Posts by Geoff Lealand
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It is not just the cover but the also the content. Some bright spots persist (music and film reviewing; Diana Wichtel; the profile on Steve Maharey an issue back) but, generally, it is not the magazine it used to be eg the whole issue of generic editorials, when you know that they are expressions of particular obsessions/prejudices of individuals on staff. And this week, given front page prominence to that prat Duncan Fallowell and his facile 'insights' into NZ life (you might well ask why it took four years for him to write up his travel notes!)..anf if I have to read another word about Joanne Black's house renovation and generally loony take on the world.
Anyway, I should probably shut up for a bit as my postings to PA are getting numerous. May all well come to crunching halt in two weeks, when teaching starts!
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I agree with Russell about the Herald's hostility to all things Labour. I have had (private) conversations with two Herald journos in recent occasions and in both cases, they didn't contradict me when I accused the Herald of having a pro-National agenda.
Then, there is the bloody Listener. If I pick up another issue that has a cover story on the obsessions of baby boomers (real estate, investment, health, how to get your little darlings into Auckland Grammar), I may well puke. Makes PA all the more valuable, doesn't it!
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Good on yer Russell. When I read John Drinnan's column on Friday morning, I guessed it was the new enterprise you had been alluding to.
John is a good journo but, in my experience, has a predilection for sniffing out real or imagined scandal.
We too are stuck in the MySky/Mac dilemma. I am seriously considering abandoning Sky, to replace it with Freeview--unless someone has a solution, so I can keep the Rugby Channel/TCM and the Documentary channel, whilst gaining access to Media 7.Hope you call on a media academic or two, along the way!
Some rain here today, in the parched Waikato but we need lots more...
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Shoulf the New Zealand Herald just be open and honest and re-name itself "New Zealand National', with 2 two pics of Keys at Waitangi on the front page today, and Helen safely tucked inside?
Shadbolt has always been a self-serving dick. I recall an overseas visitor watching, open-mouthed,at one of his performances--and the idea that this guy could be a serving politician, even of a minor city in the deep, dark south. It may well be that SIT have been using unfair practices in their recruitment drives and if it comes to shuddering halt, then good!
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Interesting stuff on the US voting process. Is it just me or have other folk had problems with their encounters with US forms and procedures. I am thinking specifically of the green visa form New Zealanders have to fill out, to enter the country. I have a PhD but have problems with it every time--it just seems counter-intuitive to the usual process of form-filling.
A word of advice--make sure your airline removes this green form when you depart the USA. On two occasions, they have failed to this for me and it led to all kinds of strife, as US Customs read an outdated visa an a sign that you have been an over-stayer and are truly an 'alien'.
Still on an American theme, did anyone else see 'America's Most Hated Family' on ONE on Tuesday night? It left me kind of ambivalent as these terrible, terrible people were given much too much exposure. I wanted Thoureax to ask, 'So, what makes you any different from the Taliban or any other fundamentalist or absolutist group?'
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The US electoral system surely is curious. We have this strange process whereby candidates for the same party spend months lacerating each other in public, then get all cosy again once the front-runner is chosen. I agree that Obama is the most thrilling prospect, and the person most likely to win some respect back for the USA in the international arena (even though there is a curious echo of events in the first two series of 24?).
Judy Lessing is doing a talk on the US elections, in Hamilton next week as a fund-raiser for Labour. I will report back if she says anything interesting.,
Thanks for the kiwiboomers link--you will find that Roger Horrocks has added an interesting footnote to my piece.
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Greetings, Rob. Of course your dad was part of my American Studies experience too. I intend to add my two-cents support to the beleagured Christchurch folk, as a great deal of ignorance seems to be prevailing.
When I started at Waikato 12+ years ago (when it was Film and Television Studies) I sometimes had to defend what I did, from folk asking "why study film and television?". My usual (short) response was "Because it is there!". Then I would go into my longer justification. I no longer get asked such questions, partly because Screen and Media Studies has been the salvation of my Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences + our students getting really good jobs + benefiting greatly from the growth in NCEA Media Studies. It could be the same for American Studies.
Surely that figure of 76% tertiary take-up can't be right--where does it come from?
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The problem with these discussions is if you stray away for a day or so (or if life intrudes), really interesting conversations have moved on to new topics. There seems to have been some talk about the value of American Studies, in wake of its pending demise at Canterbury. My argument is that if you are doing American Studies, you are pretty much studying the shape of contemporary culture. Pretty much of what we consider as culture, value, ideology is defined by the USA, or our relationship with the USA--acceptance, rejection, adaptation etc.
But then I am inclined to this view as I studied AS at UoC (BA and MA), and it steered me towards a very satisfying career. I do always remember that I first encountered the idea of historiography, through the teaching of Craig Harlan and Leonard Wilcox, ie the notion that the writing of history is shaped by the world view of those writing it. It was a very important moment for, and the start of an intellectual journey.
If we want to talk of cutting university offerings, perhaps we should start with schools of business/management. They represent the debasement of the purpose of an university education.
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I agree with the comment about giving Beeby his place in the New Zealand sun. Other heroes who ought be awarded naming rights would be David Lange (has anything been named after him?) and Bruce Jesson.
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The link to the Guardian Weekly article about the delights of Salford (not!) can be found at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,2235208,00.html
I couldn't figure what "Spinner from Remmers" (above) is on about. Could he/she please explain.