Economics and similar, for the sleep-deprived
A subtle change has been made to the comments links, so they no longer pop up. Does this in any way help with the problem about comments not appearing on permalinked posts, readers?
Update: seemingly not
Update: Oh yeah!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Still busy, another parable
In the film Braveheart, the Mel Gibson character hardly ever stops talking about "freedom" and, of course, iconically inspires his brave clansmen to charge into battle screaming "FREEDOM!" at the top of their lungs. But in the context of the film, he's clearly being totally hypocritical. He doesn't actually propose anything of the sort - the system of government he's in favour of is another autocratic monarchy, just with him in charge.
Isn't it interesting a) that nobody seems to spot this (just as in A Few Good Men, surprisingly few critics noticed that despite the contention of the Jack Nicholson character in his big speech, it's very obviously that you do not "save lives" or "guard people while they sleep" by beating your own recruits to death for minor disciplinary infractions). And b), that as proved by the film's ticket sales and continuing popularity, the concept of "freedom" embodied in this film (ie, xenophobic authoritarian power-worship) seemed to resonate so deeply across the English-speaking world, which when thinking with its brain rather than its blood, is quite clear that "freedom" means something very different indeed.
More on today's startling events in the financial markets coming never (or at least, not till I write my memoirs). Project Africa restarts soon as I crack open The Kapelwa Musonda Files
Update: Another parable, of sorts, at Chris Brooke's site. How the disastrous design flaws of the Daleks, can show us that disability is a socially constructed concept rather than a real one (Update: Matt McGrattan think it doesn't, see comments). (thanks to Charlie in my comments on that post for the key insight).
this item posted by the management 9/19/2008 01:15:00 PM
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