Comments for Russell Quinn http://www.russellquinn.com/blog Thu, 01 Jul 2010 08:55:31 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 Comment on Today I started working at McSweeney’s. by Arjen Strijker http://www.russellquinn.com/blog/2010/07/01/today-i-started-working-at-mcsweeney%e2%80%99s/#comment-490 Arjen Strijker Thu, 01 Jul 2010 08:55:31 +0000 http://www.russellquinn.com/blog/?p=313#comment-490 hey Russell - I wish you a happy first working day! it probably also means that you're not too long in town anymore.. Good luck with everything and hope to see you before you go! cheerz.Arjen hey Russell – I wish you a happy first working day! it probably also means that you’re not too long in town anymore.. Good luck with everything and hope to see you before you go! cheerz.Arjen

]]> Comment on What I am doing next. by Rash http://www.russellquinn.com/blog/2010/04/28/what-i-am-doing-next/#comment-488 Rash Fri, 21 May 2010 13:29:56 +0000 http://www.russellquinn.com/blog/?p=294#comment-488 Congrats! Congrats!

]]> Comment on Xenophobia by John http://www.russellquinn.com/blog/2007/09/29/xenophobia/#comment-485 John Fri, 14 May 2010 16:21:22 +0000 http://www.russellquinn.com/?p=46#comment-485 The Danes, or at least a significant number of them, seem to believe that Denmark and its culture is the best in the world. As such, all 'foreign' things tend to be sneered at and treated as inferior. The lack of political correctness here is also marked. In Denmark it is still socially acceptable to 'black up' for a fancy dress party. Object to this and you'll be reminded that this is the way Danes are, so either get used to it or ship out. Danes don't like criticism, which is odd seeing as Danes criticise the rest of the world quite readily. The Danes, or at least a significant number of them, seem to believe that Denmark and its culture is the best in the world. As such, all ‘foreign’ things tend to be sneered at and treated as inferior.

The lack of political correctness here is also marked. In Denmark it is still socially acceptable to ‘black up’ for a fancy dress party. Object to this and you’ll be reminded that this is the way Danes are, so either get used to it or ship out.

Danes don’t like criticism, which is odd seeing as Danes criticise the rest of the world quite readily.

]]> Comment on The problems with direct democracy by Sean http://www.russellquinn.com/blog/2009/12/01/the-problems-with-direct-democracy/#comment-484 Sean Wed, 28 Apr 2010 23:38:25 +0000 http://www.russellquinn.com/blog/?p=244#comment-484 Interesting post. I heard about this a while back but nothing from in inside perspective. Good reading the discussion in the comments. Interesting post. I heard about this a while back but nothing from in inside perspective. Good reading the discussion in the comments.

]]> Comment on What I am doing next. by alf lenni http://www.russellquinn.com/blog/2010/04/28/what-i-am-doing-next/#comment-483 alf lenni Wed, 28 Apr 2010 18:01:39 +0000 http://www.russellquinn.com/blog/?p=294#comment-483 congrats russ, that's awesome good news. Really f****** awesome stuff. congrats russ, that’s awesome good news. Really f****** awesome stuff.

]]> Comment on What I am doing next. by Lester Freamon http://www.russellquinn.com/blog/2010/04/28/what-i-am-doing-next/#comment-482 Lester Freamon Tue, 27 Apr 2010 23:01:42 +0000 http://www.russellquinn.com/blog/?p=294#comment-482 I hear McSweeney's has a super-intense frat-style hazing ritual -- be careful!!!!!!!! :D I hear McSweeney’s has a super-intense frat-style hazing ritual — be careful!!!!!!!! :D

]]> Comment on Creative Review Annual 2010 iPhone app by Linda Quinn http://www.russellquinn.com/blog/2010/04/22/creative-review-annual-2010-iphone-app/#comment-481 Linda Quinn Thu, 22 Apr 2010 11:57:51 +0000 http://www.russellquinn.com/blog/?p=273#comment-481 :-) :-)

]]> Comment on The problems with direct democracy by Arthur Probsthain http://www.russellquinn.com/blog/2009/12/01/the-problems-with-direct-democracy/#comment-473 Arthur Probsthain Mon, 22 Feb 2010 01:20:09 +0000 http://www.russellquinn.com/blog/?p=244#comment-473 Dear Sirs, On the same ballot, one was able to vote if Switzerland should completely divest itself of its weapons industry, ie to forbid by constitutional amendment the export (and, by inference, the manufacture) of swiss weapons systems (oerlikon, sig sauer etc) to other countries. I find it amazingly wonderful that a people should be allowed to vote on such issues. Dear Sirs,
On the same ballot, one was able to vote if Switzerland should completely divest itself of its weapons industry, ie to forbid by constitutional amendment the export (and, by inference, the manufacture) of swiss weapons systems (oerlikon, sig sauer etc) to other countries. I find it amazingly wonderful that a people should be allowed to vote on such issues.

]]> Comment on The problems with direct democracy by Russell Quinn http://www.russellquinn.com/blog/2009/12/01/the-problems-with-direct-democracy/#comment-470 Russell Quinn Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:13:22 +0000 http://www.russellquinn.com/blog/?p=244#comment-470 Aha, OK, I guess that's partly it. While I don't think it makes sense comparing how easy it is to hijack a population's opinion vs politicians being prone to corruption (they're just two ways that things can go wrong), my view is that direct democracy is susceptible to the former. Secondly I believe that over controversial, emotional issues, strong marketing *can* easily sway over enough of a population to get something passed. When powerful lobbyists apply their pressure, money and propaganda than a nation is of course as susceptible as it is to MacDonald's adverts or cheap credit. I would propose a good starting point is tighter control of advertising around political referendums, such that awareness that the referendum is happening is fine, but they must be politically neutral. In general political parties do a good job of offering differing views, which people may then choose to agree or disagree with, but it's always easier to promote a radical view than it is to defend it. Aha, OK, I guess that’s partly it. While I don’t think it makes sense comparing how easy it is to hijack a population’s opinion vs politicians being prone to corruption (they’re just two ways that things can go wrong), my view is that direct democracy is susceptible to the former.

Secondly I believe that over controversial, emotional issues, strong marketing *can* easily sway over enough of a population to get something passed. When powerful lobbyists apply their pressure, money and propaganda than a nation is of course as susceptible as it is to MacDonald’s adverts or cheap credit.

I would propose a good starting point is tighter control of advertising around political referendums, such that awareness that the referendum is happening is fine, but they must be politically neutral. In general political parties do a good job of offering differing views, which people may then choose to agree or disagree with, but it’s always easier to promote a radical view than it is to defend it.

]]> Comment on The problems with direct democracy by Beat Leiser http://www.russellquinn.com/blog/2009/12/01/the-problems-with-direct-democracy/#comment-469 Beat Leiser Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:28:29 +0000 http://www.russellquinn.com/blog/?p=244#comment-469 Russell, I am curious what improvements you have in mind. Tell'em, I'll be reading. There are e.g. voices, demanding a commitee or something similar who decides on what subjects the people are allowed to vote on. If you believe that the mass of the people is easyier "to hijack" than politicians are prone to corruption, then this makes sense. I believe the opposite. Russell, I am curious what improvements you have in mind.
Tell’em, I’ll be reading.

There are e.g. voices, demanding a commitee or something similar who decides on what subjects the people are allowed to vote on.
If you believe that the mass of the people is easyier “to hijack” than politicians are prone to corruption, then this makes sense. I believe the opposite.

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