The internet has been buzzing with a heated debate about the “correct” way to make instant coffee, and honestly, it’s both amusing and fascinating to watch the passionate responses. Being someone who spends a significant portion of their working day pushing code and attending stand-ups, I’ve had my fair share of both excellent and terrible coffee experiences.

Let’s talk about this controversial microwave method that’s causing such a stir online. The suggestion to gradually heat instant coffee with cold water and milk in the microwave, rather than using boiling water, has sparked what can only be described as digital outrage. The reactions range from immediate dismissal to genuine curiosity, with plenty of “lost me at microwave” comments in between.

The other day, while updating my details at the local pharmacy, I witnessed something that made my inner tech worker cringe. The customer ahead of me recited their phone number in what can only be described as a freestyle jazz interpretation of numerical sequences. “Oh-four-triple-two-double-five-eight-nine…” They might as well have been reading out their grocery list.

Let’s be real here - there’s a proper way to format Australian mobile numbers, and it’s 4-3-3. That’s it. End of story. It’s not just about being pedantic (though I’ll admit there’s a bit of that); it’s about clear communication and reducing errors. Every mobile phone system, every web form, and every database is designed around this format. It’s not a coincidence.

Standing at the beach this morning, watching three people get swept out by a rip current brought back memories of my teenage daughter’s first surf lesson. The instructor spent more time teaching about rip identification than actual surfing - and rightfully so.

The discussion I witnessed between beachgoers today highlighted a concerning statistic: while two-thirds of us think we can spot a rip current, only about a third actually can. That’s a dangerous confidence gap that puts lives at risk every summer.