Polarised or Posing for civility?

Polarised or Posing for civility?

I went along to the Polarised long form debate between Douglas Murray and Cornel West in Auckland. It also toured in a number of Australian cities who had similar but not identical experiences. The “Polarised” title itself is paradoxical. The sub text...
Be a wounded healer

Be a wounded healer

A few years ago I heard a great interview* with Dr Cornel West on the National programme. I loved that it was at times scathing about the U.S president (Obama at the time 2011) but still generous and hopeful and considered across a range of topics. Now 7 + years later...
Reducing Inequality gives purpose to government

Reducing Inequality gives purpose to government

In what must be a massive win for pedant grammar twats everywhere an economist is probably right that inequality is less of a problem than unfairness. Semantics aside inequality is the net result of unfair conditions in the market that affect individuals and society...
Digital democracy or demise of informed discourse

Digital democracy or demise of informed discourse

Back in 2011-2013 when there were various Arab uprisings including the Egyptian one I started writing a blog post about how I thought social media was changing the game in political terms. A friend in Thailand suggested it was too soon and not to be over hopeful that...
A family story about the Von Tempsky Violin

A family story about the Von Tempsky Violin

There is a family story about the Von Tempsky violin which had been owned by my great grandfather Tim Howard until 1898. Apparently the violin was a 1625 Maggini*. Howard had been a policeman and a farmer near Invercargill and by all accounts a good violinist or...