We certainly do live in convenient times. With remote's for our televisions, microwaves for our cooking and the internet for our information, getting things done has never been so easy. So too it seems for our participation in important social issues with the conclusion of last nights "earth hour".
I've written previously about what I call the "green hypocrisy" that seems to be running rampant these days, and I guess this is somewhat of an extension on that idea. Last night's earth hour has been receiving a few mild rumblings about its relevance to the real issue of global warming, a few digs in the ribs about whether the activity of turning some lights off for an hour really has any siginificant impact on the problem at all. The defence has been that the event is a "symbolic gesture" to put the issue into peoples minds. I find this concept of symbolic gesture's rather intriguing.
It seems to me that if you don't want to put your heart into something and accept the true sacrifice that is required, the next best thing to do is make a symbolic gesture as a demonstration of your support for an issue. These are great, because you don't really have to do anything particularly difficult, and you can accept all the kudo's. I was speaking to someone yesterday who was going to be attending an earth hour dinner party and when I asked how he was going to be travelling to the event he answered "driving my car there ofcourse". This is a clear indication of a person who has no real understanding of the issue, but wants to jump on the bandwagon and wave the fashionable flag.
I always have felt symbolic gestures are a dangerous thing. You either support an issue by adjusting your lifestyle to accommodate it, or you do not. Taking this easy option to be part of the "in" crowd is a perversion of what the problem is all about, and the message is as lost as your breadknife at a dinner party in darkness.
Todays shout out goes to the true conservationists. These people are focused on finding real solutions to the real problems.
Todays shout down goes to earth hour. A fine example of popular nonsense.
"The lightbulb in our heads", by Dan the VespaMan.
The lights went out last night
And we were in the dark,
But when they came back on
It seemed we had missed our mark.
I have no doubt we need to change
The world cannot handle our gas,
But to keep dodging the point like this
Well, it's just crass !
29 March 2009
22 March 2009
A War on Progress
I have been rather slack, missing a post due for last weekend. The reason was that I attended the Avalon Airshow near Melbourne and so wasn't near a 'puter to make the post. Yes I could have done it any time during the week, but as I said I have been slack.
I've always had a bit of a moral dilemma attending these airshows that exhibit some rather terrifying military hardware. The thing is, I am HUGELY impressed with the engineering feat that has been accomplished with some of this hardware. The incredible speed, noise, and power that these machines have has me in awe. BUT, lets not forget that these are weapons designed to kill and destroy, and as I find war to be an example of the worst kind of human nature, you can see my problem.
The main point I want to make in today's blog though is regarding technological advancement as a result of war. The thing is if you look around the modern world, most of the technology we enjoy today is as a result of military endeavours:
- The Jet Engine - developed during World War II to power military aircraft, now used on almost all commercial aircraft that take us on our holidays.
- Global Positioning System - developed by the US military to provide navigation for their troops and equipment. Now used by many people to navigate their cars.
- The Internet - at least partly developed to provide digital communications between US military departments.
- Satellite communications - only possible because the Americans and Soviets conducted a race for control of space as part of cold war activities.
- Radar - developed around World War II to detect hostile aerial forces, now essential to control busy air traffic.
And the list goes on.
We always say quite rightly that we never want the horror of war, and I add my voice to that. But where would we be without it ?
Todays shout out goes to modern science. Useful, truthful, proven and the key to the resolution of the problems that plague the human race.
Todays shout down goes to aviation enthusiasts who think they know what they're talking about but have never sat behind the controls of an aircraft in flight. Keep to trainspotting for cripes sake.
"The Truthful Faith", by Dan the VespaMan.
To continually push the boundaries
that we know are never there,
We seek the answers and solutions
of questions if we dare.
The advantage of science over religion
is that religion lacks evidence,
But science is accountable
It has a truthful eminence.
I've always had a bit of a moral dilemma attending these airshows that exhibit some rather terrifying military hardware. The thing is, I am HUGELY impressed with the engineering feat that has been accomplished with some of this hardware. The incredible speed, noise, and power that these machines have has me in awe. BUT, lets not forget that these are weapons designed to kill and destroy, and as I find war to be an example of the worst kind of human nature, you can see my problem.
