Given they have criticised the government for having too timid a stimulus package, I shall be very interested to see what that is.

If I hear back, I'll let ya know.

Bit late (got labelled as spam ) cos I am generally, but this is what they wrote

Good afternoon Sofie…

Why not bury the dead standing up.

Because it makes it too easy for them to claw their way out when they come back as zombies

re the Tokyo part of this article, i think Mr. Tan is just making shit up. possibly, the Singaporeans told him they would market their plots in Tokyo, but it seems extremely unlikely to me...for various reasons.

Why not bury the dead standing up.

A group of Singapore businessmen was here last month, and appointed an agent to help them look for land in the Hibiscus Coast area to bury dead people from cities such as Singapore and Tokyo, which are running out of cemetery space.

re the Tokyo part of this article, i…

[Kai Luey] said he would support the project because it would keep Chinese traditions alive for new immigrants

Puns aside, it's a neat idea, and one which could make life a lot easier for families of these people living in NZ.

Less accident-prone than other solutions too, perhaps.

Actually I was kind of hoping we could return to...what was Russell's blog post about, again?

Recession stuff.

Talking of which, is this the answer to NZ's recession woes? Think of the global market potential...

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10563614

I know what you mean. Can't we get back to discussing copyright?

Actually I was kind of hoping we could return to...what was Russell's blog post about, again?

Meta: is anyone else finding it hilarious that this thread is now All. About. Scifi?

I know what you mean. Can't we get back to discussing copyright?

Speaking for those of us who have been on the Internet since before last Thursday: no, not at all.

It's still great that Paul was good enough to start the discussion off. Someone should thank him...

Would this be the wrong point in the thread to admit I've never watched BSG?

Oh, nobody does. We just read the recaps so we can hijack conversations on other topics, but at that time on a Friday night we're all busy with political activism.

Meta: is anyone else finding…

What genre is Iain Banks "Song of Stone" (for those who've ploughed through it?).

Snuff porn?

But there's so much blurring around the edges, really, that I sometimes think the all these categories are ultimately unworkable.

Indeedy indeedy.

Another theorist, Brian Attebery, has come up with the term 'fuzzy sets' in his study, Strategies of Fantasy – all the borders are blurred and definitions refer only…

Doesnt happen.
Your publisher/s/critics do – but an author *cant.* And if it tries (I am assured)it is immediately discountenanced.

Are the former Booker-McConnell awards political? O yes indeedy – but not necessarily in an obvious way: for a long time, it was…

Science fiction is the search for a definition of mankind and his status in the universe which will stand in our advanced but confused state of knowledge (science), and is characteristically cast in the Gothic or post-Gothic mode .

I think the "universe" aspect of that definition is important, too;…

I find it *absolutely fascinating* how whenever a spec-fic work is acknowledged as a work of literature, it undergoes a mysterious transformation into "normal" literature (whatever that is)

Hmmmm, this book/film/whatever is amazing! Such rich characters! Such a well-developed and paced plot! Truely, this is a rarely crafted quality work!…

OK, on definitions of sf:

Brian Aldiss (former young turk, now…

Okay, you're going to have to explain to me how you can be a socialist and not a Marxist.

Funnily enough, I delivered a lecture on William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement this morning and to avoid being long-winded (after all, I'm not being paid by the word…

Clarke, Asimov, what's the difference?

Probably a satellite somewhere, in any case..

"whenever a spec-fic work is acknowledged as a work of literature, it undergoes a mysterious transformation into "normal literature" "

has been one of my gripes for ages. Margaret Atwood said "The Handmaid's Tale" wasnt…

The problem is, I think, that BSG is being represented as being "kool" and, by default, not havig knowledge of the program puts us in the unkool catagory and, by implication, sugests we can't grasp the "Bigger Picture". That is just so many kinds of wrong.

Would this be the…

Incidentally, one favourite factioid is that Osama bin Laden is a huge fan of Asimov

See, I told you it was destroying civilisation.

