Hard News by Russell Brown

Read Post

Hard News: Effectively Friday

165 Responses

First ←Older Page 1 2 3 4 5 7 Newer→ Last

  • BenWilson,

    Who'd be next in line to Phelps for the bong? The dude must have crazy lungs.

    Good old Chong. But I doubt that lung capacity has much effect on how big a hit one can take. Might affect how long you can hold it, though. Not that it's a good idea to hold smoke in your lungs for long periods of time. It is not likely to be enhancing Phelps' performance any. Probably not having any effect at all, if his athletic success is anything to go by.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Tom Beard,

    I want to pay artists, not fat old white men sitting around pools in Vegas.

    Hey! That's my retirement plan!

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1040 posts Report Reply

  • Daniel Wilton,

    I have to say that while losing your temper is unacceptable.

    The guy that he is nutting off at, doesn't do anything but bait him. I do like the like the line about him being a "nice guy, but.........."

    and what does "done professionally" mean? would it be ok to go out for a beer with him?

    Wellington • Since Jan 2009 • 54 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    I want to pay artists, not fat old white men sitting around pools in Vegas.

    I thought Elvis was an artist.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Lyndon Hood,

    what does "done professionally" mean?

    Crispy brown on the outside, but still succulent and tender in the middle.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1115 posts Report Reply

  • Daniel Wilton,

    Crispy brown on the outside, but still succulent and tender in the middle.

    mmmmm......done professionally

    Wellington • Since Jan 2009 • 54 posts Report Reply

  • Keir Leslie,

    As Daniel Davies said, American conservatism is like punk -- dead.

    Since Jul 2008 • 1452 posts Report Reply

  • Don Christie,

    But rock cannot be both establishment and anti-establishment. It can’t be a rebellious underdog while endorsing and distributing the status quo.

    I just knew this thread was going to be about copyright...

    and both sides' reluctance to acknowledge goodwill in the other quite vexing.

    Both sides? Hmm. You sure you are not trying to be a bit too "fair and balanced" there are you Russell?

    As someone who relies on Copyright I see myself on the same side as artists, musicians and writers. I particularly like hearing from Islander who's use and understanding of existing law is very educational.

    On the other hand, I have complete disdain for APRA and their attempt to use NZ as an example for the rest of the world to follow so that Sony, Disney and co. can dominate the new airways at the expense of NZ individuals and businesses.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    As Daniel Davies said, American conservatism is like punk -- dead.

    So are God, the Novel and Even Worse Remakes of Slasher Movies that Hurled Woman-Hating Chunks In The First Place. The world is full of dead things that won't lie down, and the zombie apocalypse hasn't even started yet.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • mark taslov,

    I have to say that while losing your temper is unacceptable.

    bullshit! absolute android testament. Clean your sensors

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report Reply

  • mark taslov,

    This copyright thing is such a have. NZ is a mall, the companies pay rent to set up shop. Then dictate how the mall is run. Download it all now! While you still have the chance.

    (and back up regularly)

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    On the other hand, I have complete disdain for APRA and their attempt to use NZ as an example for the rest of the world to follow so that Sony, Disney and co. can dominate the new airways at the expense of NZ individuals and businesses.

    "Complete" disdain, Don? I think you just proved my point.

    APRA is in so many respects an admirable organisation. The rights cheques it sends out make a real difference to local artists, and the payments represent nearly 90% of the rights revenue it collects.

    APRA has also distinguished itself with its realistic approach to licensing for internet radio (and even podcasts), especially in comparison to the RIANZ agency PPL. Ask Richard Hulse at Radio NZ about it.

    And not least, APRA produces an annual event that regularly attains real creative excellence. Last year's Silver Scrolls was just soulful. Over the years, it's been a real force for the idea of a national culture.

    APRA has also done things for local artists like agreeing to do its sampling for rights payments from B-Net stastions during New Zealand week, so that the already-high percentage of NZ music on the stations is measured as 100% That's hardly the act of the tool of malign foreign overlords.

    I clearly think APRA, and Ant, have got it wrong, although I am aware of the pressure they're under the hold the line on copyright, even when it seems a bit farcical. I made the point about public good in the post above. I don't think Ant has acquitted himself very well in this story.

    But I'm also aware that when Lawrence Lessig came through town, the only senior person from the local music industry to go and hear him was Ant Healey. He was sufficiently conversant with Lessig's speeches to discuss with me afterwards where he felt Lessig's rhetoric had moved.

    So yeah, I'm not sure if "complete disdain" is a very useful attitude in this case.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Yamis,

    What kind of message is Key sending out here that we should just turn a blind eye and don't worry about it when we are the victims of violence? Albeit at the bottom end of the scale. Don't slip into the default NZ bloke macho position without realising it.

    Make a stand John.

    It's not OK.

