Milo Yiannopoulos: Twitter banning one man won’t undo his poisonous legacy | Technology | The Guardian
To be perfectly honest, I didn't even know who Yiannopoulos was until his recent appearance on Andrew Bolt's show. But reading that he took the "gamers" side on Gamergate (about which I had read enough to have a view), worked for Breitbart, and seemed to primarily be about vacuous self promotion in the "culture war", I soon enough had his measure. (Why is it that Right wing gay men - such as him, Jim Hoft and - I think no one doubts it - Matt Drudge - seem to be amongst the nastiest and dumbest Right wing culture warriors around? I find that odd.)
The linked article is not bad in explaining his poison, although I think she's unduly pessimistic about the benefits of his Twitter banning.
Update: the Vox explainer on the background to his banning is pretty good. Of course, that Bolt would have him on his show just re-confirms my re-categorisation of him - "Gone Completely Stupid and Offensive".
Thursday, July 21, 2016
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
My election vote justified
Matthew Canavan says there is 'uncertainty' around impact of climate change | Australia news | The Guardian
I actually don't know how Malcolm Turnbull justifies the political compromises he has had to make to keep the PM job. It's not as if The Lodge is that nice a house to live in.
I live for the day when a Liberal PM will say to his [update - I would normally say "or her" - but this is the Liberal Party we're talking about] party room - "That's it, climate change deniers and lukewarmer 'we can wait another 30 years before we decide what to do' advocates. You're wrong, you've been wrong since the start, and you're too stupid or ideological to see or admit it. Not only that, you've set up the world for irreparable harm for many, many generations. You'll have no influence on policy and get out and sit on the cross benches if you don't like it."
I actually don't know how Malcolm Turnbull justifies the political compromises he has had to make to keep the PM job. It's not as if The Lodge is that nice a house to live in.
I live for the day when a Liberal PM will say to his [update - I would normally say "or her" - but this is the Liberal Party we're talking about] party room - "That's it, climate change deniers and lukewarmer 'we can wait another 30 years before we decide what to do' advocates. You're wrong, you've been wrong since the start, and you're too stupid or ideological to see or admit it. Not only that, you've set up the world for irreparable harm for many, many generations. You'll have no influence on policy and get out and sit on the cross benches if you don't like it."
Somewhat amusing
I am usually surprised at how likeable "The Feed" on SBS 2 is when I watch it - it plugs away with a tiny audience, and yet people like me continually forget to watch. Anyway, 7.30 was dull last night, so I switched over, and was somewhat amused by this:
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Movie critic noted
I should stop scanning Catallaxy, the blog for aging and generically angry sad sacks white men (plus the odd - and I mean odd - women who like that type). But the occasional comment catches my eye, such as from long time Australian blogging identity CL, aka "The Only Man From the 1950's Who Was Born in the 70's." Here's his comment on the new Ghostbusters:
I thought the clip was quite funny, as it happens.
Sounds to me like he'd fit right in at 4Chan...
Incidentally, the misogynistic outrage at remaking the movie with females was just the silliest controversy. Apart from the loser dork-dom that fretting about women re-doing a film in their gender illustrates, as if it was worth dying on the barricades for the original movie in the first place. It was just a mildly diverting, mildly entertaining movie, after all.
I thought the clip was quite funny, as it happens.
Sounds to me like he'd fit right in at 4Chan...
Incidentally, the misogynistic outrage at remaking the movie with females was just the silliest controversy. Apart from the loser dork-dom that fretting about women re-doing a film in their gender illustrates, as if it was worth dying on the barricades for the original movie in the first place. It was just a mildly diverting, mildly entertaining movie, after all.
The Okunoshima Post - Part 3
If I had paid more attention to what people said about Okunoshima (apart from "Rabbits!! - look at the rabbits!"), I would have realised before I got there that it is in a very scenic area, at the edge of the group of islands in what's called the Seto Inland Sea. You'll start noticing how pretty the area is on the train (or bus) trip from Mihara to Tadanoumi, as it follows the coast line with lots of water and island views. You can see this very large looking island spanning bridge in the distance, too:
[I see now that it is the Tatara Bridge, with towers 220 m high (!)]
So, I was pleasantly surprised by scenery such as this (all photos taken from the island):
It was foggy the next morning (in fact, it delayed the first ferry), but it made for a nice photo or two:
I think this is an old timer, enjoying the view too:
I read now that the larger islands in this area, being connected via bridges, are popular for cycling tourists. Have a look at the photos from the bike path at this CNN Travel site. I think this definitely looks like an enticing part of Japan to explore in more detail.
As for the hotel, here's a panorama pic of it on the foggy morning (if you click and enlarge it, you can try to count the rabbits, too):
The facilities are fine but certainly not top class. In particular, the grounds had a "we're not ready for holiday season yet" feel, even though it was the start of July. There is a pool, for example, which was closed and an odd shade of green; and although there are several tennis courts around the back, most looked shabby. The grounds in front of the hotel are obviously a challenge to keep neat when there is strong competition for grass from 700 or so rabbits every day, but it didn't look like there was much attempt to tidy them up, either.
On the other hand, one of the cheaper ways to stay on the island is to camp on the quite tidy looking nearby camping ground with sea views, but still take your meals in the hotel. The tent can either be your own, or even one supplied (and, I think, according to one internet account) erected for you by the resort staff. I didn't see the amenities block, though.
Not that it worries me, but I think nearly all rooms are Japanese style, which means sleeping on futons and a toilet in the room but no shower or bath, so it's off to the communal onsen style baths to get clean of an evening.
Did I mention before that the food in the buffet dining room is really pretty good? Octopus is the local speciality, so expect it to turn up in various forms.
As for the other island's attractions:
* the small poison gas museum is worth seeing: it takes the same "let this never happen again" polemic style of Hiroshima atomic bomb museum, not that there's anything wrong with that, of course. Still, you'll only need about 20 minutes or so to read all of the english information available;
* the ruins around the island. There are various bits of decaying infrastructure from the old poison gas days.
They're a good reason to go on a bike ride. Put me in mind of the island being a suitable hideout for a small scale Bond villain. It might be hard to keep up the evil aura while being followed by rabbits, however.