And I totally hear you, Rich; I find it *absolutely fascinating* how whenever a spec-fic work is acknowledged as a work of literature, it undergoes a mysterious…

Star Trek – wooden characters, drifting in a sparsely painted universe.
But those are the things which make Star Trek awesome.

I think that is the real point. Science fiction has always simplified the science, I guess that's why it's fiction ;-) Anyhow. Why is allegory an anathema to analysis?…

Don't try to bring facts into this, man!

Star Trek – wooden characters, drifting in a sparsely painted universe.

But those are the things which make Star Trek awesome. That, and the Beatle boots.

I may be wrong but I do not think 1984 and the Handmaid's Tale are Sci-Fi

Sorry, but you are wrong. If I had a dollar for every time I'd heard that particular argument, I might not be able to retire, but I'd certainly have enough for a bloody good…

Mainstream, according to Banks' own very self-conscious distinction. When he writes science-fiction, he signs himself as Iain M. Banks.

Yes, but it isn't the same. Espediair Street is set mostly in the West of Scotland in the '70s and '80s. The Business is set in various global locations in the…

What you need is some protection from all this incoming fire.

http://www.officialstarwarscostumes.com/99909866.html

Hence why it's a Labour party, and not a Communist/Marxist party.

Anyway, I'm fuzzy on Labour history, and don't want to pretend an expertise I don't have, but…

Socialism –noun
1. a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole.
2. procedure or practice in accordance with this theory.
3. (in Marxist…

What genre is Iain Banks "Song of Stone"

Mainstream, according to Banks' own very self-conscious distinction. When he writes science-fiction, he signs himself as Iain M. Banks.

wrote that "throughout the whole history of the British Labour movement there has been pressure by the bourgeoisie upon the proletariat through the agency of radicals, intellectuals, drawing-room and church socialists and Owenites…

For me scifi is writing where a self-contained imaginary reality is created, detached from our present and historical experience.

Who does that, Larry Niven? It seems to me that everybody else imagines people and societies of the future by extrapolating from our present. In more or less interesting ways, naturally,…

There's nothing science based in it, but unlike his other non-scifi, it isn't set in a recognisable place and era. For that reason, I found it inaccessible and dull (and I love the rest of Bank's…

Animal Farm isn't a prediction that farmyard animals will adopt societ-style…

In defining the scope of the science fiction genre, we speak of the effect of science on society or people, that is;

· the effect of imagined science
· the imagined effect of actual science
· imagined technology based…

Jack, I am do no such thing. I may be wrong but I do not think 1984 and the Handmaid's Tale are Sci-Fi

To be fair, from Wikipedia (which matches my recollection on widely discussed point in sci-fi forums):

Atwood was offended at the suggestion that the novel was science…

I may be wrong but I do not think 1984 and the Handmaid's Tale are Sci-Fi

According to science fiction writer Robert A. Heinlein, "a handy short definition of almost all science fiction might read: realistic speculation about possible future events, based solidly on adequate knowledge of the real world,…

the Labour party – which in the days of its mass membership was a Marxist organisation

I really don't think that's true for the NZ Labour Party. Even when it was explicitly a hard socialist party, the Marxists were a minority.

although 1984 and The Handmaid's Tale don't really count: they are novels of possible political futures. not Sci-Fi).

So your solution to people who argue that science fiction isn't crap by providing counterexamples is to redefine science fiction so as to avoid those counterexamples? It's an interesting rhetorical device.

Why…

- I'd have to point out that according to that tradition analysis *is* action (although hardly exhaustive of it).

Giovanni: yes, there is lots of good political Science Fiction, most of it in book form, most of it written decades ago, a lot of it written by writers who are not specialists in the genre (although 1984 and The Handmaid's…

Please. I may be crazy but I'm not dumb, as someone else once said.

Away with your frivolous popular music references!

Okay, fine, I give up, sci-fi is going to cause the death of civilisation.

Heh, someone should totally write a book about that.

Because people seem to think the spaceship stories are terribly important, because discussion of events in fictional stories has replaced discussion of events in real life.

Now, you could take that as commentary on just about any organised religion and its scriptures...

Just sayin'.

