The Paepae | . . . hosted by Peter Aranyi @ Page 42

In a cold, lonely world, it’s good to know there are some things you can rely on. Like the visceral partisan loyalty of National Party attack blogger Cameron Slater.

Cameron demonstrates his earnest support for his pick for next leader of the National Party: Papakura MP Judith Collins. Strictly speaking, Ms Collins is only his pick for leader as an interim measure before the ascendancy he predicts for Jami-Lee Ross — as revealed here: Is John Key ‘hugging a corpse’? Does he have a choice?

Is Truth not much more than a partisan organ?

Anyway, for now, Cameron seems committed to #spinningforJudith, as one wag put it in a hashtag.

Cameron was virtually alone as I recall, in going to bat for Ms Collins over the scurrilous suggestions by today’s fish and chip paper the NZ Herald that her appointment of a friend of her husband’s to a state sector role dealing with human rights proceedings was questionable. As the weekend NZ Herald reported (Judith Collins picked husband’s friend — Sat 2/2/13), Ms Collins had personally nominated Robert Kee, then overruled her officials’ advice to appoint someone else who actually had, you know, high level experience of dealing with human rights issues.

Focusing on the issues that matter, Cameron Slater swung into damage control and by a miracle, against the odds, where others had failed, managed to get an interview with Ms Collins that very same Saturday morning … then someone at Truth promptly churned out a ‘news story’ — not focussed on the questionable appointment process but — about the photo the NZ Herald used to illustrate their story.

Flush with the power of his role atop a nationally-distrubuted Hookers directory newspaper (cough), Cameron vented partisan outrage against the journalist and the newspaper which had embarrassed his princess, describing them in unflattering terms and suggesting the reporter was somehow corrupt. (Rich, huh?) Continue reading →

Politics

Cameron Slater, Judith Collins, smear campaign, spin

Earthquake engineering in action

Posted in 22 March 2013

Peter Aranyi

No Comments »

I spotted this building under construction in Manukau yesterday on my way to Whitcoulls Distribution Centre with boxes of books.

Building for a future in ‘The Shaky Isles’ (click to enlarge)

I’m not the civil engineer in the family, but boy, look at the earthquake resistant support structure there! Those diamond-shaped frames at the right, and the massive reinforcing in the concrete wall beside the stairwells.

If I’m not imagining it, could it be a bit of post-Christchurch earthquake consciousness flowing through?

– P

Encouragement

Tech

Misunderestimating* a player’s willingness to ‘burn the rules’

Posted in 20 March 2013

Peter Aranyi

No Comments »

Reading a quite good column from Marco Arment about the Google Reader shut down, emerging competition and ‘free’ services (he’d earlier said, and I agreed: “It may suck in the interim before great alternatives [to Reader] mature and become widely supported, but in the long run, trust me: this is excellent news.”) I came across this section (bolded) which echoes a conclusion I reached about business a few years back.

Our industry is prone to many common failures of unregulated capitalism, with the added instability of extremely low barriers to entry and near-zero cost per user in many cases.
If you try to play by the traditional rules and regulations, you run the risk of getting steamrolled by someone who’s perfectly willing to ignore them. Usually, that’s the biggest potential failure of the tech world’s crazy economy, which sucks for you but doesn’t matter much to everyone else. But sometimes, just like unregulated capitalism, it fails in ways that suck for everyone.

I run a training business which formed alliances with some top experts in their fields — people who had earned the right, by stint of their long track records, to be considered ‘qualified’ to teach others about the steps to success.

It was striking then, to see a couple of my clients, people who’d come to learn at the feet of the ‘gurus’ during training events I’d set up, launch their own copycat versions of those events … with themselves as ‘gurus’.

I call them copycats because that’s what they were. Shamelessly. e.g. I ran a course called ‘Property Investor’s School’ (which they attended) and they launched a weekend ‘Property University’ — before being advised by the NZ Qualifications Authority that ‘university’ is a protected term … and switching to ‘Property Academy’.

Where they surprised me (and it’s a long tale) wasn’t in their mimicry, imitation and copyright infringement, although that was striking, but in their apparent dishonest willingness to just make stuff up about their own experience and expertise as ‘gurus’.

