Came across some this in Lestienne's "The Creative Power of Chance", and thought it deserved to be shared:
"From the standpoint of individual variations, the "genetic distance" between two individuals chosen by chance from the same large human grouping is as great as that between two individuals taken from different racial groups. Let us not forget that racial differentiation is a fairly recent phenomenon, linked to the great migratory movements that took place during the last milion years. In fact, it is generally thought that it does not go back more than two hundred thousand years, and may even disappear again if, with a little goodwill, we can surmount what remains of our disdain for cultural differences."
I really hope people are able to really consider this and understand what it means for everyone.
And if that doesn't convince, then there's always the (perhaps now cliche) line a few paragraphs earlier:
"Each of us certainly has in our body several million molecules of the water that passed through Socrates' body (supposing that nature equitably recycles), and our bodies are made up of atoms, themselves recycled, that were forged some billions of years ago at the heart of a star."
And they say science takes away the wonder of life. Philistines!
Oh, and can anyone guess the film I'm quoting from with the title?
Friday, April 27, 2007
The Reward for Vanstone
So, this is her reward for wasting our money to not speak Mandarin- she gets posted to Italy as Australia's Ambassador.
Honestly, what kind of a mates-club is Howard running? And I know it's not just the Libs; the various state governments are just as vomit-inducing in their appointment of judges.
But I take personal offence to Mandy getting this appointment. It's reminiscent of Bush posting Bremer to Iraq. What exactly are her Italian qualifications?
No doubt, it's easier to learn Italian than Mandarin, so it might just be possible for someone of her abilities. Still, nothing in the official statement suggests that she actually can.
In fact there's nothing in her career that suggests the ideal qualities of a diplomat, and in light of the Mandarin-gate affair it's just ridiculous. This sort of complacency is what will see Howard thrown out by his own, I hope.
To be fair, she might find work in Opera. Put her in the right period costume and she'd be perfect for that part I often refer to as the 'big mamma'.
She has a marketing studies certificate. That was part of the official statement. I'm serious.
Honestly, what kind of a mates-club is Howard running? And I know it's not just the Libs; the various state governments are just as vomit-inducing in their appointment of judges.
But I take personal offence to Mandy getting this appointment. It's reminiscent of Bush posting Bremer to Iraq. What exactly are her Italian qualifications?
No doubt, it's easier to learn Italian than Mandarin, so it might just be possible for someone of her abilities. Still, nothing in the official statement suggests that she actually can.
In fact there's nothing in her career that suggests the ideal qualities of a diplomat, and in light of the Mandarin-gate affair it's just ridiculous. This sort of complacency is what will see Howard thrown out by his own, I hope.
To be fair, she might find work in Opera. Put her in the right period costume and she'd be perfect for that part I often refer to as the 'big mamma'.
She has a marketing studies certificate. That was part of the official statement. I'm serious.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Hall, the True Englishman
Whilst on the subject of other blogs, there is one that really is unmissable.
Sir Iain Hall, notorious tsunami-pranker and fast-food employee, is also a proud Englishman.
This is most obvious from his superior command of the English language, evidenced in a headline such as "No Where near good enough".
Like a true Englishman, Iain loathes light beer, just as he loathes the ALP.
Sir Iain also advocates that homosexuals be denied access to medication.
Proclaiming a lack of English television programming available in Australia, Sir Iain is incensed over the special non-English programming on the Special Broadcasting Service.
And, most telling of all, he continues an old Etonian tradition of rhetorical questions, such as
What is it with the left? Are they all entirely mad?
Hats off.
UPDATE:
" Wow four links to my blog in one post and you misrepresent my position with every one. That must be some sort of record.
Can't you cut it arguing on the issues?
From the look of this post I think not." steams Iain.
I should clarify. He doesn't loathe light beer so much as he loathes urination without reward.
He only thinks some homosexuals should be denied access to medication.
I fail to see the logic here, since his position is also that the spread of HIV needs to be contained; does he think that someone denied medical treatment is less likely to want to infect other people?
There's also the ethical consideration involved in denying medical access to prisoners; it seems rather similar to capital punishment from the discourse of utility.
I also fail to see why a SPECIAL BROADCASTING SERVICE should be subject to the broad statistics of an entire demographic when it is aimed at a select demographic. I don't think it was ever the intention of SBS to cater to whining Poms, so he's constructed somewhat of a strawman here.