A final note: if the hotel sells rabbit food, I never saw a sign for it. But I think the cafe might sell pellets? In any event, they don't sell veges for rabbits, so buy some on the mainland before you get there, as per my previous post.
It seemed it was not only tourists who are besotted with the furry inhabitants (whose natural enemies, by the way, appear to be limited to crows. My son and daughter, while bike riding, saw a crow threatening a baby bunny, who escaped under a bush.) There was an elderly Japanese (I think) couple who came over to the island with a huge bag and box of leafy vegetables. I saw him perching them on a bicycle and heading off around the island to distribute his bounty. I could happily imagine a retirement doing that, too..
[I see now that it is the Tatara Bridge, with towers 220 m high (!)]
So, I was pleasantly surprised by scenery such as this (all photos taken from the island):
It was foggy the next morning (in fact, it delayed the first ferry), but it made for a nice photo or two:
I think this is an old timer, enjoying the view too:
I read now that the larger islands in this area, being connected via bridges, are popular for cycling tourists. Have a look at the photos from the bike path at this CNN Travel site. I think this definitely looks like an enticing part of Japan to explore in more detail.
As for the hotel, here's a panorama pic of it on the foggy morning (if you click and enlarge it, you can try to count the rabbits, too):
The facilities are fine but certainly not top class. In particular, the grounds had a "we're not ready for holiday season yet" feel, even though it was the start of July. There is a pool, for example, which was closed and an odd shade of green; and although there are several tennis courts around the back, most looked shabby. The grounds in front of the hotel are obviously a challenge to keep neat when there is strong competition for grass from 700 or so rabbits every day, but it didn't look like there was much attempt to tidy them up, either.
On the other hand, one of the cheaper ways to stay on the island is to camp on the quite tidy looking nearby camping ground with sea views, but still take your meals in the hotel. The tent can either be your own, or even one supplied (and, I think, according to one internet account) erected for you by the resort staff. I didn't see the amenities block, though.
Not that it worries me, but I think nearly all rooms are Japanese style, which means sleeping on futons and a toilet in the room but no shower or bath, so it's off to the communal onsen style baths to get clean of an evening.
Did I mention before that the food in the buffet dining room is really pretty good? Octopus is the local speciality, so expect it to turn up in various forms.
As for the other island's attractions:
* the small poison gas museum is worth seeing: it takes the same "let this never happen again" polemic style of Hiroshima atomic bomb museum, not that there's anything wrong with that, of course. Still, you'll only need about 20 minutes or so to read all of the english information available;
* the ruins around the island. There are various bits of decaying infrastructure from the old poison gas days.
They're a good reason to go on a bike ride. Put me in mind of the island being a suitable hideout for a small scale Bond villain. It might be hard to keep up the evil aura while being followed by rabbits, however.
* the nature education centre: looks pretty new and is neat, but not much info in English.
But at the end of the day, it's hard to resist just wanting to be with the inhabitants:
It seemed it was not only tourists who are besotted with the furry inhabitants (whose natural enemies, by the way, appear to be limited to crows. My son and daughter, while bike riding, saw a crow threatening a baby bunny, who escaped under a bush.) There was an elderly Japanese (I think) couple who came over to the island with a huge bag and box of leafy vegetables. I saw him perching them on a bicycle and heading off around the island to distribute his bounty. I could happily imagine a retirement doing that, too..
Monday, July 18, 2016
The Okunoshima post - Part 2
First impressions on seeing the island are slightly marred by the huge power transmission towers that stand on it, but they're not so noticeable once you're there:
Nearly setting foot on the island now:
And finally, the welcoming committee:
The waiting bus takes you on the short-ish but slow (to avoid road rabbits - watching them a bit too casually getting out of the way causes anxiety to the newly arrived rabbit fans) drive to the hotel, where there's every chance more will be on the stairs near the entrance:
Now, of course I have scores of photos of happy rabbits being fed by my happy family, but privacy concerns prevent me putting them up; and besides, you can see heaps of similar photos elsewhere on the net so I won't bother - wait - who am I kidding, how can I resist?
Walk out in front of the hotel (they don't want you feeding them right at the entrance), shake your bag of pellets, and you'll be the centre of attention very quickly:
The websites say the origin of the rabbits is not known with certainty, but I do doubt the version that they are from the island's poison gas days. They just look more like what I imagine they should from being from pet rabbit stock; and are, by and large, healthy looking and well behaved around people. Signs indicate you shouldn't touch (or at least hold) them; but they are gentle and most are happy to be petted softly, as guests continuously do:
Hire a bicycle from the hotel and ride around the island (it's a pleasant, mostly flat, ride) and they're everywhere, often approaching if you stop. (Photo cropped for family privacy reasons):
This little guy, on the second day as it was getting hotter, lopped over to me even though I had no food, and promptly laid down between my feet
for (I think) some useful shade:
How charming is that?
I didn't even see what rabbits are famous for doing to generate baby rabbits. Maybe they leave that for the burrows?
If you have food, you'll easily get rabbits on your lap, if you want them there:
But - you do have to be sensible about not getting fingers too close to a hungry eating rabbit's mouth - my son somehow got bitten deep enough to bleed. My daughter had a bite too, but not a bleeding one. Later I saw video from her phone where she was putting her fingers right up to a rabbit's mouth, it was like she was inviting it to have a bite. They, rightly, did not blame the rabbits.
As I say, they are generally well behaved, curious and lovely creatures. The occasional bit of rabbit on rabbit fighting can be spotted, but by and large, it seems rabbit society is pretty orderly.
In the next part, I'll talk more about the island and hotel.
Nearly setting foot on the island now:
And finally, the welcoming committee:
The waiting bus takes you on the short-ish but slow (to avoid road rabbits - watching them a bit too casually getting out of the way causes anxiety to the newly arrived rabbit fans) drive to the hotel, where there's every chance more will be on the stairs near the entrance:
Now, of course I have scores of photos of happy rabbits being fed by my happy family, but privacy concerns prevent me putting them up; and besides, you can see heaps of similar photos elsewhere on the net so I won't bother - wait - who am I kidding, how can I resist?
