In the Public Sphere

[tcpip]

Last week the VLSCI announced their new HPC system, dedicated to disease research. The Age reported on the matter, which included a few errors. My letter elaborating on these was published, alas they cut probably the most important part (that it will probably be the fifth most powerful in the world when it is complete - in two/three years), and the more humourful remark (that I have doubts that the system will "speed up time").

Whilst I was in New Zealand I also received an invitation from Intelligence Squared/St James Ethics Centre to speak on their debate on the representative quality of the Senate; alas it seems they have found somebody (Senator Nick Sherry) but will follow up with the topic on the Isocracy Network and with the organisation in the next couple of days.

Over the past several days I've been working on background chapter on Japan for tashiro's game Fox Magic; at the moment it concentrates largely on classic and medieval Japan, with modern Japan being added; it's currently about seven thousand words. Finally, on a minor note, I have received an acknowledgement in Ken Westmoreland's book on Timor-Leste, A Pretty Unfair Place.

Comments

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Appointed?! Well, I knew that Ireland had some weird neo-fascist structure for their upper house (appointments from mass organisations), but I'm surprised to discover that the Canadian one is appointed.

In Australia each state (regardless of population) elects the same number of Senators (at least six, currently twelve, iirc) with the ACT and the NT electing two each. They are elected for six year terms, meaning that at most lower house elections (every three years) there is half-senate elections as well.

The Senate is elected by proportional representation, perhaps the only saving grace of what is otherwise a ridiculous chamber.

[mr-figgy.livejournal.com]

Appointed by the Governor General on advice of the Prime Minister.

Rarely does the Upper House reject any bill, and the Prime Minister and his cabinet are responsible to the Commons. The majority of bills originate in the Commons, and as per the Constitution of Canada, all "money bills" must originate in the Commons.

Senators used to be able to hold their position for life, but now cannot be Senators past age 75.

Wikipedia has a decent take on it.

There have been grumblings that the Senate is a glorified pension house, and that it should either become more democratic or be abolished outright.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Well, if it rarely rejects bills and a sensible governor has the upper house more or less party equivalent to lower house, and the responsibility is all lower house..

What's the point of it then?