Posts by Paul Williams
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I did once make an edit, but in general that's best left to others.
I'm actually fine that edits are made by the individual concerned if they're identified as such. There's some matters about which only direct knowledge can be the authority even if it is open to challenge.
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The 5 stages of Twitter acceptance fixt
Liked that... in fact, even an equivocal endorsement from the PAS crew's enough to get me on board... I think I will!
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Australian economist John Quiggin's been running a series called refuted economic doctrines over at Crooked Timber. The highlights for me so far: trickle down and the myth of the 'efficient market'.
Here's the latest installment: central bank independence.
IMO, He's the leading independent economist in Australia. He might be one of the very very few who're neither linked to a specific econometric/consulting firms nor overtly party political. His other blog is good too - both the articles and the commentary.
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And, to be honest, I don't think she's been acquitting herself very well when she actually does have to answer serious questions.
Can't comment on this from distance, but I worry Bennett's a sacrificial lamb. I can't quite work out the tactic, but her Ministerial load's huge for even an experienced Minister. I knew Paula vaguely before her political career took off, she struck me as bright and pretty wise to the world. If she fails, does a kinder, softer National fail too?
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Oh, and I will be. I'll also be moaning to anyone who will listen about how come when the women are playing in a world cup and dominating, they still get shoved down the news bulletin behind, like, a chimp playing football or something.
It really is just a simple as calling it sexism thought isn't it? Jus say'n.
Don't get me wrong though, I still love the talent. Sachin crafting an innings, Shane Bond offering up a gorgeous yorker, Richie dominating the breakdown. Or Reggie Miller stroking three-pointers like, as my dad told everyone he coached to, he was pretending the ball was his girlfriend's face. Or pretty much any Federer vs Nadal match up.
Agreed, which is why McEnroe remains one of my favourite players to watch. He had the crazy drama and the unbelievable skills.
I read his autobiography, it's good btw, in which he said that unlike other players on the tournament, he tried to beat a player not by imposing his game on them, but by working out their game and then bettering them at it. He say something about not wanting to just beat the game, he wanted to beat the man... now clearly that's unbelievably arrogant but it made for great contests!
<link-whore>Also, on the drama (of cricket), this is still my favourite sporting moment/commentary for while.<link-whore>
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But this ain't so--there are times on Hard News (and PA generally) when I am in awe of the breadth of knowledge and intelligence of analysis.
That's frequently the case for me too Geoff. PAS, all the writers and the community of commenters, is a truly remarkable collection of voices.
In one sense, I suppose it's gratifying that people feel such a sense of ownership, but it's my blog. I'm proud of what we're doing with the TV show and I enjoy having people discuss the issues it raises here -- and I'm massively proud of what my autistic son is doing right now.
Maybe it says something about my interests/issues, but I'd quickly grow bored of a diet of politics, media and tech only. I've got a young family, so I find that the discussions about your's (David's, Jolisa's and others' too) just as interesting.
I notice Craig's been a bit quiet of late, I trust all is well? Though I frequently disagree, I do love your writing Craig.
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Peter's summed up my view/experience. I recall the radio-only Hard News, it might've been different, but then I know I was too. I enjoy the mix of content and the different discussions that it stimulates.
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But wait! There's more! If you're in Sydney this weekend -- would you like to attend the final of the Women's World Cup of cricket, in which the White Ferns will surely conquer England? PA regular Paul Williams has some free tickets for his fellow readers. You'll need to email him asap at siesta@internode.on.net and he'll sort you out.
PASers, it'd be great if the White Ferns had a parochial home crowd advantage on Sunday so encourage your Sydney-resident mates to pick up tickets and get along to the game. North Sydney oval is a really charming ground, easily accessible by public transport and the weather's going to be great... the set up is also fantastic for kids and families.
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I've taken to following AFL... I still love rugby and cricket, but I needed a local team and there was no way in hell I was going to follow the Waratahs (they're crap and their supporters are painful) and I dislike League... Swans it is! (tip: AFL only makes sense if you've seen a few games live, it's too hard to follow on TV)
But even so, test match cricket, gee... where do you get more drama than that? It lasts for days, may not produce a result. Sometimes you turn around for five hours and bang! nothing happens. Then in five minutes the all game turns. It's epic.
No argument from me, I'd happily watch every session of a test were it not for family obligations...
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That said, I did watch the White Ferns yesterday, and enjoyed it fine, but if it had been contemporaneous to the India-NZ test no way I would have watched it. First of all, this is test cricket, and second of all, the talent on display is just something else. Especially on the part of the Indians obviously.
I understand. But for me, echoing Megan's earlier comments, it's not the talent that I mostly watch for, though (code-shift) Masaga's playing brilliantly at the moment, it's the drama. That's why I don't watch the EPL football anymore, I used to follow Spurs but long ago I don't know any of the current players. The quality of play's still briliant, but I don't care what the result is.