The main point I want to make in today's blog though is regarding technological advancement as a result of war. The thing is if you look around the modern world, most of the technology we enjoy today is as a result of military endeavours:
- The Jet Engine - developed during World War II to power military aircraft, now used on almost all commercial aircraft that take us on our holidays.
- Global Positioning System - developed by the US military to provide navigation for their troops and equipment. Now used by many people to navigate their cars.
- The Internet - at least partly developed to provide digital communications between US military departments.
- Satellite communications - only possible because the Americans and Soviets conducted a race for control of space as part of cold war activities.
- Radar - developed around World War II to detect hostile aerial forces, now essential to control busy air traffic.
And the list goes on.
We always say quite rightly that we never want the horror of war, and I add my voice to that. But where would we be without it ?
Todays shout out goes to modern science. Useful, truthful, proven and the key to the resolution of the problems that plague the human race.
Todays shout down goes to aviation enthusiasts who think they know what they're talking about but have never sat behind the controls of an aircraft in flight. Keep to trainspotting for cripes sake.
"The Truthful Faith", by Dan the VespaMan.
To continually push the boundaries
that we know are never there,
We seek the answers and solutions
of questions if we dare.
The advantage of science over religion
is that religion lacks evidence,
But science is accountable
It has a truthful eminence.
08 March 2009
The Happy Wanderer
One of the things that interest me about the world is the industry of transport. Even in the electronic age with video conferencing and plentiful internet access, we still need to move ourselves outside our homes and travel. So too do the myriad of products that we consume every day.
I have included a snapshot I took today of an intersection on George Street in Sydney showing four very important methods of transportation. Walking, personal vehicle, bus and monorail (this last one may be not quite as useful in this city, and may be more for the tourists). There's no doubt that in a city the size and population of Sydney, transport is a critical issue. It is difficult to provide the perfect solution, however there are also some great opportunities.
The thing is, the personal motor vehicle is a ridiculous form of transport in these congested streets. I can certainly understand why people choose this option, being convenient for the commencement of one's journey, comfortable, and ofcourse private. Todays motor vehicles in essence have become an extension of people's living rooms. However, it is not efficient and frequently is not quick. I can assure you the train ride into the city from my suburb is completed in less time than if I were to drive a car on the journey.
My favourite forms of transport are firstly walking (convenient, all terrain, cheap, environmentally friendly, enjoyable), train/tram (relatively cheap, comfortable, fast once the train arrives), bicycle (convenient, cheap, environmentally friendly, enjoyable), and aeroplane (the only way to go for long distance travel).
But hang on Dan, you've forgotten something. What about the Vespa ?? Ah yes, this represents my daily commute to work. It is great fun to ride, somewhat inexpensive, and convenient. The problem is I have to ride it on the roads..... near those vile cars !
Todays shout out goes to investment in transport infrastructure. Where would be without it ? (not far would be my guess).
Todays shout down goes to traffic jams. You have options other than driving a car, use them !
"Happy Trails", by Dan the VespaMan.
We all need to move,
We all need to groove,
We all need to see,
Different places with glee.
I like to make tracks,
Travel to the max,
The world is your tutor,
And you can be a thinking commuter.
01 March 2009
The Federal Financiers
Recently, I wrote a comment to a blog I read on a newspaper website. Essentially, my comment discussed the way that taxpayers money is spent by the government and as I have my own blog hey why don't I delve a little deeper.
It seems to me that you can ask any punter on the street about how the government is spending money and you will get a snort of derision at the way the public purse is spent. Better roads, more hospital beds, bigger pensions, bigger baby bonuses, less warplanes, more school teachers, and the list goes on...and on....and on. The thing is, no two people will ever be in total agreement on all the programs that should be financially supported from public monies, and this is because we live different lives with different priorities.
