Booze, boys and other headaches - Opinion - theage.com.au
Parents and teenagers today, I dunno. The article above (from The Age) relates a mother's attempt to "do the right thing" in the way she manages her daughter's party for a bunch of 15 year olds (some 14).
Maybe I will regret some of these comments when the time comes that my children are teenagers, but at the moment, here's how I feel:
1. There are 57 year nine students invited to this party. Seems quite a lot of invitees, doesn't it? Why do school kids, or their parents hosting, want to have a party at which (surely) they don't know a significant proportion of the invitees very well at all? A smaller party is a more controllable party, and 60 people over is pushing the limits.
2. The mother gives up on the idea of banning alcohol entirely, because she has learnt from experience that it will be smuggled in anyway. (And the effort to police a ban is too overbearing.) The end result was allowing each guest to bring "2 or 3" drinks.
She seems well intentioned, but isn't this attitude just waving the white flag of parental responsibility way too early? There are 14 year olds at this party. What parent should care that a 14 or 15 year old resents going to an alcohol free party? What 14 year old should expect to be able to drink at a party?
3. The limited alcohol option fails anyway, with a few impostors getting drunk, a fight (apparently not alcohol related) and some damage to the house.
What is it with this teenage party gatecrashing phenomena? It puzzles me in several respects. What's the typical reason the gatecrashers want "in"? Because they were not invited and they want to prove a point? What sort of point would that be usually - fail to invite me and I'll come and smash up your house (or your friends)? Is it that they don't want to go to the party at all, but are just out to pick fights with someone they know there? Or is it that it is because some parties are alcohol free-for-alls that is the attraction?
Anyway, it's a disturbing thing that parents these days live in fear of gatecrashing teens. I expect, however, that parents allowing consumption of alcohol is not the way to reduce the likelihood of it happening.
Teenagers: you don't run the world. You have decades ahead of you to drink. You can wait.
Parents: when did you start letting teenagers set the rules? You don't have to be buddies with them. Make yourself unpopular for a change.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Pull the other one, Tim
Braving the cold for a talk on warming | Science & nature | The Australian
Environmentalist and global warming author Tim Flannery spoke at the Melbourne Writers Festival and claims this:
"Writers' festivals are a really good opportunity to talk to a great number of people who might not usually be exposed to this issue, and this kind of discussion," said Dr Flannery, who won this year's NSW Premier's Book of the Year award.
Oh come on. As if the typical person who attends a writers' festival would not be interested and well versed in this already.
Environmentalist and global warming author Tim Flannery spoke at the Melbourne Writers Festival and claims this:
"Writers' festivals are a really good opportunity to talk to a great number of people who might not usually be exposed to this issue, and this kind of discussion," said Dr Flannery, who won this year's NSW Premier's Book of the Year award.
Oh come on. As if the typical person who attends a writers' festival would not be interested and well versed in this already.
Caroline does Cuba
Caroline Overington: Land of rum and rumba blighted by communism | Opinion | The Australian
Pamela Bone used to write for the age, as did Caroline Overington. Funny how they now appear in The Australia, both sounding rather right wing.
Caroline short article on how bad she found Cuba just a couple of years ago is worth a read.
Pamela Bone used to write for the age, as did Caroline Overington. Funny how they now appear in The Australia, both sounding rather right wing.
Caroline short article on how bad she found Cuba just a couple of years ago is worth a read.
Friday, August 25, 2006
US Catholics not so wussy after all
GOP dips in religion poll - Yahoo! News
This snippet from the above report is interesting:
Bush got 78 percent of the white evangelical vote and 56 percent of the white Catholic vote in 2004, according to exit polls.
I kind of expected the Catholic vote to be significantly less than that for Bush in 2004. Certainly, the liberal side of the church is the one that gets all the publicity.
This snippet from the above report is interesting:
Bush got 78 percent of the white evangelical vote and 56 percent of the white Catholic vote in 2004, according to exit polls.
I kind of expected the Catholic vote to be significantly less than that for Bush in 2004. Certainly, the liberal side of the church is the one that gets all the publicity.
Next year's Survivor format predicted
NYC officials want new 'Survivor' pulled - Yahoo! News
Not that I have ever watched it for more than 10 minutes, but it's interesting to note that a decision by the makers of "Survivor" to use racially based competing teams is controversial.
Of course, if they really want controversy, next year's teams will be based on religion/philosophy: The Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhist, and Hindu teams.
