Do you like being put into a box? Is the complexity of your character clearly classified? Are the intricacies of your integrity irreversibly ingrained? Or should not, rather, the mettle of your manner be made malleable? I think so. I have always tried to think so, at least. Some would stand by their “fixed” identity. […]
2008
Posted inGeneral
In a world that looks a little different
I interrupt my daily list of favourite things for an unfortunate announcement: someone stole my scooter. I got a phone call at 4.15am this morning from a constable asking if I own a black Vuka. He then told me they had found it lying on the road after someone stole it from outside my house! […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Mine’s bigger than yours — for now, anyway
Most good jokes can be carried off with just the punchline. Note the following: “No signora, ees not my feenger …” “I tried to stop swallowing, but it was all one piece!” “Declawed? I thought you said deboned?” “So the bear picked up the rabbit and wiped his ass with it.” “Perhapth I should rephwase […]
Posted inGeneral
The spectre of militarisation that haunts the US
The presidential elections in the United States have, so far, presented us with several fascinating matters for discussion, not least of all the fact that for the first time in this country’s history there are a female and a black candidate — both of whom stand a very real chance of actually winning the presidency. […]
Posted inBusiness, News/Politics
Drugs are healthier for the bottom line than for pain
There is a disease called fibromyalgia whose existence is questioned by a fair number of the medical profession. The pharmaceutical company Pfizer says it has a cure for it, according to the New York Times. So here we have a disease which might not exist, but there is a definite pharmaceutical cure for it? Far […]
Posted inSport
On a road to nowhere?
Good luck to Peter de Villiers; he’s certainly going to need it. According to reports, his election to South African rugby coaching’s top job was a close-run thing, with many on the presidents’ council in favour of Heyneke Meyer. So, even before De Villiers has set a foot on his new coaching path, there is […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Knowing when to smile or frown
Is it only us, or do all changing societies not know when to cheer and when to worry? The latest example showing that South Africans often wring their hands at things we should cheer — and ignore problems we should wring our hands about — is the charges against Jackie Selebi and, before him, Jacob […]
Posted inLifestyle
Cape Town might be pretentious, but …
… I love living here because: The clouds move. It’s kind of crazy — you can look up at a mountain (OK, the mountain) and watch clouds rushing over it and concealing it. One second it’s sunshine and blue skies; the next it’s totally cloudy and cool. It keeps you on your toes. The sun […]
Posted inLifestyle, Media, Tech
There’s no free lunch, not even online
Ever used Google? How about the Firefox browser? Or maybe you are Facebook fan? Enjoy reading Thought Leader? Or maybe you have something against using free stuff? Chances are, you love free stuff. And that is a good thing. But it is a problem for all the business suits peering over the shoulders of all […]
Posted inGeneral
There’s no free lunch, not even online
Ever used Google? How about the Firefox browser? Or maybe you are Facebook fan? Enjoy reading Thought Leader? Or maybe you have something against using free stuff? Chances are, you love free stuff. And that is a good thing. But it is a problem for all the business suits peering over the shoulders of all […]
Posted inGeneral
We have no black thought leaders
One thing that I find pathetic is the whole notion of a black thought leader. Such a thing does not exist. It’s rather striking that in the new South Africa you don’t find anyone making a big deal about “white economic domination” or a “white thought leader”, for instance. Not that this particular breed does […]
Posted inMedia, Sport
Cricket Australia says cricket isn’t news
When you watch sport, are you watching news or entertainment? Well, both, of course. But the distinction is becoming rather important, in one regard at least: for sport fans, cricket books may soon have far fewer photos in them. It’s like the melting ice caps: you may not care now, but just wait till all […]