ANZUUA and ICUU, QMS and VPAC, Bolt and Climate, LUV and AI

[tcpip]

My poor livejournal (aka dreamwidth account) has been neglected over the past fortnight which of course is the surest sign that I have been a little bit busier than usual (or I've been sick as a dog). It does mean a lengthier than usual post, which I assure gentle readers is relatively interesting.

First of course was the ANZUUA conference in Brisbane. It was of course a pleasure to meet the various attendees from different congregations yet again and the theme of "Standing on the Side of Justice and Compassion" was certainly valuable. I was disappointed with the the process-based workshops which struck me as being gimmicky and lacked sufficient focus on the main agenda. I was further disappointed with a decision (after months on non-decision) to adopt a very minimal "leadership sessions" for those who were interested in formal interfaith ministry-level training, which I had been advocating. I nicked off early from the conference on the final day with a couple of other truants to spend time ferrying along the Brisbane River and lunching at the University of Queensland. The ICUU conference next year will be held in the Philippines, which I certainly will endeavour to attend.

Returning from Brisbane, the next major event was the two-day audit of the company's quality management system which I am responsible for co-ordinating, and perhaps the first practical test of my recently acquired MBA. I am pleased to say that recertification of ISO9001:2009 has been achieved with a minimum of issues. Despite this there is a lot of room for improvement, including the general realisation that quality management systems is about having a management system (that reaches quality) and that the auditing of a QMS is really about checking. Show me that you have a system to manage your organisation, show me evidence that that you use it, and show me evidence that you improve it. That should be a feature for all organisations, regardless of size.

Last weekend developed an article responding to an older article by Andrew Bolt's on the climate change predictions, along with responding to some follow-up questions. I find the lack of comprehension and disdain for science from "Australia's most read political columnist" to be quite disturbing. I can only begin to speculate why he is a fully-paid up member of the chattering class. Apropos, an old friend Alan Austin has recently been published with an appropriate article entitled News Corporation: Time to Go. On a related note redragdiva refers me to Conservapedia's decision that words are too liberal.

Tuesday night was the Linux User's of Victoria AGM. I was re-elected (unopposed) as President, giving an overview of the activities and strategic direction of the group as my report. Attendance was somewhat lower than other AGMs in recent years, but nevertheless it was enthusiastic with a great new committee. Big events coming up include Software Freedom Day and a chapter to be established in Shepparton (of all places) in October. On a somewhat related subject, I co-ordinated a discussion on Sunday of some 25 people on the development from artificial intelligence to artificial consciousness. To put my mind where my mind it, I have also taken up the opportunity to enroll Stanford University's Introduction to Artificial Intelligence.

Comments

[saithkar.livejournal.com]

Thought I might as well add you here. Sorry we had to dash on Saturday, what else was discussed?

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

We went through the core campaigns to be raised - of which there are a few! Everything from the school chaplaincy program, compulsory religious education in primary schools, municipal rates, the tax benefits and welfare funding received by religious organisations... And so on! More than enough to keep us busy!