With the approach of May the 4th almost being with us, both the Rebel Alliance and the Empire are gearing up.  Meanwhile George Lucas is sitting about as pretty Jabba the Hutt after the US$4 billion sale of Lucasfilm and the Star Wars franchise to Disney.  (That Mouse has got some money!)  It was also announced that JJ Abrams will be directing (at least) the first movie in the new sequel trilogy.  The new trilogy movies will roll out in 2015, 2017, and 2019; with another two spinoff movies filling in the yearly gaps between Star Wars: Episode VII, VIII and IX. With not such a long time to go for this much new Star Wars, and many of the original cast rumoured to be returning how could things go wrong? Three words may sum it up:  Jar Jar Binks. And with JJ Abrams now directing both the new Star ...

The notion of ethical treatment for workers, and for farm animals, is an admirable one.  Yet to many, it often seems but a lofty idea, rather removed from their direct experience.  Most only see the final product.  The mobile phone.  The item of clothing.  The prepared cut of meat.  For most, that’s all they want to see and think about.  Along with an often desired cheap price. Some moves have been made to change this.  To increase awareness.  Examples include the Rainforest Alliance Certified products such as coffee; and farms that have introduced the sale of produce such as free range chickens and eggs.  Apple was heavily criticised in 2012 over the working conditions in its Chinese factories; some claim these are still sweatshops.  The company recently issued an unrelated apology signed by Apple’s CEO Tim Cook over its repair policies for Chinese consumers. Again bringing the issue to the fore, was the recent collapse and fire of the factory building near Dhaka, in Bangladesh.  Reported ...

Ask Not for Whom the Poll Falls, it Falls for Thee With the Australian federal election still approximately five months away, it may be time to take stock and consider what may be ahead as the campaign trail starts to ramp up. At the time of writing, the polls for the Julia Gillard led Australian Labor Party (ALP) imply a near 13 percent chance of winning the September 2013 Australian federal election; whilst for the Tony Abbott led Liberal Party (representing the overall Coalition including the Nationals) the implied chance of winning is approximately 87 percent. For up-to-date information on the Australian federal election 2013 polls see BetMetrix. As was considered in the earlier post related to the ALP leadership spill, the dominant strategy for Kevin Rudd or any other potential challenger and would-be alternate leader of the Labor Party, was, and is, simply to remain silent and wait until after the election.  This is because, ...

Psy, he’s the South Korean rapper (maybe), or at least the K-pop sensation (for now), who shot to international fame in 2012 with his song Gangnam Style.  The film clip to which smashed all sorts of records and to date has garnered over 1.5 billion views on YouTube.  Not too shabby.  Even the respective leaders of the Beliebers (which apparently would now also have included Anne Frank) and the little monsters have yet to make such an achievement. How then do you follow up such a hit? You tweak it a bit.  Release more of the same.  Then hope lightning strikes twice. Which brings us to the new song, Gentleman.  You can watch it here, if you haven’t seen it already.  And it’s not going to also reach 1.5 billion views unless you pitch in! The film clip to the song Gentleman displays what Psy has described as the “arrogant dance”.  This is ...

420 and the Culture of Marijuana The 20th April is a meaningful date to many. Of course given the history of the world, it won’t take much to pull out something apparently significant, purely by chance, and link it to such a date.  For example, Adolf Hitler was born on 20th April, 1889.  Delving into confirmation biases and relatively prime numbers for mistaken numerology, is a topic for another time. Rather the 20th April here, will first be morphed into April 20, then converted into 420, and maybe 4/20 if need be.  And yes, guilty of using numerology as charged.  Although the whole idea of the 420 here is linked to not being charged. At 4:20pm on 4/20, stoners across North America, meaning the US and Canada, lit up their joints to advocate for the legalisation of marijuana.  Presumably with smoking this weed, some did actually inhale as well. The origins of 420 are ...

