realgrid writing by ottavio marasco

---

home | about ottavio | david larkin | as i please | writing | my dad has passed on 

  | effective leadership | selected writings | contact | disclaimer 

you are here: home > as I please as I please Index Wanted: Big Time Coach for Socceroos Essay: 'Leaning at university involves changing yourself and being changed'. A brief but critical analysis.  George Carlin  The Papal spell U.S. will give Latham miss.. A Copyright clause with a difference Objectivism & Contemporary Management  Self Help books how effective... The significance of the Personal Selling Function Global developments 2010: An evaluation of the future A synopsis for a great novel anyone... Objective News The Sopranos Dear Earthling Concerned about Internet and Email privacy in the workplace... Sex and its connotations  Prozac Sisterbleach Wanted: Big Time Coach for Socceroos  Whilst praise is deservedly given to caretaker coach Graham Arnold, I am increasingly coming to believe that it is important, if not critical, that our next appointed coach be a hi-profile established football name with European roots. Balance of Power Football is big business both on and off the field; it is largely dominated by a host of European and South American nations of which a select sum hold the balance of power. The direction to which I refer is however more analogous to out-and-out control. Europe has the economic strength of the big football nations; conversely, South America has a strong talent bank. From the two continents, a half dozen nation’s form what some have referred to as the ‘establishment’. It is questionable as to who makes up this purported establishment, at the outset however, England, Germany, Italy, France, Brazil, and Argentina come to mind. If your not part of this fraternity of power it becomes nigh impossible to consistently be a part of the top eight in any World Cup campaign let alone go all the way. As an analogy, consider the United Nations framework in relation to world security. In this example, the establishment would be the Security Council itself, made up of eight nations of considerable military and economic strength. Continuing the analogy in world economic circles, we have the G8 group of member nations. The difference being that the latter groups have official status. Cracking the Establishment (i) How does Australia become a part of this exclusive hub of influence? Firstly, let us not delude ourselves to thinking it can be achieved in four years or even a decade, nonetheless, with success and steady progress both at home and abroad, it need not take a generation. We could begin by recruiting a Coach / Manager of Hiddink’s repertoire and stature. One who has influence, particularly so in the European football theatre, who understands and can execute persuasion within the undercurrent of unseen power, and have bearing on information dissemination in relation to the game, someone who can build a profile and, correspondingly provide the FFA with a strong anchor in the world of football. Hiddink was doing this, albeit briefly. FIFA too is at the heart of the enterprise and based in Europe, it (and its on-field officialdom) shall seemingly favour those nations who are a part of (or perceived to be) part of the ‘club’. Does one really believe that a referee would have blown the whistle and awarded a penalty in the same circumstances as did referee Cantalejo (Spain) in injury time against Australia, had it been Italy versus Germany instead? The point I make, is that the referee instinctively (or perhaps involuntarily) would not have made the same decision against two big name nations. Cracking the Establishment (ii) The continual development and growth of the national competition (A-league) is of paramount importance as this develops the talent bank and the economic strength of the game within Australia. Big time coach and major local league, easier said than achieved nevertheless, football is as much about stature and prominence on every possible stage as it is about winning at national and international levels. European clubs attract and churn the best players from the world over. Can we imagine a day when Australian clubs do the same? When some of the biggest stars of the game elect to sign up with Victory or Sydney as opposed to Real Madrid or Manchester United? Everything begins in the imagination! The significance of having a strong figure at the helm was highlighted during Germany 2006. I believe it was a Japanese official who first said that he was disturbed by what he perceived as the Socceroos exceedingly physical nature. This erroneous estimation (which was nothing more than an opinion), somehow got the attention of FIFA’s technical brass and even some respected football magazines. It is noteworthy that above all else, the football fraternity highlighted foremost our physical response and hard working nature from that point forward. Nowhere was our technical proficiency cited; we short passed with finesse, engaged in rotational manoeuvrings with ease, and our mobility throughout was sensational. Still, those calculated remarks made by the Japanese prior to our first match stuck and a reputation was formed overnight; we were simply nothing more than a bunch of bruisers. Hiddink retaliated to some degree but this came a tad late. This draws me back to the central argument about the coach/manager. If he is a big timer with