tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post6856644228436519908..comments2024-03-28T07:16:39.621+00:00Comments on Lallands Peat Worrier: Douglas the Digital Aye-Aye goes to Strathclyde...Lallands Peat Worrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18276270498204697708noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-18592968459843113062010-03-03T22:30:29.289+00:002010-03-03T22:30:29.289+00:00Moreover, I'd say it flatters its audience in ...Moreover, I'd say it flatters its audience in a cunning way. The web is testament to the allure of a cynical analysis. How often have we all read, typed up from the fingers of some fool, of how <i>I see clearly, the solution is easy and all others who comment, lending alternative perspectives, are venal, stupid or both.</i> Speaking as a chap with a health respect for cynicism, amongst the most tedious section of the commentating public is that which regards itself as privately Enlightened, in the club. The sort of consequentialist calculation which the Digital Aye-Aye seems to have expounded on is precisely of that character. The defencers of binary politics will nod, sourly, contend with their cheaply bought wisdom.Lallands Peat Worrierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07238432265194046726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-23993931957113705182010-02-27T22:38:31.158+00:002010-02-27T22:38:31.158+00:00Interesting.
The rhetoric of objectivity almost s...Interesting.<br /><br />The rhetoric of objectivity almost suggests the lexis of the enlightenment; yet here in fact as a form of political antinomianism it is more obviously redolent of that strain of fanaticism found (e.g.) in the <i>Sanquhar Declaration</i>, so coolly elaborated by the real Enlightenment, for example in texts such as Adam Ferguson's <i>Essay on the History of Civil Society</i>.<br /><br />Historically speaking, there is a strain of hysteria in Unionism that can shade into authoritarian solipsism and latent violence.ratzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17512152633620132970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-14957412003671920352010-02-27T14:14:06.708+00:002010-02-27T14:14:06.708+00:00Subrosa,
Although I accept that a sometimes an op...Subrosa,<br /><br />Although I accept that a sometimes an <i>opportunity-cost</i> analysis is politically virtuous and can put our choices in perspective <i>- I have in mind, in particular, the trident quantum -</i> I feel less comfortable about labelling these projects as 'suspect' without getting into the nitty-gritty and their potentially complex details. That said, we should certainly not be put off scrutinising them simply because they operate under the aegis of international development.<br /><br />On the second point - I suppose its a tit for tat media relationship. <i>"Minister says x"</i> probably isn't good enough to get your face in the paper, unless it is suitably scandalous line. Thus, you justify the headline by making a wee trip so the tale runs <i>"Minister says x to group of random persons..."</i> Must say something about the media's travelling feet - they like to get a look inside and try the seats in as many institutions of Scots civil society as possible.Lallands Peat Worrierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07238432265194046726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-49988839482875141862010-02-27T12:30:52.850+00:002010-02-27T12:30:52.850+00:00I suggested in my post that Dougie's time woul...I suggested in my post that Dougie's time would be better spent evaluating the millions, nay billions, his DFID spends on suspect projects.<br /><br />What is the point of preaching to the converted other than to produce a press release?subrosahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00151702590329788260noreply@blogger.com