Author: Stilgherrian

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Seriously Funny

One of the best compliments I ever received came from Andrew Roffe, an opera singer friend who, sadly, is no longer with us. “I love going to concerts with you,” he said. “You laugh at the funny bits in the Mozart.” As one should: Mozart was such a trickster!

If you’ve known me for a while, or if you’ve been reading my ’umble offerings here, I hope you’ve noticed that I treat serious matters with humour, and take my humour seriously. My approach to the world is curiosity-fuelled, playful. But like a cat with a mouse, it’s play with serious intent.

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John Denver karaoke sparks Thai killing spree

“I warned these people about their noisy karaoke parties,” said Weenus Chumkamnerd, 52, after his arrest. “I said if they carried on I would go down and shoot them. I had told them if I couldn’t talk sense into them I would come back and finish them off.”

“A neighbour said that the karaoke group normally sang Thai pop and southern Thai ballads, but one particular western tune could be heard often — John Denver’s Country Roads… the neighbour said the revellers had been singing it over and over again.”

Khun Weenus was so furious with their awful singing that he didn’t notice he’d murdered his own brother-in-law. (Thanks for letting me know, Richard.)

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Bigger isn’t always better

In the context of our on-going argument, it’s refreshing to stumble across the observation that bigger isn’t always better for business. “Americans think big. This has helped make them the most powerful nation on Earth, but bigger is not always better, either for our bodies or, I suggest, for our organizations. If I were to visit a symphony orchestra and ask them about their growth plans for the future, how would they respond? They would talk about their plans to extend their repertoire and to bring their work to new audiences, not about increasing the number of violinists… Why does almost every business that I know seek to grow in size, year after year, in fact, as if there were no limit? Why can’t they be content with doing more with less?” (Hat-tip to Signal vs Noise.)

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A Pause in the Jason Calacanis discussion

A note for folks stumbling across this website thanks to the Jason Calacanis / 37signals / TechCrunch discussion: It’s 4.30pm on a sunny autumn Sunday afternoon here in Sydney. I have been writing a further post which explains, amongst other things, that I’m not trolling (deliberately stirring up controversy), but passionately arguing a genuine concern. I’m amused this has turned into a global controversy, flattered even, when I reckon it’s more a storm in a teacup — though at its heart is a fundamental issue about how we do business. However for the next few hours I’ll be enjoying the remaining sunshine, doing some shopping and generally spending Sunday evening with my beloved. More soon.

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Well, I wanted some profile before Australia 2020…

[Update 10 March, 1030 AEDT: I’ve written a follow-up article which, while bound to piss off a few people, explains precisely why I’m so concerned about this issue.]

…but I don’t know whether this was exactly what I had in mind. Calling a high-profile Internet entrepreneur a prick, and then being referenced by some of the highest-traffic tech blogs on the planet.

Screenshot from Techmeme showing my article in the top story listings

OK, I participated in the discussion at TechCrunch and the 37signals blog Signal vs Noise, as I should. But then it was picked up by Mashable and then TechMeme (see screenshot). And now I’m seeing inbound from TechCrunch Japan and Colbert Low’s technology blog and who knows where else to come.

Continue reading “Well, I wanted some profile before Australia 2020…”

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’Pong becomes an Aussie

Photograph of Trinn Suwannapha with long mohawk, giving the finger

This coming Wednesday evening, the Mayor of Marrickville will cast a political spell and ’Pong will become an Australian citizen.

The ceremony is bound to be a dull local affair in his office. I’ve no idea why this wasn’t all done in the public ceremony on Australia Day, given that ’Pong’s citizenship was approved before the election last year. I presume the word is “incompetence”.

Still, the following Sunday 16 March we’ll be celebrating in appropriate style with alcohol and burnt, dead animals. I just don’t know what’d be an appropriate gift. Suggestions?

[Photo of ’Pong taken by me on 23 March 2004, just after ’Pong had been a movie extra in either Son of The Mask or Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure. Both so classy…]