Comments for Genius Net

Comment on Why The Rugby Sevens Must Go by Paul Spence

Paul Spence — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 21:23:08 +0000

Unfortunately I fear any change in the culture will be generations away. There will always be a sector of the population that enjoy a drink and a game of footy – it’s deeply ingrained and there is nothing wrong with that, provided it does not impose on the freedoms of others. Despite what the various rugby marketing organisations tell us, this group has become a minority of the population as we have thankfully become more diverse as a society over time.

If the Sevens are to stay in the city, I would like to see the Wellington City Council and the Police take a more proactive role in monitoring behaviour outside of the stadium environs. It is unacceptable for other citizens to feel unsafe or harassed for the period when the event is running. The main focus seems to be on the stadium whereas attendees are making their presence felt increasingly in the city

Comment on Why The Rugby Sevens Must Go by Jethro

Jethro — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 06:14:57 +0000

hi Paul,

I agree entirely – whilst I’m personally uninterested in sporting events, I support having them so that those who do enjoy such activities can take part.

However the Rugby Sevens has gone way past simply being another sporting event, to instead being treated as a giant party and excuse to abuse alcohol.

The problem is that I’m unsure of the solution, it’s difficult to come up with a fix that avoids imposing on too many liberties – for every drunken idiot, there will also be many who drink and act sensibly during the Rugby Sevens and we should try not to impose on their freedoms either.

Part of the issue is NZ’s general alcohol abuse problem – figuring out some ways to fix that could go a long way towards fixing many of the issues with the Rugby Sevens as well as improving NZ cities on any regular Friday and Saturday night.

regards,
Jethro

Comment on Old Industries Are The Pits by wangbo

wangbo — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 05:49:43 +0000

Agreed on the economies of scale problem, but I’m inclined to think NZ needs to invest in rail as a piece of strategic infrastructure – firstly for public transport in Wellington and Auckland, but more importantly for long distance freight transport. Rail is the most fuel efficient form of transport (so I’ve heard) and using rail for long distance freight transport would get a lot of heavy trucks off the highways, thereby boosting road safety and reducing road maintenance costs. Well, that’s my very simplistic view, doubtless the engineers will be able to pick all kinds of holes in my argument.

And China’s CRH high-speed trains are awesome! I’d love to see something similar zipping up and down both islands’ main trunk lines, but perhaps that’ll only come true in a sci fi novel.

Comment on Old Industries Are The Pits by Paul Spence

Paul Spence — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 21:06:10 +0000

I heard that rail passenger numbers are holding up in the States as well. Unfortunately NZ simply does not have the same economies of scale. I hope we don’t lose our few remaining rail journeys – at least not before I’ve experienced some more of them.

Comment on Old Industries Are The Pits by Robert Glennie

Robert Glennie — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 11:20:00 +0000

Great post. I largely agree, except that in the United States railways are taking off in terms of volumes of freight moved across the country. A T.I.M.E. article in the N.Z. edition a couple of months ago pointed to substantial interstate increases in freight movement. I think there will be a resurgence in railways here in New Zealand eventually, maybe not in terms of services, but possibly in terms of freight moved.

Comment on National Standards: The Great March To Mediocrity by Paul Spence

Paul Spence — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 07:49:31 +0000

Thanks Matt. “National’s Standards” doesn’t even begin to address less tangible talents like social skills, empathy and self-awareness, which are more important attributes to foster at the pre-adolescent age IMO.

Comment on National Standards: The Great March To Mediocrity by Matt Lane

Matt Lane — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 21:44:39 +0000

There was a really good podcast the other day by This American Life on all the “non-cognitive” stuff that is just as important http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/474/back-to-school

Comment on Startup Weekend Gives You Wings! by Paul Spence

Paul Spence — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 22:43:08 +0000

Thanks Dan. I’m looking forward to some different perspectives this time around.

Comment on Startup Weekend Gives You Wings! by Dan

Dan — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 20:37:31 +0000

Good luck turning your hand to the dark side and joining a team – certainly is a different and more focussed experience than being on the mentor or organizer side. You actually get to see a lot less of the event, but enjoy a different kind of intensity and energy. Good fun on either side, enjoy!

-Dan

Comment on Startup Weekend Gives You Wings! by Paul Spence

Paul Spence — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 07:03:51 +0000

No offence taken. I would like to be doing a bit more. The global economic landscape is shifting again and it will be interesting to see how New Zealand fits in and if we can continue to improve our efforts to boost knowledge based exporting businesses. Of course there are the usual domestic targets that need clobbering eg. moronic taxpayer funded reality TV shows, back firing political correctness and…Gerry Brownlee.

It’s hard to know where to begin sometimes.