Walk out in front of the hotel (they don't want you feeding them right at the entrance), shake your bag of pellets, and you'll be the centre of attention very quickly:
The websites say the origin of the rabbits is not known with certainty, but I do doubt the version that they are from the island's poison gas days. They just look more like what I imagine they should from being from pet rabbit stock; and are, by and large, healthy looking and well behaved around people. Signs indicate you shouldn't touch (or at least hold) them; but they are gentle and most are happy to be petted softly, as guests continuously do:
Hire a bicycle from the hotel and ride around the island (it's a pleasant, mostly flat, ride) and they're everywhere, often approaching if you stop. (Photo cropped for family privacy reasons):
How charming is that?
I didn't even see what rabbits are famous for doing to generate baby rabbits. Maybe they leave that for the burrows?
If you have food, you'll easily get rabbits on your lap, if you want them there:
But - you do have to be sensible about not getting fingers too close to a hungry eating rabbit's mouth - my son somehow got bitten deep enough to bleed. My daughter had a bite too, but not a bleeding one. Later I saw video from her phone where she was putting her fingers right up to a rabbit's mouth, it was like she was inviting it to have a bite. They, rightly, did not blame the rabbits.
As I say, they are generally well behaved, curious and lovely creatures. The occasional bit of rabbit on rabbit fighting can be spotted, but by and large, it seems rabbit society is pretty orderly.
In the next part, I'll talk more about the island and hotel.
The movie review you weren't waiting for
Saw Spielberg's "The BFG" yesterday.
Positives: looks terrific; the female lead is charming, as is Mark Rylance as the BFG; well directed with all of Spielberg's talent with framing gorgeous shots and terrific (but not jarring) camera movement; makes allusions in various ways to his previous films, which keeps someone like me happy.
Negative: it does lack narrative "push" in the middle section. I read some reviewer saying the first 20 minutes were not that good - in fact, I would say they are great, but it slows down after that. It then gains momentum and becomes pleasingly silly again in the last section when the Queen gets involved.
Overall I found it pretty charming, and felt it quite true to Roald Dahl (even though I haven't read the book). But I do understand why it hasn't been a big commercial success - it is too long for the real young kids (although, it must be said, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was narratively languid in the same way and still seen as a success), and too kid fantasy-centric for broad success with teenagers and young adults. (My own teenagers did see it with me, and grumbled afterwards about various aspects; but I don't doubt they were engaged and enjoyed much of it - it is a film of some depth that gives you much to talk about afterwards. They just won't admit at school today that they saw it. Especially my son...)
Speaking of CCBB - perhaps that is how the movie could have been improved - as the 1960's taught us, the addition of a handful of pleasing songs can help a long movie.
I should add - although I don't consider it a complete success for the reason I explained, I did find it actually more interesting that the overly simplistic "Bridge of Spies". I still say that while there was nothing really wrong with that movie, its narrative needed more complexity to be a great movie.
Positives: looks terrific; the female lead is charming, as is Mark Rylance as the BFG; well directed with all of Spielberg's talent with framing gorgeous shots and terrific (but not jarring) camera movement; makes allusions in various ways to his previous films, which keeps someone like me happy.
Negative: it does lack narrative "push" in the middle section. I read some reviewer saying the first 20 minutes were not that good - in fact, I would say they are great, but it slows down after that. It then gains momentum and becomes pleasingly silly again in the last section when the Queen gets involved.
Overall I found it pretty charming, and felt it quite true to Roald Dahl (even though I haven't read the book). But I do understand why it hasn't been a big commercial success - it is too long for the real young kids (although, it must be said, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was narratively languid in the same way and still seen as a success), and too kid fantasy-centric for broad success with teenagers and young adults. (My own teenagers did see it with me, and grumbled afterwards about various aspects; but I don't doubt they were engaged and enjoyed much of it - it is a film of some depth that gives you much to talk about afterwards. They just won't admit at school today that they saw it. Especially my son...)
Speaking of CCBB - perhaps that is how the movie could have been improved - as the 1960's taught us, the addition of a handful of pleasing songs can help a long movie.
I should add - although I don't consider it a complete success for the reason I explained, I did find it actually more interesting that the overly simplistic "Bridge of Spies". I still say that while there was nothing really wrong with that movie, its narrative needed more complexity to be a great movie.
Sunday, July 17, 2016
The Okunoshima ("Rabbit Island") post - Part 1 - getting there
One of the highlights (OK, probably the highlight) of the recent Japan holiday was an overnight stay at Okunoshima, the island somewhat famous for being full of friendly, wild, rabbits. (I say "somewhat", because it still not unusual to find Japanese people, even on Honshu, who have not heard of it. Which is a bit surprising, given the number of Japanese TV shows showing hosts visiting parts of the country, although that is usually to eat the local delicacy and say "oishii!")
Some websites say it can be done as a day trip from Kyoto or Hiroshima, but really, I think the average human will find the place so charming that only a few hours on the island will be a matter of regret. A day trip from Kyoto in particular would likely take about 7 or so hours of travel, so it would be a long day out!)
We made the trip from Kyoto. Here's a map (from the rather useful JR Rail pass map) with my arrows showing the big picture from Kyoto to Mihara:
This looks like a very simple trip on the one Shinkansen line, but actually, we had to change at Fukuyama as the train we took out of Kyoto (heading to Hiroshima) did not stop at Mihara. (On the way back from Mihara, as we had to get all the way back to Tokyo, we had to change Okayama.) A map to show Fukuyama:
Also, bear in mind that the JR Rail Pass, which many visitors use, is not valid for Nozomi class trains on that particular Sanyo Shinkansen line. This, together with the matter of which trains stop where, makes the trip a bit more complicated than it appears from the map alone. But from Kyoto to Mihara, even with the change, was supposed to take about 3 hours 20 min, although actually, due to power outages on the system, it took a bit longer.)
Anyhow, once you get to Mihara, here's the more detailed map showing the local Kure line to get to the ferry terminal town of Tadanoumi:
(The Kure line train was not running on our visit, again due to the power system problems - caused by recent bad weather - and there was a bus put on from the train station instead.)
