Half A Minute

Today I'll introduce the 30 second book review, that's 30 seconds for you to read, not for me to to type. It won't be an analysis of the themes, story or plot; just my thoughts on the book. If you want a more in-depth review of the book I suggest Amazon.com, where everyone's a critic. Occasionally I may give a book stars, but lack of stars doesn't suggest 0/5, just my reluctance to put a book on a scale.

The Luck Factor,
Why some people are luckier than others and how you can become one of them.
Max Gunther, Harriman House Ltd. 2009

This is one book that can be summed up by it's subtitle. The operative word is 'become'; you become lucky, it's not something you can search out and get. In a sense the old axiom 'you make your own luck' is true. Lucky people put themselves out there and they become lucky. In a scientific age this may seem obvious, however this book shows that luck is more than just chance.

There is always randomness which to an extent can be backed up scientifically, outlier events do happen. What most interested me was the authors ideas on physic theories and synchronicity. Ok the review is getting to deep for 30 seconds. I will say that the last chapter titled "The pessimism paradox' was the most enlightening.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's an easy read and took my brain down some provoking paths (not hard to do). Like does God really answer prayer and why do good things happen to bad people? (and vice versa)

Ouch, my brain hurts.

That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore

For David and Nick. Book review next week, if you're lucky.

Fade to Gray

Boy, what a week that that was. Soccer, Aussie PM's, movie piracy. They all featured on the front pages (or should that be homepages) of newspapers across the country.

The issue of stealing other peoples stuff always interests me, so I'll make that today's topic. I will say that I haven't seen Boy yet, I want to see it though. I won't be downloading it like the hundreds of others that are right now.

I saw the director of Boy, Taika Waititi interviewed on Campbell Live a couple of nights ago. He was responding to questions about piracy. We said he was disappointed, but also complimented by the fact that people wanted to steal something he made. In contrast the FACT guy (who represents the Motion Picture Ass., suggests that people are suffering because of piracy. 70 million dollars.... blah, blah, blah.

Firstly it's not piracy. There's no Johnny Depp or canons or parrots called Poly. There's just a few geeks with laptops siphoning zeros and ones of the internet. OK, some some Islanders flog a few DVDs off at 5am in a freezing car park, somewhere in Otara. Most of these people would have never bothered normally, it's more of a snatch and run. A crime yes, ruining other peoples lives, NO.

Secondly, this is more of an indictment on our society that says that intellectual property is owned by rich bastards (like Sony Music et al.) who can afford to have it nicked. The current models are not working. Neither party, copiers or rich bastards should not be taking the moral high ground. Digital content is here to stay, let's work at getting a fairer system for sellers and buyers. The thieves will always be around.

Have a great weekend.

Wrong (or I should Be So Lucky)

I'm reading a book called The Luck Factor, by Max Gunther at the moment. It's an interesting read that explores the role of luck in measuring the outcome of our lives.

Luck is a concept that interests me. Not the superstitious kind of luck; rabbits feet and crossed fingers. No, I'm thinking more of the make your own kind of luck. Like right place right time or even that wonderful word serendipity. People who have 'lucky' lives have to extent made good decisions. They haven't necessarily planned their lives out, although at points along their journey they have taken the better path.

The Protestant work ethic is based on luck, it suggests that if you put yourself out there, work hard, then God will bless you. In fact most religions have an aspect of luck to them. One theme is constant and that is to live a good life. This doesn't explain why bad people are lucky, except to say that luck may be indiscriminant.

I'll share more insights once I've finished the book.

It's Tricky

There's a story in today's NZ Herald that reads:

Two failed finance company directors have been suspended from the Institute of Chartered Accountants after being found guilty of conduct unbecoming to an accountant and breaching its code of ethics.

I find it interesting that the NZICA suspend its members on the grounds of breaching ethics, however an ex-partner of law firm DLA Phillips Fox (and banned Five Star Finance director), Marcus MacDonald still practices law from his waterfront home in Greenhithe.

Double standard, of course not. Law is about money, not ethics. Just because he's a liar shouldn't stop him from being a lawyer.