On Society
This page collects my thoughts about society. I write fiction with a social conscience which means I like to look under the carpet at the ‘stuff’ we pretend isn't there. I’m not prolific (i.e. annoying) . I prefer that people say - they don’t write a lot, but what they do is worth reading. Sign up to my mailing list to hear when I’ve posted new material.
Journalism not Press Releases! The Media’s Role in a Democracy
In any functioning democracy, the media play a vital role as a watchdog. Its purpose is not simply to pass along official statements but to question, analyse and test them against the facts.
The Status Quo in Justice
The ability to challenge the status quo is essential in any functioning democracy because it ensures that power remains accountable, change is possible and injustice can be confronted.
‘Dear Brooke, make my wish come true’
I dream of the modern equivalent of a cheque in time for Christmas from the PLR. But I know with certainty the precise amount that I – and most authors – will receive: nothing. This is despite me having around 160 copies of my books in public libraries.
Why fiction with a social conscience matters now more than ever
In an age of distraction where the trivial triumphs over the significant, I believe fiction with a social conscience is needed more than ever.
You can't run a country like a company
The HBR wisdom comes from 1996 and it made sense then, before and now.
Selling the Silverware to Pay the Caterer: NZ Universities and the Money Myth
The focus of this post on the actions of New Zealand universities selling their assets and how their actions are entirely logical and at the same time nonsensical and dumb-as-a-sack-of-hammers.
Meta robs authors
Meta pirated millions of books to train its AI.
My battle with the Public Lending Right hits the headlines
I love that my books are available in public libraries. I wrote them to be read and that New Zealand has a PLR scheme is great – in theory. It’s the practice where the bureaucracy of the scheme is Weberian.
Distrapathy and Democracy: Why Fake News Isn’t New
Imagine living in a time when people could knowingly create fake news stories that were not only believed, they were repeated as true by large amounts of the population.
Precarity Is the Point: Why Capitalism Needs You Afraid
Exsanguinate - to drain of blood; make bloodless; to bleed to death.
Precarity - a state of persistent insecurity with regard to employment or income.
The Public Lending Right - progress of sorts
I got quite excited, as you do, when you think you’ve changed the world (at least a tiny part of the world).
Boomers Voted, Zoomers Didn’t
Although I can’t change the past, I can influence the future. If we could interest younger people in politics enough to vote, the result of our democracy could be very different.
Why the Public Lending Right pisses me off
Briefly, the scheme exists to recognise that authors with books in public libraries will be missing revenue as people can borrow books rather than buying them. It sounds great in theory but how the scheme is run, well ... it pisses me off!
Abuse in state and faith-based care
That’s why everyone needs to read (at least) the Executive Summary of the report - it happened, and is happening, on our watch.
Joe Biden’s NZ parallel
Looking into my crystal ball, I can see a NZ parallel to Joe Biden's exit and I hope I'm right.
Democracy needs experienced minds
I told them, “That’s a wealth of experience you have to draw on. The trick is, can you?”
Why I hate banks!
Banks are make eye watering profits, why do they need to make super-charged profits when Kiwis are struggling?
Combining the Fermi Paradox with the Cassandra Complex
When the Roman Empire fell, it took with it a myriad of advanced technology and the human species entered a period referred to as The Dark Ages.
The state of the fourth estate
Without freedom of the press, democracy is on shaky ground. In countries where the press is overtly and obviously controlled – China, Russia, North Korea, Syria, Myanmar, Saudi Arabia are some of the worst examples according to Reporters sans frontières – the state controls society through some form of autocratic rule. There is no pretence – citizens’ rights and their very existence are at the state’s pleasure.
It’s called “Austerity” and it doesn’t work.
Austerity - difficult economic conditions created by government measures to reduce public expenditure.