2025年11月11日 星期二

The Golden Press: Why Publishing Fueled Australia's Gold Rush Towns

 

The Golden Press: Why Publishing Fueled Australia's Gold Rush Towns

The history of newspaper publishing during the Australian Gold Rushes, epitomized by the town of Beechworth, is a vivid illustration of how media became essential to colonial life. Publishing was not merely a source of news; it was the engine of commerce, political debate, and social cohesion for a rapidly growing, volatile, and transient population.


The Crucial Role of Publishing

Newspapers thrived in gold rush towns like Beechworth—the centre of the Ovens Goldfields—due to a unique combination of factors:

1. Disseminating Commercial and Mining Information

Goldfields populations were intensely focused on economic activity. Papers like The Ovens and Murray Advertiser and The Constitution and Ovens Mining Intelligencer provided vital, time-sensitive intelligence:

  • Claim Registrations and Sales: Reporting on where new gold finds were registered and when claims were bought or sold.

  • Market Prices: Publishing the latest prices for gold, goods, and services, critical for a cash-rich but remote populace.

  • Government Notices: Communicating official rules, license changes, and legal notices relevant to miners and businesses.

2. Fostering Political and Social Discourse

The goldfields drew a diverse, literate, and often politically engaged population from around the world. The newspapers served as the only effective forum for debate:

  • Political Battlegrounds: Papers were often fiercely competitive and politically aligned, giving voice to opposing views on crucial issues like license fees, land laws, and representation in the colonial parliament.

  • Community Cohesion: They connected isolated settlers and miners by reporting on local events, social functions, and personal notices, turning temporary camps into organized colonial towns. Publishers, like John Sitch Clark, who was also a publican and local councillor, were often powerful public figures whose influence spanned media and civic life.

3. Reflecting Economic Volatility

The proliferation of newspapers directly mirrored the boom and bust cycle of the goldfields economy.

  • Rapid Growth: The gold rush created an immediate, literate, and cash-rich audience, leading to the rapid establishment of multiple competing papers, some of which went daily (like the Constitution in 1857).

  • High Volatility: When gold yields waned or competition became too fierce, papers quickly changed frequency, titles, or simply ceased publication (like the Constitution halting daily issues in 1863). The Mott family's publishing dynasty, involved in over 45 newspapers, highlights the entrepreneurial and high-risk nature of the industry.


Beechworth's Publishing Dynasty

Beechworth's success as a printing hub was underscored by key figures and long-running papers:

  • The Ovens and Murray Advertiser (1855): The region's stalwart, enduring the century under proprietors like Richard Warren. Its stability suggests it was the most successful in adapting to the changing economic climate.

  • The Constitution and Ovens Mining Intelligencer (1856): Its main early rival, driven by the highly influential publisher George Henry Mott, whose family created a vast regional publishing empire.

  • The Ovens Register (1875): A later competitor that eventually folded into the dominant Advertiser, illustrating the competitive consolidation of the industry over time.

The 19th-century publishers were more than journalists; they were entrepreneurs and civic leaders whose efforts were critical in transforming the anarchic goldfields into structured Australian communities.

產品設計師視角下的五個嘲諷上帝人類設計的笑話

 

產品設計師視角下的五個嘲諷上帝人類設計的笑話

  • 「作為一個產品設計師,我看到人體就忍不住搖頭。我是說,背部?它根本就是一個單點故障!它應該支撐一輩子的重量和運動,可它的穩定性是...什麼?兩片小小的椎間盤和一些濕麵條?如果我把這個設計擺在焦點小組面前,第一個評論會是:『認真的嗎?沒有冗餘備援?版本 2.0 必須修復。』」

  • 「還有那個『進食和呼吸』的管線——完全是設計災難。它竟然共享同一個入口!這就像把筆記型電腦的數據埠放在冷卻液補充口旁邊一樣。在壓力下,你保證會搞混。我的用戶測試顯示,100% 的受試者都覺得『噎到』這個功能既不直觀又令人沮喪。」

  • 「我很喜歡『睡眠』這個概念。對於能量優化來說,是個很棒的功能。但它的整合卻糟透了。為什麼『關機開關』必須要通過在一個安靜、黑暗的房間裡完全靜止不動,並持續一段不確定的時間才能觸發?我建議在手腕上設計一個簡單的外接式『小睡按鈕』,但不行,客戶堅持要採用『複雜的儀式加上一點點生存焦慮』這種方法。」

