Cross your fingers that new technology may come early for me today. Otherwise I have to regret a 3 day weekend and that's always a bad thing.
This advertisement for Christ action figures is beyond description.
Google has filed for its first public offering on the US stockmarket. That's going to be expensive stock.
And finally, a public service announcement: a friend of mine, Stephen Soymonoff, is looking for work and for venture capital to fund his new business. Anyone who has any leads on VC or work for Stephen (who can work as an IT guy as well as a retail manager) please let me know. It's always hard to endure the rigours of a new start-up. Give him a hand if you can.
Two items of interest caught my attention today in terms of policy making. The first, which I could not ignore in mainstream press (try as I might) was the allegations being made by Sydney talk-show host, John Laws, against his former colleague, and now competition, Alan Jones. I am exceedingly cynical about the whole affair. Whilst I don't doubt that Jones probably did say the sort of thing John Laws has claimed at a dinner party, I also have no doubt at all that Alan Jones was probably elaborating dramatically on his actual influence over the Australian Prime Minister regarding the appointment of David Flint as Chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Authority. As Douglas Adams would say, his influence was probably best descrfibed as "none at all". I don't doubt that conversations between the Prime Minister and Alan Jones are full of self-congratulation and very little actual policy formation.
However....
The allegations of media representatives having undue influence over political appointments should be openly debated. Media convergence has allowed for extraordinary influence to be practiced by media representatives, knowingly or otherwise. I also have no doubt that Flint was appointed for political reasons. Those of us in the research community reserve judgement on the efficacy of Flint in his role as administrator of the national broadcasting (and incidentally, internet) regulatory body. But I'm just not sure whether the issue of Laws v Jones is an example of undue influence. Considering the results of the last ratings survey, I am inclined to believe the whole issue is a rather sad grab for ratings.
The other item of interest was the rather superb interview conducted by the Senior Editor of MIT's technology magazine, The Tech, of Jack Valenti, the 82 year old policy lobbyist and front man for the Motion Pictures Association of America, relating to "fair use" provisions under US copyright legislation and Linux DVD players. Valenti consistently proves his lack of knowledge of fair use throughout the interview, and yet it is his influence that has "informed" policy making for copyright in the US. If it wasn't so outrageous it would be funny.
It is indeed, a sad indictment on society that people such as Laws, Jones and Valenti have so profound an influence on the making of policy and laws.
If you haven't seen it beforehand, you really should treat yourself to the work of the Swedes with this parody version of the Diana Ross/Lionel Richie song, Endless Love as "sung" by British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and US President, George Bush. It's about a 5Mb file, so you'll need to be on a good link, but it is exceedingly entertaining.
And on the other end of the scale, thanks to a student of mine from the Brisbane City Council cohort of E-Business, Alan Barton, for this link to a fascinating article on the future of scientific research in an era of peace. This is watershed stuff, and should be read not merely by the scientifically inclined, but by all who are interested in the philosophy of innovation. From the history to the future of scientific achievement, the author (Dr Vannevar Bush - no relation to the US President) considers the motivations for study and the movement against development in ethically dicey or financially unprofitable areas of science. He is calling for a revival of basic research in its true form - research for the sake of human development, rather than political and financial gain. Worthy stuff.
I am about to be the proud recipient of some new toys. For those who know my geek nature, this of course means that I am about to receive new technology. More details when I have my new baby in my hot little hands.
In the meantime, thanks to Troffie for the link to the sort of Swarovski crystal chandelier I'd like in my own home - one that reads SMS messages :-) Stylish and geekish, it is truly my aspiration. (FWIW, I wear Swarovski crystal and titanium earrings... slightly cheaper than the chandelier, but I'd be happy to upgrade to studs that picked up SMS messages there too.)