Because people seem to think the spaceship stories are terribly important, because discussion of events in fictional stories has replaced discussion of events in real life.

Okay, fine, I give up, sci-fi is going to cause the death of civilisation.

But seriously – replaced? I don't know what world you're…

Publish, register or otherwise stand behind your concepts and I'm sure you'll get some credit too when the talking shiny ones take over.

I guess I just did, at least for the purposes of boring people with 'told you so" in twenty or thrirty years. I could also point to…

Sure, allegory is no substitute for action, but perhaps you're confusing this space with a political organising forum, Paul.

Please. I may be crazy but I'm not dumb, as someone else once said.

But why blame spaceships? Why not blame Paris Hilton, or the All Blacks, or U2? They all…

Rich, I'm no satellite expert but aren't you confusing coming up with an idea – which I had always understood was original and well enough developed in this case (unless you have evidence otherwise) – and turning it into reality.

To me invent means 'actually made it work'.

Lots of…

Yes, my massively vanilla PG-13 hetfic will surely lead to my public humiliation one day. (Now, if you had access to my bookmark list, *then* you might have some good blackmail material.)

I'll bribe Tui...

Hah. Don't forget, I've read your fanfic, Lucy.

Yes, my massively vanilla PG-13 hetfic will surely lead to my public humiliation one day. (Now, if you had access to my bookmark list, *then* you might have some good blackmail material.)

Dude, there are *limits*.

Hah. Don't forget, I've read your fanfic, Lucy.

Somewhere on the internet there's Mark Harris/Robbery slash fic that someone has written, or is thinking about writing. Y'just know it.

Gah, rumbled!

We live in an era in which political leaders lie to us, in which our entire economy is collapsing and political discussion is diverted by talk of spaceships. I cannot help but see a connexion.

But why blame spaceships? Why not blame Paris Hilton, or the All Blacks, or U2?…

We live in an era in which political leaders lie to us, in which our entire economy is collapsing and political discussion is diverted by talk of spaceships. I cannot help but see a connexion.

I love having the concept of 'panem et circenses' explained to me when I talk…

I have been told that we tend…

ren't you confusing coming up with an idea – which I had always understood was original and well enough developed in this case

Clarke proposed the idea of communication satellites in 1945. The technology to actually put a satellite in geostationary orbit didn't exist until the early 1960's. I'd argue…

hardly relevant to the topic

There's the problem – we may disagree about what is relevant.

Sure, allegory is no substitute for action, but perhaps you're confusing this space with a political organising forum, Paul. It isn't. Nor is BSG mindless fluff.

In the realm of talking about politics, referring…

thank you. I did not interpret your comment to mean 'piss off.' I merely think I should avoid arguments with people who accuse me of racism, sexism or antidisestablishmentarianism when I comment about TV shows about spaceships. In future I will just stick to the topic, and if the…

People need to be informed and active about what is going on here and now, not in a galaxy far, far away.

Yeah, but – why are you assuming that everyone here is not informed or active just because *this particular thread* wandered off-topic? The PAS features lots of informed…

Eeew.

But I'm told chicks dig that stuff ...

Dude, there are *limits*.

We could be sitting around in 18th century Dublin talking about all the resonances in that one piece that guy…

Somewhere on the internet there's Mark Harris/Robbery slash fic that someone has written, or is thinking about writing. Y'just know it.

Eeew.

But I'm told chicks dig that stuff ...

I believe Russell can testify to previous evidence of mutual good intent on that front. They're all good, even though we have faves.

Oh, I've tasted bad whisky. Readers may recall the dread 45 South.

But even that came from the plant that made the Lammerlaw single malt, whose remaining…

What on earth did I miss? Is it lost in the copyright thread somewhere

Somewhere on the internet there's Mark Harris/Robbery slash fic that someone has written, or is thinking about writing. Y'just know it.

Before even the first world war, a 'geek' named Herbert George Wells read a paper by Ernest Rutherford.

...

Thus was born the Manhattan Project.