    Since Nov 2006 • 903 posts Report Reply

  • Yamis,

    Since Nov 2006 • 903 posts Report Reply

  • Stephen Judd,

    Russell, you're seeing APRA from the perspective of someone embedded in the music scene. Hell, so do I - in the past I've had a chunky cheque from them that cheered me right up. APRA does a lot of good.

    But if your first encounter was from the outside, seeing them as the advocates of this bizarre legal regime, and you knew what their overseas counterparts were up to, and their attitude was basically "why do you hate artists, you baby-eater?" you might feel a bit disdainful too.

    *disclaimer - Don is my employer, but I wrote this for free. Also, I need to update my APRA address details.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic,

    What kind of message is Key sending out here that we should just turn a blind eye and don't worry about it when we are the victims of violence? Albeit at the bottom end of the scale. Don't slip into the default NZ bloke macho position without realising it.

    Social Darwinism, methinks?

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • Yamis,

    Now this is gold.

    Since Nov 2006 • 903 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    I can't get that bitter on Christian Bale about his prolonged outburst. We can't know what kind of previous crap had gone on between them, and that's what stars are like. If you don't like dealing with bad-tempered emotional people, you really oughtn't be in the movie business. Acting is a bloody weird business, attracts weird people, who do weird things. And at the end of it, we get to watch these weird people entertain us. I really don't care how many people he yells at during the course of his day job. I've heard the kind of ragging he was doing in countless professional settings. Particularly in sports. Some people find it motivating. For others, it is a way of establishing their dominance, something that it is often important that they do. If someone pisses a star off for even half an hour that could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, so it's important that the stars let people know what pisses them off, in no uncertain terms. If Christian Bale doesn't like having people wandering around in his view when he's trying to act, then FFS they should listen to him. It very much sounds like this guy was trying to make a point, and lost. When was the last time anyone buying a movie ticket gave a shit who the Director of Photography is?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle,

    To which I say: 'artistic temperament' is not an excuse for being a complete douchebag.

    If someone pisses a star off for even half an hour that could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, so it's important that the stars let people know what pisses them off, in no uncertain terms.

    I have heard this a lot about the Bale thing, and I find it completely gobsmacking. I've had plenty of horrid outbursts in life myself, but there's a difference between a blowup and a prolonged attack. Sorry, but you just. don't. talk to people like that unless they're, like, *Hitler* or something. That is absolutely crazy! 'It's going to cost us money so I get to be an asshole'? Who's running this shit, Gordon Gecko?

    It might happen a lot, but it's not justifiable.

    I've heard the kind of ragging he was doing in countless professional settings.

    Note to self: never work with Ben. :)

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • Peter Ashby,

    I can remember running an argument that Muldoon was a punk politician. OK, it was after several vodka lime and lemonades in the Whakatane Commercial Hotel's garden bar, back in '83, and, yeah, I never got round to actually writing the idea up, but still..

    After he played the narrator in the touring Rocky Horror show production?

    Dundee, Scotland • Since May 2007 • 425 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Yes to what Danielle said. The alternative to people having to treat people like pretentious wankers, is them not to be them.

    Didn't he get arrested last year for domestic violence on his mother and sister or something? Could be that he's just a fuckwit?

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie,

    When was the last time anyone buying a movie ticket gave a shit who the Director of Photography is?

    Seeing as you ask, Illustrious Energy. In 1987.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    But if your first encounter was from the outside, seeing them as the advocates of this bizarre legal regime, and you knew what their overseas counterparts were up to, and their attitude was basically "why do you hate artists, you baby-eater?" you might feel a bit disdainful too.

    Sure. And if I was defending Don in an argument, I'd be more laudatory, if anything. He's a hero.

    But what I said was, I was frustrated at both sides' unwillingness to acknowledge goodwill in the other. Don suggested that was "a bit too 'fair and balanced'" and then went on to declare his "complete disdain" for the other side and accuse APRA of malign motives they just don't hold.

    You can think someone like Ant is talking crap without demonising him. His commitment to local artists is genuine.

    The music guys, of course, tend to regard the internet guys as a bunch of extremist lunatics.

    So, like I said, it's a little frustrating for someone with roots in both camps. I am somewhat tempted to actually get them all in a room and not let them leave until they talk to each other.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Mark Harris,

    I am somewhat tempted to actually get them all in a room and not let them leave until they talk to each other.

    Pad the room and give everyone nerf bats. Last one standing gets to write the Code of Practice.

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report Reply

  • 81stcolumn,

    I want to pay artists, not fat old white men sitting around pools in Vegas.

    So let me get this right if I want to be paid music money I have to sit in a pool with Tom Jones (and the nice ladies holding his arms up). Hmmmmm.

    Nawthshaw • Since Nov 2006 • 790 posts Report Reply

First ←Older Page 1 2 3 4 5 7 Newer→ Last

Post your response…

Please sign in using your Public Address credentials…

Login

You may also create an account or retrieve your password.