Ah technology! If it doesn't work all the time, it should at least do its best to be beautiful :-)
This is just a timely little reminder that the next installment in the Harry Potter franchise, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, will be out in Australia in 45 days. While the official Warner Bros Harry Potter site is entertaining, I don't suggest you look at it unless you have broadband, or you're likely to be bored to tears while everything downloads. It's probably more interesting anyway to stick to the Harry Potter Automatic News Aggregator where the latest news, interviews and downloads are more easily accessible anyway. The trailers are available there too, the second of which includes the much-discussed choral piece written by the resident composer, John Williams (of Star Wars and ET fame, among many, many others). I'm not quite sure why there's so much excitement about this song. Once again, John Williams has plagiarised paid homage to the greats and used Act 4 Scene 1 of Shakespeare's Macbeth to devise "Something Wicked This Way Comes". John Williams has spent most of his life plagiarising either himself or others in a musical sense but apparently those unversed in classical music don't seem to recognise that, so the song in this episode will probably go unrecognised by most as being entirely inappropriate when you compare the story of Macbeth with the plight of Sirius Black. Oh well. That aside, the trailers for Azkaban are fabulous, and I for one, am very much looking forward to the opening!
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Once again, we come to ANZAC Day, and remember the efforts of those who have fought in wars. I thought this year I'd include a picture of my maternal grandfather, who fought at Gallipoli this day, 89 years ago. Edward Jones was just 20 years old when he was faced with the horrors of war. And for me, that's what today is all about: not glorifying war as some patriotic imperative that defines masculinity or national pride, but a time to give thanks and to remember those who had to face such horror in order to provide their children and their children's children with a better life. Thanks to you, Grandpa, and to those like you, for being there for us. Lest we forget. |
Thanks go to my dear friend Liz for an absolutely superb meal last night! The table looked fabulous, your house is just gorgeous and your cooking sensational! Was just great to spend time with such great company, and catch up in a leisurely manner. I just hope you didn't spend too long clearing up last night!!! Thanks also to Andy & Raechel for the lift home - very good of you to come across town for me - much appreciated! *hugs to you all*
Australia has slipped yet again in the global E-Readiness rankings according to a report today in the IT Section of The Australian. We were 2nd in the world in 2001, 6th in the world in 2002, 9th in the world in 2003 and we're 11th in the world this year. All due to the fact that our broadband sucks folks. The full report isn't available yet on The Economist ebusinessforum pages but I assume it will be published there in a few days.
I have read through my post and realise I sound rather pious and self-congratulatory, which in effect places me among those who believe in patting themselves on the back for their versions of charity. I would like therefore, to say here that I am aware I am very opinionated on this issue, and recognise that other arguments on charity do exist and that there are some very good arguments for them.
Thanks to Stephen Soymonoff for a link which has stirred in me a few rather philosophical questions on what it is to be human. The auction on eBay of a Karma certificate for a man who is clearly battling terminal illness seemed at first to be senseless, and later a poor taste joke. This comes after a story this morning where Legacy collectors have been sent out in to the carparks of suburban shopping centres because Centre Managers will not allow volunteers to sell Legacy badges for ANZAC Day and for Rememberance Day inside shopping malls.
I admit to being rather cynical about a great many charities. I think it's wrong to believe that by making a cash donation to someone or some charity that you should feel good about yourself. That isn't philanthropy. True charity involves hearts and hands, not cash. It worries me that we believe as a consumer-oriented society that a cash donation should bring good karma or good feeling. It shouldn't make any difference whether people donate $5 or $500,000 to a cause - and yet we do tend to place so much emphasis on how much people have donated in cash. Indeed, the very notion of getting something back from giving in the first place, in my humble opinion, is at odds with the notion of giving. You give because it is human to give, not because you can get something back.
But as Stephen pointed out to me today, perhaps I am getting the wrong notion of what it is to be human. Perhaps now what it is to be human is an ongoing battle for competitive advantage, a life-long struggle for supremacy. If so, I guess I'm doing okay on that front - innate ambition has given me the strength and willpower to grit my teeth and work that much harder to achieve an end. But I guess I assumed that to be human required a grace, a morality and even a sacrifice that few now regard as appropriate.
I admit that my own arrogance and hard-heartedness on occasion have hardly been charitable, but I suppose I feel that beliefs and aspirations have guided me so much more than simple economies, and the belief I deserved something substantial (tangible or intangible) in return for what I have done. How sad to think of a society that can be so blind as to believe that pleasing oneself is in fact, pleasing others! And yet if you can buy karma on eBay, what alternative to that horrid society can, in fact, exist?