Man. Now you've fucked up my day. 'Cause the other way to look at it was that it's Wells' fault, and that's going to take…

When you add riders about having outgrown sci-fi and comics, you imply that genre fiction as a whole is generally less legitimate. It's really not.

Not actually what I said, tho, Lucy. What I said was: "Generally speaking, my sci-fi and comic book days are long behind me."

I grew…

even though we have faves.

See, and after a few there'd be arguments :)

You'd probably argue about whose got the best Scotch

I believe Russell can testify to previous evidence of mutual good intent on that front. They're all good, even though we have faves.

We do have some good beers in this country, they're just not made by DB, or New Zealand Breweries.

I noticed that the bottle of Steiny that someone else was drinking says on it "New Zealand's Number One Beer" or words to that effect. Are the other products of that…

And yet we would all get on splendidly over a few drinks, where the tone would be easier to figure, the corrections and adjustments would come sooner and the mutual good intent would be more apparent.

Hah, bet not. You'd probably argue about whose got the best Scotch. :)

merely because I do not like geek culture

Bah. That is not an honest description of your posting. You are free to 'dislike'. It is the representation of 'geek culture' as morally and intellectually corrupt and politically incorrect and even a probable cause of the global financial crisis, then demanding…

Steve: Ah, "dog-whistle" — another lame-arse cliché I'd deconstruct if I thought you'd actually bother listening.

And there I was thinking you were trying to play Mr Nice Guy.
Well Craig, which lame-arsed cliché would you prefer I used to depict the actions of John Key and his sycophantic followers,…

Then how about "John Key is a Cnut"?
Single handedly turning back the tide of....[insert dog whistle of the day here]

Steve: Ah, "dog-whistle" — another lame-arse cliché I'd deconstruct if I thought you'd actually bother listening.

I do take your point thusly expressed, however.

I often wonder what I think I mean and spend hours cogitating on epistemology as a consequence.

I'm waiting for Giovanni to enthuse about sex on tv at this point..

Actually, it was on television viewing and sexual activities, and I'm preparing a post matching in long-windedness my prowess in both those areas.

Okay, relax, I kid: that lurid threat was in fact an attempt on my…

I guess you get paid by the word.

Yes, in many cases actually I do.

(My major point of frustration with neurotypical types is that they seem to think in glib one-liners and never bother it explore or explain an idea in depth)

I think you try a bit harder…

O, so, so much do I!

But let's have a wee look at things: Paul Litterick is a couth & literate commentator (and I enjoy his blog.)

Some of us have obsessive qualities (dont get me started on food! Or insects/arachnids! Or fishing! Or- nah, just dont-)…

And no I was not just saying. Your Geek = Aspergers conflation is not trivial, it is tactical. It is a conclusion that only you are drawing, in a desperate attempt to portray me as the aesthetic equivalent of a racist and…

What on earth did I miss? Is it lost in the copyright thread somewhere?

If only.

So, I'm long-winded. Fine. View it as symptomatic. At least I get paid for it, so there are compensations.

You get paid to be long-winded?! I want in.

Kracklite: I don't think you are sufficiently interesting to be rude, merely long-winded and prone to read an awful lot into what I said; such is your geek = Aspergers assumption and your determination to be offended.

'The boys throw stones in jest, but the frogs die in earnest."

I've…

ScottY: my observation was based on experience; such obsessions are harmless, but they…

The New Zealand beer brewery, DB, took exception to an open letter on the site which says the national brew is lacking in hops.

"They can't be serious," a DB spokeswoman said.

"We've got some of the best beer in the world."

But neglects to mention that…

I am, however, intrigued by this:

I find people hijacking conversations to enthuse about... their sex lives to be very rude.

An offhand, somewhat self-mocking remark by myself, which the inestimable Mr L took too seriously or opportunistically.

Okaaay, reasoning aside, did you notice that the net practical effect of your complaint was to drive the thread even further off topic?

I feel like this should be some kind of Godwin-esque interweb law of probability or something. The more any person attempts to anoint themselves the On-Topic Police,…

Before even the first world war, a 'geek' named Herbert George Wells read a paper by Ernest Rutherford. He deduced that energy from nuclear reactions could release tremendous amounts of energy which could be turned to military purposes. He wrote a…

Two Australians don't like NZ. This is a crisis!