highly established internal and external football connections, the stimulus would be such that claims as those shouted by the Japanese would be discounted and watered down before they have bearing. Respect is the key here, to gain it we must be solid as a national competition and be prepared to hire the very best coach we can afford. Said World Cup star Brett Emerton recently, ‘I think it is important that they bring a big name into the role, someone who is really going to push Australia forward’. Mark Viduka recently joined the chorus, calling on the FFA to ‘pursue a big name boss’. The most recent reports have linked former Real Madrid Coach Leo Beenhakker to the role. Born August 2, 1942 in Rotterdam, he is an international Dutch football coach, currently (2006) taking charge of the Polish national team. Essay: 'Learning at University involves changing yourself and being changed'. A brief but critical analysis. In this essay, I will examine the topic of change as it relates to the common Oxford definition, one that refers to a person 'making or becoming different', that is, varying from a normal routine or pattern within particular surroundings. I will specifically consider change in relation to the learner within a university environment in terms of behavioural modification and mode of conduct. The analysis will consider the nature of change encountered at university, the concept of modernism, the modernist concept of a 'true self', the search for the 'true self', and concisely mention a linked aspect of the Post Modernism concept. An analysis that leads me to argue that university learning does indeed involve being changed and changing yourself however, the change is not intrinsic, and accordingly, the modernism concept of a 'true self' is compelling. Avoided is a comprehensive all encompassing examination of the aforementioned concepts of self, as I will restrict the discussion to the more discernible elements of the university learning experience. University provokes different thoughts and subsequent actions amongst learners. It has a grand and historical element to it presenting a multifaceted culture both as a whole and within its parts. Even as there are various consistencies and diffusion amongst disciplines and sub-cultures, a student may at least, be influenced by its 'different norms and values' … 'patterns of power and authority' … 'different standards' … [and] modes of expression, (Kolb, David, 1981 p. 233). Whether this influence inhibits or promotes learning depends on the learner's disposition and worldview however, learners are duty-bound to exercise professionalism and objectivity. The influence is exacted circuitously, through the processes and norms of the institution and represents but one way that university exacts change upon learners. At another level, the extent of obligatory change will contrast amongst learners again depending on their worldview, but also made subjective by the discipline studied. University teaching culture operates within a framework of accepted theories about knowledge and knowledge based models, being consistent with descriptions of modernism that typically state that definition precedes discussion. As Hobson stated 'the mechanical [modernism] view is taught … and it is accepted without question' (1996 p.34). This can produce resistance as the modernist position distances itself from nature, from ones sense of self, therefore the learner's unchangeable 'true self' may appear under threat. This resistance aside, the successful learner will change in a manner fitting for university learning. General conduct, methods of study and behaviour will alter - change - to accommodate that which is required to be successful. Examples of positive change can include such attributes as, greater accountability and responsibility, inquisitiveness, receptivity to new information, the development of social and cultural awareness, critical thinking, diligence, and general maturity. Hobson stated that 'human beings are behavioural and they can be modified and manipulated through different stimulus' (1996 p. 32). In university learning, the stimulus emanates from internal processes - ones worldview - and external sources - the institution and discipline specific demands - that represent a response that is both consistent with and complimentary to, university learning environs. It can be argued that such behavioural modifications are in fact, an indication of real lasting changes that indeed affect ones values, beliefs and worldview. This represents the Post Modern argument, usually described with terminology as 'fluid', 'fragmented' and 'constructed'; that one's experiences lend to constructing of self. This is in contrast to modernism views expressed with terms such as, 'fixed' and having a 'true', 'unified', and essential self. Uncertainties in relation to which concept of self applies arise when one acknowledges the difference in their mode of conduct, in differing life roles. We may be one self as a mother, a different self as a university learner and different again in whatever role. The different contexts create a problem, thus university learners mistakenly confuse behavioural changes and environmentally induced responses with concepts of self, believing that they are more representative of Post Modernism. I believe this is a by-product of a lack of understanding of what 'true self' implies; we need to explore this concept