Because I want to make the life of the traveller to Okunoshima as simple as possible, here's a marked up map showing you how to walk from the train station at Tadanoumi to the ferry terminal. (I was expecting this to more explicitly signed for the foreign visitor, but it didn't seem to be. Maybe there is a map inside the station somewhere, but I missed it because we got delivered there by bus?):
I do recommend going first to the next door Family Mart and buying the rabbit food packs they sell - you can get cabbage leaves, pellet food and carrot sticks - and you should buy plenty. (The carrot sticks get eaten really quickly though - cabbage is more easily stretched out.) The ferry terminal sells tickets to the island, and also pellet food for the rabbits.
A recent copy of the ferry timetable is at this site (but whether it is still current, don't ask me), but as you can it does run pretty frequently during the day. The trip over only takes15 minutes at most, and then you in the land of rabbits. Oh, and the ruins of a poison gas manufacturing plant. More in part 2.
Some websites say it can be done as a day trip from Kyoto or Hiroshima, but really, I think the average human will find the place so charming that only a few hours on the island will be a matter of regret. A day trip from Kyoto in particular would likely take about 7 or so hours of travel, so it would be a long day out!)
We made the trip from Kyoto. Here's a map (from the rather useful JR Rail pass map) with my arrows showing the big picture from Kyoto to Mihara:
This looks like a very simple trip on the one Shinkansen line, but actually, we had to change at Fukuyama as the train we took out of Kyoto (heading to Hiroshima) did not stop at Mihara. (On the way back from Mihara, as we had to get all the way back to Tokyo, we had to change Okayama.) A map to show Fukuyama:
Also, bear in mind that the JR Rail Pass, which many visitors use, is not valid for Nozomi class trains on that particular Sanyo Shinkansen line. This, together with the matter of which trains stop where, makes the trip a bit more complicated than it appears from the map alone. But from Kyoto to Mihara, even with the change, was supposed to take about 3 hours 20 min, although actually, due to power outages on the system, it took a bit longer.)
Anyhow, once you get to Mihara, here's the more detailed map showing the local Kure line to get to the ferry terminal town of Tadanoumi:
(The Kure line train was not running on our visit, again due to the power system problems - caused by recent bad weather - and there was a bus put on from the train station instead.)
Because I want to make the life of the traveller to Okunoshima as simple as possible, here's a marked up map showing you how to walk from the train station at Tadanoumi to the ferry terminal. (I was expecting this to more explicitly signed for the foreign visitor, but it didn't seem to be. Maybe there is a map inside the station somewhere, but I missed it because we got delivered there by bus?):
I do recommend going first to the next door Family Mart and buying the rabbit food packs they sell - you can get cabbage leaves, pellet food and carrot sticks - and you should buy plenty. (The carrot sticks get eaten really quickly though - cabbage is more easily stretched out.) The ferry terminal sells tickets to the island, and also pellet food for the rabbits.
A recent copy of the ferry timetable is at this site (but whether it is still current, don't ask me), but as you can it does run pretty frequently during the day. The trip over only takes15 minutes at most, and then you in the land of rabbits. Oh, and the ruins of a poison gas manufacturing plant. More in part 2.
Friday, July 15, 2016
He doesn't make a very convincing case
Why You Should Believe in the Digital Afterlife - The Atlantic
At least he details the complexity of doing adequate brain scans to be able to replicate its state in order to create a digital upload of one's consciousness. This is always the vaguest part in science fiction scenarios, and you can see why...
At least he details the complexity of doing adequate brain scans to be able to replicate its state in order to create a digital upload of one's consciousness. This is always the vaguest part in science fiction scenarios, and you can see why...
Islam - again (and Japan, too)
Oh no. News of yet another terrible radical Islamic inspired attack in France.
While in Japan recently, I kept thinking what a security nightmare that country could be if Islamic terrorism was a serious issue there. There are now specific announcements on their train system that security has been upgraded, but whether that is due to a terrorism concern, or just worry about crime generally, I'm not sure. But seriously, that country has been trusting its own people for so long, they have practices in place that would just make a terrorist attack so easy and they are slow to change.
For example, luggage lockers are extremely common around train stations and (I think) even at Narita airport; I presume they're not much available in Britain or the US any more? Maybe they aren't such a good spot for a terrorist to think about causing maximum danger, given that the locker itself would have effect on the blast, and there are not usually that many people milling around them, but still...
The most obvious issue is on Shinkansen, which are terrific but do not provide adequate space for large baggage. The few people with large luggage (usually foreigners, as most Japanese use their incredibly efficient internal luggage or parcel delivery services) often do have to leave them in the space behind the last row of seats and the wall in each carriage. (It's a pretty big gap, and can you fit a few large suitcases/backpacks in there. I doubt it's intentionally there for luggage, but in practice, that's what it gets used for.) This means you are often sitting far from your luggage, sometimes mixed up with other people's.
The announcements say that you should tell staff if luggage not with you is yours, and there are conductors often moving through the train, seemingly only tallying up the number of occupied seats and bowing as they enter and exit the carriage; but I know from direct observation that they just don't worry about the luggage sitting at the end of the carriage spot. (I never bothered trying to tell them; but I saw some other foreigners doing so, to a conductor who just smiled and nodded and moved on.)
It is, in other words, the perfect spot for a terrorist bomb; and one which does not even involve suicide tactics, given that you can move freely between carriages.
Should I be making this observation out loud? I don't know, but I'm sure I can't be the only foreigner who has thought about this...
Anyhow, I see from the Japan Times, which I don't normally expect to have much about Islamic terrorism concerns, that the Japanese do not waste time fretting too much about privacy rights when it comes to monitoring Muslims. In fact, it's pretty extraordinary:
While in Japan recently, I kept thinking what a security nightmare that country could be if Islamic terrorism was a serious issue there. There are now specific announcements on their train system that security has been upgraded, but whether that is due to a terrorism concern, or just worry about crime generally, I'm not sure. But seriously, that country has been trusting its own people for so long, they have practices in place that would just make a terrorist attack so easy and they are slow to change.
For example, luggage lockers are extremely common around train stations and (I think) even at Narita airport; I presume they're not much available in Britain or the US any more? Maybe they aren't such a good spot for a terrorist to think about causing maximum danger, given that the locker itself would have effect on the blast, and there are not usually that many people milling around them, but still...
