I'm still waiting for this song to load, so I have no idea what the video is like. But if it's anything like the music, it probably says it much better than I ever could:
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Wednesday, 24 February 2010
Politics and Playgrounds
This is where I sit on the political compass, according to politicalcompass.org. I don't think I'm really surprised. I would have thought perhaps a little more right leaning, but even then, I'm much less conservative than I would have been, say, 5 years ago. Amusingly, for those that follow the rather excellent Timothy Goodall, you will notice that our results match. I dearly hope I'm not merely a product of my culture... but I suppose I may as well just resign myself to it.--
I don't want to say too much about Argentina and The Falklands, simply because, well, I'm well behind, and it mostly has already been said. However, I would like to point out one thing: having Hugo Chavez, the renowned big ball of crazy, on your side is never a good thing. Sorry, Argentina.
"Look, England, how long are you going to be in Las Malvinas? Queen of England, I'm talking to you," said Mr 'My Diplomacy Is Based Upon Playground Taunts' Chavez. "The time for empires are over, haven't you noticed? Return the Malvinas to the Argentine people."Still addressing the 85 year-old and fairly-impotent-when-it-comes-to-law-making, Queen, he went on: "The English are still threatening Argentina. Things have changed. We are no longer in 1982. If conflict breaks out, be sure Argentina will not be alone like it was back then." He described British control of the islands in the South Atlantic as "anti-historic and irrational" and asked "why the English speak of democracy but still have a Queen".
Just... where to start?
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
On Stupid Headlines
The BBC have today been running a report on an NHS Trust in Staffordshire.
The headline that the BBC have gone with is "Hospital left patients 'sobbing.'" Not, as elsewhere reported in the story, "400 'needless' deaths," "Patients routinely neglected," or even "Hospital in Staffordshire is a bit rubbish, really." A bizarre and ridiculous focus on the human element, complete with pictures of people looking unhappy. I fully acknowledge there is a human cost to this - the NHS, for all its brilliance, considerably loses its sheen when it chases after money-saving measures and target-driven ideals, as opposed to, er, life-saving measures and people-driven ideals. But seriously - prioritising the living who were driven to tears of frustration instead of, well, 400 dead people is a strange choice to make.
I know, if I had a choice, which I'd rather be. And thus, I'd rather see a headline not about me.
The headline that the BBC have gone with is "Hospital left patients 'sobbing.'" Not, as elsewhere reported in the story, "400 'needless' deaths," "Patients routinely neglected," or even "Hospital in Staffordshire is a bit rubbish, really." A bizarre and ridiculous focus on the human element, complete with pictures of people looking unhappy. I fully acknowledge there is a human cost to this - the NHS, for all its brilliance, considerably loses its sheen when it chases after money-saving measures and target-driven ideals, as opposed to, er, life-saving measures and people-driven ideals. But seriously - prioritising the living who were driven to tears of frustration instead of, well, 400 dead people is a strange choice to make.
I know, if I had a choice, which I'd rather be. And thus, I'd rather see a headline not about me.
Playground
On my way to the church this morning, I saw some grown men playing on the play equipment at my local park. They had drills to make it look like they were working, but I know the truth.
Friday, 19 February 2010
Monday, 8 February 2010
I may gone some time...
Well, 5 days. 4 and half. I'm away, anyway. Until Friday. And basically out of reach until then. I've not abandoned you all, and I'm not being lazy, I'm just away. That's all.
Friday, 5 February 2010
The iPad
The iPad is what I imagine would happen if the Sylvanian Families (how's that for retro?!) got hold of the iPhone and did that whole 'big, bigger, biggest' thing they do. Except without working like a 'phone, having the ability to multi-task, or needing to get through a tiny door in a tree.
In essence, it's a ridiculous piece of technology that no-one needs, but this is what Apple are good at. They are the masters of convincing you that you need the next piece of technology. Only, the iPad's flaws are much more obvious than other technology previously, so they've got a hard sell. However, there will always be suckers to buy stuff like this.
And I would be quite comfortable in reckoning that in 5 years, the iPad will be a common sight, just as the iPhone is now, but perhaps not to the same extent. And the name iPad won't sound quite so ridiculous and stupid and like a kid's toy.
Oh, and this all said, I imagine I'll want one soon. I can feel the pull.
In essence, it's a ridiculous piece of technology that no-one needs, but this is what Apple are good at. They are the masters of convincing you that you need the next piece of technology. Only, the iPad's flaws are much more obvious than other technology previously, so they've got a hard sell. However, there will always be suckers to buy stuff like this.
And I would be quite comfortable in reckoning that in 5 years, the iPad will be a common sight, just as the iPhone is now, but perhaps not to the same extent. And the name iPad won't sound quite so ridiculous and stupid and like a kid's toy.
Oh, and this all said, I imagine I'll want one soon. I can feel the pull.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)