Entry 2096, on 2020-12-29 at 22:02:45 (Rating 3, Comments)
Well, as this rather exceptional year (and by exceptional I mean exceptionally bad) comes to an end, I guess I should do some sort of summary of my personal opinions of the highs and lows. These are just opinions, and probably opinions the majority will not agree with, so feel free to disagree, and if you do, a comment explaining why would be appreciated. Anyway, here's my thoughts...
Most over-rated leader or politician
As I said, this is just an opinion, and one which is somewhat restricted to my own circumstances, but I would give this to our own prime minister, Jacinda Ardern. I really don't like her at all, and that's not because I dislike left-wing politicians, or female leaders, or anything else. I did vote for her party at the previous election, and only became a critic after her true nature was revealed.
So, what's my problem? Well, she's incredibly dishonest and appears to have the sole virtue of being exceptionally good at BS. She told us before the 2017 election that she could quickly solve New Zealand's major problems: poverty, housing shortages, over-priced property, etc. So how did that go? Well, an epic failure would be a generous way to describe it. Not only are things not better, they are actually much worse.
But what about the thing she is most praised for: her response to COVID? Well, New Zealand is unusual in that it has effectively eradicated it, something Ardern takes credit for. But is this fair? I don't think so. We are told she went "hard and early" and this lead to success, but did she? Like most other pro-Ardern propaganda, its not really accurate. The country went into lockdown late, and as a result the PM panicked and put us into one of the most restrictive in the world. And since then, despite various signs of incompetence, we have been lucky enough to mainly stay COVID free.
So Jacinda is really a fraud, and the fawning adulation of the news media just makes it worse, which annoys me even more!
Most under-rated leader or politician
OK, now we really dive into truly controversial territory, because my pick here is Donald Trump! Sure, his communication style is problematic, because there seems to be no filter on what he says, and he changes his ideas from day to day, so that is a negative. But in other ways it is quite refreshing, because that is the opposite of most politicians who either refuse to make any meaningful comments at all, or repeat statements carefully prepared by propaganda experts.
And look at some of his positive, objective contributions: record high share prices, record low unemployment (including for minority groups), no new wars and reduced US troop deployment overseas, and real progress in Middle East peace deals. It's actually quite impressive, and the complete opposite to the dire predictions at the beginning of his presidency.
Trump is continually under attack from the media, but he has done remarkably well for someone with zero political experience. He is far from perfect, but he's a lot better than he is usually given credit for.
Worst political movement
You might think that there are so many bad political organisations and ideologies out there that this would be a tough one to pick, but the Black Lives Matter movement has been so dominant - and so incredibly damaging, deluded, and counter-productive - that I think I can safely say that it has easily been the worst.
It really has become like a contagious disease where its morally bankrupt ideas have spread across the world and we see the sickening sight of sports-people and others being forced (or maybe more disturbing, deliberately participating) into "taking a knee" in support of this political movement.
And what has it achieved? Well, those more PC elements of society think it's great, but they were on board with this form of extreme virtue-signalling already. Most of the rest of us are just sick of it, and in that case it has made the situation worse. And the riots have lead to innocent victims being killed and injured, various businesses (sometimes black-owned) being destroyed, and the real issues being ignored. It's a dangerous and incredibly stupid action that I will be pleased to see the end of.
Most successful business
Anyone who doubted the value of capitalism would often cite the poor behaviour of maybe the most hated sector in big business: pharmaceutical companies. But they should now admit that those companies' value has really been demonstrated with their quite impressive reaction to the need for a COVID vaccine. We now have several vaccines ready to use, and bulk production will ramp up during 2021. Even the incompetent NZ government has organised some for this country, although we seem to be many months behind the rest of the world.
I fully agree that capitalism has its problems, but we should also admit that it often works, and works really well, and the quick production of the COVID vaccines shows this clearly.
Least successful business
The mainstream media - or "legacy media" if you want to be more derogatory - continues to bumble along while gradually losing its relevance. They are like a zombie which doesn't know it's already dead. The media seems to think that by going even more extreme on its politically correct, grossly biased activity it will somehow make things better. Well, you don't make things better by doubling down on what caused your decline in the first place!
Luckily there are plenty of alternative sources around, although you have to be very careful about bias in those as well - but at least there is a variety of opinions, and the bias is usually well signalled and accepted (Ben Shapiro's Daily Wire, for example, is labelled a conservative source, but provides good balance to the MSM).
Most important technology trend
Artificial intelligence has been the most important new technology for several years now, and that continues today. AI has preved itself in several areas, the latest being Google's use of it for cancer diagnosis.
This will no doubt continue, and I believe AI will be the most important invention in recent times, and maybe the most important ever. Once AI can start helping to develop new AI we really do reach a fundamental change in how we do things. There have been a lot of promises and far less real progress in the past, but that is really changing now.
Most important Apple development
Being an Apple user, I like to make a category specifically for their products. Also, Apple tends to show others the way to create better, more useful, technology, so I think their influence is greater than any other single company. So what is the most important development from Apple this year?
