Tribute from Bill Simmons - Grantland
GQ profile from 2010
It's amazing how loved and respected Dr Buss was. For a guy who lived life totally his own way (think old school), you could imagine he'd be tabloid fodder 24/7, especially in a place like Los Angeles. This was a 70 year old guy who had 6 kids with two women, dated 20 year old blondes (two at a time), and partied all night long.
Yet, as he was dying of cancer (he was diagnosed well over 18 months ago), no a single reporter blew open his story. That's the single most amazing part of this man's story.
And it's very telling what kind of person he was, by looking at how much respect and affection he got from a city like LA.
RIP, Dr Buss, you made the Lakers what they are today, and I've loved every minute of being a fan the last 27 years.
/ac
25 February 2013
A strange death in SG
FT.com article
Astonishing report on the death of a young American researcher in Singapore. A bit heavy on the drama but sure to ignite lots and lots of online questions now.
Astonishing report on the death of a young American researcher in Singapore. A bit heavy on the drama but sure to ignite lots and lots of online questions now.
15 February 2013
Jerry Seinfeld - still doing stand-up
NYT article on Seinfeld
I read this article a long while back, but whilst driving to work today, this came up, amidst lots of other thoughts about current events.
Since his eponymous TV show went off air about 15 years ago, Seinfeld's work has been largely limited to selected projects which haven't really caught the public imagination (think Bee Movie). He's loaded enough that he doesn't have to worry about what he does, but he's been doing stand-up for the last 20 years or so, almost 2 shows every week.
That's amazing dedication to his art form. People dismiss comedy as fluff, or something easy to do, but it's not, as the article clearly show. Seinfeld's approach doesn't differ much from any other method actor, or any professional sportman. Hours and hours go into preparation.
What I also appreciate is that he's chosen to "work clean" in his words. Not that I do not appreciate bawdy language (which often gives immeasurable context), but not using vulgarities actually takes away a lot of options for the comedian, particularly stand-up comics, who are working live, and the easiest way to connect with an audience is usually to speak plainly (ie colourfully).
"There was another big difference between the two, Seinfeld noted: “Working clean.” Almost from the beginning, Seinfeld has forsworn graphic language in his bits, dismissing it as a crutch. “Guys that can use any word they want — if I had that weapon, I’ll give you a new hour in a week,” he said."
/ac
I read this article a long while back, but whilst driving to work today, this came up, amidst lots of other thoughts about current events.
Since his eponymous TV show went off air about 15 years ago, Seinfeld's work has been largely limited to selected projects which haven't really caught the public imagination (think Bee Movie). He's loaded enough that he doesn't have to worry about what he does, but he's been doing stand-up for the last 20 years or so, almost 2 shows every week.
That's amazing dedication to his art form. People dismiss comedy as fluff, or something easy to do, but it's not, as the article clearly show. Seinfeld's approach doesn't differ much from any other method actor, or any professional sportman. Hours and hours go into preparation.
What I also appreciate is that he's chosen to "work clean" in his words. Not that I do not appreciate bawdy language (which often gives immeasurable context), but not using vulgarities actually takes away a lot of options for the comedian, particularly stand-up comics, who are working live, and the easiest way to connect with an audience is usually to speak plainly (ie colourfully).
"There was another big difference between the two, Seinfeld noted: “Working clean.” Almost from the beginning, Seinfeld has forsworn graphic language in his bits, dismissing it as a crutch. “Guys that can use any word they want — if I had that weapon, I’ll give you a new hour in a week,” he said."
/ac
08 February 2013
A couple of thoughts
A couple of links from a favourite website of mine - Photoblog by NBC News.
First, an article about how a couple of German youths who trawl through trash from supermarkets to salvage still edible food which have been disposed. They are not starving students who cannot afford to buy food, but rather are angry at the continuing wastage of food produced in the First World countries on a daily basis.
Second, this article shows the darker side of the Hong Kong property boom, leading to poor old men and families living in nothing more than cages. Imagine living in a cage no bigger than your single mattress, and eating from disposable cutlery daily. Or imagine 3 people living in a 50 square foot room (that's about half the size of your average office in Singapore CBD).
Sobering thoughts indeed, as we prepare to celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year of the Snake.
Thank god for small blessings in your life. Enjoy the CNY holidays ahead.
/ac
First, an article about how a couple of German youths who trawl through trash from supermarkets to salvage still edible food which have been disposed. They are not starving students who cannot afford to buy food, but rather are angry at the continuing wastage of food produced in the First World countries on a daily basis.
Second, this article shows the darker side of the Hong Kong property boom, leading to poor old men and families living in nothing more than cages. Imagine living in a cage no bigger than your single mattress, and eating from disposable cutlery daily. Or imagine 3 people living in a 50 square foot room (that's about half the size of your average office in Singapore CBD).
Sobering thoughts indeed, as we prepare to celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year of the Snake.
Thank god for small blessings in your life. Enjoy the CNY holidays ahead.
/ac
05 February 2013
Singapore, No 1 in population density
Wikipedia says so.
Wonder why this hasn't been published in ST yet...
If you look at the list of top 10 countries by population density, you will see Bahrain is 3rd on the list. Bahrain is about the same size as Singapore, but the population is roughly a fifth of Singapore's density.
Interestingly, their demographics show that there are about 54% foreigners living in Bahrain. From the ethnic groups mentioned in the article, it suggests that they are mainly construction workers (290,000 Indians, 125,000 Bangladeshis, 45,000 Pakistanis), and domestic helpers (45,000 Filipinos, 8,000 Indonesians). It would also be certain that most of these foreigners are engaged in the local service or retail industries.