  • 「我們來談談膝蓋。它應該是一個鉸鏈關節,對吧?但它卻只能在一個維度上移動。試著把它側向彎曲?立即、災難性的故障。這就像設計了一款高級汽車輪胎,但只要你把方向盤轉超過 10 度它就會爆炸。我跟你說,這就是為什麼我們有這麼多錯誤報告。對於普通用戶來說,這個移動性規範完全不切實際。」

  • 「我曾試圖提出一個更新。我說:『嘿,人腦需要一個更好的文件管理系統。目前的系統把像你三年級老師的名字和 1987 年的歌​​詞這樣重要的東西,存儲在高清永久記憶體裡,卻不斷地覆蓋你早上把鑰匙放哪兒了這個信息。』我得到的回答是:『我們喜歡這種不可預測性。它培養了一種「探索」的感覺。』翻譯過來就是:舊的義大利麵條程式碼(Spaghetti Code)繼續保留。」


5 Product Designer Jokes Critiquing God's Human Design

 

5 Product Designer Jokes Critiquing God's Human Design

  • "As a product designer, I look at the human body and just shake my head. I mean, the back? It’s a single point of failure! It's supposed to hold up a lifetime of weight and movement, and the stability is... what, two tiny discs and some wet spaghetti? If I put this design in front of a focus group, the first comment would be, 'Seriously? No redundant support? Must fix in version 2.0.'"

  • "And the whole 'eating and breathing' pipeline—total design disaster. It shares the same entry point! That's like putting the data port right next to the coolant refill on a laptop. You're guaranteed to mix it up under pressure. My user testing showed that 100% of subjects found the 'choking' feature unintuitive and frustrating."

  • "I love the concept of 'sleep.' Great feature for energy optimization. But the integration is terrible. Why does the 'off switch' have to be triggered by lying completely still in a quiet, dark room for an indeterminate amount of time? I suggested a simple external 'Power Nap' button on the wrist, but no, the client insisted on the 'complex ritual with a side of existential dread' approach."

  • "Let's talk about the knee. It's supposed to be a hinge joint, right? But it only moves in one dimension. Try to bend it sideways? Immediate, catastrophic failure. It’s like designing a premium car tire that explodes if you turn the steering wheel past 10 degrees. I'm telling you, this is why we have so many bug reports. The mobility spec is completely unrealistic for the average user."

  • "I tried to pitch an update. I said, 'Hey, the human brain needs a better file management system. The current one stores key names like your third-grade teacher and song lyrics from 1987 in high-res permanent memory, but constantly overwrites where you left your keys this morning.' The reply I got? 'We like the unpredictability. It fosters a sense of 'quest.' Translation: The old spaghetti code stays."


2025年11月4日 星期二

無武裝先鋒隊的不可能:軍事力量與封閉共產主義國家

 

無武裝先鋒隊的不可能:軍事力量與封閉共產主義國家 

歷史記錄表明,建立和維持一個完全實現的單一政黨共產主義國家—以廢除私有財產和極權、封閉社會模式為特徵—普遍取決於事先透過軍事或革命力量奪取政權。雖然共產黨曾贏得民主選舉,但這些情況從未導致你所描述的封閉列寧/史達林主義體系的建立。


第一部分:奪取權力——革命的先決條件

馬克思列寧主義的核心教義主張,現有的「資產階級國家」(其官僚、軍隊和法院)是資本主義壓迫的工具,不能被改革;它必須被「砸爛」並被無產階級專政所取代。這種意識形態本質上就要求使用武力。

1. 軍事奪權的歷史模式

每一個主要的、持久的歷史共產主義國家都是透過武裝衝突奪取政權的:

  • 蘇聯(布爾什維克): 在1917年十月革命中透過武裝政變奪權,並透過殘酷的內戰(1917-1922年)鞏固了其控制。

  • 中華人民共和國(中共): 在與國民黨長達數十年的內戰(1927-1949年)之後建立。

  • 古巴: 菲德爾·卡斯楚政權是透過一場最終在1959年結束的游擊隊革命建立的。

  • 東歐集團國家: 波蘭、匈牙利和捷克斯洛伐克等國家的共產主義政權是在二戰後在蘇聯紅軍的直接軍事和政治控制下建立的。

2. 選舉成功的限制

共產黨確實曾贏得民主選舉,但這些勝利表明了在沒有武力的情況下無法建立封閉系統

  • 智利(薩爾瓦多·阿連德,1970年): 阿連德的馬克思主義人民團結聯盟民主贏得了總統職位,但在多黨制、憲法受限的框架內執政。他的政府最終在1973年被一場暴力軍事政變推翻,證實了國家機器會反擊根本的社會主義轉型的教條。

