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.
22 March 2009
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!
22 February 2009
Seeing Red over Green Hypocrisy
I am not a fashionable person. In fact, if you were to ask me anything about modern culture the best I could offer up would be a blank stare and/or vacant expression. It is an affliction I wear proudly.
Last night I was at a small party with a fairly standard array of folk as befits a middle class Sydney social scene. I met a chap who proclaimed with great pomposity how he had recently purchased a Toyota Prius hybrid motor vehicle. He had decided to "do away with the old gas guzzler and help save the environment" by driving an icon of the dedicated non-thinker. "What do you drive Dan?" came the inevitable query and never in my life did I have a greater wish to say "A two door muscle car with a huge V8, detuned so that it runs extra rich because I love seeing the smoke coming out the back". Unfortunately, this would have been a lie and I explained that I rode a Vespa GT200. "That's great," proclaimed the fool, " you and I are on the same wavelength". We certainly were not !
Environmental issues have unfortunately become a fashionable vice for some rather vile people. Only in the last ten years or so have I seen just how much damage hypocritical people and organisations have done once they hijacked the "green" message. Now all of a sudden everything sold has an "environmentally friendly" angle attached to it. The problem is that there is no regulation and it can be applied to basically ANYTHING. Let me just state this now, no matter what anyone says, the Toyota Prius is NOT an environmentally friendly car. The batteries alone have some rather nasty substances in them, and it still burns petrol. People like the village idiot I met last night are hypocrites, fools and bores. Go away and take your falsely cleared conscious with you !
I wonder if it will ever be possible for people to conduct their lives in such a way where they reduce their negative impact on the environment and not feel the need to promote the fact to everyone within earshot.
Todays shout out goes to scientific research. This is where the solutions to our environmental problems will be found.
Todays shout down goes to the chap I met last night. Sorry, but I didn't catch your name, most probably because I didn't care what it was.
"The Broken Windows of the Greenhouse Effect", by Dan the VespaMan.
We all like to think,
That we are saving the world,
But maybe we should think more,
About how the truth gets hurled.
Go drive your hybrids,
Your false green moral,
Keep it to yourself,
Rather than display it as a laurel.
Last night I was at a small party with a fairly standard array of folk as befits a middle class Sydney social scene. I met a chap who proclaimed with great pomposity how he had recently purchased a Toyota Prius hybrid motor vehicle. He had decided to "do away with the old gas guzzler and help save the environment" by driving an icon of the dedicated non-thinker. "What do you drive Dan?" came the inevitable query and never in my life did I have a greater wish to say "A two door muscle car with a huge V8, detuned so that it runs extra rich because I love seeing the smoke coming out the back". Unfortunately, this would have been a lie and I explained that I rode a Vespa GT200. "That's great," proclaimed the fool, " you and I are on the same wavelength". We certainly were not !
Environmental issues have unfortunately become a fashionable vice for some rather vile people. Only in the last ten years or so have I seen just how much damage hypocritical people and organisations have done once they hijacked the "green" message. Now all of a sudden everything sold has an "environmentally friendly" angle attached to it. The problem is that there is no regulation and it can be applied to basically ANYTHING. Let me just state this now, no matter what anyone says, the Toyota Prius is NOT an environmentally friendly car. The batteries alone have some rather nasty substances in them, and it still burns petrol. People like the village idiot I met last night are hypocrites, fools and bores. Go away and take your falsely cleared conscious with you !
I wonder if it will ever be possible for people to conduct their lives in such a way where they reduce their negative impact on the environment and not feel the need to promote the fact to everyone within earshot.
Todays shout out goes to scientific research. This is where the solutions to our environmental problems will be found.
Todays shout down goes to the chap I met last night. Sorry, but I didn't catch your name, most probably because I didn't care what it was.
"The Broken Windows of the Greenhouse Effect", by Dan the VespaMan.
We all like to think,
That we are saving the world,
But maybe we should think more,
About how the truth gets hurled.
Go drive your hybrids,
Your false green moral,
Keep it to yourself,
Rather than display it as a laurel.
15 February 2009
Deaf to the Tolling Bell
It seems as I roll merrily forward with this blog and make public all of the things that make up me, there is one topic that needs to be covered. The issue of religion.
I've never been a great fan of carrying a label that identifies me as part of a certain group. I hate being called a Gen Y or Gen X or I-Gen or any of the other stupid titles some social researcher at a university somewhere keeps coming up with to justify their grant. And it is with religion that again I exercise this aversion to being "classified".
The thing is, I follow no religion and I don't believe in God. But only call me an atheist if you desire me to dislike you.