It has to be the new M1 processor, and more generally, Apple's move to using their own CPUs instead of using those made by Intel. In some ways it isn't a big deal, because the processors are based on those already in other Apple products, like the iPhone and iPad, but I still think this is a genuine step forward and shows a clear path to the future.
Intel have really done nothing for many years now and their processors seem to have hit a brick wall in terms of speed and power use. At the same time Apple processors have leapt ahead of the competition in many ways. I have used a new low-cost M1-based laptop and it is very impressive. The speed and battery life are important, but what that extra speed can be used for is even more important, and eventually the integration of Macs and iPads will be significant too.
Most significant person
I'm ignoring politicians here, because they have only temporary influence, and I'm ignoring scientists because their contribution is important, but tends to not affect society directly and immediately. So I need another person of the same type as Steve Jobs, and the obvious candidate is Elon Musk.
His rocket company, SpaceX, has had several successes this year, and is being used for real missions; and his electric car company, Tesla, has become quite successful, and has finally apparently become financially viable. And now electric cars are being built by most conventional car companies as well, a trend lead by Tesla (although I admit hybrids and pure electrics from companies like Toyota and Nissan are also important).
So that's the year. Despite the COVID disaster it has not been all bad. This could be a year where significant changes might start. Will they overall be for the better? I hope so, but I think more likely we are in the middle of a, hopefully temporary, decline.
Comment 1 (6121) by Pat on 2020-12-31 at 04:47:17:
Bravo, Owen!!!! Spot-on on all counts, especially the fraud that is Cindy, and the ludicrous media hagiography of her here and overseas! First judicious remarks on The Donald I have heard from a Kiwi too (esp. notable his foreign policies and reduction in US foreign aggression during his reign). As for black lives matter - I mean, was that ever a serious question for anyone with 1/4 of a brain...???
All the best and keep it up - some of us need some counter-discourse for our equanimity, and you're providing it! - Pat
Comment 2 (6122) by OJB on 2020-12-31 at 11:32:17:
Thanks for your support. I know a lot of people agree with me, because they say so privately. Unfortunately it isn't considered OK to say a lot of what I do, even though I believe it is actually quite moderate and rational. Someone a week or two back said she thought I was "far right". Really? I have as many leftist views as right. I just say what I think is correct, whatever side of politics it is traditionally associated with. People are too tribal instead of looking at all ideas based on their merits.
Comment 3 (6139) by Anonymous on 2021-01-01 at 19:53:03:
Hilarious! Thank you for this amazing comedic piece - made my day.
Comment 4 (6141) by OJB on 2021-01-01 at 22:47:57:
Well, that wasn't entirely my intention, but you're welcome! :)
Comment 5 (6240) by Anonymous on 2021-01-19 at 12:04:19:
So glad you picked Trump as "Most under-rated leader or politician". Maybe now you understand his true legacy.
Comment 6 (6245) by OJB on 2021-01-19 at 12:06:30:
Well, I don't know what his legacy might be. I really don't know where the US is going. It will probably get worse before it gets better (if ever). I don't blame Trump for the problems in US society though, because he is the response to the problems, not their cause.
Comment 7 (6246) by Anonymous on 2021-01-19 at 12:06:50:
Wow, so it's not possible to incite violent behaviour? Me thinks you are in denial.
Comment 8 (6251) by OJB on 2021-01-19 at 12:08:51:
Sure, it is possible to incite violent behaviour. The Dems have been doing it for years with BLM and other violent and irrational groups.
Comment 9 (6253) by Anonymous on 2021-01-19 at 12:09:54:
Wow - if you can't see the difference between Trump's recent behaviour and the "Dems", them I'm afraid you might be a little too far down the rabbit hole.... time to head back to the light.
Comment 10 (6254) by OJB on 2021-01-19 at 12:10:21:
Well actually, I cannot see any real difference. Both sides have encouraged behaviour which I disagree with, but the Dems have done it far more and in a far more obvious way. I think people should try to look beyond the biased coverage in the mainstream media and think for themselves.
Comment 11 (6255) by Anonymous on 2021-01-19 at 12:10:36:
Yes, let's look beyond mainstream (a meaningless term but he way) media and instead get our news from po-dunck blog and "news" websites that anybody can publish... off course, individuals aren't biased in their news reporting are they?
Comment 12 (6257) by OJB on 2021-01-19 at 12:11:17:
Words like "mainstream" are imprecise, but most people have a fair idea what is meant by them. Using them just saves having to type out a couple of sentences describing what I am referring to. I think we have to concede that every news source is biased, but at least there is a way to get around the "mainstream mind-set" and get some alternative opinions. Also, it is often possible to get more directly to the subject material by listening to podcasts or visiting sites featuring true experts, and those with alternative views. They could be wrong too, but at least they are "differently wrong" than the mainstream (sorry to use that word so often!)
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