tcpip: (Default)
Diary of a B+ Grade Polymath ([personal profile] tcpip) wrote2007-12-10 11:35 pm

Ignorance, Gillard PM, Holidays Approach, Gaming Reviews

Most regular readers will know I'm an advocate of land tax as a replace for inefficient and unproductive taxes on labour and capital. On a whim, I entered this discussion on a property investment website. Enjoy the results. What I find particularly remarkable is their ignorance of basic economics (like the Law of Rent or the distinction between land and capital) on matters they claim expertise in. Actually I must confess I find this a lot; often people with a strong opinion on a topic like to think they're an expert on a topic. Personally, I prefer to form a strong opinion by reaching "deeply considered convictions", based on reason and evidence, rather than having "deeply ingrained prejudices" from emotions and assumptions.

Julia Gillard became the first ever female Prime Minister of Australia yesterday (that's only taken over one hundred years, *grumble*). It's an acting position whilst Rudd is in Bali (finally a PM who's acting on climate change!) , and one which seems to attract a share of odd events. I've sent her a congratulatory email (the last email conversation we had was a little terse; I was writing on behalf of Labor for Refugees and she was shadow minister for immigration).

Speaking of which, for the second year in a row, I'm desparately trying to organise tickets to Bali again over the break. I've contacted Flight Centre, and they've sent an email confirmation saying their processing the request, but no confirmation yet. Meh. It's been years since I've been to the archipelago, and I really want to see it again. New Zealand is not an option this summer (I think I'll go south for winter). If this doesn't work out for whatever reason maybe a visit to Tasmania is in order; it's been a while since I've seen Murdoch's former Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Boyce and we remain in irregular correspondence.

This week I finally managed to finish my review of Earthdawn: Gamemaster's Compendium; it's a huge, stunning book and quite good on the substance level as well. Not so good is the old AD&D module D1: Descent into the Depths of the Earth, which is seriously lacking in style, substance and a purpose for existence. Played another session of Legend of the Five Rings last Sunday with a refitted AD&D Oriental Adventures module. It's going very well, if only I can hack out some overall narrative to the various instances of character development and plot leads.

jatku

[identity profile] evil-genius.livejournal.com 2007-12-12 12:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Post 46 is especially idiotic.

No-one Australian? No-one currently working? Just because you have overseas references, doesn't mean it will work in Australia.

Because we all know economic principals are completely non-transferable. Each country is in fact a complete microcosm of economic law and causality. Nothing learned from one economy can be successfully implemented in another.
And only Australian economists, who are currently working, could hope to make any accurate observations or predictions about even the most fundamental aspects of the Australian economy.

It really is just as bad as the US isn't it.

Post 47

We are coming from a 180° opposite viewpoint on this subject. You're looking at this subject from a Govt-revenue side of things. I'm looking at it from a private citizen-cost side of things. Our objectives are not the same. By definition, what is good for one side is bad for the other.

Because once again the government exists only to the detriment of the citizenry.
What color is the sky in these people's world?

post 48 another idiot confused about what communism actually is.

Post 49 points out a startlingly accurate observation that never came to mind. IE landlords don't do shit.
and the following few post act as though it is you and not them who have been busted.

Post 53 seems to not get the rather obvious link between an increase of cheap land and a reduction of renting said cheaper land.

Post 54 displays an all to common and utterly disgusting anti-intellectualism. The world would apparently be a much better place if we just had less smart people.


*stopped reading at this point*

I'm guessing that the thread only deteriorates into a pointless flame war after these gems.

If you'd like (purely for entertainment value) I can strap on my flame thrower and burn that mother down.
Just say the word :)

Re: jatku

[identity profile] tcpip.livejournal.com 2007-12-13 05:26 am (UTC)(link)
Nothing learned from one economy can be successfully implemented in another.

Yeah, that was a particularly bizarre statement.

And only Australian economists, who are currently working, could hope to make any accurate observations or predictions about even the most fundamental aspects of the Australian economy.

Tragic that I could name some of those as well, eh? And I'm still waiting for ONE contrary argument from an economist...

Because once again the government exists only to the detriment of the citizenry.

I wonder who he'd call if his house was broken into? Or do you suppose he'd form his own vigilante group?

The world would apparently be a much better place if we just had less smart people.

Maybe said poster would feel less threatened ;-)

I'm guessing that the thread only deteriorates into a pointless flame war after these gems.

Actually, most have fled the field once they realised they didn't have an argument.

Re: jatku

[identity profile] demonhellfish.livejournal.com 2007-12-13 06:00 am (UTC)(link)
Well, there was that fellow who decided to try ad hominem but rather failed because you weren't trying to hide you previous work or your position. That's almost like an argument. Sort of.

Re: jatku

[identity profile] tcpip.livejournal.com 2007-12-13 08:07 am (UTC)(link)

One would have to be pretty silly to try to hide in a forum and post using their name!

It is interesting that when asked to discuss any of the facts of the material they decided not to contribute anymore.. Oh well.