Posts by Bart Janssen

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  • Hard News: On the Waterfront,

    I suspect that something as simple as a large, grassy, open space would do the tricky excellently.

    I'd vote for that.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report

  • Hard News: On the Waterfront,

    You can find an "economic theory" to justify absolutely anything.

    Craig I agree and have a personal dislike for economics that isn't helped by some of the Nobel Prize winners

    But what I'm referring to isn't some new fangled outlandish weird options hedging theory. It's really boring basic economics that is pretty well accepted. In recessions it is beneficial for governments to spend money on capital projects, particularly infrastructure. The idea is that money spent by the government makes up for the reduced spending by business, and stimulates growth. Conversely, when growth is high government spending should be reduced.

    So the recession is not a good argument against developing the waterfront.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report

  • Hard News: On the Waterfront,

    Islander

    Salt Lake City? Totally memorable and, please, may I never go there again.

    Oh yes absolutely. A really great example of what happens when you don't try to make a city feel nice. I blame the lack of good coffee in the whole state.

    However the actual salt lake is cool. Now if they'd just though to integrate the city with the lake itself and found some way to make the interface between lake and city a public, open and welcoming place.

    The parallels with Auckland should be obvious. The harbour is really really beautiful and making the interface between city and harbour something to be proud of will take some doing.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report

  • Hard News: What to Do?,

    No no, parental correction. The correcting of parents.

    Oh I understand now. I thought it was wingnuts wanting to beat their kids again.

    But actually it will mean if I see someone being a bad parent I can give them a good smack. Well that sounds fun.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report

  • Hard News: What to Do?,

    Maybe the lesson should be that we need to modify the CIR law

    So that not only do you need a whole bunch of signatures on your stupid referendum but you also need to pony up with the $10 million or so to pay for your stupid question to be put to the public!

    Hmm maybe we should start a petition for a referendum on that?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report

  • Up Front: NSFW,

    While you're hunting for a word, I find that the feel of the word in my mouth is important. Some words feel different as you say them and of course as you have said them many time just the thought of the word can evoke the same feeling.

    So luscious feels like soft ripe peach as you say it.
    Sensual feels good in the mouth as you say it.
    Aesthetic is not as luscious a word and hence feels more intellectual.

    Does that make sense?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report

  • Up Front: NSFW,

    (Whether it's porn or not, according to some people, depends entirely on whether that standing figure is male or female.)

    I thought it was pretty, either way.

    Whereas as I just went ouch, without even considering the sex of the standing figure.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report

  • Hard News: On the Waterfront,

    now is not the perfect time to invest in this kind of stuff

    As far as I understand, economic theory says capital spending on large projects is a good thing during a recession.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report

  • Hard News: On the Waterfront,

    where they took out a road

    Blasphemy - there is a special hell for those who don't properly worship the car.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report

  • Hard News: On the Waterfront,

    I'm and Aucklander and I want the damn carpark gone and that area made into a space that will encourage people to spend time and admire their beautiful harbour. Really it is damn beautiful.

    Sure it will take effort and time to make sure it doesn't get stuffed up.

    And no I don't think the city or the government should spend all it's time and money on the boring bits. Some things in a city play a huge part in developing the feel and culture of a city and some of those things require city or government investment to happen. Yes we need drains that work but we also need places to play.

    I don't like the cultural effect of a carpark on the waterfront, it says a lot about the city that we have chosen for so long to park second hand cars there.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report

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