Thursday, September 24, 2020

Australian values and obligations: a follow up

 “What we fear of doing most is usually what we most need to do.” 

—Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Banksy Loses Trademark Claim Over His Work

“The artwork, which depicts a masked protester throwing a bouquet of flowers, appeared on a wall in Jerusalem in 2005. It has since been reappropriated by the UK card company Full Colour Black, which has used the artwork on cards. In 2014, Banksy successfully applied for an EU trademark for the work, which was then challenged by Full Colour Black. The company argued that the artist was not entitled to the trademark as he did not wish to use it for trade purposes or for branding.” – The Independent (UK)


Kafka’s ‘Metamorphosis’ Has Become A Video Game

In the transition to the new medium, though, the story has metamorphosed as well. It’s now a mashup with The Trial, starting off with Gregor Samsa awakening with (what he thinks is) a hangover in Josef K.’s apartment after celebrating the latter’s birthday. Most of the other characters in the game are also insects (one complains about his ex-mate and having to pay “larva support”) that Gregor meets as he (i.e., the player) makes his way to “the Tower.” – The Washington Post


The Budget – possible additional measures

Yesterday I considered the economic outlook and concluded that on present policies the pace of the recovery post-Covid is likely to be too slow. Today’s article discusses what extra stimulus should be incorporated in the Budget in two weeks, and what form that stimulus should take.

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Australian values and obligations: a follow up

We often hear politicians spouting about ‘mutual obligation” – usually in the context of Centrelink benefits or the like.  The emphasis seems always to be on what the recipient of benefits must do – not on the obligation of Centrelink or the Government. 

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Humpback whale is free after swimming out of crocodile-infested river in Australia CNN


Scientists see signs of chimpanzees being able to adapt to climate change ABC


FinCEN Files Show Criminals Moved Billions As Banks Watched Buzzfeed 


Hundreds of US companies fight new rules on hedge fund disclosure FT


Why New York’s in a Depression and Texas Isn’tBloomberg


Gig Economy Company Launches Uber, But for Evicting People Vice 

 

Inspiring: Local Uber Driver Makes $100k a Year Driving 84 Hours a Week Vice (Hubert Horan). The deck: “You can’t, you won’t, please don’t.” Horan comments: “Exact same dishonest PR scam Uber tried to pull in 2014 when it claimed NYC Uber drivers earned 90K a year.” Don’t ever change, Uber. Don’t ever change.

 

A new era of hunger has hit the US FT. Everything’s going according to plan!

 

What Is the Sound of Thought? MIT Technology Review

Watch Contractors Hypnotically Build an Entire Wind Turbine Farm Popular Mechanics (Re Silc). It’s the watching that’s hypnotic, not the building.