And I may be just a descendant of a convict, but I'm pretty sure 'nowhere' is not usually written as "No Where".
Sir Iain Hall, notorious tsunami-pranker and fast-food employee, is also a proud Englishman.
This is most obvious from his superior command of the English language, evidenced in a headline such as "No Where near good enough".
Like a true Englishman, Iain loathes light beer, just as he loathes the ALP.
Sir Iain also advocates that homosexuals be denied access to medication.
Proclaiming a lack of English television programming available in Australia, Sir Iain is incensed over the special non-English programming on the Special Broadcasting Service.
And, most telling of all, he continues an old Etonian tradition of rhetorical questions, such as
What is it with the left? Are they all entirely mad?
Hats off.
UPDATE:
" Wow four links to my blog in one post and you misrepresent my position with every one. That must be some sort of record.
Can't you cut it arguing on the issues?
From the look of this post I think not." steams Iain.
I should clarify. He doesn't loathe light beer so much as he loathes urination without reward.
He only thinks some homosexuals should be denied access to medication.
I fail to see the logic here, since his position is also that the spread of HIV needs to be contained; does he think that someone denied medical treatment is less likely to want to infect other people?
There's also the ethical consideration involved in denying medical access to prisoners; it seems rather similar to capital punishment from the discourse of utility.
I also fail to see why a SPECIAL BROADCASTING SERVICE should be subject to the broad statistics of an entire demographic when it is aimed at a select demographic. I don't think it was ever the intention of SBS to cater to whining Poms, so he's constructed somewhat of a strawman here.
And I may be just a descendant of a convict, but I'm pretty sure 'nowhere' is not usually written as "No Where".
Blog Spotlight
Added three new blogs to my links list, and thought they deserved special mention.
First up: China Issue. It's a formal, academic and in-depth analysis of China, courtesy of my good sinophile friend Laurie. Highly recommended as a change from the 'dull binary that passes for thought in the public realm' (a phrase I read in the ALR last weekend). Also, Laurie will be appearing on SBS radio soon with a report! Very cool, and details shall be republished here as they emerge.
Next is matjin-nehen, which I found through Laurie, incidently. Hard to generalise, but linguistics and Australian politics seem to be the main focus. There's fascinating stuff on an Australian language which the author is researching. There's entertaining analysis of Johnny and Kevie's latest stumblings. Most importantly, it's always well written and considered, and there's often an intellectual melee of some sort going on. Good times. Join in!
Finally, The 88's could be said to be a pizza with a philosophy base, and toppings of the two former blogs. That metaphor didn't quite work as I'd hoped, but hopefully it's perked enough of your interest to check it out. The author is the enigmatic 88.
First up: China Issue. It's a formal, academic and in-depth analysis of China, courtesy of my good sinophile friend Laurie. Highly recommended as a change from the 'dull binary that passes for thought in the public realm' (a phrase I read in the ALR last weekend). Also, Laurie will be appearing on SBS radio soon with a report! Very cool, and details shall be republished here as they emerge.
Next is matjin-nehen, which I found through Laurie, incidently. Hard to generalise, but linguistics and Australian politics seem to be the main focus. There's fascinating stuff on an Australian language which the author is researching. There's entertaining analysis of Johnny and Kevie's latest stumblings. Most importantly, it's always well written and considered, and there's often an intellectual melee of some sort going on. Good times. Join in!
Finally, The 88's could be said to be a pizza with a philosophy base, and toppings of the two former blogs. That metaphor didn't quite work as I'd hoped, but hopefully it's perked enough of your interest to check it out. The author is the enigmatic 88.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Baldwin - The Real Deal
There's a great lot of fuss over the answering machine message Alec Baldwin left for his 11 year old daughter. I can't see why this is seen as such a bad thing. In his signature irate tone, he berated her for standing him up, and called her a 'thoughtless little pig'.
I'm glad to see that Alec Baldwin is as much of a hard-ass in real life as he is portrayed on the screen. The only other actors I can think of who are as hard-ass in real life are Arnold, and perhaps Chuck Norris, though the latter is subject to some dispute. Actors like this don't have to ham things up for the big screen; they have to tone things down.
As far as I'm concerned, this ordeal only adds to the authenticity of his body of work.
Alec 'Real Deal' Baldwin
I'm glad to see that Alec Baldwin is as much of a hard-ass in real life as he is portrayed on the screen. The only other actors I can think of who are as hard-ass in real life are Arnold, and perhaps Chuck Norris, though the latter is subject to some dispute. Actors like this don't have to ham things up for the big screen; they have to tone things down.
