Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Grateful for 'Rain'

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  • Craig Ranapia,

    I can. It's called 'choosing your style' as opposed to 'letting the Victorians choose your style'.

    Sure, and I can't understand why folks don't just go the whole hog and demolish the Victorian cottage -- or sell it to someone who wants it, and is willing to have it removed -- and build a moderne shoe box if that's their 'style'. Perhaps its my untidy not-so-young-anymore fogey genes, but I get creeped out by houses that look like they've been lifted straight from a Wallpaper spread. Just can't imagine kicking your shoes off on a Sunday morning and making a mess. And I can't remember who said it, but who wants to bet that open plan living was cooked up by a childless male architect who never did his own housework. :)

    To me Key's Bach just looks like an excellent place to chill out looking out on the water. It's hard to know from the one photo, but I get a real feeling of sour grapes about the commentary.

    I actually agree with you, Ben. From what I've seen in the public prints, John Key's taste in architecture certainly isn't mine. But, really, so what? Anyone with any sense of cultural history should know that today's fashions never last, and how often have we seen the reverse? How soon we forget that there was a time when (to advanced eyes) today's million dollar, lovingly restored Devonport villa was a sad relic of a dead world that couldn't be toched soon enough.

    To get all Victorian again, I'm reminded of a lovely line from [url|R.S. Surtees]]: "The only infallible rule we know is that the man who is always talking about being a gentleman never is." Well, I sometime wonder if the man who is always proclaiming his own exquisite taste knows the difference between style and fashion.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Snowy,

    this from the Fundy Post says it all about Key's bach

    http://fundypost.blogspot.com/2007/12/house-fit-for-horrors.html

    Wellington • Since Jan 2008 • 62 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Clearly Craig is pathologically contrarian. I guess he needs the attention.

    For future reference, Snowy, I prefer to have my 'pathology' diagnosed and treated by qualified professionals I've established an appropriate therapeutic relationship with. (Hint: It usually starts by being in the same room.)

    You might wish to turn your mind-reading abilities to scoring that $20 grand Tony Andrews is offering - though I don't fancy your chances.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Snowy,

    i am that professional Craig

    Wellington • Since Jan 2008 • 62 posts Report Reply

  • Stephen Judd,

    How about one seeks msm publication while the other doesn't seek publication on a rightwing hate site? Would that be different enough?

    No, it wouldn't, actually. That would amount to criticising things merely on the basis of who says them.

    Publishing stuff about where people live is presumably problematic because it will cause those people to be harassed, or violate their privacy. I'm asking whether that is really the case here. Maybe, maybe not. It's certainly not like the classic American wingnut approach where phone numbers are published and readers are enjoined to take whatever action they see fit.

    Yes, Slater is an odious man, but that doesn't mean everything he does is odious.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report Reply

  • Snowy,

    Fair points Stephen, but it's not just about the origin of source - it's about consent. Key did, Minto didn't.

    Wellington • Since Jan 2008 • 62 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Campbell,

    That's true - there is a difference between printing a picture of someone who is posing in front of his house for PR purposes (he does need to spend some time on that lawn) and printing a pic of someones house that was taken apparently for the purposes of stalking.

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report Reply

  • Jake Pollock,

    The Key photo was taken from a newspaper, i.e. it's in the public domain, at Key's consent. He posed for the photo after all. The Minto photos weren't. They were photos secretly taken of a private house by an individual's self-styled 'political enemies'. It doesn't even come close.

    Raumati South • Since Nov 2006 • 489 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    i am that professional Craig

    You're a nit-wit, Snowy, and I can't be bothered wasting any more time on you.

    As for Kyle:

    Or does your contrary angle not have an off switch, even when people are expressing sadness?

    Short answer: No. Please feel free to deck yourself in sackcloth and ashes and you feel fit, but I'd rather honor the memory of Sir Edmund by sharing a little of his impatience with cant, pretension and insincerity.

