Author Archive
Tall poppy syndrome: last refuge of the scoundrel?
Is a claim of ‘tall poppy syndrome’ the last refuge of the scoundrel? (Yes, I know that’s supposed to be patriotism. But how about it? Or perhaps it could be claims of religious virtue?) Here’s a typical definition of the ‘syndrome’ … Tall poppy syndrome: a social phenomenon in which people of genuine merit are […]
I had to laugh …
One of my key research tools as a writer is a very flexible archiving system called DEVONThink … which its brilliant creators describe as an Information Manager with Built-in Artificial Intelligence I’ve been using it for five years (almost to the day: I bought my first version on 9 August 2005) and the artificial intelligence […]
Kieran Trass: “I was lied to by ‘locusts’ ”
Judging by his latest informercial/newsletter, Property Guru/Property Genie Kieran Trass is not a happy camper … in fact he now says he ‘strongly regrets’ his involvement in a Spruiker Express-type seminar, presumably NZ Property Gurus which we discussed here earlier this year. It’s an interesting read, as you’ll see. I’ve left this extensive quote out […]
Why to believe in others
Here’s a wonderful short clip of Viktor Frankl, author of the seminal book, Man’s Search for Meaning, on the topic of our need to have meaning in our lives … to aim high … and to see the best in people whom we’re trying to help or encourage … “…If we take man as he really […]
Why take any action?
Recently in Why speak up I shared… At any time, in my view, you are either a force for good or ill — opposing evil or assisting it: All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. — Edmund Burke I know I come across as a sort of […]
You’re never too old, bro.
A great little New Zealand short film with a message … This is the extended and enhanced version of FROSTY MAN AND THE BMX KID which was written and directed by Tim McLachlan – one of the five finalists in the international YOUR BIG BREAK film-making competition run by Tourism New Zealand in conjunction with […]
More deceitful photoshopping
Ok I promise not to go on about this re-touching bizzo too much, but Gee Whizz, it’s so awful that Photoshop is being used to make girls and women feel inferior to fashion models that don’t even exist. Another disgraceful display from Ann Taylor — a brand I have no respect for based on this […]
Refusing to step on the slippery slope …
NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s speech about the city NOT outlawing a mosque near ‘ground zero’ World Trade Center is being hailed as one of his finest hours. New YorkDaily News: He’s usually a technocrat, and often comes across that way, but today’s speech was a stirring declaration of principle. Key passage, quoted around the world: […]
Starting them young
By coincidence I came across this badge given to my 9 year old son for attending the Anzac Day service earlier this year with his Cub pack. Given our recent thoughts about the intertwining of religion, war, the military, it’s interesting that this should come to the surface now. I’ve got to say: It puts […]
On cycles — Joseph Amato
Also spotted in the Howick Library today, in the prelims of a lovely book on writing A Broom of One’s Own by Nancy Peacock … That line, “… the small into the big and the big back into the small …” Nice. – P
Picked up in the Howick Library … Crimestoppers
This eye-catching card, um, caught my eye at the Howick Public Library this afternoon. It reminded me of my post: Why speak up? — in part because it assumes a public duty to report crime, or at least share information about it … and recognises there’s a ‘risk’ in standing up. It only makes me […]
That’s not a bad camera on your phone, buddy…
Photographer Pete Belanger used an iPhone 4 to take his cover shot of … an iPhone 4. Read all about it at his blog. There’s a photojournalism maxim: ‘Q: What’s the best camera? A: The one you have with you.’ With one of these in your pocket, well, not bad… Thanks to John Gruber (again).
OK. I’ve heard of selling your grandmother …
Oh boy! The first ever ‘All-Conservative Email Service Provider’! YOUR NAME@Reagan.com Don’t miss out! [snort] Send Michael Reagan $35, get a Reagan.com e-mail address! by ALEX PAREENE Salon.com 30 Jul 2010 For the low, low price of $35 a year, you can trade in your tired old “free” Gmail or Yahoo or Hotmail e-mail address […]
“God is on OUR side…”
Here’s what that got me thinking … some new posters for some classic movies including this: During the first and second World Wars, both (all) sides told themselves they had God on their side. The Armed Forces had padrés and priests in place, performing their pastoral duties and administering their religious services and last rites […]
Snapshot
Hey, I like Google’s new image results page… ‘endless’ images like Bing. Here’s a snapshot of ThePaepae.com‘s result today — although they’re not all actually from ThePaepae.com* (click to enlarge): It provides a nice retrospective, doesn’t it? – P (* Most are. I don’t know how they select which images to display. There must be […]