It's OK, they're only Tasmanians. Remember, if Tasmania can maintain its minuscule positive population growth, it'll reach half a million by the end of this century. Which, I believe, was the population of Auckland in 1965.

Sure they may obsess over things we might not be interested in, but then we all have our own obsessions. So what's the harm?

I'm afraid that this is the problem that I have with much of the left, which Orwell had too – it was their damned moral earnestness…

This just in:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10563321

Two Australians don't like NZ. This is a crisis!

In any case, most geek culture enthusiasms are really not that profound.

Paul, let's be honest – most of us aren't profound. I'm not a geek, but I don't claim to be profound. That doesn't mean someone can't have an opinion and express it.

It is just that most geeks…

In any case, most geek culture enthusiasms are really not that profound. It is just that most geeks have not read anything outside their preferred genres, and that most geeks are very literal-minded.

Yes indeed, you have demonstrated that very well.

And what the hell do you know about my…

Each to her own. I find people hijacking conversations to enthuse about their favourite television programmes or their sex lives to be very rude.

Okaaay, reasoning aside, did you notice that the net practical effect of your complaint was to drive the thread even further off topic ?

There's no…

In any case, most geek culture enthusiasms are really not that profound. It is just that most geeks have…

Each to her own. I find people hijacking conversations to enthuse about their favourite television programmes or their sex lives to be very rude.

I think the point people were trying to make was that you could learn a lot about the current crisis by watching certain TV shows.

Now…

I find people hijacking conversations to enthuse about their favourite television programmes or their sex lives to be very rude.

Okay, I'm now officially determined to do both those things. Just warning y'all so you can hide the children.

Dude, ask yourself why chicks watch Grey's Anatomy.

For medical tips? After a marathon catchup, it seems some on this thread might regard that as the only legitimate enjoyment.

Geez. Beauty and fun are OK, and art does change things. Wasn't it Bill Hicks or George Carlin who did that…

I generally don't consider a string of "John Key's a cunt" and/or "Americans are stupid poopy heads" comments to be a discussion of tremendous import that adds greatly to human wisdom.

Then how about "John Key is a Cnut"?
Single handedly turning back the tide of....[insert dog whistle of…

And reports that Wall Street basically threatened to withold support for the Geithner bank package unless the Administration backed the fuck off bonuses.

Hum... I'd just have started reminding constituents of the righteously "outraged" Congresspersons that K Street lobbyists are weathering the recession/depression/cluster fuck to the poorhouse better than most.…

The prospect is floated of a systemic risk regulator that could just seize basket-cases like AIG and Lehman — to prevent them taking everything else down — without having to shower money on failure. Possibly a good idea. But…

I agree about the oasis and I am prepared to tolerate people going on and on and on about their fantasy fetishes. I just wish they would not hijack discussions about more important matters, as has happened here.

Paul: I generally don't consider a string of "John Key's a cunt"…

I agree about the oasis and I am prepared to tolerate people going on and on and on about their fantasy fetishes. I just wish they would not hijack discussions about more important matters, as has happened here.

At ease, soldier. What bothers me is folk who think their preferred…

See: National cycleway no joking matter:

If the Prime Minister has erred, it has been in being too enthusiastic about the idea of a "national cycleway" when it would be…

Ridicule is what I live for! But 'you ruined this important discussion with your dumbass pop culture' is a turn in the conversation I dig somewhat less.

Is it the overtones of "you are not SERIOUS enough!" or the overtones of "I don't understand this conversation so I'm going to…

A whole new turn for the PASBSG meme! This is so cool.

Yes. Yes, it is.

Of course. Ridicule is what I live for! But 'you ruined this important discussion with your dumbass pop culture' is a turn in the conversation I dig somewhat less.

A whole new turn for the PASBSG meme! This is so cool.

But the rest of us should also be free to ridicule them for it.

