Sortition? Hmmm…
I am about to break my indication that I am unlikely to post again until after Jen’s death. I am bored to death in this Regis joint filled with old codgers with assorted disabilities. How many I will write is … Continue reading →
Articles from Club Troppo
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Absent without leave
Troppo readers may be wondering why I haven’t been blogging lately, after making a comeback several months ago after a long absence. The reason is that my wife Jen is in hospital dying from ovarian cancer. It’s very distressing, both … Continue reading →
Liz Allen stopped talking to me. Actually she didn’t even start.
This is becoming a series. The point is that public figures now routinely refuse to engage with counter-arguments. I have another one not yet written about Nobel Laureate Brian Schmidt who did not respond to three polite emails from me. … Continue reading →
Some collected observations on the Middle East crisis.
I posted something similar on Facebook a few days back, and thought I might get some useful feedback here. Iran is criticised for violating their obligations under the NNPT. But the NNPT was signed by The Shah, who was a … Continue reading →
The Magical Mystery of The Beatles
Ian Leslie has released what looks to be a fascinating book about the Beatles and more specifically the relationship between Lennon and McCartney. I thought that I too might as well get in on the act and talk about the … Continue reading →
Collective governance or tyranny? A chat about our own Magna Carta moment
I try to replicate my more substantial posts on Substack here, but forgot this from a few weeks ago. So I’m now making amends. When it comes to Magna Carta clause 39 is the one hanging in the foyer. No … Continue reading →
The marshmallow at the end of the universe
Psychology Professor Michael Inzlicht has a confession to make. He’s been peddling shoddy wares – his words. And he’s feeling quite bad about the whole thing. The work wasn’t just intellectually weak. It did real harm. Though his own proposals … Continue reading →
What ails millennials?
I came upon this explanation for millennials’ lack of a work ethic. I don’t want this to seem censorious of millennials. In fact I have no such complaint about millennials – but if my comments seem a little censorious of … Continue reading →
Immigration cuts and housing prices: what research says (and media should report)
Most credible researchers believe immigration affects house prices. The questions are: how much, and at what cost? This post aims to establish some baseline facts on the basis of which sensible arguments can be made about immigration and housing. Key … Continue reading →
How to raise first-home prices: Supercharge demand, and pretend you didn’t
Advice for homebuyers and citizens: home-deductibility and housing guarantee schemes both deserve your derisive laughter, whoever backs them. Introductory note: Things move fast in the race to sway the aspiring Australian homebuyer. A few minutes after publishing the first version … Continue reading →