Comments on: The 2020 summit who should go?

By: Zombinol

Zombinol — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 01:31:44 +0000

Jim, That’s a really good idea, BUT it seems to be filled with empty promises, no working link & no Kevin video! Also how are you going to measure the quality of the people? Do you need the volume of their head or how far their brow is distended past their nose?, Just let us know. 8-/

By: Jim

Jim — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 23:39:56 +0000

For the 20,699,000 people not invited to the Summit, I created a wiki called Oz Ideas to be our forum to list and vote on the best ideas to improve Australia. Its free and can be anonymous. I just think everyday people probably have just as good ideas for this country than the experts, so the site acts as a national online brainstorming session. It’s at http://ozideas.wetpaint.com.

Since the public often needs a bit of entertainment to go with their public engagement, I created a fun video on Youtube of Kevin Rudd break dancing. Its at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQZa17-Dt_4. See what you think, and if you like it, tell others to participate. An online forum like this one is only as strong as the number (and quality) of the people who participate.

Cheers,
Jim

By: Dave Bath

Dave Bath — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:43:44 +0000

Zombinol and Patrick talked of "What will the security risks and threats be for 1,000 of the countries most valuable intellectual capital all gathering in Canberra at the same time" Actually, an analysis shows that in true democracies (see here) the social cost of assassinating political leaders is relatively low. The social cost of loss of "best and brightest" is high, as such people drive innovation and hence sustainable economic growth. Mind you, with Oz moving to a less belligerent and more tolerant society, the motives for terrorism have decreased. Still, if you want such folk secured, there's holiday resort in Nauru that has just become empty.

By: Mick Keel-Tea

Mick Keel-Tea — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:35:11 +0000

Good Question Zombinol, as the head of security for the event I can assure you that there is no risk of intellectual capital loss from this event as we have been careful to select delegates of no significance in anticipation of this. Learning from previous events we have cancelled all planned arrangements and all AFP and ASIO staff will be taking annual leave. This may seem a brash strategy but we have pre-empted any risk by hiring the Chasers team to test and infiltrate any security gateways thereby freeing up our resources for other events not of note but which we assure you will be receiving nonetheless attention, more or less than previous APEC events…and if you were wondering APEC means ‘All Politicians Eventually Corrupt’…the other publicised name deflects unwanted attention away from the real reason for the event…damm!! now ive given away too much! Cheers, Mick

By: Patrick

Patrick — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:24:09 +0000

What will the security risks and threats be for 1,000 of the countries most valuable intellectual capital all gathering in Canberra at the same time?

not relevant, no-one has seriously suggested that will happen :)

By: Vee

Vee — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:02:04 +0000

I add a seconding for Kim Weatherall as well.

By: Laura

Laura — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 01:52:20 +0000

“And why not Zoe? V. smart, funny and articulate mother and small businesswoman who also really understands the wheels and cogs of politics.”

Yes. And while she has the qualifications, she also doesn’t have the disqualifications.

(Apologies to KA.)

By: Zombinol

Zombinol — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 01:38:29 +0000

At a cost to taxpayers of $170 million to secure the APEC summit where 21 heads of
state were the primary focus of the security measures I wonder the following:

What will the security risks and threats be for 1,000 of the countries most valuable intellectual capital all gathering in Canberra at the same time?

What will be the cost of providing security for the 1,000?

What security measures will the Federal Police, ACT and other Agencies implement?

Is the security of the 1,000 less important to the Australian national interest than the combined security provided for the 21 heads of state?

Of each of the 1,000, how many heads of intellectual capital are equal in value to each head of state?

I wonder?

By: Club Troppo

Club Troppo — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:50:41 +0000

[...] non-snarky call for attendee ideas for the 2020 conference.Lee Malatesta has theories on the Secularisation of American Religious [...]

By: Jc

Jc — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:35:24 +0000

Yea

Andrew is a good choice, but most of all they need a currency/stock trader there too, Fred in case they lost their way.

By: Fred Argy

Fred Argy — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:28:44 +0000

I believe that there needs to be a balance of “classical” “centrist” and “interventionist” economists at the table. The panel may decide to include more than one classical economist but if if it only goes for one I believe it should be Andrew Norton without a shadow of doubt.

By: Kevin Rennie

Kevin Rennie — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 13:15:57 +0000

If the Chaser are going I’ll take the camera. Unfortunately, don’t think Bill Heffernan will get a guernsey.