I had (naively) thought a barrier to entry in the field of ‘property investing expert’ was actually being an experienced property investing expert (like the people I worked with) … but I soon saw that I was wrong. Continue reading →

Business/Investment

authenticity, spruikers

Skincare secrets of the hard to live with

Posted in 18 March 2013

Peter Aranyi

No Comments »

Well, if it’s good enough for my favourite right wing vixens (see My favourite right wing vixens branch out) … it’s good enough for me.

Here’s a shot of my skin care products … still wet from their use just now this morning.

The three speed motorised vibrating shaver might be something the girls wish to avoid. Or not.

Handled.

– P

Dedicated to Cactus Kate. (Isn’t aloe vera in the cactus family? There might be an angle there, Cathy.)

Humour

satire

Rain, followed by an earthquake. Hello Auckland.

Posted in 17 March 2013

Peter Aranyi

1 Comment »

Rain has arrived at Howick Golf Club. The greens (small G) will be loving it. (Pic: Peter Aranyi)

This rain is a blessed relief. The small earthquake centred on Motutapu Island apparently (er, just out the window) was not. Still, small potatoes compared to Christchurch.

I can’t remember the last earthquake in Auckland.

– P

PS Here’s how the course looks ‘normally‘.

Encouragement

My favourite right wing vixens branch out

Posted in 17 March 2013

Peter Aranyi

9 Comments »

My two favourite right wing vixens Louise Mensch and Cathy Odgers (Cactus Kate) have, for the moment, moved on from right wing politics and launched into the highly competitive, challenging arena of skincare and make-up product reviews and beauty tips. (No kidding.)

These two women certainly don’t need to soften their image as far as I’m concerned, but, oh well …

Louise, who I quoted earlier saying: “Are you trivialising the sisterhood if you dye your hair or have your eyebrows threaded? The answer is no” posted a pair of engaging instructional ‘video blogs’ two days ago …

Followed by a quick (33 secs) dress-up guide (in fetching black leggings and b-boots) …
Continue reading →

Politics

Cactus Kate, Louise Mensch, marketing

See? This why I just don’t trust Google

Posted in 16 March 2013

Peter Aranyi

1 Comment »

Yeah, like a lot of people I use the Google Reader API to sync my RSS — but only because they monstered everyone else out of the “market” * and many of the standalone RSS reader apps (especially iOS based readers, but also Vienna and NetNewsWire) switched to use Google Reader to sync feeds, subscriptions and read states.

Then this happens …

It’s Not Just Reader – Google Kills Its RSS Subscription Browser Extension, Too

Sarah Perez | TechCrunch
Oh Google. Thought we wouldn’t notice that you’re trying to kill off not just Google Reader, but also your support and endorsement for the RSS format itself? People have just started noticing that Google’s own RSS Subscription Chrome browser extension has disappeared from the Google Chrome Web Store. Though it’s unclear at this time exactly when the extension was removed, the change appears to be recent. …

Read the rest of Sarah Perez’s article which quotes a powerful analogy from The Guardian‘s Rupert Goodwins: Killing Google Reader is like killing the bees: we’ll all be worse off.

There are other services that aggregate RSS, but many of them rely on Google Reader. Many others have been driven out of business by Reader’s dominance, including most that synchronise across several devices – precisely the way that busy information VIPs work. These people are the apex pollinators of the web, the first responders and the most influential creators of quality across an internet that so desperately needs it. They find Reader mindful where Twitter is mindless; Reader organises and prioitises, it keeps information in sight, not rushes it away.

Such people will find other ways to get their data – less easily, less reliably and less well integrated with how they work – but for now, they are angry and uncertain. “I feel betrayed,” the radio programme maker said. “I used to recommend Google to everyone, but now I can’t trust it. It’s all very well putting all the books in the world online, but what’s the point if you then shaft the readers?”

Google is creepy.

Roll on the alternatives.

-P
* read Marco Arment on this:

It may suck in the interim before great alternatives mature and become widely supported, but in the long run, trust me: this is excellent news.

And then there’s this: Breaking: Google Has Begun Purging Ad-Blocking Apps From The Play Store by David Ruddock Android Police
Sooo ‘open’.

