Posts by David Cauchi
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Don Brash was probably referring to these Fabian ideals, as expressed by Shaw (and quoted on his wikipedia page):
"You must all know half a dozen people at least who are no use in this world, who are more trouble than they are worth. Just put them there and say Sir, or Madam, now will you be kind enough to justify your existence? If you can’t justify your existence, if you’re not pulling your weight in the social boat, if you’re not producing as much as you consume or perhaps a little more, then, clearly, we cannot use the organizations of our society for the purpose of keeping you alive, because your life does not benefit us and it can’t be of very much use to yourself."
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The bar is currently set at 500 members, which is a lot harder then it sounds.
You can, however, stand as an electorate candidate for an unregistered political party, which is what I intend to do next year.
As an art project.
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if you are of the opinion that the Greens ought have the same allowance as the National Party, you surely have to have the opinion that the Socialist Workers'* ought get the same allowance, and the anarchists, and the Posadaists and so-on.
You forgot National Front. I'm sure we'd love to see them getting taxpayer dollars to produce election material, right...?
If taxpayer money is going to political parties for them to promote their policies, then, yes, it should go to all political parties equally. The National Front have as much right to promote themselves as anyone else.
Their views being repugnant does not invalidate their right to have or express them. The same goes for other fringe views.
The idea that only mainstream political views are valid is itself repugnant. Arguing that funding should not be equitable because it would go to people you don't like if it were is even more repugnant.
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So if audio quality of your music is really important to people then they might want to invest some time or money in buying or borrowing high quality recordings. That's how it works for every other genre of music and every other form of art in existence.
No, it doesn't. Public art galleries exist so you can see original art without having to buy it.
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The volume of contemporary music and in particular New Zealand music is way down on last year outside of the annual Made in New Zealand concert.
I'm not sure this'll be overly persuasive to some commentators here. Back on page 1, in response to Jan Farr's:
You'll probably have to say goodbye to the development of New Zealand composers.
Danyl Mclauchlan made this charming comment:
Another strong argument in favor of the axe.
I know there've been a large amount of silly comments made since, but I think this one takes the cake for callous disregard.
I'm very surprised no-one's mentioned it.
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Yeah, tough, wanting substantiated points preferably backed up by examples rather than airy assertions. More fool me. But good on you for being respectable and sensible.
I would say, go on, define pathological case. But I really don't want to get into this again, and I really don't want to debate with you. It's a waste of effort. All I wanted to say, to the forum in general, I've said: nosce te ipsum.
If you, Keir, come up with something worthwhile to say, I'll reconsider. That's me being arrogant again.
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Oh yeah, sorry not to mention it earlier, but that last example of Sacha's was really funny.
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In the context of a lively but measured discussion here up to that point, I trust you can imagine how people like Keir could have responded poorly to that tone, regardless of where it originated.
Once again, a response thinking my original blog post, in my own context, should fit in with your discussion here.
Like I said, I don't care what others think of me. Yes, that context, and my work, involves 'forceful statements that are high in emotional tone and dismissive to boot', and I am not at all surprised if someone responds in kind. I think the NZ art world needs more public feuds, and I am more than happy to take part.
However, this site makes a big deal of being, and I wish I had the energy to find a direct quote, a forum for the considered and non-contentious exchange of ideas.
Excuse me if I express the opinion that, being dragged into this forum, I did not find it so. I repeat, I wasn't insulted by the initial response Stephen's link (or I) got, but I did think it a tad hypocritical.
Is it possible to make that point without a defensive response?
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A while ago, someone posted a link to a blog post of mine on this site. It was met with insults and derision. Someone put a link up, and people took that as free rein to insult me. Fine by me. I don't care.
Then, when I responded, someone, I think it was Emma Hart, assumed bad faith on my part and also assumed what was a simple statement as sarcastic. Assumed I meant the opposite of what I said, on no basis whatsoever, without knowing me. straight off from the first thing I said. That was really charming. Charming.
Then, foolishly, I tried arguing my point. No proper arguments were given against me. Silly statements like 'pathological cases' with no back up, no real arguments, very selective responses. Lots of calls of me being 'naive' though. One thing that amused me was someone saying 'The arrogance of that original post didn't help matters'. Help what exactly? It was as if I should construct my own personal blog posts so that they're acceptable here! Ye gods.
I admit I didn't sign off well on that occasion, being drunk, but I think you shouldn't just be so defensive about these things. Take a look at yourselves. These people might well be right wing idiots, but that doesn't mean they're wrong. The thing about that is you step outside yourself and look at it from someone else's point of view. Self-criticism.
No skin off my nose, whatever. Just thought I'd add my two cents' worth.
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Well, you know, on drunken reflection I don't think I'll bother any more.
I'd like to say it's been fun, but instead of proper argument there's just been boring point-scoring.
I would say say enjoy playing with yourselves, but it's obvious that's all you do.