The most obvious issue is on Shinkansen, which are terrific but do not provide adequate space for large baggage. The few people with large luggage (usually foreigners, as most Japanese use their incredibly efficient internal luggage or parcel delivery services) often do have to leave them in the space behind the last row of seats and the wall in each carriage. (It's a pretty big gap, and can you fit a few large suitcases/backpacks in there. I doubt it's intentionally there for luggage, but in practice, that's what it gets used for.) This means you are often sitting far from your luggage, sometimes mixed up with other people's.
The announcements say that you should tell staff if luggage not with you is yours, and there are conductors often moving through the train, seemingly only tallying up the number of occupied seats and bowing as they enter and exit the carriage; but I know from direct observation that they just don't worry about the luggage sitting at the end of the carriage spot. (I never bothered trying to tell them; but I saw some other foreigners doing so, to a conductor who just smiled and nodded and moved on.)
It is, in other words, the perfect spot for a terrorist bomb; and one which does not even involve suicide tactics, given that you can move freely between carriages.
Should I be making this observation out loud? I don't know, but I'm sure I can't be the only foreigner who has thought about this...
Anyhow, I see from the Japan Times, which I don't normally expect to have much about Islamic terrorism concerns, that the Japanese do not waste time fretting too much about privacy rights when it comes to monitoring Muslims. In fact, it's pretty extraordinary:
Qureshi, like almost all of Japan’s roughly 100,000 Muslim residents, is no stranger to police surveillance. However, the true extent of the systematic profiling and surveillance of Japan’s Muslim community only came to light in 2010, when over 100 internal Metropolitan Police Department documents were leaked online.
The leak revealed that the police had compiled detailed profiles on 72,000 Muslims, including personal information such as bank account statements, passport details and records of their movements. The leak also showed that police had at times planted cameras inside mosques and used undercover agents to infiltrate Islamic nonprofit organizations and halal grocers and restaurants.
The leaked documents, which were made available unredacted online and included the personal profiles of dozens of Muslims, were downloaded more than 10,000 times in the first few weeks.
A detailed breakdown of Qureshi’s life was among the documents, but he says he wasn’t surprised. He had known he was being followed for a long time.There are some judicial limits, but the basic idea is still OK:
After the 2010 leak, 17 of the Muslims named in the documents sued the government and police in a bid to have the widespread spying ruled illegal. In 2014, the Tokyo District Court agreed that the leak had violated the plaintiffs’ right to privacy and awarded them ¥90 million in compensation, but it also ruled that the intelligence-gathering was “necessary and inevitable.”
The court sidestepped the issue of blanket profiling by religion, as did the Tokyo High Court in an appeal the following year.
Earlier this year, the group asked the Supreme Court to rule on the constitutionality of the lower court’s decision.
The leaked documents refer to all those profiled as “suspects.” Their lawyers argued that spying solely on the basis of faith, rather than any suspicious activity, breached their plaintiffs’ rights to privacy, equality and freedom of religion. The Supreme Court dismissed the case on May 31.In another Japan Times article of recent interest, a writer looks at the historic reasons why Muslims often don't trust other Muslims. It starts with an issue I did not even realise existed (well, apart from the fact that Sunnis and Shiites may well want to kill each other):
The mistrust that pervades Middle Eastern societies is hard to miss. As controlled experiments confirm, Arabs have substantially less trust in strangers, foreign or domestic, than, say, Europeans. This hampers progress on many fronts, from business development to government reforms.
Low-trust societies participate disproportionately less in international commerce, and attract less investment. And, indeed, according to the World Values Survey and related research, trust among individuals in the Middle East is low enough to limit commercial transactions to people who know one another either personally or through mutual acquaintances. Because of their lack of trust, Arabs will often pass up potentially lucrative opportunities to gain through exchange....
One potentially important clue lies in the difference between perceptions of Muslims and Christians. To be sure, there are no official data quantifying the deficit; in most parts of the Middle East, too few Christians are left to make meaningful statistical comparisons. But casual evidence suggests that the region’s shoppers, merchants, and investors generally consider local Christians to be more trustworthy than local Muslims.This historical source of this, according to the writer, go back some way:
My work with the economic historian Jared Rubin exploring Istanbul’s 17th- and 18th-century Islamic court records may offer insights into why.
At that time, Istanbul was a cosmopolitan city; around 35 percent of its local residents were Christian, and 6 percent were Jewish. According to Islamic law (Shariah), Muslims had to do business according to Islamic rules, and if they wanted to adjudicate a conflict, they had to use an Islamic court. For their part, Christians and Jews could do business under their own rules, though they were free also to follow Islamic rules and to use Islamic courts, if they so desired. But, of course, if they were involved in a case against a Muslim, that had to be handled in an Islamic court.
When a Muslim and a non-Muslim faced each other in a trial, the Muslim enjoyed significant advantages. First, the judges’ training predisposed them to give the benefit of any doubt to a fellow Muslim. Second, the court staff was entirely Muslim, which meant that testimony was viewed solely from a Muslim perspective. Third, whereas Muslims could testify against anyone, Christians and Jews could testify only against another non-Muslim.
But these advantages had a downside. Because the legal system made it easier for Muslims to breach contracts with impunity, they were more often tempted to default on their debts and to renege on their obligations as business partners and sellers.
Meanwhile, non-Muslims, whose obligations were enforced more vigorously, gained a reputation for trustworthiness. To reflect differences in perceived risk, lenders, who were predominantly Muslim, charged about two percentage points less for credit to Christian and Jewish borrowers than to Muslims (15 percent annually, as opposed to 17 percent).
So it seems that perceptions of trustworthiness in the Arab world are rooted, at least partly, in the uneven enforcement of commitments under Islamic law. The sectarian differences in legal enforcement did not last. In the mid-19th century, Islamic courts gave way to what were essentially secular courts, at least with respect to commerce and finance. The enforcement of commitments then became more balanced.Interesting.
Thursday, July 14, 2016
About apartments
Rent report: Units play catch up to houses in housing-short Sydney, Domain says | afr.com
Not sure if it's entirely reliable, but this article indicates Sydney is not oversupplied with residential units, but Brisbane very soon will be.
Not sure if it's entirely reliable, but this article indicates Sydney is not oversupplied with residential units, but Brisbane very soon will be.