    I've cut the Himalayan Trust a hundred dollar cheque - and as far as I'm concerned, that's an entirely appropriate tribute to a fine man who lived a long and rich life. Full stop and period.

    Over the last year, I've buried my grandmother and foster mother (who both died on the same day), two close friends, and attended a memorial for the sixth child in five years miscarried by another friend.

    Pardon me if -- with all due respect to those who feel differently -- I can't regard the death of Sir Ed., the ABs being knocked out of the World Cup or the tenth anniversary of the death of the Prince of Walkes' first wife as occasions for breast beating and rending of garments.

    It might just have a little more to do with a different perspective than pathological bloody-mindedness, chaps.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Graeme Edgeler,

    I disagree with a lot of what John Minto says these days, but Mr Oil has, yet again, crossed the creepy line.

    I realise a photo is different from an address or phone number (not least because you actually have to visit the place and take a photo), but is the actual publication of it that far removed from your post here?

    I thought it a little weird at the time, but was there a reason you chose not to blank over the address and phone number with X's or something?

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report Reply

  • Stephen Judd,

    apparently for the purposes of stalking.

    Stalking implies intimidation, and that's what I'm wondering about. There's no address, there's no number, no contact details, and no call to action.

    Don't get me wrong - I think this is idiotic, pointless, and so on. As Russell says, creepy even. But I think that the word Nazi is way over the top, and I don't think this reaches the level of Malkin-style persecution either.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    That's true - there is a difference between printing a picture of someone who is posing in front of his house for PR purposes (he does need to spend some time on that lawn) and printing a pic of someones house that was taken apparently for the purposes of stalking.

    Um, perhaps we should let the courts hand down the "stalking" convictions, Paul? Without wanting to defend the indefensible Mr. Slater, I don't see the publication of Minto's home address, phone number, or personal details of where his partner works or his children goes to school. As far as I'm concerned, publishing photos of someone's home without their specific and explicit consent is totally beyond the pale. But 'cyber-stalking'?

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    If I were Whaleoil I would point to the publicity over Key's bach and ask what's different.

    Not much, except that it looks like it's Key's own photo, rather than some creepy stalker's. But the intention is similar, to rag out someone on account of their lifestyle or taste, when obviously the dislike is really political.

    Perhaps I'm just touchy because I'm heir to a modernist bach myself which carries with it a lifetime of happy memories. I couldn't give a shit what art critics think of it, I think it's awesome. One of my favorite places on Earth.

    And I can't remember who said it, but who wants to bet that open plan living was cooked up by a childless male architect who never did his own housework.

    Somehow I think that living in tiny partitioned wooden boxes is actually the more modern invention.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    I stand by it.

    I'd expect nothing less, Idiot/Savant. Just as I know I'm never going to convince the usual suspects over at Kiwiblog to stop screaming 'Stalinst' until Helen Clark finally gets around to turning Waiheke Island into a giant gulag for her enemies, engineers a famine that kills millions, establishing an elaborate apparatus of state terror and intimidation and so forth...

    But one keeps banging on...

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Perhaps I'm just touchy because I'm heir to a modernist bach myself which carries with it a lifetime of happy memories. I couldn't give a shit what art critics think of it, I think it's awesome. One of my favorite places on Earth.

    You asked for it, Ben! It's karaoke time!

    A room is a still a room, even when there's nothin' there but gloom
    But a room is not a house and a house is not a home
    When the two of us are far apart
    And one of us has a broken heart.

    I will do Dusty at your next event for a modest fee. :)

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Stephen Judd,

    Apropos gutted villas: perhaps the villas are learning.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report Reply

  • Snowy,

    "beyond the pale. But 'cyber-stalking'?"

    Given your m/o on this site it's not surprising you fail to understand the implicit threat in Slater's actions.