a little further. Humans aspire to certain universal attributes of character and whilst these may differ to those I am about to present, the majority of people - and learners - seek to be content, happy, and good as based around an established worldview and self that minimally takes into account race, gender, class, geography and culture. In her book, The diary of a young girl, Anne Frank (1993) wrote:  We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same. In the quest to be happy and good, one seeks to be whole and in turn to be, for example, flexible, resourceful, smart, loving, balanced, caring, responsible, mature, honest, and ethical and disciplined… Hence, it would not be logical to conduct oneself as they would a mother with their work subordinates or fellow learners just as it would be illogical to, not change at university. I believe that we are, at a given place and time, that self most conducive to being good and happy, at university this means changing in order to fit in, to learn, grow and succeed. A reliable indicator of whether conduct and behaviour is consistent with and moving toward the 'true self' is how one feels. The daily actions and conduct of university learners, of which changing themselves and being changed is the norm, represents a striving toward that, which is the 'true self' whether or not the learner is mindful of the goal or not. Thus, university learning contributes to life learning. The process of being changed and changing as a learner lends to the exploration of feelings of, and about life goals and purpose. It introduces one, amongst other things, to critical forms of thinking; accordingly, questions soon arise in relation to life goals and purpose. University learning facilitates and contributes to the process whereby, 'the meaning of … personal directions' (Rogers, Carl R. 1967) is explored thus guiding the learner toward that which is the essential, already constructed self, so as to move toward, ' … that self which one truly is' (Rogers, 1967). Rogers contends that in spite of all ones experiences and resulting change - including university learning - age-old questions linger. It is as if there is inherent within, a quest to move toward the 'true self"; that self which has always been. As Roger's states, 'the individual moves toward being, knowingly and acceptingly, the process which he inwardly and actually is … listening to the deepest recesses of his … being'. In conclusion, it is my belief that university learners have a central 'true self' that remains intact throughout the university learning experience. I have shown how university exacts change upon learners through two principal means. By way of the dominant and historical permanence of institutional processes and values found in university culture and, through an intricate formal system, where learners are obligated to fit within an entrenched teaching model that compels the learner to act in accordance with established practice. I have cited post modernism in order to increase our grasp of modernism and offered an account of how a university learner may come to query the nature and degree of change subject to ones insight of the 'true self' concept. The essay has served as a useful vehicle for introspection owing to its brief discussion concerning ones underlying parallel pursuit of happiness and wholeness in accordance with ones established worldview. Finally, I have outlined how university participation can assist the learner to identify the 'true self' through the development of lifelong learning of which critical thinking techniques form a significant part. References: Hobson, Julia, 1996, 'Concepts of the Self', text of lecture for SSK12, Learning Arts and Social Sciences, Murdoch University. Rogers, Carl R. 1967, 'To be that self which one truly is': A therapist's view of personal goals', On Becoming a Person: A therapist's view of psychotherapy, Constable, London, pp. 163-182. Kolb, David A. 1981, 'Learning styles and disciplinary differences' in Chickerine, Arthur W. & Associates, The Modern American College, Jossey Bass, San Francisco, pp. 232 - 235 and 251 - 252. Frank, Anne 1952, 'Diary of a young girl', n.p. George Carlin George Carlin was an American comedian. He wrote the following. In the context of our time there are very few pieces that hit the spot as does this little gem... - Otto  "The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness". "We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom". "We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often".   "We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.  We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbour. We conquered outer space but not inner space". "We've done larger things, but not better things.  We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.  We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less". "These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships". "These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill".  "It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom; a time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete". 1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctor worry about them. That is why you pay him/her. 2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. 3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever.  Never let the brain idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop."  