Into the void, maybe

So the CERN Large Hadron Collider was turned on today. A machine that when put to the purpose for which it was designed in the next week or two could potentially lead to some of the most important discoveries in physics and, in turn, the nature of the universe and existence itself. Pretty important some might say. However, how many people have you heard discussing it in the street, the office or the home – beyond the sensationalist “It will create a black whole and the Earth will be sucked in and we’re all doomed!” type conversation? I haven’t heard or been a part of many such discussions.

Does this mean that people aren’t really interested in the nature of existence and the discoveries that might result in answers to the biggest questions mankind can ask? Seems so to me, and to be honest, I’m really not that surprised. Then again it might not matter if we are all sucked into that (possible) black hole, it couldn’t be much more vapid than the average TV reality show that you probably have heard people discussing today.

iPhone therefore iAm

I was going to write something about yesterday’s release of the iPhone in Australia, but I have thought better of it. If you are interested in my opinion of those who queued for hours to be some of the first Aussies to join the “groovy tribe” (as Dr. Lisa Dethridge, creative media lecturer at RMIT referred to these people) check out my blog posts from 2006 regarding the frenzy over the opening of the first Krispy Kreme Doughnut stores in Melbourne here and here.

No, I will write something here as I feel like I am the only person who is not falling at the feet of the great Apple god and worshipping it with my hard earned cash. I just question how having something that is so coveted, and soon to be commonplace, makes you individual and cool. Within days we will be seeing iPhones everywhere, negating their perceived coolness, surely the antithesis of coolness is commonness. I make no comment on the iPhones technical aspects here, I am sure that it is brilliant at what it does, and in true Apple style it will continue to break the mould of accepted design. But I don’t think the majority of people will be buying it for these reasons, I think that the iPhone will continue to be popular because people think they are buying ‘coolness’ when in fact they are buying some fantastic marketing.

2020 Vision? We'll see.

It is true, there is no denying the fact Australia has possibly one of the least developed broadband structures in the western world, it lags a long way behind Europe, America and much of Asia. I think this strange considering I have found the Australians have a great love affair with new technology, and appear to be some of the world’s greatest early adopters in this area. In my experience, backed up by a little research, I have decided this situation has much to do with the Australian telecommunications incumbent, Telstra, and its apparent inability to see beyond the profit spreadsheets. It seems to be too busy funnelling money to the shareholders rather than investing it in new infrastructure and actually doing something about this embarrassing state of affairs. Telstra’s stranglehold on the telecommunications marketplace means that the smaller telecommunications providers are always behind the proverbial eight ball when it comes to taking the lead and implementing new infrastructure. Of course, this is just my opinion, and thankfully I live in a country where free speech is regarded as paramount and I know that should anyone within the Telstra organisation happen across this little blog post, they will appreciate it for the informed and independent opinion it is meant to be, and if they feel differently they might comment in a constructive and objective manner.

Considering the above it seems to me that Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, has taken the lead in sorting this issue out with his newly announced 2020 summit, which will take place in April and will apparently “discuss the challenges facing Australia” see here. However, I personally think he read this article on the BBC news website which describes Australia as, “- a country that is surprisingly backward when it comes to things like broadband speeds and major infrastructure projects” and he was shamed into announcing plans to drag the country into the modern era when it comes to high tech communications. I just hope that Telstra CEO, Mr Solomon Trujillo saw the article too.

Who turned out the lights?

My company moved to new a new office building last year. I found my new desk was situated in a fantastic position, in fact the best position I have ever found myself sitting, I had a full length window which overlooked the Yarra river and enjoyed that most sought after of commodities in an office, natural sunlight, all through my working day. You may have noticed that that last statement was in the past tense. That’s because my beloved position has moved, yes it’s over and I, along with the rest of my department, have been banished to the dark and foreboding cave that is the centre of the open plan floor, a space with no more than three faltering and asthmatic neon tubes to illuminate the pervading gloom.

I have been sitting at my new desk now for a week, and as expected, it is like working on the night shift. Whilst at my desk last Wednesday, just before drifting off into a short doze brought about by the monotonous work and the low, almost romantic, light levels, I counted all of the desks I have sat at in the past ten and a half years of working for my employer. It was quite surprising, almost twenty in fact, spanning five buildings. You can see how I fell asleep can’t you?

Australia says "Sorry"

So today saw the Prime Minister make a formal apology to the indigenous peoples of Australia. This is something that the former Prime Minister John Howard refused to do for the last ten years as he didn’t seem to think it was needed. It has taken only two and a half months for the new Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, to say “Sorry” on behalf of all Australian citizens, something that, according to one pole I saw today, about 70% of Australians supported him in doing.

Two observations on my part about this: A Wednesday morning in the middle of the working week was chosen to make the speech. Granted large TV screens were erected around the place to televise Kevin Rudd’s apology speech, but why wasn’t it done on a weekend when more people would be able to actually take notice and be a part of it, underlining the supposed support for the action? My second observation is that of an average nine to fiver slaving at my desk, an observation which was quite enlightening I thought. There was precisely no reaction at all. In the office there was no mention of the speech that occurred during the morning, no discussion amongst my fellow employees, not even a fleeting comment did I hear. No acknowledgment that anything as politically and historically significant as this apology was occurring whatsoever. This surprised me a little. Consideration reveals two possible reasons, and in reality it was probably due to a combination of these two reasons, one being I am temporarily working amongst a office full of call centre staff (of which I am not one I wish to add here – not that there is anything wrong with call centre staff) with a median (mental) age of about twelve, and my second reason is that there seems to be a overwhelming sense of outward apathy on the ground (as it were) regarding this issue amongst many. I make no conclusion here, perhaps my observations are not particularly worthwhile as a lot of people, I know, prefer to keep their political convictions private, I just wanted to mention my (hopefully unbiased) observations here today.

A new year and some imminent new arrivals...

Well another new year and it is nearly the middle of February by the time I get around to writing in my blog. Nothing new in that I guess, It does make me realise how disciplined you need to be to keep up regular posts though. So I suppose that makes me irresponsible? No I don’t think so, just time challenged.

Things are fairly quiet around here right now, after hosting family and friends since early November the house has returned once more to the quiet peaceful abode it was prior to becoming a temporary hotel for international visitors. Don’t misunderstand me though, it was great to see everyone, but it is nice to chill out a bit after they have gone home. This peaceful state of affairs will I doubt last for long though. We are expecting the arrival of twins in a couple of months and then, well let’s just say it will be different. I haven’t mentioned this here before as it didn’t seem too real for some reason, now though, with a heavily pregnant wife to try and avoid bumping into in the narrow parts of the house, and piles of new baby items accumulating in every spare corner, it is time to blog about it, as I am sure that soon, I will have nothing else to talk about but babies and all the many and varied things that accompany them