The unbearable automaticity of being
This piece is inspired by Paul Frijters’ post titled The Benefits of Being Dumb in Politics.
Articles from Club Troppo
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Graincorp, Joe Hockey, FIRB and the end of “above politics”
In the grain fields near Horsham
Bitcoins, coal exports, and the New Switzerland: a puzzle
Here is a puzzle for you: what is the theoretical link between bitcoins, Australian coal exports to China, and the US becoming a New Switzerland? It’s a bit of a convoluted link, so see at what stage in the story below you spot the answer.
The benefits of being dumb in politics
It is natural to think of our political leaders as either superhumanly clever and benevolent when we agree with them, or else dumb as dishwater and evil when we don’t agree with them. Yet, if one takes our own group-loyalty out of the picture, we can ask the simple question what kind of mental qualities are likely to thrive in our Western political environment.
Copyright and Fair Use.
In his introduction to his translation of the Analects of Confucius, Pierre Ryckmans likened that ‘literary classic’ to a coat hook that has over the centuries acquired so many layers of coats that it can no longer be seen-has become so big that it completely obscures the corridor it was hung in. And that is not a bad metaphor for ‘copyright’ itself.
International Crap English Day – November 25th
People talk many many times over about the world is getting smaller. About communications technology how it crosses the gulf between here and there. I have seen this in abundance with my own eyes and you too.
Quentin’s replacement should be a robot
The most interesting aspect of the reaction to the governor-general’s last Boyer lecture, with its last-sentence support for abolishing the monarchy, is the thinness of the opposition from the left to her expression of her political views.
Amazing . . .
Black to play
M Ortueta vs J Sanz
31. …?
See game for solution.
Love, Marriage and Terror in Melbourne’s Outer Leafies
Some memories fade too slowly. I was reminded of one such memory by the TV advertisement being aired in the lead up to White Ribbon Day tomorrow (Monday 25 November).
Congratulations Magnus: Highest rated player in history gradually crushes the will of the previous Champion
Rating: 2872. Closest behind, Garry Kasparov on 2851.