Author Archive
Here’s the story political journos fixated with sports metaphors missed yesterday
I got bored quickly with the boxing/gladiatorial references to Parliament’s Question Time yesterday. Apparently it was David Cunliffe’s first QT as Leader of the Opposition. The coverage I saw was largely a (sad) case of style being reported over substance. Having earlier in the day defended Patrick Gower’s ‘colour’ and instability, I was intrigued and, […]
Putting a name to Patrick Gower’s um, mischief-making
No Big Deal, but it was interesting to see how Patrick Gower described his own actions: The TV3 political journo seems to excite tremendous personal criticism every now and then — from various sides — for his attempts to ‘beat up’ or (as his critics allege) to create a story. (Quelle horreur!) Left-wingers who whinge […]
Please read this NY Times column — ‘The Banality of Systematic Evil’
Goodness me, I just want to quote the whole thing! Gah! Please, if you care about these issues of whistle-blowing and state surveillance (as I do) go and read this article by Peter Ludlow, a professor of philosophy at Northwestern University writing in the NY Times: The Banality of Systemic Evil … In a June […]
On vulgar, irrational, deceitful misinformation campaigns
This, from Jon Stewart talking about Fox News, put me in mind of some of the oily local propagandists and liars who demonstrate a similar nasty, negative, fixation with ‘the left’ and reflexively spin their personal attack lines against public and private figures who represent it … After showing a montage of Fox clips, Stewart […]
Heart-stopping near capsize
Yeah, well. Jeez.
Neighbours
You’re not really in control of how your next door neighbour … decorates their building. I spotted this contrast on a trip to Wellington recently. I like the zebra pattern. But is it ‘simpatico’ with the pop-top architecture and retrofitted balconies next door? Or are they both cheap and ugly? – P
A note on embracing storms
Spotted in Howick this afternoon — a little bit of wisdom from another age (or New Age?) This is good advice. Rather than indulging our reflexive fight/flight/freeze instincts when we strike conflict, it’s best to look for ways to meet other people’s interests — and get your own needs met. Sometimes that means compromise. It […]
‘Space gray’? Where have I heard that before? Oh, yes.
Apple has announced a new iPhone model — discontinuing mine in the process. (Does that make it a collectors item? Yep.) The new iPhone 5S comes in three colours: Silver, Gold, and Black, er, Slate, er, ‘Space Gray‘. What? I knew I’d heard that colour description before … Ah. Stickin’ with the top end marketing programme […]
Wow. British Wildlife Photography Award 2013
This photo by George Karbus won the overall British Wildlife Photography Award 2013: The beauty of Britain’s wildlife is celebrated as the winners of the British Wildlife Photography Awards are announced. This incredible encounter titled ‘In the living room’ was the overall winner and submitted by George Karbus who said: “Water visibility is always very […]
It’s approaching double entendre, and, yeah, made me chuckle.
I spotted this advertising display at the foot of an escalator today. Nuthin’ exploitative about that. (Seriously.) Good on Serena Williams. – P
Using clips of viral video in an election campaign …
This political ad campaign video by German metalworkers’ union IG Metall uses viral YouTube videos to pose policy questions in the run-up to the German elections on 22 September. Angela Merkel’s conservative coalition has a strong lead over Peer Steinbrück’s Social Democrats (SPD) in opinion polls. It’s an idea worthy of Simon Lusk. – P […]
I love this: Jay Laga’aia as the Wizard of Oz
I love seeing ‘barriers’ like this ‘broken’. See NZ Herald report: Milestone on hold for the Wizard of Oz which tells us “Jay Laga’aia says the Wizard is a huge deal for him, and he is the first Polynesian to portray the iconic character.” Yeah. Go Jay. I’ll like it even more when the race […]
What does the fox say?
via Laura. Wow.
So … I guess this means there must be ‘unfair’ trade bananas?
As I have disclosed here before, I am a pretty shallow person. Like most of us, I’m taken up most of the time with matters in my own circles of concern and influence. (Apologies to Stephen Covey.) So, until I saw these bananas (above) on my kitchen bench today, it had never occurred to me […]
