Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: London's Burning

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  • Steve Barnes, in reply to Steve Reeves,

    That’s White HART Lane, deer.

    Yes dear.
    ;-)

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to recordari,

    Pffft. My wind-up radio has a built in torch. And it's waterproof. Ready? I'm going disaster hunting for the halibut.

    When the revolution comes, my survival kit is "not driving a European car".

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Woah. That’s some deep shit right there.

    Really deep shit is my telescope cant see through all the clouds that have donned the skys for since I got it like.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to BenWilson,

    Then it works like a really powerful magnifying glass.

    It's called a microscope Ben. ;-)
    The other way to make things look small is to stand a long way away.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    It's called a microscope Ben. ;-)

    I expect a bit more than x8 from anything claiming to be a microscope. My toy one as a kid did x300. Perhaps it's a miniscope?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Russell Brown,

    But, as I said, I tend to agree with your analysis. Throw in climate change – a challenge to which democratic governments in market economies are struggling to rise – and there’s any amount of evidence that things can’t continue as they have been.

    Sure, but things never do. The world is constantly changing around you, and windy op-ed columns about the latest existential crisis de jour end up wrapping the same fish and chips as yesterday's page three boobs. Don't know: Perhaps I'm just intellectually pessimistic, but pragmatically optimistic about the human capacity for muddling through. A little epistemological modesty on the part of the commentariat doesn't hurt either. Or something. :)

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

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to BenWilson,

    Perhaps it’s a miniscope?

    Or a Macroscope

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    but pragmatically optimistic about the human capacity for muddling through.

    Sure, if you look around at the financial markets or at the state of social services in this or most other developed nations, we are muddling through just splendidly, aren't we?

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • recordari,

    Woah. That’s some deep shit right there.

    I believe this to be deeper.

    Quote "It's like a giant magnifying glass, pretty much". No, you don't say?

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    Except when there actually is an existential crisis. But I hope you're right and this particular one can be muddled through - personally I think where we are now is because of 40 years of muddling through having basically no plan for the end of our resources. In fact, it's from having no long term socioeconomic plan of any kind other than two diametrically opposing and wildly hopeful visions - either "the market will save us with its golden hand" or "the government will save us by honoring the social contract". I think we're learning right now that neither one can save us. What could save us is a fucking plan.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to recordari,

    I believe this to be deeper.

    I believe his next video will be "How to clean crap off a lens with burned fingers"
    What a waste of a good telescope... and my time.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Hebe, in reply to recordari,

    You're nothing in Christcrunch if ya don't have a solar cellphone charger and a generator.

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report Reply

  • Lilith __,

    Wind-up torches are great! Is it possible to get them without sirens in, though? My one has given me a number of bad moments when I've accidentally turned that on. While stumbling out to the long-drop in the middle of an earthquake-ridden night is not a time one wishes to be unexpectedly holding a siren. And TBH I wonder when *would* be a good time!

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report Reply

  • martinb,

    Incredibly impressed with this piece from the Herald's editor of news.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10744282

    A key point is the weakening of the ability to be socially mobile by getting an education and the lack of focus on unemployment.

    and I was absolutely horrified by this statistic

    "There are 400-odd unemployed people for every job advertised in Tottenham, many of those part-time shop or cleaning work for minimum wage."

    Be good to hear more about the key planks of a happy, cohesive social democracy and how we need to retain them in NZ. Couple of boot camps'll fix it, right? F"@£$ off.

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report Reply

  • Carol Stewart, in reply to Lilith __,

    Wind-up torches are great! Is it possible to get them without sirens in, though?

    We have some great little wind-up torches made by Quechua (no sirens). They were bought overseas though - don't know if they are available in NZ.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2008 • 830 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    There are 400-odd unemployed people for every job advertised in Tottenham

    That's kinda misleading though. If you live in a London suburb, you don't have to work there - tubes and buses, that sort of thing. The poor areas of London aren't that way because of an absolute lack of jobs (like a rust belt town in the states) - they're the places where you can get cheap housing.

    The real problem is that there are a whole lot of people who aren't able to get and keep any sort of job anywhere - education, socialisation, employer prejudice, etc.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Islander,

    I have a 10-LED spotlight-type torch, which has both wind-upcharging and a rechargable battery. When Mitre gets them back on special (normally $99 - got for less than half price) I'll buy another one for the van...no sirens! Doesnt recharge your phone, or act as a radio - but then, I've got the van for that sort of stuff.

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report Reply

  • Carol Stewart,

    Just texted Radio NZ as follows: Please get Muriel Newman off the radio before I hurl it out the window.
    (relevance to this thread: Newman was blaming unruly youth problems on the anti-smacking legislation).
    Serves me right for listening to The Panel. Infuriating much.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2008 • 830 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to martinb,

    Be good to hear more about the key planks of a happy, cohesive social democracy and how we need to retain them in NZ.

    An opposition could capitalise on the publicity, you'd think..

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso, in reply to BenWilson,

    I think we're learning right now that neither one can save us

    Glad to have you on board. I have some literature.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to martinb,

    Incredibly impressed with this piece from the Herald's editor of news.

    And I am totally unimpressed with the mindless, idiotic ramblings in the comments.

    "Where does one find a future? There are 400-odd unemployed people for every job advertised in Tottenham."

    So why do people stay there? Presumably only because they are supported by welfare which removes incentive to train for and find a job.

    Yeah, right. I had a "conversation" with some "bright young thing" a few years back about the famine in Ethiopia, her solution was "why don't they just get on a plane and go somewhere else?" She then went on about those evil immigrants taking all our jobs. Go figure.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    And I am totally unimpressed with the mindless, idiotic ramblings in the comments.

    And that particular commenter is a well-known capital-L Libertarian who's usually quite reasoned with his comments too.

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

  • Sacha, in reply to giovanni tiso,

    I have some literature

    teeworthy in some circles

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Campbell,

    Posted by a friend:

    Dear Mr. Murdoch,

    We've all been feeling a bit shagged and fagged and fashed, it being a night of no small expenditure.

    Per our agreement, the money deposited into the bank hole - though quite sufficient for two night's worth of the ol' firely sparkly neglects to take into account a minor issue.

    We would like to discuss re-negotiating a few small terms of our slapping hands and shaky-shaky of a few nights ago.

    Specifically, the issue of bonding some of the younger participants droogs out of jail lest they miss testing for their A-level qualifications.

    We look forward to your reply. You'll find one or more of us waiting for one of your agents at the Korova milkbar.

    Remember, initiative comes to thems that wait. And pays again.

    Ta,

    Alex

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to giovanni tiso,

    Glad to have you on board. I have some literature.

    What? No personality test?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

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