  • 現代政黨(摩爾多瓦、尼泊爾、印度喀拉拉邦): 這些地方的共產黨或馬克思主義政黨經常贏得選舉,但作為更廣泛的民主和市場基礎系統中的一個政黨運作。他們實施社會計劃,但不能也不會廢除核心的民主自由、私有財產或自由市場,因此未能實現建立封閉系統所需的「無產階級專政」。


第二部分:維持統治——極權封閉系統

一旦共產黨透過武力奪取政權,維持無產階級專政就需要你所描述的封閉、極權社會。這個系統不僅僅是一種偏好,而是防止資本主義影響重新出現和鎮壓反革命思想的必要工具

1. 鐵幕:對人民和資本的控制

封閉系統的核心是消除外部威脅和內部異議:

  • 人員控制(出國禁令): 阻止人民自由移居國外(人民不能移居國外)是為了阻止人才流失,更重要的是消除比較。如果公民沒有親身體驗過外部世界,他們就無法批評共產主義下的生活質量或自由度,使宣傳更有效。

  • 資本控制(金融壁壘): 限制資金的自由流動(金錢不能流出)對於維持中央計畫經濟至關重要。它可以防止資本外逃,允許國家根據其中央計劃指揮所有資源(內部和外部,例如外援),並將國內貨幣與全球市場波動隔絕,這是馬克思列寧主義意識形態所排斥的。

2. 資訊封鎖

最關鍵的組成部分是國家對資訊的壟斷

  • 審查輸入: 阻止外部資訊進入(資訊不能進入國家)至關重要,因為自由資訊是對建立在單一、包羅萬象的意識形態基礎上的國家最具威脅性的。有關國外更高生活水平或政治自由的事實會直接損害黨的合法性。

  • 宣傳輸出: 國家批准的資訊向外流動(宣傳流向其他國家)是一種外交政策工具,旨在在全球範圍內使政權合法化,吸引意識形態盟友,並掩蓋內部壓制和經濟失敗的現實。

總而言之,歷史證據很清楚:最激進形式的共產主義統治(封閉的、一黨專政的極權國家)是一個兩步過程武力奪取政權,然後是封閉系統來確保政權。沒有最初的軍事勝利,該黨仍然是一個競爭性的政治參與者;沒有隨後的封閉系統,該黨無法維持維持其極權性質所需的意識形態和經濟控制。

The Impossibility of the Unarmed Vanguard: Military Force and the Closed Communist State

 

The Impossibility of the Unarmed Vanguard: Military Force and the Closed Communist State

The historical record demonstrates that achieving and sustaining a fully realized, single-party Communist state—characterized by the abolition of private property and a totalitarian, closed-society model—has been universally predicated on the prior seizure of power through military or revolutionary force. While Communist parties have won democratic elections, these instances have never resulted in the closed Leninist/Stalinist system described.


Part I: Gaining Power—The Revolutionary Prerequisite

The core Marxist-Leninist doctrine argues that the existing "bourgeois state" (its bureaucracy, army, and courts) is an instrument of capitalist oppression and cannot be reformed; it must be "smashed" and replaced by the Dictatorship of the Proletariat. This ideology inherently necessitates force.

1. The Historical Pattern of Military Seizure

Every major, enduring historical Communist state gained power through armed conflict:

  • The Soviet Union (Bolsheviks): Seized power in the 1917 October Revolution through an armed coup and cemented its control through a brutal Civil War (1917–1922).

  • The People's Republic of China (CCP): Established after decades of Civil War (1927–1949) against the Kuomintang.

  • Cuba: Fidel Castro's regime was installed via a guerrilla revolution culminating in 1959.

  • Eastern Bloc States: Communist regimes in countries like Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia were established post-WWII under the direct military and political domination of the Soviet Red Army.

2. The Limits of Electoral Success

Communist parties have won democratic elections, but these victories demonstrate the inability to establish a closed system without force:

  • Chile (Salvador Allende, 1970): Allende's Marxist Popular Unity coalition won the presidency democratically but governed within a multi-party, constitutionally limited framework. His government was ultimately overthrown by a violent military coup in 1973, confirming the doctrine that the state apparatus would fight back against fundamental socialist transformation.