The picture was different in Brisbane, where decade-low levels of
migration into southeast Queensland and the recent state budget boost
for first home buyers were weakening the rental market. Rents of units
fell to $375 from March's record $380 and houses slipped to $400 from
$410. While prices are still up, or equal to, their level of a year ago,
vacancy rates for both dwelling types have increased, suggesting rents
will fall further - especially given the large numbers of new apartments
due to settle in the Queensland capital, Dr Wilson said.
"The signs are all there for more supply than demand," he said. "It means downward pressure on rents in Brisbane."
IS prepares for the end (of holding territory)
Islamic State readies for fall of 'caliphate'
It's pretty much gone as I expected. They'll be dangerous for some time yet, of course, due to "off shore" terrorism. (And within Iraq, of course. Can you imagine the nightmare of policing a re-captured IS controlled city with a huge underground resistance?) But a couple of other observations:
a. the ABC has recently run a story with interviews of captured IS fighters in northern Iraq (all de-bearded and not looking like crazed killers at the moment) in which they complain that they were (and remain) motivated by their bad former treatment at the hands of the Iraqi Shiite controlled army. This makes it all the more plain that with the overthrow of Saddam and the major revival within Iraq of the old internal Islamic sectarian conflict, the ultimate effects of the war were not containable within Iraq. A reasonable sounding summary of the effect of the war appears today at Gulf News, actually:
b. How's the cyberwar against IS on line propaganda going? Both the US military and private hacker groups said they would be fighting them in cyberspace, but we hear very little about how that's gone.
It's pretty much gone as I expected. They'll be dangerous for some time yet, of course, due to "off shore" terrorism. (And within Iraq, of course. Can you imagine the nightmare of policing a re-captured IS controlled city with a huge underground resistance?) But a couple of other observations:
a. the ABC has recently run a story with interviews of captured IS fighters in northern Iraq (all de-bearded and not looking like crazed killers at the moment) in which they complain that they were (and remain) motivated by their bad former treatment at the hands of the Iraqi Shiite controlled army. This makes it all the more plain that with the overthrow of Saddam and the major revival within Iraq of the old internal Islamic sectarian conflict, the ultimate effects of the war were not containable within Iraq. A reasonable sounding summary of the effect of the war appears today at Gulf News, actually:
Likewise, before they started the war, many policymakers believed that democracy would emerge quickly once Saddam was gone. Ensuring that such fundamental and consequential assumptions are tested by “red teams” — those not supporting the associated policy — should be standard operating procedure.
There is also the reality that removing governments, as difficult as that can be, is not nearly as difficult as creating the security that a new government needs to consolidate its authority and earn legitimacy in the eyes of the public. Creating anything like a democracy in a society lacking many of its most basic prerequisites is a task of decades, not months.
The report said little about the legacy of the Iraq War, but it is important to consider. First and foremost, the war disrupted the regional balance of power. No longer in a position to distract and balance Iran, Iraq instead came under Iranian influence. Iran was free not just to develop a
meaningful nuclear programme, but also to intervene directly and via proxies in several countries. Sectarian fighting poisoned relations between Sunnis and Shiites throughout the region. The alienation felt by soldiers and officers of Saddam’s disbanded army fuelled Sunni
insurgency and, ultimately, led to the rise of Daesh (the self-proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant).
b. How's the cyberwar against IS on line propaganda going? Both the US military and private hacker groups said they would be fighting them in cyberspace, but we hear very little about how that's gone.
Flicking the switch to vaudeville
Oh my. The state of British politics seems to have become a comedy script instead of something serious, with David Cameron starting a jolly jape that backfired on him, and ultimately resulting in a clown becoming Foreign Secretary. If such comedy themes continue to spread globally, he'll have another clown in the White House in November with whom he can exchange hair styling tips.
However, I half expect he'll have resigned for impregnating some young European foreign office staffer before then; and Trump: it's not going to happen.
Update: has there been any support from any media outlet for the appointment of Johnson? Can't say I've seen any anywhere: the reaction seems to be universal disbelief.
However, I half expect he'll have resigned for impregnating some young European foreign office staffer before then; and Trump: it's not going to happen.
Update: has there been any support from any media outlet for the appointment of Johnson? Can't say I've seen any anywhere: the reaction seems to be universal disbelief.
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
The religious (sexual) imagination and radical Islam
The most remarkable thing about the chilling Four Corners' episode "Soldiers of Allah" on Monday night, in which a French Muslim undercover reporter secretly filmed conversations with radicalised Islamic wannabe terrorists and IS soldiers, was how much the young men were inspired by a specific, and very carnal, vision of the rewards of Heaven for a young male martyr. Yes, we're talking about the expectation of scores of beautiful houris, the young virginal women of Islamic fame, living in a grand palace, waiting to attend to all the needs (nudge nudge, wink wink) of a recently arrived martyr, not to mention the winged horse which will be the expected mode of heavenly transport.
It was weird listening to the conversation in which a guy in his mid twenties was painting this picture to his youngest recruit, a mere 16 year old, who seemed to be revelling in the promises with an almost masturbatory intensity.
Which made me think: one of the great practical advantages of Christianity is surely the Biblical lack of a clear and detailed explanation of the experience of Heaven. God knows, over-certainty of His* intentions has caused problem enough in the history of the religion, but I don't know that anyone can accuse it of causing horny young men to kill in the expectation that the sex they've missed out on on Earth will be on tap in the afterlife. If anything, I've always considered the message of both Jesus and Paul (whichever you might consider the "true" creator of Christianity) to be along the lines of "yes, Heaven is definitely there and is the just reward of the deserving, and it'll be great; but exactly how it works? - trust me, you don't need to understand the details and I'm not going to try to explain."
It's a peculiar thing, that I've surely noted before, but holding too much certainly on the nature of both this life, and the afterlife, can be a terribly, terribly dangerous thing. Even from the non-theistic point of view, the firm belief that you're just a meat robot acting out on decisions made subconsciously and without your real control is hardly conducive to moral behaviour. And at the other extreme, of course, is thinking that Heaven is about a fantastic sex life, at least if you are a martyr.
It's odd how the lesson seems to be "it's best for all concerned to be somewhat uncertain about the metaphysics of life".
* I don't really consider God is gendered, but I'm comfortable sticking with the male imagery.
It was weird listening to the conversation in which a guy in his mid twenties was painting this picture to his youngest recruit, a mere 16 year old, who seemed to be revelling in the promises with an almost masturbatory intensity.