Of course. Ridicule is what I live for! But 'you ruined this important discussion with your dumbass pop culture' is a turn in the conversation I dig somewhat less.

You know what? Fuck BSG*: if I want to watch 'Rock of Love II' and talk about Daisy the stripper's desperation for Bret Michaels as a political allegory for the financial crisis, that's my call. And whoever doesn't like it: up their nose with a rubber hose.

I agree. People…

Some correctives to the Vanity Fair piece.

But so entertaining – even the corrections. Ministry of Elves! That man should write the new Icelandic saga. And a 70 degree shower – are we talking Fahrenheit or Centigrade?

*I actually have…

Wall Street hearts the Obama bank plan

And thankfully Obama has seen some sense and suggested he will oppose this godawful retrospective 90% tax on contractually agreed retention bonuses.

Yeah, but comrade... you've gotta switch off sometime. And while you're taking a break from concerted political action, you might as well watch something decent.

Actually, if while you're switched off you happen to watch something that is halfway switched on, that's even better.

I was just reading up on that looking for an alternative take on the IMF, so I have asked the Labour party to respond to this view.

Given they have criticised the government for having too timid a stimulus package, I shall be very interested to see what that is.

Wall Street hearts the Obama bank plan, markets around the world shoot up.

And US home sales rise at their fastest pace in six years.

Whatever were we worried about? ;-)

What was needed to make them fall was concerted political action, not leisure activities.

Yeah, but comrade... you've gotta switch off sometime. And while you're taking a break from concerted political action, you might as well watch something decent.

We're borrowing $40 billion, cycleways or no. Had Labour been re-elected, they would have had to do much the same. The alternative being massive cuts in govt spending and/or reversing tax cuts/working for families.

Quite — and that seems to be a fair summary of the IMF's view: "it's a…

"it's a bit of a bugger to have to borrow that much, but you guys are sweet compared to some other countries, so rock on with your bad selves" (I paraphrase).

I think I'd be much more likely to read IMF reports if they were always couched in such language.

We're borrowing $40 billion, cycleways or no. Had Labour been re-elected, they would have had to do much the same. The alternative being massive cuts in govt spending and/or reversing tax cuts/working for families.

Quite — and that seems to be a fair summary of the IMF's view: "it's a…

Yep – they're the ones who think Frank Miller is a good writer, Rorschach is some kind of role model, and the Dark Knight was really about George Bush being right.

See, I haven't heard of any of these, (OK, except that George Bush bloke)

So let's borrow 40 billion!…

Babylon 5 bad. BSG good.

Rinse. Repeat.

I don't doubt it at all, it's just that when one is stung by the genre it takes a little while to recover.

('The Emperor of the Republic'. Seriously, who wrote that stuff?)

A plan to eat pre-baked and rewarmed foodstuffs smeared with high fat dairy products.

Babylon 5 too was all about the allegory, and I've been in therapy trying to forget having watched it ever since. It might be the thing that keeps me from watching BSG, although I'm sure I'll eventually get round to it

Babylon 5 bad. BSG good.

Rinse. Repeat.

You should, however, immediately rush out to JB Hi-Fi on Queen St and buy the entire series. DO IT NOW!

How can I sneer at other people and their fantasy/sci fi obsessions if I'm buying the DVDs too? Don't you see my dilemma?

Ten business lessons from 'Battlestar Galactica'

But then the national psyche on cycling sucks already. People would rather drop their kids off at school in an SUV than dare to let them develop a little independence.

Actually, outside of the main centres, the new bus service contracts will be forcing people back into private transport more…

Babylon 5 too was all about the allegory, and I've been in therapy trying to forget having watched it ever since.

See, you've just given me another reason to watch this show; allegory is my happy place. I think that's why I like alternate history as a genre so much.

Hotties!

Dude, ask yourself why chicks watch Grey's Anatomy .

Jericho, in its resurrected second season, did some excellent USA-as-Iraq allegory which addressed resistance against a questionably legitimate occupying force.