  • Modern Parties (Moldova, Nepal, India's Kerala): Communist or Marxist parties have regularly won elections in these locations but function as one party within a broader democratic and market-based system. They implement social programs but cannot, and do not, abolish core democratic freedoms, private property, or free markets, thus failing to achieve the required "dictatorship of the proletariat" for a closed system.


Part II: Maintaining Rule—The Totalitarian Closed System

Once a Communist Party has achieved power through force, maintaining the Dictatorship of the Proletariat requires the closed, totalitarian society you describe. This system is not merely a preference but a necessary tool to prevent the re-emergence of capitalist influences and suppress counter-revolutionary thought.

1. The Iron Curtains: Control Over People and Capital

The essence of the closed system is eliminating external threats and internal dissent:

  • People Control (The Exodus Ban): Preventing people from moving out freely (people cannot move out of the country) stops a "brain drain" and, more importantly, eliminates comparison. A citizen cannot critique the quality of life or freedom under Communism if they have no personal experience of the outside world, making propaganda more effective.

  • Capital Control (The Financial Wall): Restricting the free flow of money (money cannot flow out) is essential for maintaining the Command Economy. It prevents capital flight, allows the state to direct all resources (both internal and external, like foreign aid) according to its central plan, and isolates the domestic currency from global market fluctuations, which the Marxist-Leninist ideology rejects.

2. The Information Blockade

The most critical component is the state's monopoly on information:

  • Censorship Inbound: Preventing outside information from entering (information cannot enter the country) is vital because free information is the most potent threat to a state built on a single, all-encompassing ideology. Facts about higher living standards or political freedoms abroad directly undermine the Party’s legitimacy.

  • Propaganda Outbound: The flow of propaganda to other countries (propaganda flows out to other countries) is a foreign policy tool intended to legitimize the regime globally, attract ideological allies, and mask the realities of internal repression and economic failures.

In summary, the historical evidence is clear: the most radical form of Communist rule (the closed, one-party totalitarian state) is a two-step processforce to seize power, and a closed system to secure it. Without the initial military victory, the Party remains a competitive political actor; without the subsequent closed system, the Party cannot maintain the ideological and economic control required to sustain its totalitarian nature.



2025年11月3日 星期一

Navigating the Menagerie: Landlords, Tenants, and England's Borderline Pets

 Navigating the Menagerie: Landlords, Tenants, and England's Borderline Pets

The introduction of the Renters' Rights Act in England marks a significant shift in landlord-tenant dynamics regarding pets. With a legal "right to request" a pet that landlords cannot "unreasonably refuse," the spotlight now falls on borderline animals—those legally kept as pets but which might raise valid concerns. This article explores how landlords, courts, the public, and the government are likely to react to requests for animals like large snakes, parrots, and ferrets.
Landlord Reaction: Risk Assessment and Reluctance
For landlords, the primary drivers will remain risk mitigation and property protection. The reaction to a request for a "borderline" pet will likely be one of caution, if not outright refusal initially.
Landlords will focus on the grounds for "reasonable" refusal:
  • Property Damage: Concerns about chewing (parrots, rabbits), odours (ferrets), or habitat requirements (large reptile enclosures needing specific fixtures).
  • Nuisance: Noise from large birds or the potential for bad smells impacting neighbours in attached properties.
  • Insurance and Superior Leases: Many landlord insurance policies and superior lease agreements (e.g., for flats) contain prohibitive clauses regarding pets. A landlord can reasonably refuse a pet if allowing it would breach these pre-existing contracts.
Their first instinct may be to rely on the most conservative interpretation of their rights, fearing the financial repercussions of an exotic animal causing thousands of pounds in damage.
Tenant Strategy: Responsibility and Assurance
Tenants with borderline pets will need to be proactive. They cannot simply request; they must provide assurance. This might include:
  • Comprehensive Pet Insurance: The Act allows landlords to require the tenant to hold "appropriate" pet insurance covering potential damage.
  • Detailed Plans: Providing documentation on the animal's housing, routine, and professional references (e.g., from a vet).
  • Demonstrating Experience: Proving they are a responsible owner capable of managing the animal's specific needs.
Public and Court Leanings: The Test of Reasonableness
The court system will be the ultimate arbiter of what constitutes "reasonable." The government's clear intention is to make pet ownership easier for renters, suggesting a lean towards the tenant's right to enjoy their home with a companion, provided they are responsible.
However, the courts will likely favour the landlord when the animal poses a demonstrable risk to the property or the safety and quiet enjoyment of others.
  • Leaning Tenant: A small, non-venomous snake in a secure vivarium with appropriate insurance is likely to be ruled in the tenant's favour as a "reasonable" pet.
  • Leaning Landlord: A request for a highly noisy parrot in a block of flats, or a large, powerful constrictor snake for which insurance is difficult to obtain, would likely be deemed a "reasonable" refusal by the landlord.
The burden of proof regarding reasonableness will likely fall on the landlord if the tenant challenges the refusal. The public will generally support responsible pet ownership but would likely side with the landlord in cases where the animal poses a clear risk or nuisance.
Government Stance: Favouring Flexibility with Guardrails
The government's position is clear: reduce barriers for pet owners but ensure safeguards for landlords. They want to encourage landlords to say "yes" by allowing them to require insurance. The legislation is designed to rebalance power, making blanket "no pet" clauses void and forcing a case-by-case consideration. The government leans towards the tenant having a more comfortable home life but acknowledges the need to protect the landlord's asset.
The future will involve a dance between tenant requests and landlord risk assessments, with the courts defining the precise boundaries of "reasonableness" one case at a time.



