Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Playing Nice?

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  • Sacha,

    You, too, may be thinking that even if the client doesn't know what "refute" means, surely his lawyer would.

    Professional journos no longer seem to understand that "refute" is not a synonym for "deny", so I'm not holding my breath for student media to do any better. However I agree that any lawyer should be ashamed of such loose language.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Crikey, you mean the first time I'm first, it's with such a trivial comment.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Stephen Judd,

    I deny these allegations, and I intend to confront the alligators.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    I refute those alligators, sir. Utterly.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Gareth Ward,

    I'm sure I'll get owned by the dictionaristas of PAS here, but refute does have a meaning "to deny" in most dictionaries (as opposed to just prove incorrect), even if there is some dispute.
    Although, yes, common usage should see rebut or repudiate used instead.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Refute has a totality about it that implies proof- which is why people will use it if they can get away with that, because it makes their denial sound more final.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Robyn Gallagher,

    And then -- because it's 20 years ago this month -- I'll be pondering the connection of New Zealand's first internet link to the rest of the world, and what happened next, with David Farrar, Colin Jackson and Nat Torkington. They all have their own stories to tell of our early internet, so that ought to be fun.

    Why is it that whenever the story of the internet in New Zealand is told, it never seems to involve women?

    I know it was male-dominated back then, but there were women out there using it, doing cool stuff and they deserve to have their stories told too.

    Since Nov 2006 • 1946 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    I do like the word "dictionaristas". Sounds more exotic than "wordgeeks".

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Danyl Mclauchlan,

    Why is it that whenever the story of the internet in New Zealand is told, it never seems to involve women?

    Because you're all terrible at reading maps.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 927 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    I know it was male-dominated back then

    Robyn, surely you've asnswered your own question, to be fair. Russell says "They all have their own stories to tell of our early internet". Later internet, far more women's voices.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Bart Janssen,

    I refute those alligators, sir. Utterly.

    Impossible! Only mammals have udders.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report Reply

  • Stewart,

    Sacha - try 'pedants'. We have to accept what we are, even if the term has become a little pejorative.

    Bart - someone's bound to try telling you that alligators are mammals too, as they have to come up for air.

    Te Ika A Maui - Whakatane… • Since Oct 2008 • 577 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Loud voices. I believe Brenda had a huge role in coming up with the s92 blackout campaign, for instance.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • B Jones,

    He is a real lawyer, I've met him.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 976 posts Report Reply

  • Evan Yates,

    I refute those alligators, sir.

    We all know that alligator skin makes fine quality boots and shoes.

    Boots and shoes are made by cobblers.

    Young people these days don't want to learn the demanding skills, so fine shoes are mostly made by aging artisans.

    So what you are effectively saying is that the allegations are a load of old cobblers.

    Makes sense to me...

    Hamiltron, Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Nov 2006 • 197 posts Report Reply

  • Stephen Judd,

    I think an account of the very early days really should have someone from Waikato University, eg John Houlker.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    I think an account of the very early days really should have someone from Waikato University, eg John Houlker.

    One News has interviewed John, so we thought we'd try someone else. There were quite a few candidates for the panel (Tim Wood was keen, but is out of the country this week), but we settled on those three on the basis that they have particular stories to tell.

    That's not to say that there weren't women who made substantial contributions early on -- Lin Nah, and Kim Scheinberg of Iconz come to mind.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Jan Farr,

    Refute: The Encarta World Dictionary gives as it's second option: To deny an allegation or contradict a statement without disproving it.
    The NZ Oxford dictionary gives denying or contradicting without evidence as it's third option.

    Carterton • Since Apr 2008 • 395 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Refute: The Encarta World Dictionary gives as it's second option: To deny an allegation or contradict a statement without disproving it.

    Backsliders.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Mrs Skin,

    Lin Nah, and Kim Scheinberg of Iconz come to mind

    It would certainly be good to hear from them. I'm too tired to articulate rationally, but yeah, what Robyn said. And not what Sacha said. Domination doesn't mean exclusivity and I want to hear our stories too.

    Hope that doesn't sound harsh/grumpy, lack of sleep makes thinking hard.

    the warmest room in the h… • Since Feb 2009 • 168 posts Report Reply

  • Sue,

    i still think 'babe flu' or piglet flu' would sound much nicer

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 527 posts Report Reply

  • Gareth Ward,

    re Telecom's play - interesting. The first option of "we'll align investment" seems to be counter to the intent behind the whole thing" and the second option "we'll own the ducting" seems like a off-topic move for them.

    There is a subtle play in there that Chorus is "effectively" separated so should be able to circumvent the retail-ownership rules. I have some sympathy for that position - afterall, the whole point of operational separation was to enforce that.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report Reply

  • mark taslov,

    Bit early to be jumping on the Swine flu death wagon wouldn't you think, it's still a fair way off racking up the body count of Che Guevara.

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report Reply

  • Gareth Ward,

    i still think 'babe flu' or piglet flu' would sound much nicer

    Considering I've heard suggestion that the current strain is a mix of pig, avian and human influenza, I've suggested Turducken Flu elsewhere...

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report Reply

  • mark taslov,

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report Reply

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