Posts by BenWilson

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

  • Hard News: Tidbits ahoy,

    I like this one from Key "No NZ sports team would be happy to be number 22". I used to play waterpolo, and it was always a big event when NZ beat anyone.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Hard News: Tidbits ahoy,

    Boot camps? Cracks me up. How to outsource physical discipline and yelling at your kids. 'Cause I'm sure most youth crime is committed by kids who've never been yelled at or smacked in their lives.

    But Youth is a cunning demographic for National to target. They can't vote, so they are the perfect whipping boy.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Hard News: Tidbits ahoy,

    This made me snort with laughter, and then look around guiltily.

    Heh, surely it's common knowledge that there's more to Bangkok than amazing history, art, architecture and shopping?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Hard News: Tidbits ahoy,

    As for cultural cringe: Pffff. It's liberating to be a philistine. Being 'more cultured' is so often an excuse for being a snob who has done nothing, and huddles in their culture for comfort. "At least where I came from there's a lot of great history, art and culture, even if I did nothing to contribute to it apart from a book on getting blowjobs all around the world".

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Hard News: Tidbits ahoy,

    It's interesting to hear what foreigners have to say about here. Not because it is deep analysis - that seldom happens. But because it's slightly more impartial. You have to also bear in mind that a sex tourist reporting on the sex tourist experience is what other sex tourists want to read. So hopefully they won't waste their time here.

    I don't think there's any need to character assassinate Fallowell for having his opinion. He's really already done that and his reader base will have already discovered Bangkok as a much better alternative. Anyone kidding themselves that he was even looking for high culture is the kind of person who would indeed judge NZ exactly the way he has.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Hard News: All your copyright are belong…,

    The only backward step would be electing another Republican at this point.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Hard News: All your copyright are belong…,

    Re: Playstation playback formats. It's just software. Drivers will get written. In the meantime, use the noisy XBox.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Hard News: Theories, please ...,

    Rob, at some level savings are good for the economy. I'd much rather we were as rich as the Japs, however much of a recession they are in. And obviously a nation of bankrupts is bad - if economic indicators can't capture this then they are broken.

    But my point was more that what's good for individuals is not necessarily good for the group, and yet I would not urge people to do what is good for the group to their own cost. When you're in front of a hurricane, burn rubber to get the hell out, and bugger whether the extra gas burned leads to global warming and more hurricanes.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Hard News: All your copyright are belong…,

    Old xbox (not 360) does a pretty good job, a lot quieter too. YouTube actually looks OK.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Hard News: Theories, please ...,

    So with the economy: save a little bit more, if and when you can.

    Um, that's good advice on a personal level but I'm not sure the economy benefits, per se. Not saying it doesn't, just not convinced either way. What Kyle said.

    I personally don't feel any responsibility to the 'economy'. When I save, it's for me, not for inflation or balance of trade etc. I don't get down on others for excessive debt or profligate spending - these are not moral issues, just practical ones.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

Last ←Newer Page 1 974 975 976 977 978 1066 Older→ First