Posts by linger
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(The common word to both those descriptions being the most accurate one: foul.)
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Also: Compare with the deep-sea oil prospecting that’s just been green-lighted.
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Busytown: A new (old) sensation, in reply to Craig Ranapia,
I’m guessing that would be the Johnson quote,
An author places himself uncalled before the tribunal of criticism, and solicits fame at the hazard of disgrace.
from the Life of Pope
It’s probably worth noting that Johnson was describing criticism of authors by other authors, and specifically the criticism of bad writing that was trying to pass itself off as high culture. He was not giving carte blanche to criticism. The quote needs to be placed in the context of another occurring a few lines above it:the purpose of a writer is to be read, and the criticism which would destroy the power of pleasing must be blown aside.
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Haven’t found Submarine Bells; still, its thematic mirror image is on YouTube. (Dunno the provenance of the video used here though.)
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(even while fully acknowledging the bleakness of that reality)
… and also, simultaneously, acknowledging the insubstantiality and uncertainty of a “dream” victory, with the ambiguity of the final lines.
It’s not a tidy conclusion at all, but it’s one that’s niggled away at me more than 1984 ’s did. -
That’s a bit harsh.
I suspect Steve’s comment about “better story” may not have been entirely serious – but it really depends on what kind of “story” you’re expecting. If you want a conventional plot, sure, you’ll probably find Brazil disappointing.
Brazil relies on images rather than words, and it mixes dream with reality to such an extent that the storyline is obscured and conventional narrative dives out the window – but (i) that rather goes with the visual medium, and (ii) the possible victory of dream over reality (even while fully acknowledging the bleakness of that reality) is the film’s entire point. There are clear parallels (both conclude with the hero having been broken by the state) but Brazil ’s message is ultimately more optimistic, and more nuanced, than 1984 ’s. And, in that sense, it could indeed be called a “better story”. -
Just type in the URL (without the square brackets), and it embeds automagically.
Voila!Day 1:
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Okay, sure, it’s possible, but in the normal state of affairs a govt. that can not pass its legislation is circling the drain
Yeah but nah – that’s a peculiarly FPP view of government.
In the MMP environment, parties can govern very effectively by negotiating in good faith with other parties
firstly, to ensure a stable majority for confidence and supply (which is how parties get to form a government in the first place); and then
secondly, to create sufficient agreement to pass legislation on other issues (which may mean working with different people for different bills).
The catch is that open negotiation should then be the “normal state of affairs” – rather than National’s somewhat diametrically opposed manner of operation.If Labour is against something then they should vote against it
+ several thousand.
(And clearly state WHY they oppose it.) -
Hard News: Dreaming of a world without evidence, in reply to Jeremy Eade,
Chemicals are potentially bad o.k
Um … good luck finding an example of a food (or, anything at the dairy, really) that doesn’t contain any chemicals.
Could you be a little more specific? -
Though as many commentators have pointed out, Howett’s book sales have in all probability increased as a result of the publicity (albeit deservedly negative publicity). Which is … depressing.
The only thing that would be more depressing would be if it were a deliberate strategy rather than an unedited hissy fit on her part. (But it’s pretty clear that lack of self-editing is by far the more likely explanation.)