    Wellington • Since Jan 2008 • 62 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    I will do Dusty at your next event for a modest fee. :)

    Both ways now? ;-)

    Perhaps I'm also being contrary and there really are rules of good beach house taste. If so, I would like to pose beneath them in my choice of beach attire - Speedos. I don't care who thinks they look like undies, I prefer to swim when I go swimming, not fight gaping pockets full of water and restricted leg movements, just to convince everyone what a great conformist I am.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Given your m/o on this site it's not surprising you fail to understand the implicit threat in Slater's actions.

    Thank you for playing, Snowy. I'm not.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Graeme Edgeler,

    it's not surprising you fail to understand the implicit threat in Slater's actions.

    Again, it's a disturbing, odd thing to do, going to someone's house to photograph it, but even with the publication on whale, I couldn't find Minto's house to egg, or call it up and leave rude messages.

    Thanks to PA, I could do that Mr Slater. Just sayin'.

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report Reply

  • Che Tibby,

    I prefer to swim when I go swimming, not fight gaping pockets full of water and restricted leg movements, just to convince everyone what a great conformist I am

    i recommend physiotherapy.

    but seriously... mr. slater lives in howick?

    no wonder he's all up in arms. lefty protesting types are pushing him out into suburban hell and not staying in dives in huntly "like they're supposed to"

    the back of an envelope • Since Nov 2006 • 2042 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Short answer: No. Please feel free to deck yourself in sackcloth and ashes and you feel fit, but I'd rather honor the memory of Sir Edmund by sharing a little of his impatience with cant, pretension and insincerity.

    Ah sorry, my bad. I'll try and conform my way of dealing with death to your model when I'm anywhere near your internet presence.

    Do you pass these words of wisdom on to strangers coming out of funerals as well? Would get an even better reception there.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Che Tibby,

    even with the publication on whale, I couldn't find Minto's house to egg, or call it up and leave rude messages

    but somehow slater did, was able to photograph it, and could easily share that info with people who dislike minto.

    not intimidating at all. not an iota.

    the back of an envelope • Since Nov 2006 • 2042 posts Report Reply

  • ali bramwell,

    it's not just about the origin of source - it's about consent

    I agree that consent is relevant with privacy considerations, not just about perceived potential for harm, which is a subjective issue.

    I checked out that facebook article linked, I was surprised to note that amid the hysterical disapproval the issue of consent around privacy issues was actually almost overlooked by the author, his only comment being "a facebook user doesnt have much privacy".

    Personally I would argue that is the issue of most note.

    The clauses I find most interesting in the Facebook privacy statement appear to state that any and all information from any source (ie on or off Facebook) can be collected and disseminated as facebook decides is beneficial to their 'interests', indefinately. When you sign on you apparently give unlimited consent to the use (or sale) of any information about you now and at any future time potentially from any source.

    I should amend my emphasis from consent, to informed consent. most users dont appear to realise the potential extent of the contract they have entered into.

    From the online policy statement:

    We may use information about you that we collect from other sources, including but not limited to newspapers and Internet sources such as blogs, instant messaging services, Facebook Platform developers and other users of Facebook, to supplement your profile.
    [...] Additionally, we may share account or other information when we believe it is necessary to comply with law, to protect our interests or property, to prevent fraud or other illegal activity perpetrated through the Facebook service or using the Facebook name, or to prevent imminent bodily harm. This may include sharing information with other companies, lawyers, agents or government agencies.
    [...] We reserve the right to change our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use at any time.

    The stuff in there about IP tracking by platform applications, linked sites with "different privacy policies" and third party advertisers (working in partnership with Facebook) also gives pause if taken alongside the phrase "we may use information about you we collect from other sources."

    With a privacy policy this loose, and given the sheer scale of membership, knowing who 'Facebook' is and what they consider beneficial to their interests is a relevant part of informed consent.
    Paranoid? maybe. ( hopefully!)
    Lets rely on the moral rectitude of business interests...thats always worked before, right?

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2007 • 33 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    Physiotherapy? Are you going to tell me with good posture and a few sit-ups I can make wearing a pair of shorts no more restrictive than speedos? You and your physio snake oil....

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

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