Which made me think: one of the great practical advantages of Christianity is surely the Biblical lack of a clear and detailed explanation of the experience of Heaven. God knows, over-certainty of His* intentions has caused problem enough in the history of the religion, but I don't know that anyone can accuse it of causing horny young men to kill in the expectation that the sex they've missed out on on Earth will be on tap in the afterlife. If anything, I've always considered the message of both Jesus and Paul (whichever you might consider the "true" creator of Christianity) to be along the lines of "yes, Heaven is definitely there and is the just reward of the deserving, and it'll be great; but exactly how it works? - trust me, you don't need to understand the details and I'm not going to try to explain."
It's a peculiar thing, that I've surely noted before, but holding too much certainly on the nature of both this life, and the afterlife, can be a terribly, terribly dangerous thing. Even from the non-theistic point of view, the firm belief that you're just a meat robot acting out on decisions made subconsciously and without your real control is hardly conducive to moral behaviour. And at the other extreme, of course, is thinking that Heaven is about a fantastic sex life, at least if you are a martyr.
It's odd how the lesson seems to be "it's best for all concerned to be somewhat uncertain about the metaphysics of life".
* I don't really consider God is gendered, but I'm comfortable sticking with the male imagery.
Pokemoned
It's gained so much publicity so quickly, I feel I should have an opinion on the curious matter of Pokemon Go, the adult uptake of it, and the financial resurgence of a Japanese company on its back.
I dunno, just seems like innocent fun to me, actually. Perhaps it's just that I am still under the influence of recent time in Japan, where the line between kids' iconography and adult use of it is non-existent, but I find it hard to feel any indignation or annoyance at adult uptake of a somewhat silly kid's competitive game which does incorporate player co-operation and (gosh) outdoor physical activity.
Compared to some other things adults get interested in (violent video games, cage fighting, degrading porn, beheading infidels) how can I regret this?
I dunno, just seems like innocent fun to me, actually. Perhaps it's just that I am still under the influence of recent time in Japan, where the line between kids' iconography and adult use of it is non-existent, but I find it hard to feel any indignation or annoyance at adult uptake of a somewhat silly kid's competitive game which does incorporate player co-operation and (gosh) outdoor physical activity.
Compared to some other things adults get interested in (violent video games, cage fighting, degrading porn, beheading infidels) how can I regret this?
More curious images from Japan
This is now a common sign on Japanese train stations. People must have longer selfie sticks than I realised:
And one day, near a train station, we noticed this novelty in a kids' vending machine:
It appears to be underwear (dare I say "panties"?) for drinks bottles. My daughter was tempted to buy one the next day, but the vending machines had been reconfigured, and they were gone. I pointed out that if it weren't for the photo, this is something that, 20 years later, you might be uncertain whether it was real or part of a dream....
Update: I see that "panties for drink bottles" were noted on the internet last year. I now understand the condensation catching utility of them, and regret not having purchased one. Strictly the plaid design for me, though: I do have some boxers in similar colour.
And one day, near a train station, we noticed this novelty in a kids' vending machine:
It appears to be underwear (dare I say "panties"?) for drinks bottles. My daughter was tempted to buy one the next day, but the vending machines had been reconfigured, and they were gone. I pointed out that if it weren't for the photo, this is something that, 20 years later, you might be uncertain whether it was real or part of a dream....
Update: I see that "panties for drink bottles" were noted on the internet last year. I now understand the condensation catching utility of them, and regret not having purchased one. Strictly the plaid design for me, though: I do have some boxers in similar colour.
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
Election comments
* As I'm pretty sure I suggested a few months ago, the problem with a narrow win by the Coalition is that no one within it (or the broader public) will be entirely sure of the reason why, enabling both conservatives and the, um, not conservatives to blame each other. This is particularly the case given the wildly divergent swings across different seats, which seems to be the odd characteristic of this election.
* It seems that Queensland was much more "in play" for Labor than polling or punditry had predicted. But by voting in large numbers for Pauline Hanson, the embarrassing low level of serious political thought in the State was, unfortunately, once again on display. (By the way, who can doubt that her regular lightweight media exposure on Sunrise - as it was with Kevin Rudd - was largely responsible for her political re-emergence. The producers of that show have a lot to answer for, come the revolution!)
* I really wasn't paying that much close attention to interviews and such in this campaign, given I was trying to get enough work off my desk to go on a holiday. But yeah, it did seem Turnbull was underwhelming as a campaigner. Shorten was better than expected.
* As for the "Mediscare" campaign: I think it counted as an election campaign exaggeration, not a lie as such, and it is ridiculous for the Coalition to carry on as if they are above such tactics. (Joyce and his $100 lamb leg roasts of campaigns past, to note one oft repeated example.) The Coalition's "Labor's War on Business" was a pretty good example of silly campaign exaggeration from the other direction, too.
* Speaking of scare campaigns, why on earth was no one in Labor running legitimate ads about "Remember the surprise the Coalition sprung on you about Tertiary fees after the last election?" Especially given that no one knows what the ultimate policy on tertiary fees from the Coalition will be this term. Maybe they decided no one under 25 was going to vote Coalition, anyway?
* I think the Coalition's policy platform is disappointing, for the following reasons:
a. the soundest economic view seems to be that the distortions in investment caused by negative gearing on residential property does indeed need to be addressed for the long term health of the economy, and the Labor approach to that was responsible and reasonable. That the Coalition should reject any changes to it shows them to still be the captives of the modern equivalent of the "white shoe brigade", with the construction industry eventually paying the price for short term gain. There is already plenty of concern being expressed about a large oversupply in unit construction in the 3 major cities, and there deserves to be a serious winding back on that.
b. As often happens, I know someone who voted against self interest, in that he works in the financial/retirement advice business and was bemoaning that the Coalition's superannuation changes were unfair and bad for his clients, and he even admitted that Labor's approach to reforming it was simpler and better in principle. He still would not vote Labor, though, because - Labor. Again, Labor, I think, had a better policy on something important for the long term.
c. Labor, of course, I can criticise for refusing to contemplate even a small increase in the GST as being "regressive", when I think it is an obvious helpful and fast contribution to budgetary issues.