Yeah. Babylon 5 too was all about the allegory, and I've been in therapy trying to forget having watched it ever since. It might be the thing that keeps me…

I don't think, for example, that you could have a drama set in the Real World (tm) that even played with the idea that suicide bombing might be a legitimate tactic against an overwhelmingly powerful invader.

Jericho, in its resurrected second season, did some excellent USA-as-Iraq allegory which addressed resistance…

So let's borrow 40 billion! Cycleways for all, or should that be for all the children to pay back :(

Heh, for once they might actually be paying for something that they actually used.

but I'm concerned that it'll suck funding out of local councils' budgets for encouraging day-to-day cycling.

I'm more concerned that it will suck out of the national psyche on cycling. But then the national psyche on cycling sucks already. People would rather drop their kids off at school in an…

I'm not one to rain on anyone's parade, but what is it with this BSG lovefest?

It made me think that alligators look cool because they resemble the eponymous vessel.

From a dramatic point of view, one of the things I like most about it is that it ended. Fans…

I know plenty of right wing readers of such publications

Yeah, I was a pretty madly right-wing kid until I realised (about age 10) that Judge Dredd was actually satire, and that Mega-City One wasn't a good place to live.

Why BSG-worship: because it is really, really good. Someone loaned…

Some correctives to the Vanity Fair piece.

I did wonder ...

I believe my thought when it came to number four was "aren't you quite the little turd".

In a nutshell, yes. People will take…

but what is it with this BSG lovefest?

Hotties!

I'm sure people used to say the…

Some correctives to the Vanity Fair piece.

I did wonder ...

Please explain how this viewing matter differs in fantastical content?

One has a moral core..

If I'd paid attention to Battlestar Galactica I might know what the hell you guys are on about

As an intermittent viewer, I can relate. Salon has a useful condensed explanation of the series as…

Mr Key, who is also Minister of Tourism, yesterday remained loyal to the idea of some form of national cycleway to boost jobs and regional development while promoting New Zealand to international visitors.

He said officials were working on options, and…

Craig, I think the point of the matter is that people in DC were not watching Battlestar Galactica; they were watching Fox News

Please explain how this viewing matter differs in fantastical content?

I know plenty of right wing readers of such publications (not one myself, Pratchett excepted)

Yep -…

Oh yeah, and Peter Cook didn't see any point in doing satire, did he? He gave it all up and became an accountant.

Cook, if you read the excellent but in the end depressing biography by Harry Thompson, didn't really see the point of anything . The occupational hazard of…

They may not have been watching BSG in Washington DC, but it appears that they were in New York.

Not only did National not see the crash coming, they still have NO idea what caused it.

That much-used term 'cognitive dissonance' is probably useful...

'We have thrown a dozen virgins into the volcano and the rains have not come, therefore we must throw two dozen, a hundred in next…

Oh yeah, and Peter Cook didn't see any point in doing satire, did he? He gave it all up and became an accountant.

Apologies to all accountants. I had a girlfriend who was an accountant who looked like Lucy Lawless (Xena/Number Three), was bisexual and liked bondage. She wasn't at…

As Peter Cook once said, "The best satire of the 20th century was the Weimar cabaret, and they managed to stop Hitler in his tracks."

Oh yeah, and Peter Cook didn't see any point in doing satire, did he? He gave it all up and became an accountant.

Or more…

Elephants! Let's actually learn from the past and do it with elephants!

No way! Have you seen the size of their...

As Peter Cook once said, "The best satire of the 20th century was the Weimar cabaret, and they managed to stop Hitler in his tracks."

That's rather good, albeit super-depressing.

Instead, they are forever trying to build a usable website and failing.

For that you can thank Len Cook and his implementation of Lotus Notes, so that Stats could better share data with the Australian Stats department. Not the rest of the NZ government, or the people. I shit you…

Lasers that hunt mosquitos...

Who says the US missile defence program wasn't worthwhile?

Re: Go Galt – oh how I do wish the selfish, greedy up-themselves "producers" would all bugger off to some hole somewhere and let people who understand community, co-operation and shared success get on with building a better, more and fair world.

And perhaps they overestimate their 'talents' anyway.