Posts by Kyle Matthews
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That's because those aren't customers finn, their shop lifters.
I don't disagree with what you're arguing Robbery. I just think that the horse has well and truly bolted, and it's only getting faster. Currently it's music, but storage and internet transfer is getting good enough that movies will be next. Currently some people get quality video from the internet, few years from now, it'll be the new napster - we'll all be doing it.
Music companies will keep on fighting it, and they'll win some battles and lose some. The battle won't be won on technical issues though, that's a loss leader. If they win anything, they'll have to win on moral issues and convince people who can afford to buy, to do so. I think the way they're going to do that is making themselves smaller in the picture (and return) and making sure that a significant amount of money goes to artists rather than what they are, which is middle-men.
It's either that, or significantly rethink what the music industry means. I'm waiting for a major band to release a live-only album - release a cover, song list, insides etc, free over the internet, put out a single, and then say if you want to hear the actual album, you have to come to the concert. There's bands that really make their name on their live performance, I think theirs is the next move.
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"Writing about music is like dancing about architecture - it's a really stupid thing to want to do."
Elvis Costello 1983
Not that Elvis Costello hasn't written any books about music.
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Gareth & Kyle - thanks for the thoughts on inflation, tax cuts, etc. Not something I'm accustomed to thinking about. I do wonder though: as long as the Reserve Bank believes personal tax cuts are inflationary, we can expect it to do its best to hoover the "extra money" out of the economy quick smart?
That I don't know.
Personally I do get aggrieved at the way we're made to all feel personally responsible for inflation. Personally I couldn't care if prices are going up by 3 or 5 percent, I don't view that as justification for the government holding back money that it doesn't need.
I'm not in favour of tax cuts, just think that making us all personally responsible for a national economy which is to a reasonable extent at the whims of the international market, kinda unfair. If there's not tax cuts then it should be because the government needs the money for "good things".
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Also, as someone not generally economically minded, I'm unclear as to why personal tax cuts would be more inflationary than the alternative, which is (I assume?) greater government spending.
Presumably a decent proportion of tax cuts would be spent on things like debt repayment (credit cards, mortgages, student loans, etc.) and that's not inflationary?
I'm no expert, so someone else might have a better answer.
But my guess would be the alternative to tax cuts isn't necessarily more spending, it might just be "more surplus" or "less deficit". Or more money into the super fund. None of which is inflationary. Particularly with recession coming up on the horizon.
I wouldn't think a small personal tax cut would lead to much personal debt reduction. Student loans are a fixed repayment at no interest, it doesn't make financial sense to pay down extra, you'd be smarter to invest the money. Mortgages you often have to refinance if you want to change the payments.
The amount of money most tax cuts would be talking about are in the pocket money range in terms of extra ability to spend. It'll just get sucked up in slightly more spending at the supermarket or another DVD or McDonalds or... etc
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I should add, I hope Russell, that you've turned your mind to a good blogger to step in and cover the election campaign. Obviously a few people, including yourself, will be looking at it in your current blogs, but a good, well-written blog which asks intelligent questions and filters out the crap for the rest of us... well I'd appreciate that.
Finding someone to write it? Dunno.
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is there any chance you can get an advocate to help you all out. Rather than you as parents having to fight against the system?
I think having to advocate for yourself is what a lot of people find when they have family members with various special needs in health or education.
While it would be great if we lived in a system where those things were available, NZ institutions just aren't funded well enough to have that sort of expertise generally available, for a lot of things.
My niece has Downs Syndrome, her parents have been finding that it's pointless just going to see 'any doctor', as they get so paranoid once they see Downs that a common cold turns into a two day hospital visit. Now they just fight their way through the first two layers until they can see the specialist who actually has the knowledge to deal with her special needs.
It's kinda crappy, and if you find a way around it and get hold of someone who works, hang onto them. Unfortunately it's not working for everyone.
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My two picks are moving away from the landline.
I think naked DSL is going to become a reality, though only in a small way.
And mobile internet is going to happen more and more. I'm picking vodafone to make a big next step and try and grab the market by the scruff of the net with some big offer combining your cell phone, 'land' line, and internet all in one contract.
NZ is going to catch onto the youtube/election thing - this will be our first election where videos accessible online are going to make a reasonable sized play. And Facebook will be hit up reasonably solidly come election campaign as well.
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I did wander down the hall once to hear her singing the Inky Wanky Spider song.
Heh. Well, all those arms I guess...
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Graeme,
Surprised that you didn't mention the Whitlam Govt in Australia (er, wiki entry when it comes to GG using reserve powers to dismiss a government.
A pretty relevant example, as Australia's setup in this regard is similar to ours.