You will rarely hear me defend the government of Australia, but you will today. The fact is, the public funding pie is only so large. You can slice it into as many pieces as you like, but the government can only do just so much with it. I agree that the way they use OUR money must be closely scrutinised, but eventually a decision has to be made and we must live with it. We have entrusted our elected officials with the peoples funds, those who are unhappy with how it is being spent will have an opportunity to express this at the next election. Until then, the money will be spent and we must make the best of it.
Ofcourse, I can't bear to leave my blog without taking a potshot at the current government. For goodness sake, they are not fixing any problems by putting cold hard cash into people's pockets. I refer to baby bonuses, paid parental leave, one-off payments as part of the economic stimulus package etc. By doing this they are losing control of what the funds are supposed to achieve. How can we be sure that the cash is going to be spent wisely? It is a short term feel good action by the current government. Don't give me the $1000, spend it on something that everyone can benefit from. Example from history, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, built during the depression years this structure was referred to as "The Iron Lung" as it was one of the few projects that the many unemployed could earn an income from and that income breathed life into Sydney during some dark times. The project helped develop useful skills (metalworks, rivetting, workforce management, financial management etc) and to this day provides us with a valuable infrastructure asset. I really think the Rudd government missed an opportunity to invest the finances for the long term. Perhaps they are only interested in the next two to three years ?
Todays shout out goes to the Epping to Chatswood rail link. Costly, behind schedule and heavily criticised, it will be a valuable transportation passage for many years to come.
Todays shout down goes to people who spend the governments one-off payment on a new television or overseas trip. Think about what your doing with it, please spend it wisely.
"Fools Gold", by Dan the VespaMan.
As our leaders disperse,
the riches of the public purse,
I wonder when,
The good times will end.
I feel so rich,
with palms that itch,
One thousand smackers,
Our leaders are crackers!
It seems to me that you can ask any punter on the street about how the government is spending money and you will get a snort of derision at the way the public purse is spent. Better roads, more hospital beds, bigger pensions, bigger baby bonuses, less warplanes, more school teachers, and the list goes on...and on....and on. The thing is, no two people will ever be in total agreement on all the programs that should be financially supported from public monies, and this is because we live different lives with different priorities.
You will rarely hear me defend the government of Australia, but you will today. The fact is, the public funding pie is only so large. You can slice it into as many pieces as you like, but the government can only do just so much with it. I agree that the way they use OUR money must be closely scrutinised, but eventually a decision has to be made and we must live with it. We have entrusted our elected officials with the peoples funds, those who are unhappy with how it is being spent will have an opportunity to express this at the next election. Until then, the money will be spent and we must make the best of it.
Ofcourse, I can't bear to leave my blog without taking a potshot at the current government. For goodness sake, they are not fixing any problems by putting cold hard cash into people's pockets. I refer to baby bonuses, paid parental leave, one-off payments as part of the economic stimulus package etc. By doing this they are losing control of what the funds are supposed to achieve. How can we be sure that the cash is going to be spent wisely? It is a short term feel good action by the current government. Don't give me the $1000, spend it on something that everyone can benefit from. Example from history, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, built during the depression years this structure was referred to as "The Iron Lung" as it was one of the few projects that the many unemployed could earn an income from and that income breathed life into Sydney during some dark times. The project helped develop useful skills (metalworks, rivetting, workforce management, financial management etc) and to this day provides us with a valuable infrastructure asset. I really think the Rudd government missed an opportunity to invest the finances for the long term. Perhaps they are only interested in the next two to three years ?
Todays shout out goes to the Epping to Chatswood rail link. Costly, behind schedule and heavily criticised, it will be a valuable transportation passage for many years to come.
Todays shout down goes to people who spend the governments one-off payment on a new television or overseas trip. Think about what your doing with it, please spend it wisely.
"Fools Gold", by Dan the VespaMan.
As our leaders disperse,
the riches of the public purse,
I wonder when,
The good times will end.
I feel so rich,
with palms that itch,
One thousand smackers,
Our leaders are crackers!
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