Why is it that so many people who really shouldn't wear clothes inspired by films/TV shows/novels, continue to do so? Yet another example of the phenomenon has turned up on the blogdex with this Tron costume story. Great costume. But someone please tell him never to take photos of himself again. It's really far too frightening for words.
Oh and the US National Information Security Coordination Centre has issued a warning on a TCP vulnerability. Great.
After the bleak series of links posted earlier, I have at least some better links to share.
ZDNet Australia are hosting a 5 day analysis of the world's top hackers, starting with Raven Alder - the stereotypical chick-hacker with cybergothic looks, locks and boots. I imagine the reason why they haven't profiled the chick hackers who precede Alder is because those chicks don't look like a remnant from Dr Seuss's Freaky Friday. Ergo, those chicks don't fit the William Gibson stereotype. The fact that most women who started in hackerdom have now ended up at the top levels of industry and management and dress like Carly Fiorina is apparently too threatening for a dominantly male readership. Oh well. You can't win 'em all. Nevertheless, the stories of hackerdom are useful and worthy of blogging. Read them for the truth behind hacking, rather than the gothic equivalent of Who Weekly-style sensationalism.
In other news, former advocates of MP3.com take note: your files may well be born again. www.MP3isBack.com may well bring new life to the music sharing concept which drove its predecessor. Stay tuned though. The link seems to be down after being posted on Slashdot!
I very much worry for the future of humanity on occasion. These links should pretty much explain why.
Thanks to Kevin for the BBC News article reporting on the fact that most people would give up their passwords for a Mars bar. Also thanks to Kevin for the link to the News Interactive report that suspected terrorists based in Britain were planning a suicide bombing attack at the Old Trafford ground in the game between Manchester United and Liverpool scheduled for this weekend.
Finally, from Boingboing ... a link to an article that reports on the issue that, "Concerned for the health of people being killed by nuclear bombs, the EPA has ordered new, less-toxic, rockets to be installed on ICBMs". Apparently it's only just become obvious that nuclear warheads are bad for your health.
Between the stupid, the shocking and the blindingly obvious, the future of humanity just looks bleak today.
The Star Trek wireless lapel communicator is now available for personal use. So if you start seeing people tapping their left breasts and talking to no-one visible in the street, you'll know they: (a) are Trekkies/Trekkers (see here for the "difference" between these terms), and (b) thought the idea of tapping a breast to speak to someone didn't seem silly.
Very quick personal message to my dear friend Liz to wish her a happy birthday and a very fulfilling year ahead! Given your amazing success in the last year, I have no doubt you will have a wonderful year. You go girl!!! :-)
Thanks to Carlos, the videographer for the wedding, here are the first set of pix drawn from the Betacam-SP stills he took! Isn't Eloise an angel? :-)
Wedding Photos click here!!!
Have just returned from the QUT launch of the Australian Creative Commons License, the local chapter of an international initiative, designed to bring copyright law into the 21st century and to accommodate new technologies. The problem of making new technologies to fit old laws has always bugged me (and formed the basis of my doctoral thesis), so any initiative that works to accommodate the creative possibilities of connectivity is great news for me! The wonderful Larry Lessig joined us by video link up (after a few problems with the ISDN line - more proof that VoIP works better than direct link) and answered questions about the scope and rationale for Creative Commons. Importantly, he showed how the click-thru mechanism can provide artists with the plain-English version of any license chosen, the legal version and an RDF technology file for download online.
Lessig's latest book, Free Culture, is a fabulous example of the Creative Commons concept, with audio versions of the book now available for download, and a wiki of the book (allowing people to nitpick, add content, and expand on concepts) also online. The book itself is free for download, and in spite of the notion of marketers and traditional publishers tut-tutting about failing sales, the book is doing marvellously well in stores. The same experience of good sales was recorded by Cory Doctorow with both his first book, Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom, and his second book, Eastern Standard Tribe - indeed, Eastern Standard Tribe was released with a full Creative Commons License.