Here are the borderline pets discussed, along with a brief description of why their status in a rental property context is debatable:
  • Large Snakes/Reptiles (e.g., large constrictors, monitor lizards):
    • Description: While smaller reptiles are generally accepted, the size and strength of larger species can be a valid concern for landlords regarding the security of enclosures, potential for escape, and general perceived safety risks.
  • Ferrets:
    • Description: These are common pets, but they have a distinct, natural musky odour. A landlord could reasonably refuse them on the basis of potential smell that could linger in the property and constitute a nuisance or property condition concern.
  • Large Parrots/Macaws:
    • Description: Unlike small birds, large parrots can produce high levels of noise (screeching), which is a key potential ground for a landlord to reasonably refuse based on the likelihood of causing a nuisance to neighbours in attached or shared properties. They also chew extensively, which can damage property.
  • Indoor Rabbits (large breeds):
    • Description: While often seen as harmless, large breeds of rabbits kept indoors can be determined chewers of carpets, wiring, and furniture. The potential for significant property damage if not perfectly housed and supervised makes them a borderline case for some landlords.
  • Exotic Mammals (e.g., Fennec foxes, Meerkats):
    • Description: Although legal to own without a Dangerous Wild Animals license, these animals have highly specialised environmental and social needs that are difficult to meet in a standard rental property. A landlord could reasonably refuse on the grounds that the property is unsuitable for the animal's welfare and care.
  • Pygmy Goats or Miniature Pigs:
    • Description: Despite being "miniature" versions of farm animals, they often require significant outdoor space and specific housing (e.g., a shed or pen) that typical urban or suburban rental properties rarely provide, giving a landlord grounds for refusal based on unsuitability of the property.
  • Banned Dog Breeds (with Certificate of Exemption):
    • Description: An individual can legally keep a dog on the banned breeds list if they have a specific exemption certificate. However, due to public perception and common landlord/insurer safety policies, a landlord may still have reasonable grounds to refuse based on safety concerns or insurance policy terms, despite the legal exemption.