Media issues - Tech

authenticity, Google

‘Sometimes the inner evil is so great that I have to shout loudly’

Posted in 14 March 2013

Peter Aranyi

11 Comments »

From 12 Questions: Bruce Sheppard by Sarah Stuart in the NZ Herald today:

6. Who taught you cynicism?

Better question would be what, and that is simple – time and experience. Not much is what it seems, and the world has been spun to hopelessly complex levels for what appear to be very limited useful outcomes. By being sceptical I aim to peel away the nonsense of issues and look for the beauty within. Sometimes the inner evil is so great that I have to shout loudly, using colourful language or costumes. In a world of mass media it is easy to be drowned out.

‘Many saw evil. They dared to stop it.’

Yes. Whistle-blowing, as we have discussed a number of times, can be COMPULSIVE. See: Is there a ‘whistle blower’ personality type? (Hint: yes.)

And sometimes people speak up about wrong as they see it — to their own detriment, and damage in other parts of their lives.

Remember: if there was no risk it wouldn’t take guts.

Media3

On a related note, DO WATCH Russell Brown’s Media3 (available on demand here) for a strong interview which I was lucky enough to watch being taped with journalists/authors Nicky Hager and Jon Stephenson. They discuss Bradley Manning, Wikileaks and whistle blowers here and abroad. Hager’s view of Manning’s contribution to history is worth absorbing. I think he’s right.

Also discussed is how government officials, including NZ Prime Minister John Key, can be seen to have engaged in efforts to discredit inconvenient truth-tellers (I’ve recorded Mr Key’s past efforts to, as I see it, smear Hager, who wrote blockbuster The Hollow Men and, separately, the Tea Pot Tapes cameraman). Jon Stephenson talks, carefully, about his recent legal moves to push back against some of that and details disturbing threats he’s personally received.

The same Media3 episode deploys Russell Brown’s summary of The National Business Review‘s ‘sincere apology to Phil Kitchin and The Dominion Post‘ interlude, discussed here in Why has @TheNBR been so #slippery about their apology to Phil Kitchin and @DomPost?

– P

Media issues

courage, Nicky Hager, whistle blower

Howick Deputy Chair Adele White speaks up: Tells Chairman Michael Williams his failure to properly address his recent drink-driving conviction and his manipulative bullying is damaging the Howick Local Board’s reputation

Posted in 12 March 2013

Peter Aranyi

2 Comments »

Deputy chair Adele White is calling for better. Good on her.

Deputy chair Adele White says disgraced Howick Local Board chairman Michael Williams doesn’t seem understand role models, nor the effect his behaviour has had on the Local Board. Good on her.

Deputy chair of the Howick Local Board Adele White addressed the disgraced chairman Michael Williams at the Board meeting last night [11 March].

Ms White, famously in these parts, stared down an attempt by the chairman to remove her as Deputy on flimsy grounds see: Bunfight at Howick Local Board.

With her permission, these are Ms White’s comments to the Board resolution of no confidence in Michael Williams as chairman, and seeking his resignation from the Howick Local Board following his conviction last month on drink-driving charges he’d kept secret since May 2012.

I heard her comments at last night’s meeting. I think they’re worth reproducing in full.

“Mr Williams:
The role of Local Board member is one of significant responsibility.

In placing their votes accordingly, our community are putting their trust and faith in each of us, in the hope that we will represent their wishes, their issues and their financial contribution fairly, honestly and democratically.

The honour that comes with being an elected member must at all times be respected and upheld. This means that our behaviour both whilst participating in Board activities and in our other walks of life must be beyond reproach.

We often underestimate the significance of ourselves as role models to others in the community – especially our youth.

Michael – I don’t believe that you have considered this; or the effect that your behaviour has had on our Board at all.

I think back to the days after the last elections when you were phoning around looking for support as you so desperately wanted the role of chairperson. I pointed out that your reputation of being obstinate, and being a bully preceded you, but you assured us all that you would work for the board. You also invited me to feel free, as your Deputy, to keep you in check.

My comments have forever fallen on deaf ears. Sadly – you are still known as a bully.

