Posts by Rich of Observationz

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  • Hard News: I'd just like to thank ...,

    Ladyhawke is globally successful *and* original. That's sufficiently unusual that she deserves to win all the awards, almost by definition. I don't think any other NZ artist has done that since the Datsuns (and they were to some degree cookie-cutter indie rock).

    (Flight of the Conchords are comedy, rather than music. And they are flying through the air some distance above a large Great White, IMHO).

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Hard News: Miracles just rate better, okay?,

    I was at a fairly "alternative" event overseas recently and a friend had to go to the medical centre, which is staffed by professional medics but also not off-limits to hippies.

    The friendly and competent medics went through their process - did some tests, tried some treatments and eventually my friend was ok - mostly because the condition was self-limiting, but also through the efficacy of the indicated treatments. At no point did they say "you've got X and Y will fix it" because they didn't have that level of certainty - which is how real medicine mostly works.

    At one point a hippy (sorry, alternative healer) came by and announced that my friend had an excess of chi and could come by her camp to be rebalanced, or something like that. The hippy, of course, wasn't burdened by knowing what she didn't know - her belief system allowed for instant diagnosis and remedy without the burden of doubt.

    I'd suggest that the "alternative" method often appears more attractive to a patient who's impatient with the medical approach, simply because a completely bogus, but confident "diagnosis" is found preferable to a slow, scientific investigation.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Hard News: In the Game,

    I normally only check a thread out a couple of times before moving on.

    Yeah, I wouldn't read that drivel either..

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Hard News: In the Game,

    Pommy backpackers, mostly. Rest assured they'll find a way to see England win the world cup back, whatever channel it runs on.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Island Life: I Am Drinking Again,

    I before E except after C.

    That's what I was taught at school - it must be hell being a teacher in Feilding.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Hard News: In the Game,

    Thousands of kids won't be able to watch it because their parents can't afford sky or freeview and they live [in] ... Queenstown

    Yeah, won't somebody think of the impoverished kids of Queenstown, scraping to pay for a sky sub as well as a lift pass, new pair of skis...

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Hard News: Save the King's Arms,

    The law on "not serving drunks" is wishful thinking, really.

    How drunk is too drunk? Over the limit for driving? Louder and happier than normal? Vocalising stupid ideas? A bit wobbly? Annoying to other customers?

    I've never been in any country overseas (including the ones usually described as having a wet drinking culture) without meeting drunks in bars. And indeed, I've found that bars that tolerate excessive drinking (like a typical English country pub) are no more likely to have an "aggro" atmosphere than pubs which take a prescriptive attitude.

    Left to their own devices, most bar owners would take the view that if a person drives away custom of a greater value than their own consumption, then it's time to chuck them out.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Hard News: In the Game,

    Should TVNZ be allowed to bid for the RWC? They are after all just as much a state-underwritten, part advertising-funded broadcaster as Maori TV?

    If government really wanted the RWC free-to-air at no cost to the taxpayer, they could pass a law preventing such events being shown on pay- or subscription TV. Of course, that would be an interference with the market, and even worse, would take revenue from Big Sport.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Speaker: How to Look Good as a Nazi,

    On the interesting discussion on the Pacific War, the key point to me is that the Japanese could never have managed an invasion of the US mainland. Without this, the US had unlimited time to rearm.

    As someone said, their belief could conly be that they could force a stalemate and a compromise outcome.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Speaker: How to Look Good as a Nazi,

    what grown-up things this movie has to say

    Since when have movies had to say grown-up things? It's entertainment, FFS!

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

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