I have spent considerable time looking at the different religions of the world, from the East to the West, and none of them have ever been able to present themselves as credible. I am the sort of person that never takes anything on appearance or promotion. I am a salesmans worse nightmare because I never listen to their "patter" I am only interested in the facts. I believe everything you take seriously as part of your life needs to be scrutinised and properly understood before accepting it. This is where all religions fall down, they NEVER stand up to scrutiny and ALWAYS surround themselves by a ridiculous mystical smokescreen that doesn't allow intensive analysis. A person with a mind as cynical as mine can guess the reasons for this.
However, I do believe that many people find religion an essential ingredient in their lives. It is important that people are allowed to follow any lifestyle and religion they choose (as long as it affects only them). I will never impose my belief's on others, and I expect them to do the same in return.
Todays shout out goes to jokes about religion. If there was a God, I bet she/he/it would be VERY amused. If she/he/it is not, then she/he/it should get over it.
Todays shout down goes to the leaders of the Catholic Church. A greater load of untrustworthy, elitist, ghastly people would be very difficult to find.
"The Bible, my way!", by Dan the VespaMan.
I'll never be a Saint,
But that's OK,
I'll just be me,
Day by day.
I don't believe in God,
Or heaven or hell,
What matters is dignity in life,
THAT is my tolling bell.
I've never been a great fan of carrying a label that identifies me as part of a certain group. I hate being called a Gen Y or Gen X or I-Gen or any of the other stupid titles some social researcher at a university somewhere keeps coming up with to justify their grant. And it is with religion that again I exercise this aversion to being "classified".
The thing is, I follow no religion and I don't believe in God. But only call me an atheist if you desire me to dislike you.
I have spent considerable time looking at the different religions of the world, from the East to the West, and none of them have ever been able to present themselves as credible. I am the sort of person that never takes anything on appearance or promotion. I am a salesmans worse nightmare because I never listen to their "patter" I am only interested in the facts. I believe everything you take seriously as part of your life needs to be scrutinised and properly understood before accepting it. This is where all religions fall down, they NEVER stand up to scrutiny and ALWAYS surround themselves by a ridiculous mystical smokescreen that doesn't allow intensive analysis. A person with a mind as cynical as mine can guess the reasons for this.
However, I do believe that many people find religion an essential ingredient in their lives. It is important that people are allowed to follow any lifestyle and religion they choose (as long as it affects only them). I will never impose my belief's on others, and I expect them to do the same in return.
Todays shout out goes to jokes about religion. If there was a God, I bet she/he/it would be VERY amused. If she/he/it is not, then she/he/it should get over it.
Todays shout down goes to the leaders of the Catholic Church. A greater load of untrustworthy, elitist, ghastly people would be very difficult to find.
"The Bible, my way!", by Dan the VespaMan.
I'll never be a Saint,
But that's OK,
I'll just be me,
Day by day.
I don't believe in God,
Or heaven or hell,
What matters is dignity in life,
THAT is my tolling bell.
08 February 2009
Where I lay my hat
I am not a native Sydney-sider. I moved here a few years ago from my birthplace of Adelaide in South Australia. The thing is it's quite funny just how quickly one integrates into new surroundings, given the chance that is.Just like people who have lived here their entire lives, I find myself indulging in tedious conversations about house prices, traffic, and the abysmal state government. I should be rather ashamed really as this is one of the most beautiful and enjoyable large cities I have ever trod foot in. The picture above was taken last weekend in Circular Quay and shows only a snippet of Sydney. As for the people, I find that most of them seem to live with slightly too much stress in their lives (those damn house prices and traffic problems ofcourse) but this seems to be due to a genuine pursuit of a good life. It is amazing how these people always seem to have a focus on their next enjoyable experience be it a holiday, a night on the town, a concert or a day at the beach. These are healthy attitudes to have.
Todays shout out goes to the Sydney-siders. Keep it up, your positive attitude rubs off on the city.
Todays shout down goes to people who use self service checkouts at supermarkets when they have a full trolley load of groceries. Just a hint, it will be quicker for you if you use one of the conventional aisles.
"Syd and me", by Dan the VespaMan.
I wasn't born here,
I came from over the border,
I arrived as a stranger,
and now I am part of the Sydney order.
Will I live here for the rest of my life,
God only knows,
But one thing I know for sure,
When I see Sydney, it glows.
01 February 2009
Pay the Piper
In these days of financial problems in the worlds markets, it seems strangely coincidental that I watched a program called “e-dreams”. This program concerned itself with a new startup company called “Kozmo.com” which existed from 1998 to 2001. The service it provided is irrelevant.
The central character of the documentary was Joseph Park the founder of the enterprise, a (self-confessed) entrepreneur in his late twenties, who’s infectious enthusiasm pushed the company into dizzying expansionism.
There were many issues that bothered me regarding enterprise Kozmo.com, and primarily it centres around it’s young founder. Firstly, the documentary is a shameless promotion of Park and his apparent wizardry of the business world. One wonders if rather than send his curriculum vitae to future employers he will instead just mail them out a copy of the e-dreams DVD. Scenes of his employees performing “we’re not worthy” bowing to Park and coverage of his bonce appearing in magazines and TV talk shows are strewn throughout the film with monotonous regularity. I can’t even begin to describe his god-awful motivational speeches to his troops, which seem to be lapped up by these lemmings who must have received an extra serve of naivety at birth that bright people missed out on.