Continue reading →

Politics

democracy, Howick, telling the truth, whistle blower

Contrasts

Posted in 11 March 2013

Peter Aranyi

2 Comments »

Top: Ruapehu (Mt Doom) on Friday on my way down country. Bottom: Sunday on my way back.

What a contrast.

– P

Pix: Peter Aranyi. http://campl.us/ofW8

Encouragement

No confidence vote in chairman Michael Williams PASSED but he remains in place.

Posted in 11 March 2013

Peter Aranyi

3 Comments »

Pic: shlomidinoor.blogspot.com (click)

I attended tonight’s meeting of the Howick Local Board and watched them pass this:

(a) That the Howick Local Board expresses no confidence in the chairmanship of Michael Williams as a result of his criminal conviction on 22nd February 2013.

But fail to pass this:

(b) That Michael Williams be requested to resign from the Howick Local Board due to the damage that is being done to the reputation of the Board and the Howick Community as a result of him being charged with excess blood alcohol while in charge of a motor vehicle and failing to accompany a police officer and now being convicted of excess blood alcohol of twice the legal limit.

A proposed amendment seeking Mr Williams’ removal as chairman, while retaining his seat on the Board failed.

What good does a vote of ‘no confidence’ do with the office holder still in place?
If it was a joke, it would be in bad taste.

This dysfunctional committee really sets a new low. Roll on October.

– P

PS See these stories for context.

Politics

democracy, Howick

Australia’s mining boom: Stealing Aboriginal lands from beneath their feet. Yet again. (BBC)

Posted in 11 March 2013

Peter Aranyi

12 Comments »

I listened to this last night, then again today. It’s worth your time.

BBC From Our Own Correspondent – March 2013 (MP3 file here)

Australia’s mining boom and Aboriginal lands

Duration: 10 minutes | First broadcast: Thursday 07 March 2013 | BBC website

Pascale Harter introduces a special edition of From Our Own Correspondent dedicated to Australia’s mining boom and its implications for Aboriginal lands.
Nick Trevithick travels to Western Australia, and to the mining heartland that is fuelling the country’s economic boom. He asks whether it’s possible to put a monetary value on these ancient Aboriginal lands, as they are increasingly being taken over by mining companies.
The minerals beneath the surface can be bought and sold in global markets – but what about the memories, of the colonial era, the prehistoric past and the mythical dreamtime, which also lie embedded in this earth?

“The question of aboriginal land rights and heritage is a canker in the heart of modern Australia. You can diminish Aboriginal numbers statistically to two percent of the total population but in the rural North West … they’re more like thirty percent. Before the mining boom this burning vastness was their last line of retreat. But now they’ve been thrust into the frontline of global economics and the land is being stolen from beneath their feet, yet again…”

– P

Big Questions

Australia

Why has @TheNBR been so #slippery about their apology to Phil Kitchin and @DomPost?

Posted in 10 March 2013

Peter Aranyi

4 Comments »

I wouldn’t normally highlight a retraction and apology from a newspaper as I did yesterday (see: By an amazing coincidence) regarding The National Business Review‘s by-all-appearances-brokered-to-head-off-legal-action retraction and apology to Phil Kitchin and The Dominion Post. (There but for the grace of god, etc …)

But it seems to me as a reader, not a journalist, the NBR has been extremely slippery about this one.

Orginally, on Friday morning the apology was placed in tiny type (I mean TINY: The image below is the apology text in my browser) atop the very same David Cohen article to which it refers — and behind the NBR’s paywall. (Are they serious?)

MEDIA WATCH_ King hit or tragic blunder? | The National Business Review

Read the fine print (if you can). The NBR “published” an apology in tiny print and right on top of the article it sought to retract … and behind a paywall. No marks for trying, NBR. (click to see full size = not much bigger)

I tweeted the apology’s ‘appearance’ on Friday morning to the groans of other journos and a prediction from Russell Brown (@publicaddress) that it would NOT satisfy the agreement reached presumably between the parties’ lawyers.

@onthepaepae @dfisherjourno @chriskeall @gtiso @mattnippert There will be repercussions. I think the agreement was for a prominent apology.

— Russell Brown (@publicaddress) March 7, 2013