I would then have a few secular humanists to be added into the teams at random. Have one of them gay, and watch the tension in the first episode as they draw straws for who will get into the Muslim team.
I could go on, but readers can supply their own fantasies of this scenario.
Not that I have ever watched it for more than 10 minutes, but it's interesting to note that a decision by the makers of "Survivor" to use racially based competing teams is controversial.
Of course, if they really want controversy, next year's teams will be based on religion/philosophy: The Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhist, and Hindu teams.
I would then have a few secular humanists to be added into the teams at random. Have one of them gay, and watch the tension in the first episode as they draw straws for who will get into the Muslim team.
I could go on, but readers can supply their own fantasies of this scenario.
Some interpretation needed
This paper on arxiv seems important. (It talks about the very nature of space, gravity, black holes and dark matter.) Beyond sensing its possible importance (and that it is not written by a complete nutter, unless they are still allowed in the physics department of Flinders University,) it is otherwise very difficult to understand.
I need a science journalist to do an interpretation of it.
UPDATE: OK, here's a page that explains more about what Cahill is on about. Can't say I have heard about "process physics" before.
I need a science journalist to do an interpretation of it.
UPDATE: OK, here's a page that explains more about what Cahill is on about. Can't say I have heard about "process physics" before.
Pamela goes right
Pamela Bone: Muslim sisters need our help | Opinion | The Australian
Pamela Bone writes on the Western feminists' general silence on the plight of Muslim women in Iran and other rabidly Islamic nations. Good reading.
Pamela Bone writes on the Western feminists' general silence on the plight of Muslim women in Iran and other rabidly Islamic nations. Good reading.
Drink your tea
BBC NEWS | Health | Tea 'healthier' drink than water
More research (even if it is paid for by the "Tea Council") seems to show how tea is very good for you.
On a personal note, by working with a Chinese guy who is very fond of good quality green tea, my green tea consumption for many years now has been perhaps 2 cups a day average. This should ensure I live to 110.
More research (even if it is paid for by the "Tea Council") seems to show how tea is very good for you.
On a personal note, by working with a Chinese guy who is very fond of good quality green tea, my green tea consumption for many years now has been perhaps 2 cups a day average. This should ensure I live to 110.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
A strange China story
BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | China acts on funeral strippers
More fun via the BBC:
Five people have been detained in China for running striptease send-offs at funerals, state media say....
"Striptease used to be a common practice at funerals in Donghai's rural areas to allure viewers," Xinhua agency said.
"Local villagers believe that the more people who attend the funeral, the more the dead person is honoured."
As well as ordering an end to the practice, officials have also said residents can report "funeral misdeeds" on a hotline, earning a reward for information.
If I had a readership, I would invite nominations for the worst "funeral misdeed" you would have liked to be able to report.
More fun via the BBC:
Five people have been detained in China for running striptease send-offs at funerals, state media say....
"Striptease used to be a common practice at funerals in Donghai's rural areas to allure viewers," Xinhua agency said.
"Local villagers believe that the more people who attend the funeral, the more the dead person is honoured."
As well as ordering an end to the practice, officials have also said residents can report "funeral misdeeds" on a hotline, earning a reward for information.
If I had a readership, I would invite nominations for the worst "funeral misdeed" you would have liked to be able to report.
And that would be a bad thing?
BBC NEWS | Middle East | Syria warns over UN peacekeepers
From the link:
Syria has reportedly threatened to close its border with Lebanon if UN peacekeepers are deployed there.
Finland's foreign minister made the claim after meeting his Syrian counterpart in Helsinki.
"They will close their borders for all traffic in the event that UN troops are deployed..." Erkki Tuomioja said.
Earlier, the Syrian president, Bashar Assad, said the stationing of UN troops in the border area of Lebanon would be a hostile move against Syria.
"This is an infringement on Lebanese sovereignty and a hostile position," President Bashar Assad told Arab TV.
From the link:
Syria has reportedly threatened to close its border with Lebanon if UN peacekeepers are deployed there.
Finland's foreign minister made the claim after meeting his Syrian counterpart in Helsinki.
"They will close their borders for all traffic in the event that UN troops are deployed..." Erkki Tuomioja said.
Earlier, the Syrian president, Bashar Assad, said the stationing of UN troops in the border area of Lebanon would be a hostile move against Syria.
"This is an infringement on Lebanese sovereignty and a hostile position," President Bashar Assad told Arab TV.
Go Nuclear
The Nuclear Option
See above for a lengthy, optimistic, article on the expansion of nuclear power as a way of helping reduce CO2.