探索動物園:英國業主、租戶與邊緣寵物

 探索動物園:英國業主、租戶與邊緣寵物

英國《租戶權利法案》的引入標誌著業主與租戶之間寵物動態的重大轉變。隨著租戶擁有飼養寵物的法定「請求權」,且業主不得「無理拒絕」,人們的焦點轉向了那些「邊緣寵物」——即法律上允許飼養為寵物,但在出租物業中可能引發合理擔憂的動物。本文探討了業主、法院、公眾和政府可能如何回應飼養大型蛇、鸚鵡和雪貂等動物的請求。
業主反應:風險評估與抗拒
對於業主而言,主要動機仍然是風險緩解和物業保護。對於「邊緣寵物」的請求,他們的反應很可能是謹慎的,如果不是一開始就斷然拒絕的話。
業主將專注於「合理」拒絕的理由:
  • 物業損壞: 擔心動物啃咬(鸚鵡、兔子)、氣味(雪貂),或棲息地要求(大型爬行動物飼養箱需要特定的裝置)。
  • 妨害: 大型鳥類的噪音,或氣味可能影響毗連物業的鄰居。
  • 保險和上級租約: 許多業主保險單和上級租約(例如公寓)包含禁止飼養寵物的條款。如果允許飼養會違反這些現有合同,業主可以合理拒絕。
他們的第一直覺可能是依賴對其權利最保守的解釋,擔心異國動物造成數千英鎊損失的財務後果。
租戶策略:責任與保證
飼養邊緣寵物的租戶需要採取主動。他們不能僅僅請求;他們必須提供保證。這可能包括:
  • 全面的寵物保險: 該法案允許業主要求租戶持有涵蓋潛在損壞的「適當」寵物保險。
  • 詳細計劃: 提供有關動物住房、日常安排和專業推薦(例如來自獸醫)的文件。
  • 證明經驗: 證明自己是負責任的飼主,能夠管理動物的特定需求。
公眾與法院傾向:合理性的考驗
法院將是界定何為「合理」的最終仲裁者。政府的明確意圖是讓租房者更容易擁有寵物,這表明在租戶負責的情況下,傾向於支持租戶與伴侶動物一同享受居所的權利。
然而,當動物對物業構成明顯風險或影響他人的安全和安寧享受時,法院可能會傾向於業主。
  • 傾向租戶: 一條小型、無毒、飼養在安全飼養箱中並有適當保險的蛇,很可能會被裁定為「合理」寵物,有利於租戶。
  • 傾向業主: 在公寓大樓中飼養一隻噪音極大的鸚鵡,或是一條難以獲得保險的大型強力蟒蛇的請求,業主很可能會被視為「合理」拒絕。
如果租戶對拒絕提出質疑,證明合理性的舉證責任可能落在業主身上。公眾通常支持負責任的寵物飼養,但在動物構成明顯風險或妨害的情況下,可能會支持業主。
政府立場:支持彈性與保障
政府的立場明確:減少寵物飼養者的障礙,同時確保對業主的保障。他們希望通過允許業主要求保險來鼓勵業主同意。該立法旨在重新平衡權力,使一概「不允許養寵物」的條款無效,並強制逐案考慮。政府傾向於租戶擁有更舒適的居家生活,但也承認需要保護業主的資產。
未來將涉及租戶請求與業主風險評估之間的平衡,法院將逐案界定「合理性」的確切邊界。



Here are the borderline pets discussed, along with a brief description of why their status in a rental property context is debatable:
  • Large Snakes/Reptiles (e.g., large constrictors, monitor lizards):
    • Description: While smaller reptiles are generally accepted, the size and strength of larger species can be a valid concern for landlords regarding the security of enclosures, potential for escape, and general perceived safety risks.
  • Ferrets:
    • Description: These are common pets, but they have a distinct, natural musky odour. A landlord could reasonably refuse them on the basis of potential smell that could linger in the property and constitute a nuisance or property condition concern.
  • Large Parrots/Macaws:
    • Description: Unlike small birds, large parrots can produce high levels of noise (screeching), which is a key potential ground for a landlord to reasonably refuse based on the likelihood of causing a nuisance to neighbours in attached or shared properties. They also chew extensively, which can damage property.
  • Indoor Rabbits (large breeds):
    • Description: While often seen as harmless, large breeds of rabbits kept indoors can be determined chewers of carpets, wiring, and furniture. The potential for significant property damage if not perfectly housed and supervised makes them a borderline case for some landlords.
  • Exotic Mammals (e.g., Fennec foxes, Meerkats):
    • Description: Although legal to own without a Dangerous Wild Animals license, these animals have highly specialised environmental and social needs that are difficult to meet in a standard rental property. A landlord could reasonably refuse on the grounds that the property is unsuitable for the animal's welfare and care.
  • Pygmy Goats or Miniature Pigs:
    • Description: Despite being "miniature" versions of farm animals, they often require significant outdoor space and specific housing (e.g., a shed or pen) that typical urban or suburban rental properties rarely provide, giving a landlord grounds for refusal based on unsuitability of the property.
  • Banned Dog Breeds (with Certificate of Exemption):
    • Description: An individual can legally keep a dog on the banned breeds list if they have a specific exemption certificate. However, due to public perception and common landlord/insurer safety policies, a landlord may still have reasonable grounds to refuse based on safety concerns or insurance policy terms, despite the legal exemption.