Would it be fair to suggest that down the road, that's what Singapore is looking at? A sizable, albeit transient, foreign population, engaged to serve Singaporeans, or our richer neighbours?
I would also suggest that density is the bigger problem here. At about 5 times the number of people, there just isn't enough room for everyone to be comfortable here, compared to somewhere like Bahrain for example.
That's why the issue of cheap labour needs to be dealt with, and not kicked down the road for our children's generation to solve (or suffer from).
I can't pretend I know enough to come up with solutions to this, but isn't that what the elite chappies in government service are supposed to do?
/ac
Update: Here's a Wikipedia list of the largest municipalities in the world, ranked by size, density, etc. Even if you disagree with the view that Singapore has the densest population, it's not that far away. I will also concede that there are quite a few cities, eg New York City, Moscow, Jakarta, Seoul, even Tehran, which have higher densities. However, those cities have something Singapore doesn't have - a huge hinterland.
Wonder why this hasn't been published in ST yet...
If you look at the list of top 10 countries by population density, you will see Bahrain is 3rd on the list. Bahrain is about the same size as Singapore, but the population is roughly a fifth of Singapore's density.
Interestingly, their demographics show that there are about 54% foreigners living in Bahrain. From the ethnic groups mentioned in the article, it suggests that they are mainly construction workers (290,000 Indians, 125,000 Bangladeshis, 45,000 Pakistanis), and domestic helpers (45,000 Filipinos, 8,000 Indonesians). It would also be certain that most of these foreigners are engaged in the local service or retail industries.
Would it be fair to suggest that down the road, that's what Singapore is looking at? A sizable, albeit transient, foreign population, engaged to serve Singaporeans, or our richer neighbours?
I would also suggest that density is the bigger problem here. At about 5 times the number of people, there just isn't enough room for everyone to be comfortable here, compared to somewhere like Bahrain for example.
That's why the issue of cheap labour needs to be dealt with, and not kicked down the road for our children's generation to solve (or suffer from).
I can't pretend I know enough to come up with solutions to this, but isn't that what the elite chappies in government service are supposed to do?
/ac
Update: Here's a Wikipedia list of the largest municipalities in the world, ranked by size, density, etc. Even if you disagree with the view that Singapore has the densest population, it's not that far away. I will also concede that there are quite a few cities, eg New York City, Moscow, Jakarta, Seoul, even Tehran, which have higher densities. However, those cities have something Singapore doesn't have - a huge hinterland.
evasi0n is here!
Finally.
An iOS 6 and iPhone 5 jailbreak which is untethered.
Now to wait for it to stabilise before taking the plunge.
biteSMS, it's been too long...
An iOS 6 and iPhone 5 jailbreak which is untethered.
Now to wait for it to stabilise before taking the plunge.
biteSMS, it's been too long...
04 February 2013
Both United and Lakers win!
Manchester United win 1-0 at Fulham, and Lakers escape with a single point win at Detroit.
United have a 9 point lead at the top, after City drew at home, whilst the playoffs magic number for the Lakers remain 3.5 games.
Good sports weekend, hoping this continues to the end of the season.
United have a 9 point lead at the top, after City drew at home, whilst the playoffs magic number for the Lakers remain 3.5 games.
Good sports weekend, hoping this continues to the end of the season.
Weekend reads - 2/3 February 2013
Guns in America
- First, I saw a picture of Obama firing a skeet rifle, then I read this sobering article on owning a gun. Two perspectives on a really divisive issue.
Why is it hard to make friends once you're over 30? - NYT
- Not something we all don't already know, but still, worth your ten minutes.
Daring to ask the PED question - Grantland
- Nice work from Bill Simmons. Also, good research from Henry Abbott on NBA drug-testing here.
- First, I saw a picture of Obama firing a skeet rifle, then I read this sobering article on owning a gun. Two perspectives on a really divisive issue.
Why is it hard to make friends once you're over 30? - NYT
- Not something we all don't already know, but still, worth your ten minutes.
Daring to ask the PED question - Grantland
- Nice work from Bill Simmons. Also, good research from Henry Abbott on NBA drug-testing here.
01 February 2013
Will Apple make a 5" iPhone?
Larger iPhone mock-up from Marco Arment
This would go against everything that Apple has said so far about the optimum size for a smartphone. Even Steve Jobs said this back in 2010.
On hindsight, Jobs was clearly wrong, as Samsung sells bucketloads of the Galaxy Notes, and everyone is scrambling over each other to release bigger smartphones. Check out this CES roundup from Engadget to see what I mean.
Going with a bigger screen would also make Apple look like it's catching up with the competition, rather than setting the bar in the first place, so I'd be skeptical that this would happen.
But, frankly, I'd buy a 5" iPhone in a heartbeat. ;-)
This would go against everything that Apple has said so far about the optimum size for a smartphone. Even Steve Jobs said this back in 2010.
On hindsight, Jobs was clearly wrong, as Samsung sells bucketloads of the Galaxy Notes, and everyone is scrambling over each other to release bigger smartphones. Check out this CES roundup from Engadget to see what I mean.
Going with a bigger screen would also make Apple look like it's catching up with the competition, rather than setting the bar in the first place, so I'd be skeptical that this would happen.
But, frankly, I'd buy a 5" iPhone in a heartbeat. ;-)
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