My favourite under-discussed type of reactor, the Pebble bed, gets a favourable mention too:
The pebble-bed modular reactor introduces the interesting prospect of modular nuclear plants. Instead of building a massive 1,000-megawatt plant, modules each producing around 100 megawatts can be built. This approach may be particularly attractive, both in developing countries and in deregulated industrial countries, because of the much lower capital costs involved. The traditional large plants do have the advantage of economy of scale, most likely resulting in lower cost per kilowatt of capacity, but this edge could be challenged if efficient factory-style production of large numbers of modules could be implemented. South Africa is scheduled to begin construction of a 110-megawatt demonstration pebble-bed plant in 2007, to be completed by 2011, with commercial modules of about 165 megawatts planned for 2013. The hope is to sell modules internationally, in particular throughout Africa.
(By comparison, here's a list of Queensland power stations giving their generating capacity. It's clear that an indivdual module generating 165 megawatts is fairly modest in size, but it looks as if the big power stations here are comprised of smaller units anyway - eg Tarong's power is listed as 4 x 360 MW. I guess if there is a natural limit to the size of a pebble bed module, you just add more modules on site as required.)
Anyway, the whole article is good and interesting as a review of where nuclear power is likely to go. The problems are not ignored, but if Greenies want us to believe the worst global warming scenarios, then they should also figure that they are making nuclear look more attractive as part of the solution.
See above for a lengthy, optimistic, article on the expansion of nuclear power as a way of helping reduce CO2.
My favourite under-discussed type of reactor, the Pebble bed, gets a favourable mention too:
The pebble-bed modular reactor introduces the interesting prospect of modular nuclear plants. Instead of building a massive 1,000-megawatt plant, modules each producing around 100 megawatts can be built. This approach may be particularly attractive, both in developing countries and in deregulated industrial countries, because of the much lower capital costs involved. The traditional large plants do have the advantage of economy of scale, most likely resulting in lower cost per kilowatt of capacity, but this edge could be challenged if efficient factory-style production of large numbers of modules could be implemented. South Africa is scheduled to begin construction of a 110-megawatt demonstration pebble-bed plant in 2007, to be completed by 2011, with commercial modules of about 165 megawatts planned for 2013. The hope is to sell modules internationally, in particular throughout Africa.
(By comparison, here's a list of Queensland power stations giving their generating capacity. It's clear that an indivdual module generating 165 megawatts is fairly modest in size, but it looks as if the big power stations here are comprised of smaller units anyway - eg Tarong's power is listed as 4 x 360 MW. I guess if there is a natural limit to the size of a pebble bed module, you just add more modules on site as required.)
Anyway, the whole article is good and interesting as a review of where nuclear power is likely to go. The problems are not ignored, but if Greenies want us to believe the worst global warming scenarios, then they should also figure that they are making nuclear look more attractive as part of the solution.
The happiest mice on Earth
ScienceDaily: Ever-happy Mice May Hold Key To New Treatment Of Depression
Interesting story on genetic manipulation leading to very happy mice.
As usual, I wonder about this:
Mice without the TREK-1 gene ('knock-out' mice) were created and bred in collaboration with Dr. Michel Lazdunski, co-author of the research, in his laboratory at the University of Nice, France. "These 'knock-out' mice were then tested using separate behavioral, electrophysiological and biochemical measures known to gauge 'depression' in animals," says Dr. Debonnel. "The results really surprised us; our 'knock-out' mice acted as if they had been treated with antidepressants for at least three weeks."
Just how closely does depression in a mouse represent depression in a human?
Anyway, apart from the drug development implications, it does raise the question as to whether "designer babies" in the future could be tailored to never suffer depression. What unknown effects would this have on personality or culture if it ever became widespread? Just wondering.
Interesting story on genetic manipulation leading to very happy mice.
As usual, I wonder about this:
Mice without the TREK-1 gene ('knock-out' mice) were created and bred in collaboration with Dr. Michel Lazdunski, co-author of the research, in his laboratory at the University of Nice, France. "These 'knock-out' mice were then tested using separate behavioral, electrophysiological and biochemical measures known to gauge 'depression' in animals," says Dr. Debonnel. "The results really surprised us; our 'knock-out' mice acted as if they had been treated with antidepressants for at least three weeks."
Just how closely does depression in a mouse represent depression in a human?
Anyway, apart from the drug development implications, it does raise the question as to whether "designer babies" in the future could be tailored to never suffer depression. What unknown effects would this have on personality or culture if it ever became widespread? Just wondering.