Enter the Kettlebell In late 2012, there were murmurs, rumours, and some general confusion about what was happening in the world of kettlebells. The kettlebell (or girya in its native Russian tongue) is maybe best described as a cannonball with a handle.  Weird as that may seem, once people begin to understand them a bit better, kettlebells tend to be known more like the all-in-one gym. The reason for this, is that their use favours not only brute strength grinding lifts, but also ballistic and dynamic movements. The off-centre and displaced weight of the kettlebell can force additional activation of muscles for stabilisation (there is also the law of irradiation at work) making an apparently ‘light’ weight feel rather heavy, adding layers of difficulty and nuance.  Largely reflecting the notion that strength is a skill.  (It should also be noted that because of their shape, for some exercises kettlebells are easier to ...

The Boston Marathon Bombing What should have been a cheerful Patriots’ Day as people ran the Boston Marathon on the 15th April 2013, turned horrific as two bombs were detonated. Three people, including an 8-year old child, were killed in the bombings.  Reports indicate that over 140 people were injured, of which 10 had their limbs amputated. The first bomb was detonated near the finish line of the marathon, as marathoners crossed it.  Impact from the blast knocked those nearby to the ground.  Amidst a scene of blood and carnage, as people fought back panic to help others, a second bomb was detonated about 10 seconds later.  Both bombs appear to have been strategically placed to maximise damage and casualties. With anxiety running high, the people of Boston were moved away from the area and urged to stay indoors.  The concerns were more than justified, with another two bombs subsequently found.  Fortunately ...

Makankosappo.  If it sounds kind of Japanese to you, then you’re correct. Have a gold star.  Better yet, have a ball with a star on it.  Collect all seven and make a wish. Makankosappo is a dance-like action, playing out Dragon Ball (probably Z) fight sequences.  Whether this is also involves 5-minute close ups of faces and grinding teeth, is probably left up to the hero of the story. Popularised mainly by Japanese schoolgirls- Wait!  This could be dangerous, anything can happen in manga… Moving on. Makankosappo involves the main player acting out a fight scene, and using their ‘energy’ to force the other players flying back.  They’ll jump away, choreographed, as though blasted by a shockwave.  Or a Kamehameha Wave, if you’d prefer.  (For this, training in 10 times gravity and reaching at least Super Saiyan level is recommended, but not compulsory.) Not only is it funny to watch, it has produced some pretty cool photos ...

Bitcoins in Brief Bitcoins are a virtual currency, created approximately four years ago.  They are exchanged digitally via encrypted codes over the internet.  They represent a decentralised and experimental currency that is not reliant upon governments.  To buy Bitcoins, the payments must be irreversible; and exchanges are made anonymously. The supply of Bitcoins is effectively fixed, with people mining them electronically by having their computer decrypt codes.  This can only continue until the year 2040, and there is a self-imposed limit of 21 million on the number of Bitcoins that will ever exist. Money and Economics 101 The basics of what defines any money, often takes into account three key features that are to be satisfied.  Foremost money must be a medium of exchange, in that it can buy goods and services.  Money must be a unit of account, in that it represents a record of what is owed or ...

She Will Not Rust The Iron Lady, as Margaret Thatcher came to be known, was considered a formidable and often divisive political figure.  As Britain’s first, and to date only, female Prime Minister, she was also the United Kingdom’s longest serving PM in the 20th century.  From 1979 to 1990, she held the position.  Leading with an iron first, and not covering it with a velvet glove, was her style.  The lady was not one for turning. Margaret Thatcher passed away on 8th April 2013. Ever the Divisive Politician Love her or hate her, few could ignore her. Even in death, for Margaret Thatcher this continues. Dignitaries and prominent politicians from around the world have offered and paid their respects. It’s often Western custom to not speak ill of the dead.  Yet, in perhaps rather un-British tradition, some within the UK have taken to the streets to openly celebrate the death of Margaret Thatcher.  The ...