You may be thinking that I don’t particularly like young Park, and if the truth be told, he isn’t someone I would be willing to put much trust in. However, I put the idea forward that he is simply an example of where capitalism has some terrible flaws.
It seemed to me that during its operational years, Kozmo.com had one main objective, that being an IPO (initial public offering). Essentially, Kozmo.com was trying to raise capital, and lots of it. In order to do this , the company needed to be “sexed up” to appeal to the sucker investment market who will view the incredible growth of the business (operations expanded into almost a dozen cities within three years) and see that as the siren song for their investment portfolio. The only thing is, profit seemed to take a backseat to the whole extravaganza ($26.3 million dollar loss in 1999).
Now, I am certainly no communist. If you want something done badly, put it in the hands of your government. But, the only time capitalism works is when the concept of the profit motive is adhered to. It is commercially irresponsible for an unprofitable company to keep expanding its operations. To do so is like building a skyscraper without setting the foundations properly. It will come crashing down. Business expansion is something that needs to be done in layers. A newly added layer needs to be tested for profit stability before more are added.
To conclude, was Park negligent in his duties? No, he was just following a common practice of many people who have their eye on the wrong prize. However, I bet he would have a difficult time delivering one of his god-awful motivational speeches to the 1100 employees who lost their jobs after the collapse of Kozmo.com. Now that, I would like to see.
Todays shout out goes to market regulation. In the jungle of the commercial world, it is our only hope for law and order.
Todays shout down goes to the naïve investor. Do your homework, and don’t blame others if you don’t make the fast bucks.
"Penny Pincher", by Dan the VespaMan.
Money Money everywhere,
And many a penny to spend,
We spent it all yesterday,
And tommorrow we’ll spend it again.
I haven’t felt the credit crunch,
But I certainly have heard the shout,
I wonder how I’ll pay the bills,
“With credit” I cry no doubt.
The central character of the documentary was Joseph Park the founder of the enterprise, a (self-confessed) entrepreneur in his late twenties, who’s infectious enthusiasm pushed the company into dizzying expansionism.
There were many issues that bothered me regarding enterprise Kozmo.com, and primarily it centres around it’s young founder. Firstly, the documentary is a shameless promotion of Park and his apparent wizardry of the business world. One wonders if rather than send his curriculum vitae to future employers he will instead just mail them out a copy of the e-dreams DVD. Scenes of his employees performing “we’re not worthy” bowing to Park and coverage of his bonce appearing in magazines and TV talk shows are strewn throughout the film with monotonous regularity. I can’t even begin to describe his god-awful motivational speeches to his troops, which seem to be lapped up by these lemmings who must have received an extra serve of naivety at birth that bright people missed out on.
You may be thinking that I don’t particularly like young Park, and if the truth be told, he isn’t someone I would be willing to put much trust in. However, I put the idea forward that he is simply an example of where capitalism has some terrible flaws.
It seemed to me that during its operational years, Kozmo.com had one main objective, that being an IPO (initial public offering). Essentially, Kozmo.com was trying to raise capital, and lots of it. In order to do this , the company needed to be “sexed up” to appeal to the sucker investment market who will view the incredible growth of the business (operations expanded into almost a dozen cities within three years) and see that as the siren song for their investment portfolio. The only thing is, profit seemed to take a backseat to the whole extravaganza ($26.3 million dollar loss in 1999).
Now, I am certainly no communist. If you want something done badly, put it in the hands of your government. But, the only time capitalism works is when the concept of the profit motive is adhered to. It is commercially irresponsible for an unprofitable company to keep expanding its operations. To do so is like building a skyscraper without setting the foundations properly. It will come crashing down. Business expansion is something that needs to be done in layers. A newly added layer needs to be tested for profit stability before more are added.
To conclude, was Park negligent in his duties? No, he was just following a common practice of many people who have their eye on the wrong prize. However, I bet he would have a difficult time delivering one of his god-awful motivational speeches to the 1100 employees who lost their jobs after the collapse of Kozmo.com. Now that, I would like to see.
Todays shout out goes to market regulation. In the jungle of the commercial world, it is our only hope for law and order.
Todays shout down goes to the naïve investor. Do your homework, and don’t blame others if you don’t make the fast bucks.
"Penny Pincher", by Dan the VespaMan.
Money Money everywhere,
And many a penny to spend,
We spent it all yesterday,
And tommorrow we’ll spend it again.
I haven’t felt the credit crunch,
But I certainly have heard the shout,
I wonder how I’ll pay the bills,
“With credit” I cry no doubt.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
