Posts by Bart Janssen
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Hard News: Friday Music: History, motherfuckers, in reply to "chris",
I’d read your music blog Danielle
I would too. I doubt we'd have much overlap in our music choices but I'd read it because you can write and your opinions are honest and that is always worth reading. And I'd probably discover some new music I do like.
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Hard News: Event Season, in reply to Hilary Cameron,
thats how kids here feel
Well bum. Because they have every reason to be proud of their country and the people in it. Seriously, we have amazing engineers and designers and the AC72 they designed and built is just one example. We all know about some amazing sportspeople from here … really … Beatrice, Lydia, Sarah, Hamish, Eric … see if I use their first names it makes me feel as if I know them a little :).
But it isn’t just sports, kiwis seem reticent about highlighting those who excel and we haz them in all fields. Science, art, literature, engineering and yes even fields like grubby business which kind of make NZ quite a bit richer than it might otherwise be.
I’m normally cynical and glass-half-empty but when you ignore the moronic bureaucracies that some of these folks get squished into the reality is we have some really inspiring and talented people here. I do wish they were given more freedom to be wrong and make mistakes and more control over direction than the middle management allow but that doesn’t make them less wonderful.
I wish we could see more of the elite that we have in this country, maybe the kids wouldn’t think so little of NZ.
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And as for the other news on Sunday, it was not a real surprise, in the end no contest. What will be interesting for me is to see just how much Cunliffe treats his win as a mandate to do whatever the hell he likes with the Labour Party, in the same way Key has treated his wins as a mandate to do whatever he wants with the country.
I hope that he will demonstrate leadership, which includes the ability to listen to knowledgable people in his team and accept their judgement, even when that may go against his personal preference. But we will see I guess.
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Hard News: Event Season, in reply to Islander,
There *is* a difference btwn. shear & sheer, folks…
doh! But kind of apt when you consider the forces applied to that boat.
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Hard News: Event Season, in reply to Geoff Lealand,
if the science and engineering was put to better use
Well that's the argument that is used against formula one racing and even against space flight. The counter argument is that it really doesn't matter what the use is that drives extreme tests of engineering and science the end result is a trickle down into day to day life. It's probably about the only field where trickle down actually works.
Meanwhile it is just awesome.
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Hard News: Event Season, in reply to Geoff Lealand,
Tell me again why we should be interested in the bloody Americas Cup
You personally don’t have to be, unless you care that many others in your country are interested, either because they sail themselves or because they like seeing New Zealanders excel. No you don ’t have to care about things your group cares about but that is one of the characteristics of social animals – much the same a liking same music or clothes as your peers – cheering when the rest of the crowd cheers – it binds you closer to the group.
For me, the shear awe at the science and engineering of those boats is enough to keep me fascinated.
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Hard News: Friday Music: History, motherfuckers, in reply to Lilith __,
They will be hurt, and that sucks.
That's why I call it bullying.
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Hard News: Friday Music: History, motherfuckers, in reply to Robyn Gallagher,
In the “Tennis Court” video, she looks like a goth alien and delivers a fierce stare at the camera
I find that video captivating. It really is impressive that she delivers that performance with just a head shot. It isn't perfect but as a sustained piece it is impressive. And sexual?? Well I guess rule 34 applies but I can't see it.
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What struck me about Sweetman's piece was the jealousy. It read like someone who is himself lacking the talent and makes up for that lack by attacking those who succeed. I wonder if he has similar opinions about Lisa Carrington and Beatrice Faumuina.
What I found disgusting about the piece was the bullying of a 16 year young performer by some old music reviewer. It was nasty hostile piece and deserved every criticism it's had and more.
And I don't mind being a fanboy either - I actually have learned to enjoy the pleasure of enjoying someone's success - even if it makes me look a bit silly :).
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Hard News: Friday Music: History, motherfuckers, in reply to Robyn Gallagher,
(and *ahem* blogs)
I think she just called you a fanboy Russell - lol.