ACG Meetups, Federal Election

[tcpip]

Over the past few weeks I've had the good fortune of meeting up with a number of old friends from usenet's aus.culture.gothic; two weeks ago it was where I lunched (thank you, good sir) mr_e_cat, and also met his delightful partner in kittens, mrs_e_cat. Also in attendance was the ever futuristic damien_wise. Last week lunched with a_carnal_mink and aided in some civil duties. Today finally visited frou_frou at her store, Circa Vintage and purchased her book, "Love Vintage". All three gatherings were thoroughly enjoyable, and made me recall the greater level of intimacy and depth that the old acg 'things' used to have, and even communication via usenet and livejournal, in a manner that Facebook doesn't seem to generate.

The crazy Australian election continues with a former refugee gaining skill cognitive dissonance. The LOTO has a trilogy of idiocy, firstly by referring to the suppository of wisdom, then by suggesting the quality if one the his candidates is her sex appeal, and today marriage equality as the fashion of the moment. In the Coalition's favour, the latest Essential Poll has them leading 51-49; however the stunner for me is the issues survey; forty three percent of those polled claimed that the Australian national debt was equal to, or greater, than other developed countries, when in reality we have one of the lowest in the world. I despair when I read statistics like this. It is a grim reminder that democracy only functions when a population is informed, and in an uninformed electorate, it is belief, not truth, that dominates.

Comments

[frou-frou.livejournal.com]

Lovely to see you today, Lev and I hope you enjoy my book.

I suspect there is an errant word in the last paragraph. Perhaps "electorate" should be replaced by "debt" or something similar? As per our conversation today.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Have had a quick look through the book, and yes, it's quite a delight. Impressed with the production qualities as well.

You're right about the typo, my brain was moving faster than my fingers were hitting the keyboard. I've fixed that now.

[damien-wise.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it was ace to catch-up with you, and just lovely to meet mrs_e_cat&mr_e_cat.
Even if we can't have interstate folks from the ACG days visiting often, it'd be nice to see more of the locals. :)

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Indeed; it makes me wonder how many of us work in the city or available for lunches? I'm quite happy to reserve a day a week for catch-ups..

[mrteufel.livejournal.com]

"claimed that the Australian electorate was equal to, or greater"

I think you mean the Australian National Deficit or Debt.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Quite correct; I've fixed that.

But good lord, what is one supposed to do when the majority has simple facts plainly wrong? Institute a basic knowledge test before voting?

[mrteufel.livejournal.com]

Institute "truth in media" rules.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Now we know why Mr. Murdoch is not very fond of the current government. In addition to the NBN being a killer to Foxtel.

[mrteufel.livejournal.com]

Indeed.

[zenicurean.livejournal.com]

It is a grim reminder that democracy only functions when a population is informed, and in an uninformed electorate, it is belief, not truth, that dominates.

Here's an interesting game for a pub crawl with friends: With these criteria in mind, name one functioning democracy that presently exists. Everyone gets to name one. Then debate the results for the rest of the evening.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

I suspect that people will rattle off the usual suspects of the Scandinavian countries.

[zenicurean.livejournal.com]

I actually surmise they have one or two embarrassing statistics of their own. Everyone seems to have a few.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Sure, "a few" isn't so bad when having a look at the general level of informed public opinion in other countries. The broad range of Scandinavian countries (and I'm including Finland and Iceland in this) seem to an informed and interested citizenship.

Yes, there are some wacky exceptions. The Swedish laws on prostitution is possibly as weird, ineffectual, and as dangerous as imaginable. The rise of right-wing populism worries me significantly.

Yet, overall, the Scandinavian countries remain the best examples of a union between liberal and social democracy today...

[zenicurean.livejournal.com]

We generally like to think that. If it's true, though, some appreciable percentage of people not knowing what the parliament even does (Sweden, 1998) or which parties are actually in government (Finland, 2008) makes me despair at what political life might be like in places that don't conduct themselves reasonably well.

[txxxpxx.livejournal.com]

All three gatherings were thoroughly enjoyable, and made me recall the greater level of intimacy and depth that the old acg 'things' used to have, and even communication via usenet and livejournal, in a manner that Facebook doesn't seem to generate.

This. So. Very. Much.

Was literally lamenting this development a few minutes before opening LJ.

I think some of my current discontent (to use an acceptable word) stem from this. I very much miss the loss of our community & yet struggle with how to rekindle it, if that is even possible.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Every single event inspired and initiated by txxxpxx seems to bring us together again.

Oh, hai! :)

[wildilocks.livejournal.com]

I fought Facebook so furiously, as I felt it was always crystal clear that it was never a genuine community (nor ever intended to be by its gatekeepers); and to little avail, as it has sucked the life out of what was a very vibrant and close social circle I had before its time. I agree completely, and now I see younger folks who seem to not even know what they have missed, but yet, somehow, know that they have missed something.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

and now I see younger folks who seem to not even know what they have missed, but yet, somehow, know that they have missed something.

That's really interesting. I wonder if such a influx of new, younger people, could give LJ the shot in the arm that it needs.

It's really hard to generate a sense of community on Facebook (or Twitter for that matter, or Google+), I suspect because the conversations are so transient, and the content expressed in such short bursts. You can't go back - well not easily, due to their shitty streaming interface - and review past discussions.

I guess I'm arguing for a combination of longer posts, less often, more conversation, and more deeply considered that what is being expressed at least in part due to the more popular mediums.

I recall being quite impressed by The Slow Blogging Manifesto. I was very influenced by the opening words of point #2. "Slow Blogging is speaking like it matters...".