Slow blogging
Work busy, staff on holidays, children sick, now father sick. All reasons why blogging has slowed to a crawl. Sorry.
Monday, August 21, 2006
A strange Japan story
The Japan Times Online - Straight girls look to gays for a little fun
According to this article (perhaps of dubious reliability), some straight Japanese women are spending time in gay bars to "buy" male prostitutes ("urisen"). Isn't there something wrong with this picture?:
"My husband thinks it's OK to buy these urisen boys," she tells the other women, after explaining that the couple has an open and very liberal relationship.
And why the preference for young gay men, instead of, say, hosts? "Because hosts reek of alcohol and their skin is leathery," she giggles.
More importantly, though, she appreciates the more laid-back style of gay bars as opposed to host bars. "I was surprised when I first went to an urisen bar. Although there were a lot of guys, none of them were trying to push themselves onto me."
The expression "duh" comes to mind.
According to this article (perhaps of dubious reliability), some straight Japanese women are spending time in gay bars to "buy" male prostitutes ("urisen"). Isn't there something wrong with this picture?:
"My husband thinks it's OK to buy these urisen boys," she tells the other women, after explaining that the couple has an open and very liberal relationship.
And why the preference for young gay men, instead of, say, hosts? "Because hosts reek of alcohol and their skin is leathery," she giggles.
More importantly, though, she appreciates the more laid-back style of gay bars as opposed to host bars. "I was surprised when I first went to an urisen bar. Although there were a lot of guys, none of them were trying to push themselves onto me."
The expression "duh" comes to mind.
Italians and TV
BBC NEWS | Europe | Too sexy for Italian television
A couple of odd things from this story about Italian TV: until recently, the weather report was done by military forecasters. (Scroll down the report to see a picture.) More surprisingly, Italians may be getting tired of the gratuitously semi-dressed female form popping up on TV all the time:
Men in many countries would surely be more than happy to see so much flesh on show on their screens - but why do Italian channels offer so much more than those in other countries?
There are two reasons, according to Professor Michele Sorice, who teaches History of Radio and Television at Rome's main university.
"On one hand the TV variety programmes come largely from Italy's show tradition, which has always featured half-naked dancers," he said.
"On the other hand it comes from a terrible lack of ideas," he added.
But things could soon start to change.
Mr Sorice believes viewers are already sick of these programmes. Surveys show they watch, but criticise them harshly.
"I think even Italians are a bit bored with always seeing undressed women on the television," Mr Sorice said.
"The proof of this is in the fact that the biggest hits on Italian TV in recent months have actually been the period dramas."
Speaking of such things, has anyone else noticed how the most sexually explicit European cinema (by far) now seems to come from Spain? Yet they still have a low birthrate. Strange world.
A couple of odd things from this story about Italian TV: until recently, the weather report was done by military forecasters. (Scroll down the report to see a picture.) More surprisingly, Italians may be getting tired of the gratuitously semi-dressed female form popping up on TV all the time:
Men in many countries would surely be more than happy to see so much flesh on show on their screens - but why do Italian channels offer so much more than those in other countries?
There are two reasons, according to Professor Michele Sorice, who teaches History of Radio and Television at Rome's main university.
"On one hand the TV variety programmes come largely from Italy's show tradition, which has always featured half-naked dancers," he said.
"On the other hand it comes from a terrible lack of ideas," he added.
But things could soon start to change.
Mr Sorice believes viewers are already sick of these programmes. Surveys show they watch, but criticise them harshly.
"I think even Italians are a bit bored with always seeing undressed women on the television," Mr Sorice said.
"The proof of this is in the fact that the biggest hits on Italian TV in recent months have actually been the period dramas."
Speaking of such things, has anyone else noticed how the most sexually explicit European cinema (by far) now seems to come from Spain? Yet they still have a low birthrate. Strange world.
Copycat death
A sad history of life — and death — imitating art - Opinion
This is an interesting commentary piece from The Age about the history of copycat suicides (that follow fictional ones.) I did not know that this had such a well established history.
The story is in reponse to the call for a new Australian film, about teenage angst, to have its "R" rating reduced. (I guess because some adults think that teens undergoing teen angst really want to watch other teens having the same problems. Well, that's a little unfair, I suppose they think it has an educative effect. But isn't it a fair bet that the great majority of teenagers who would be interested in seeing it would be the type who are already sympathetic to the type of issues portrayed and don't need to learn more about it?)