By: Nabakov

Nabakov — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:51:37 +0000

Seriously though, I don’t see why some people are getting all huffy over inviting showbiz folk like Cate (or hopefully George Miller and/or Peter Weir).

They’re all thriving businesspeople cum brand names in an intensely competitive multibillion dollar industry with a global reach that employs. and stimulates investment in, cutting edge technologies, generates really creative moves when it comes to global capital flows and has a proven track record of swaying minds and attitudes about major issues.

This event is also wide open to Chaser/The Yes Men style pranksterism which in itself should make an important point about what we want out of Australia’s future. I mean what was the most memorable and probably lasting outcome from APEC in Sydney? As the BBC discovered long ago, humour’s an quantifiable export too.

And John Singleton, Party Corey and Julia Zemiro should jointly host the afterhours bar for this exercise.

I also have some interesting suggestions about the merchandising rights…

By: Nabakov

Nabakov — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:22:39 +0000

“Ive already also recommended Nick Gruen, Ken Parish and Graeme Bird.”

You could all share a motel room in Canberra too. Bonus!

By: Nabakov

Nabakov — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:18:54 +0000

And why not Zoe? V. smart, funny and articulate mother and small businesswoman who also really understands the wheels and cogs of politics. Plus she already lives in Canberra so there’s at least one transport and accommodation cost already saved.

I’ve already also recommended Nick Gruen, Ken Parish and Graeme Bird.

And as I just pointed on a related thread here, why not chose at least 10% of the attendees by lot – like jury duty?

By: Patrick

Patrick — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 08:14:10 +0000

Or Kim Weatherall, more relevantly, on copyright.

By: gilmae

gilmae — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 06:16:34 +0000

Cory Doctorow to talk about copyright issues. Or Lessig, I suppose, if there’s no blimp parking available.

By: Jacques Chester

Jacques Chester — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 05:02:36 +0000

Dave;

You are using the Received MIT form, I am using the Reformed Slashdot Style. Potayto, potahto.

By: Pavlov's Cat

Pavlov's Cat — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:58:04 +0000

Zoe from Crazybrave.

I see what you did there.

By: Dave Bath

Dave Bath — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:31:59 +0000

“RMS”??? Wash your mouth out (or under your fingernails) with soap and water!! It’s “rms”, “esr”, “ken”, etc! (I’ve got emails from or met two of these guys).

Seriously tho, I vote for Nick Gruen. Can you guys organize a group recommendation – perhaps a page that those in favor can comment on, then Troppo members can munge in something with all the email addresses.

By: Jacques Chester

Jacques Chester — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:20:48 +0000

Dave;

If we’re sending RMS we should send ESR as well, just for laughs.

By: Invig

Invig — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:02:50 +0000

Have fun with your magical party everyone.

I’ll be doing my thing as per usual.

By: D W Griffiths

D W Griffiths — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 02:42:33 +0000

This Web site stands as clear testament to why Nick Gruen should bag an invite. If your a Troppo reader of enough stature to capture the steering committee’s eye, I humbly suggest yoou nominate him.

By: Niall

Niall — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 01:51:16 +0000

I’d like to second Andrew Bartlett. A more rational and concerned person I think you’d be hard-pressed to find.

By: Dave Bath

Dave Bath — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 01:28:41 +0000

Jacques: Wow! what a compliment! As to Linux Australia, Richard Stallman (better known to the cognoscenti as "rms") would be a beauty! When Howard asked Bill Gates to lecture ministers on the future of the internet, China invited rms over! More importantly... In a sense anyone can put their ideas into the summit, because the 2020 website does NOT just ask for nominations. * Suggested topics * Make your own submissions However, and this is the brain-damaged bit: Written submissions are limited to 500 words per topic and should focus on one of the ten identified areas (see submission form details). This is ridiculous. Out-of-the-square ideas, the most revolutionary, the ones with possibility for greatest impact, are usually those that are cross-domain, at first counter-intuitive, and need the most explanation and/or supporting evidence. That 500 work limit makes me skeptical... I hope AGIMO/DOFAs plans for a consultation blog provide greater scope for detailed proposals and debate, and perhaps allow linkage to a register of ideas presented to the 2020 gabfest. (Maybe that's something we can do within 500 words!) BTW: This week's The Economist has a lift-out section on eGovernment. It is somewhat limited, but it is well worth reading.