Posts by David Cauchi

  • Up Front: A Word in Your Ear,

    I'm with the first commenter who said 'What?'

    I'd add a few exclamation marks. Ye gods.

    And asterisks should be outside the punctuation.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2007 • 121 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Climate science and the media,

    When you have Oppenheimer saying things like 'I am become Death, destroyer of worlds', it's not hard to see why people don't trust scientists.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2007 • 121 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: McVicar and the media,

    Summarising briefly, it seems the argument presented for why we need the police and prisons is that without them we'll turn into Somalia, because the lack of an effective justice system is the only relevant factor causing that situation – and because someone dimly remembers some archaeological evidence that suggests prehistoric people were more violent than we are.

    And this argument is so powerful that we should dismiss out of hand any alternative.

    Once upon a time, we were a highly religious society. It was generally assumed that without the moral guidance religion provides people would wantonly rape and murder. This was of course complete bollocks.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2007 • 121 posts Report Reply

  • Field Theory: A post about art (sort of),

    I've said it before, and I'll say it again:

    The NZ art world, like NZ in general, is conformist and conservative. It needs more feuds. It needs some people to shake it up.

    I am not a New Zealand artist. I am not going to go into a rant about the disgusting spectacle that is the ridiculously bombastic nationalism that makes up such a large part of what for a lack of a better term we are forced to call New Zealand culture. I do not contribute to that culture. I am not a New Zealand artist.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2007 • 121 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: McVicar and the media,

    Nuff said.

    If only it were.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2007 • 121 posts Report Reply

  • Field Theory: A post about art (sort of),

    David Cauchi always said he wanted more feuds in the NZ art world; this is a pretty scary foretaste of what that might look like.

    I meant feuds between artists and their factions, but I've really enjoyed this.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2007 • 121 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: McVicar and the media,

    Changing a few laws, changes the numbers in prison, that I imagine could have a dynamic effect.

    Yes, I know it's radical, but it's the very concept of laws that is wrong.

    I reckon most people live their lives without reference to laws, in communities, as human beings. Laws are an imposition that serve the interests of the ruling classes.

    We don't need prisons. We don't need the police. They're not in our interest. They're not on our side.

    I'm not very good with words. I'd like to be able to put it better.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2007 • 121 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: McVicar and the media,

    Yes, anarchistic rather than libertarian.

    And I'm happy to wait till tomorrow to hear why you need the bosses' blue power gang to protect your stuff.

    Stuff. Ha! Why does it always come to that so quickly?

    I could get Kropotkin on your arse and say 'Property is theft!'

    But I won't.

    I like my pictures, and will defend them.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2007 • 121 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: McVicar and the media,

    And why are you repeatedly calling me a libertarian?

    Wellington • Since Jul 2007 • 121 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: McVicar and the media,

    OK, so practically speaking what happens when someone tries to beat me up or take my stuff?

    Do you live in isolation? Do you not live in a community?

    If you and your community can't deal with rogue elements trying to beat you up and take your stuff, what kind of community is it?

    You are not surrounded by barbarians. You do not need the police to protect you.

    They're not there for you in any case.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2007 • 121 posts Report Reply

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