As far as I'm concerned, this ordeal only adds to the authenticity of his body of work.
Alec 'Real Deal' Baldwin
Monday, April 16, 2007
Клаудленд Путина
I remember a conversation I had recently with an older chap who'd worked in Foreign Affairs for many years. We were discussing, predictably enough, foreign affairs, and the topic of Putin came up. I was unsure, I told him, of whether Putin was taking Russia forwards or backwards. He assured me there was no doubt that Putin was indeed taking the country forwards.
I'm remain however, unconvinced, and the more reports I read and hear coming out of Russia the more I am sure that if anything, Putin is taking the country backwards.
Most likely, it depends on the angle one looks at the situation. Economically, things are great. Never been better. But from a libertarian angle, it's a growing nightmare.
Just recently there was the destruction of a cultural hertiage site without a permit.
Now the brutal supression of a protest, in which Gary Kasparov was arrested.
There are countless other examples, and the point is clear, I think.
And now they're looking at ammending the law to allow Putin another term.
If Vladimir, son of Vladimir, is indeed taking Russia forward, then to borrow a Ruddism, it's a bridge too far.
Still, I must admit, he does it with style unmatched by any other dictator or leader I've seen.
СУПЕР!
I'm remain however, unconvinced, and the more reports I read and hear coming out of Russia the more I am sure that if anything, Putin is taking the country backwards.
Most likely, it depends on the angle one looks at the situation. Economically, things are great. Never been better. But from a libertarian angle, it's a growing nightmare.
Just recently there was the destruction of a cultural hertiage site without a permit.
Now the brutal supression of a protest, in which Gary Kasparov was arrested.
There are countless other examples, and the point is clear, I think.
And now they're looking at ammending the law to allow Putin another term.
If Vladimir, son of Vladimir, is indeed taking Russia forward, then to borrow a Ruddism, it's a bridge too far.
Still, I must admit, he does it with style unmatched by any other dictator or leader I've seen.
СУПЕР!
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Defeat for Progressive Thought
Janet Albrechtsen, as usual, misses many points. It's not surprising in the least.
Whilst it's looking more and more likely that we'll see a Rudd victory this year, the numbers won't be coming from generation-Y. It'll be from their parents.
So Janet should be happy. Rudd is a victory for conservatism, much to my chagrin. Whoever wins, Janet wins.
I think it's a terrible day when people start raving about our opposition because of how he resembles our incumbent in so many ways.
It's fine for the Anyone But Howard camp, and I agree that a change is desirable. I hardly think, however, that it's worth celebrating when policy and ideology will essentially remain unchanged.
Just as Martin Amis remarked of England, we're witnessing the death of politics in Australia. There is no longer a debate over larger issues such as the distribution of wealth.
You don't get balance by shifting Labour to the right; all that results is an ever more conservative state of politics. It happened in England; my recent post points to the effects of such a swing.
A further freezing-over of politics in Australia has resulted from environmental issues going mainstream. This has stripped the Green party of its relevance.
Whilst I can envisage myself giving preference to Rudd over Howard, it won't be an entirely happy decision; it's conceding defeat to conservatism, and it's a sign of a flat-lining democracy.
Whilst it's looking more and more likely that we'll see a Rudd victory this year, the numbers won't be coming from generation-Y. It'll be from their parents.
So Janet should be happy. Rudd is a victory for conservatism, much to my chagrin. Whoever wins, Janet wins.
I think it's a terrible day when people start raving about our opposition because of how he resembles our incumbent in so many ways.
It's fine for the Anyone But Howard camp, and I agree that a change is desirable. I hardly think, however, that it's worth celebrating when policy and ideology will essentially remain unchanged.
Just as Martin Amis remarked of England, we're witnessing the death of politics in Australia. There is no longer a debate over larger issues such as the distribution of wealth.
You don't get balance by shifting Labour to the right; all that results is an ever more conservative state of politics. It happened in England; my recent post points to the effects of such a swing.
A further freezing-over of politics in Australia has resulted from environmental issues going mainstream. This has stripped the Green party of its relevance.
Whilst I can envisage myself giving preference to Rudd over Howard, it won't be an entirely happy decision; it's conceding defeat to conservatism, and it's a sign of a flat-lining democracy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
