www.archive.org/download/JA_ritz/wd-7-02-21_relativity.mp3 The Ritzian Alternative to Relativity] (Audio Podcast)
-[[Category:Scientist]]
+==External links==
+* [https://johnaugust.com.au/ Permutations] &ndash; John August's personal website and blog
+* [https://www.hsnsw.asn.au/ Humanist Society of New South Wales]
+[[Category:Scientist|August John]]
+[[Category:Worldwide List of Dissident Scientists]]