This is an interesting commentary piece from The Age about the history of copycat suicides (that follow fictional ones.) I did not know that this had such a well established history.
The story is in reponse to the call for a new Australian film, about teenage angst, to have its "R" rating reduced. (I guess because some adults think that teens undergoing teen angst really want to watch other teens having the same problems. Well, that's a little unfair, I suppose they think it has an educative effect. But isn't it a fair bet that the great majority of teenagers who would be interested in seeing it would be the type who are already sympathetic to the type of issues portrayed and don't need to learn more about it?)
Sheehan on Einfeld
The Einfeld Follies: a study in ego - Opinion - smh.com.au
Einfeld does not come out smelling of roses, as you may expect when Sheehan is getting stuck into a lawyer.
Einfeld does not come out smelling of roses, as you may expect when Sheehan is getting stuck into a lawyer.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
This won't hurt a bit
The case for genital mutilation. By William Saletan - Slate Magazine
I've mentioned before the weird zealotry and obsessiveness that is on display in most of the anti-circumcision websites. "Foreskin restoration" strikes me as just about the funniest thing that could have a support group.
The Slate article above gives a good survey of it all, including the somewhat uncomfortable fact (for the anti-cutting movement) that widespread use of circumcision in Africa would have helped a lot of people (and not just men) avoid HIV.
I've mentioned before the weird zealotry and obsessiveness that is on display in most of the anti-circumcision websites. "Foreskin restoration" strikes me as just about the funniest thing that could have a support group.
The Slate article above gives a good survey of it all, including the somewhat uncomfortable fact (for the anti-cutting movement) that widespread use of circumcision in Africa would have helped a lot of people (and not just men) avoid HIV.
Anywhere near Uranus?
Hey, a juvenile pun for a title is well deserved when you see what some people spend their time thinking about:
"...I’m writing an article on what I’m calling “spaces of utopia”. I’ve been thinking about festivals, dance parties, raves, protests, political marches/parties like Mardis Gras as the sorts of spaces that have a certain potential to embody the lived experience of a different social order. I think time has a lot to do with this, because like sacralised time, the experience of time at events like this is somewhat out of the ordinary, and their effects are felt throughout ordinary time as well."
Yeah, well, here's my potted version of the article (I recommend hearing it in the voice of Neil from "The Young Ones"):
"Some people, usually young, think that it would be really, really cool if their whole life was just one big rave/ dance party/ political march/protest. Sometimes they find time seems to pass really slooowly at these events, 'cos of the drugs and drinks that they took, either that or the speech that Kim Beazley just gave. But suddenly it's time to go home, grow up and have kids. Or not, in which case they will soon be too old for raves and dance parties, unless they start a movement for raves for the over 50's (wow, what an idea). But remember, you can never be too old or strange for a protest march."
That's about it, really.
"...I’m writing an article on what I’m calling “spaces of utopia”. I’ve been thinking about festivals, dance parties, raves, protests, political marches/parties like Mardis Gras as the sorts of spaces that have a certain potential to embody the lived experience of a different social order. I think time has a lot to do with this, because like sacralised time, the experience of time at events like this is somewhat out of the ordinary, and their effects are felt throughout ordinary time as well."
Yeah, well, here's my potted version of the article (I recommend hearing it in the voice of Neil from "The Young Ones"):
"Some people, usually young, think that it would be really, really cool if their whole life was just one big rave/ dance party/ political march/protest. Sometimes they find time seems to pass really slooowly at these events, 'cos of the drugs and drinks that they took, either that or the speech that Kim Beazley just gave. But suddenly it's time to go home, grow up and have kids. Or not, in which case they will soon be too old for raves and dance parties, unless they start a movement for raves for the over 50's (wow, what an idea). But remember, you can never be too old or strange for a protest march."
That's about it, really.
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Too good to be true
Steorn’s Free Energy Technology Challenge | Technology News Daily
Sort of hard to see what benefit nutters would have in advertising in The Economist about this. Influx of capital? A desire to see your name bandied about a lot?
Anyway, everyone should allow a little, tiny hope somewhere in their brain that a "free energy" device may be true.
UPDATE: The Guardian has a story on this. Very curious indeed.
Sort of hard to see what benefit nutters would have in advertising in The Economist about this. Influx of capital? A desire to see your name bandied about a lot?
Anyway, everyone should allow a little, tiny hope somewhere in their brain that a "free energy" device may be true.
UPDATE: The Guardian has a story on this. Very curious indeed.
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