* Despite that last point, overall, I think Labor did act pretty responsibly and transparently in detailing its economic policy and plans, and I was satisfied that the scheme (short term slightly higher deficits pulled in by the ongoing effect of its longer term policy changes) was plausible. Of course, it might have got blown out of the water by a second global financial crisis within the next couple of years of some similar magnitude to the last; but then again, it's not as if the Liberals are going to be substantially better off responding under their policies.
* It's also disappointing that climate change was a "no go" area for both major parties in this campaign. With the Nationals feeling good after their performance, who knows what this will mean? They worry about coal mines for the "wrong" reason, but at least they still worry about coal mines. And then you have Katter, the Mad Hatter who seems all over the shop on climate change (in that he has been known to fret about the barrier reef and acidification) apparently trying to get government help for coal mining rail in Queensland. The best we can hope for is that a Clinton win in the US, and possible aggressive climate change policies by her, will re-focus attention on what we're actually not doing fast enough.
So yeah, I voted Labor and am happy to explain why. I think it's an entirely justifiable thing to do for a centrist voter at the moment, as its policy instincts are, on the whole, still sounder than that being displayed within the fractious Coalition.
* It seems that Queensland was much more "in play" for Labor than polling or punditry had predicted. But by voting in large numbers for Pauline Hanson, the embarrassing low level of serious political thought in the State was, unfortunately, once again on display. (By the way, who can doubt that her regular lightweight media exposure on Sunrise - as it was with Kevin Rudd - was largely responsible for her political re-emergence. The producers of that show have a lot to answer for, come the revolution!)
* I really wasn't paying that much close attention to interviews and such in this campaign, given I was trying to get enough work off my desk to go on a holiday. But yeah, it did seem Turnbull was underwhelming as a campaigner. Shorten was better than expected.
* As for the "Mediscare" campaign: I think it counted as an election campaign exaggeration, not a lie as such, and it is ridiculous for the Coalition to carry on as if they are above such tactics. (Joyce and his $100 lamb leg roasts of campaigns past, to note one oft repeated example.) The Coalition's "Labor's War on Business" was a pretty good example of silly campaign exaggeration from the other direction, too.
* Speaking of scare campaigns, why on earth was no one in Labor running legitimate ads about "Remember the surprise the Coalition sprung on you about Tertiary fees after the last election?" Especially given that no one knows what the ultimate policy on tertiary fees from the Coalition will be this term. Maybe they decided no one under 25 was going to vote Coalition, anyway?
* I think the Coalition's policy platform is disappointing, for the following reasons:
a. the soundest economic view seems to be that the distortions in investment caused by negative gearing on residential property does indeed need to be addressed for the long term health of the economy, and the Labor approach to that was responsible and reasonable. That the Coalition should reject any changes to it shows them to still be the captives of the modern equivalent of the "white shoe brigade", with the construction industry eventually paying the price for short term gain. There is already plenty of concern being expressed about a large oversupply in unit construction in the 3 major cities, and there deserves to be a serious winding back on that.
b. As often happens, I know someone who voted against self interest, in that he works in the financial/retirement advice business and was bemoaning that the Coalition's superannuation changes were unfair and bad for his clients, and he even admitted that Labor's approach to reforming it was simpler and better in principle. He still would not vote Labor, though, because - Labor. Again, Labor, I think, had a better policy on something important for the long term.
c. Labor, of course, I can criticise for refusing to contemplate even a small increase in the GST as being "regressive", when I think it is an obvious helpful and fast contribution to budgetary issues.
* Despite that last point, overall, I think Labor did act pretty responsibly and transparently in detailing its economic policy and plans, and I was satisfied that the scheme (short term slightly higher deficits pulled in by the ongoing effect of its longer term policy changes) was plausible. Of course, it might have got blown out of the water by a second global financial crisis within the next couple of years of some similar magnitude to the last; but then again, it's not as if the Liberals are going to be substantially better off responding under their policies.
* It's also disappointing that climate change was a "no go" area for both major parties in this campaign. With the Nationals feeling good after their performance, who knows what this will mean? They worry about coal mines for the "wrong" reason, but at least they still worry about coal mines. And then you have Katter, the Mad Hatter who seems all over the shop on climate change (in that he has been known to fret about the barrier reef and acidification) apparently trying to get government help for coal mining rail in Queensland. The best we can hope for is that a Clinton win in the US, and possible aggressive climate change policies by her, will re-focus attention on what we're actually not doing fast enough.
So yeah, I voted Labor and am happy to explain why. I think it's an entirely justifiable thing to do for a centrist voter at the moment, as its policy instincts are, on the whole, still sounder than that being displayed within the fractious Coalition.
Japanese products you didn't know you needed
When catching the Shinkansen in Japan, you should always check the seat pocket in front of you for the rail shopping catalogue that's likely to be there. It's a bit reminiscent of the old Sharper Image catalogues from the US (younger readers may not even know about them, I guess); perhaps less techy, but with added Japanese idiosyncrasy:
Here are three products, for example:
For the 28 year old man who can't wait to get to 68, there's Silver Ash instant grey hair goop. The ladies love the older, distinguished Japanese Steve Martin look, apparently.
Here's one for a problem I sometimes find, especially if I have lost a couple of kilos on a diet and can't decide which notch my pants belt should now go to. Yes, that can make it tricky to keep your shirt tucked in neatly. What I never realised was that I could solve that with another belt, this one just for my shirt:
At current exchange rates, that comes in at about $75, though. Neatness comes at a price.
And what about that long held regret that you can't see inside your own ear hole? Well, do I have the probe for you:
She seems either surprised, amazed, or happy. Not entirely sure what my reaction would be...
Here are three products, for example:
For the 28 year old man who can't wait to get to 68, there's Silver Ash instant grey hair goop. The ladies love the older, distinguished Japanese Steve Martin look, apparently.
Here's one for a problem I sometimes find, especially if I have lost a couple of kilos on a diet and can't decide which notch my pants belt should now go to. Yes, that can make it tricky to keep your shirt tucked in neatly. What I never realised was that I could solve that with another belt, this one just for my shirt:
And what about that long held regret that you can't see inside your own ear hole? Well, do I have the probe for you:
She seems either surprised, amazed, or happy. Not entirely sure what my reaction would be...
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