Egypt

The world is watching Egypt as it takes to the streets demanding basic rights. I watched CNN's coverage of it last night and it seemed clear that they are hedging their bets as to the outcome. The interest is clear, they favour stability and by inference the status quo. While acknowledging that major change may be about to happen, they concentrate on looting, personal security and economic damage. The message is clearly spelt out that those with vested interests should be concerned and should support a return to the status quo if not to a compromise that retains significant components of the status quo.

There seems to be two distinct sides. Those that have nothing and are now galvanised that they can have more, and those that having something and worry that they could lose some of it. The haves therefore only back a revolution when it is clearly going to happen, as they risk loosing out if the exisitng power structure remains, regardless seemingly of the merits of the revolution.

The human rights oriented world lamented the situation in Egypt due to rights abuses. The property oriented world now laments the situation in Egypt due to property abuses. These two sides seem unable to communicate with one another at the required level to bring about a situation that is to their mutual satisfaction.

As more emphasis is put on the security situation, pressure is brought to bear on those that have property to loose, in the hope that support for the status quo will be increased. CNN being a hawkish company does not surprise, but what will likely be important to the outcome, is the influence of the hawks in international governments circles.

Property may not be theft, but it puts a brake on idealism.

most of the world does not run on time

To not be upset when  one's 15 hr bus journey turns into a 21 hr one would have been easier had a friend not recently complained about being delayed in an airport in Iraq. 'Harden up' is perhaps not an unfair response, but for those for whom the trains run on time, being delayed is an inconvenience worthy of remark.

I was reminded of a Louis de Berniere moment when he described a fictional but normalesque journey in latin america with the expression 'despite everything running perfectly to time we still arrived 7 hours late'. No I bit the lip and resolved to not complain.

Arriving too late to check-in  I wandered towards the bridge spanning Song Han in Danang. Attending a sung mass along the way was a peculiar delight, as was having the company of a 20yr old nurse who ran across the road to hear me play the whistle on top of the bridge. Then I set off to get breakfast and find the surf that at least a few websites had informed me there would be.

The surf was there but not a sinner on the beach, and closed were the guesthouses I had read about. And so began a lonely walk along a beach with grey/brown waves breaking on one side and half constructed resorts looming over the other. Most of my thoughts cursed the unpredictability of the world, in that it had the impudence to surprise me with an alternative to my expectations.

I hardened up, but it took a few clicks walking the beach and a swim. But my reaction was to head straight to an internet cafe to order me another large glass of predictability. Change location for something predictable.

I could always just walk out the door and see though.

doesn't give much money to charity, but he would have you do so

I am a slacktivist. Interested in charity work, I spend a fair bit of time online posting links to various causes, signing petitions and generally increasing the amount of low quality information in the world. I have no idea what good it does, and whether anyone else actually appreciates it, or goes the extra mile and takes the time (or gives the money) to move whatever cause it is on its way.


Clicking buttons doesn't make it happen, but it makes me feel like I am doing something, and it is free. The alternative of donating money isn't nearly so appealing. I have less, and find it difficult to see any return. The shrapnel I throw into charity boxes probably costs more to count and process than it is worth and the odd fundraiser attended is the only bit of light in the sad affair.


In an ideal world more of us would be like Toby Ord who will donate $1m from an average salary over the course of his working life.


This would all be well and good if he wasn't such a boring ...