Monthly Archives: January 2012

Complexity, context dependency and the (difficult) ascent of man

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Nicholas Gruen

I read an article with an attractive title recently. “Complexity and Context-Dependency“.  It’s not very good, but it raises an important point that is important to what I call the psycho-pathology of disciplines and it puts me in mind of … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics and public policy, Philosophy, Political theory | 12 Comments

PM’s Science Prize: Nobel Prize preferred but not necessary

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Nicholas Gruen

A highlight of my calendar I have to say – since I inadvertently morphed into Mr Innovation and they started inviting me. Did you have an absolutely fantastic science teacher? Now’s the time to get them some recognition. NOMINATION CALL … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Science | Comments Off on PM’s Science Prize: Nobel Prize preferred but not necessary

Archiving Government websites: Should it really be this hard?

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Nicholas Gruen

When I did the Government 2.0 Taskforce, one of the subjects that was earnestly discussed was archiving of government sites.  It’s a big problem in government. I could never see why it should be a big problem. After all you … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics and public policy, IT and Internet, Web and Government 2.0 | 31 Comments

Clairvoyance in the commentary box: a vignette from the psychopathology of modern life

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Nicholas Gruen

I remember being at a wedding reception talking to someone who was 70 odd.  I asked them whether in their day it was normal for the bride and groom to put the tip of the knife in the cake and … Continue reading →

Posted in Society, Sport-general | 13 Comments

Missing Link Friday – Australia Day etc

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Don Arthur

Katie’s Australia Day – Brazilian style! Food blogger Katie Quinn Davies’ Australia Day recipes. Australia Day from afar: "One of the most surprising things for me to experience out of Australia was people saying–even in the American South!–Australia’s really racist, … Continue reading →

Posted in Missing Link | 11 Comments

An overheard bus conversation. Recounted without comment.

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Richard Tsukamasa Green

A) Hey, you know what today is? Invasion Day! B) What? A) Invasion Day. B) Invasion Day? A) Yeah,  ’cause it’s the day they invaded us Kooris. B)  Oh, InVASion Day A) So all those people wearing Australian flags are … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorised | 32 Comments

Gizmodo loses it: Google has not turned evil (at least not yet . . .)

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Nicholas Gruen

What a load of old sensationalist nonsense. I’m seriously starting to worry about Giz. If I want to search anonymously there is a thing called an anonymous tab. And I don’t log into my Google account outside work because why … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics and public policy, Innovation, Law, Uncategorized | 5 Comments