I'd like to make Lessig's presentation available and will link to it as soon as it's available, for those who are interested. At any rate, it's a great moment in Australian copyright history. Congrats to Prof Brian Fitzgerald for having the foresight and enthusiasm to guide this project!
Apparently getting away from the office for a few days is good for me. Everyone is saying how well and happy I look today :-)
After a delightful time in Melbourne for the wedding of Andrew (or Andy as he insists on calling himself!) and Eloise, I'm heading home to Brisneyland later today. Melbourne has even turned on Brisbane-like weather in my last few hours here with a top temperature of 32° today and only getting down to 22° overnight! I have managed to get some work done whilst down here - perhaps not as much as I'd expected, but that's probably understandable. Although I'm not sure my mother would class 7 hours of work yesterday as "not enough"! Thanks to Mum for having me here, and to Mardi and Barry Gentle for having me on the night before the Royal Wedding! Had a fab time and enjoyed a few hours away from the office too. :-)
Wow. My brother's wedding on Easter Sunday yesterday was just superb. My new sister-in-law was absolutely stunning in an elegant, long-line, halter-neck gown with diamonte trim and buttons down her back and a long veil with full train. The groom, in his black suit, white vest, tie and diamond pin looked pretty damn good, too. But more importantly, the ceremony was lovely and the reception was just a great party. There were a few issues that occurred along the way - including a stretch limo that broke down several times over the last 1km stretch to the church, the bride being stung by a wasp-like insect during photos and the church organist being worried about making an international flight - but in the end everything worked out marvellously and a good time was had by all. I'd like to thank Eloise for having me as her bridesmaid and to thank her for being such a lovely new sister. And I'd like to wish Andrew and El a happy and fulfilling life together. It's just wonderful to see you both so happy. My love to you both!
YAY! I'm off to Melbourne in the morning for my brother's wedding and to see my wonderful family and friends - so looking forward to it. Fear not, dear students of mine. I will be marking essays whilst I am away, but I intend to be in a good mood as I am marking!
Happy Easter to all my dear friends in Brisbane - particularly Liz, Melissa, little Ethan, Kev and Stef, and the gorgeous Monique and Camilla! And Happy Easter to my friends around the country - you will all be in my thoughts and wishes. Have a safe and happy time and enjoy the important things in life - family and friends.
My very best to everyone!
In response to some queries over why I haven't been around and why I'm being so "slack" over a series of issues, I have just done a calculation of the calls on my time for the past couple of months. This is it:
12 hours per week face-to-face teaching
2 hours per week face-to-face research student supervision
4 hours per week student consultation (by appointment)
MINIMUM 10 hours per week marking (based on 60 students submitting 1000 words per week)
MINIMUM 10 hours per week teaching preparation (including case study preparation, content development and resource hunting)
MINIMUM 10 hours per week administration (paperwork, student administration, subject area coordinator duties and report preparation for Faculty meetings)
MINIMUM 4 hours per week Faculty and School Meetings
MINIMUM 2 hours per week corporate meetings, board meetings and media work
That's minimum 54 hours per week of work *before* research (supposed to be another 20+ hours a week).
I really wish some people would just back off from hassling me at the moment. I just don't need it right now. Unfortunately, none of the people reading this are likely to be those who are hassling me, so I'm preaching to the converted. Nevertheless, it does explain my absence, and I hope my readers will forgive me for being a less-than-regular blogger for the past several weeks.
I have decided to give up my career as an academic and audition for the role of Hermione in the forthcoming musical, HARRY!, an adaptation of the Harry Potter books and films. I look forward to singing such greats as "The Witch Which Wished", "I Am So Smart" and "Harry's Heading Home". I'm also hoping that the inclusion of the car that flies over the heads of the audience members doesn't cause the problems it did in some of the early trials where many seats were destroyed in the stalls as the car came crashing to earth before the spell ended on stage where it was supposed to do. I know in my new career I will be happy in the knowledge that my superpowers are being appropriately exercised for the good of mass entertainment, and not for evil.
Yes. Happy April Fool's Day.
And happy birthday to my dear friend, Kristen! :-)