And the devil's name is Alzheimer's. 4. Enjoy the simple things. 5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. 6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive. 7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever.  Your home is your refuge. 8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it.  If it is beyond what you can improve, get help. 9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is. 10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away". "If you don't send this to at least 8 people....who gives a fcuk"? -George Carlin top of page The Papal Spell The extent and manner to which the media in Australia has reported the death of Pope John Paul II must come as a surprise to those with a good sense of history not to mention the older members of the Anglican community. Perhaps even more astonishing is all the adulation poured upon the Pope following his death. Whilst all the adoration is deserving it seems that the media has all but forgotten the troubled history of the Church of England and the Catholic Church. Let's not forget that Anglicanism is still a large religious denomination in Australia.  How things have changed. The fact that the future king of England Prince Charles postpones his wedding to Camilla indicates the startling historical shift between two religions. Charles will in future, as sovereign, be the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, a title first adopted by Queen Elizabeth I in the 1500's to declare that the Pope had no say in her realm. At the time the Pope referred to her as a heretic as Protestant England fought against the might of the Catholicism. Catholic priests were hunted down and executed brutally as were hundreds of Protestants including the Archbishop of Canterbury who was burned at the stake.    Only our middle aged and elderly may recall a time when the two main religious denominations were greatly divided in Australian society - the ancestral separation of Catholics and Protestants in schools, recreational clubs and the workplace. It was not that long ago! The date shift of the royal wedding is remarkable as was the announcement that Rowan Williams the current Archbishop of Canterbury will be attending the funeral. Consider too the Anglican's own response in Australia. Sydney's Anglican Archbishop Peter Jensen said on radio "the greatest heart in Europe has ceased to exist" and that Pope John Paul II was "one of the greats of history". Once again such praise must surely take aback older Australians.  We will leave it to the experts in religious history to analyse why the shift happened but for certain Pope John Paul II was a great man toward all humanity. His being has given men and woman of all denominations as well as people of goodwill the world over new religious impetus and confidence. Perhaps the events of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries can now be just history.  Copyright © 2005 Ottavio Marasco top of page U.S. will give Latham a miss... I was left in a perplexed state upon hearing news of Mark Latham's winning the caucus leadership ballot for the Australian Labor Party. If there is one solitary item that can be learned from the parties history it is the fact that Labor spent decades in the political wilderness (1950's & 60's) simply because its leaders lacked credibility on national security issues. In this context alone I could not think of a worse candidate to lead the party.  Latham's preoccupation has always been on domestic politics, not that this is deficient but two other issues weigh heavily against him defeating John Howard at the next election. There is categorically no evidence that he has ever turned his attention to matters of foreign policy and defense; two highly critical portfolio's in this age. No doubt he will learn quickly but nothing will protect him from his own damaging past anti-American commentary. Which brings us back to issues of national security. As I have commented before "it is in Australia’s interest that the U.S. continues to exact its influence on other society’s in-spite of some of the negative aspects of this. Our democratic way of life, economy and national security are irrevocably tied to a secure world order - an order to which the present day United States is at the heart as the pre-eminent driver of internationalism". To knock the U.S. and its leader George W Bush in the manner and way that Latham has in the past is shameful.  Imagine a senior figure in the White House describing Mark Latham as "the most incompetent and dangerous Labor leader in decades", voted in by members of the right who were nothing more than "a conga line of suck-holes" and on his relationship with other leaders showed they were "arselickers".  Now of course no white house figure has in fact said this rather this amazingly crude language belongs to none other than the honorable Latham himself about John Howard and his relationship with the U.S. President. I can assure you that American officialdom both here and abroad will view Latham's anti-Americanism as nothing short of contemptuous.   He is now our alternative Prime Minister but comes into the position as the most inexperienced leader on matters of foreign policy (and thus national security) ever.  His irresponsible past rhetoric about our alliance with Washington highlights his unsuitability to lead Australia.   Copyright © 2003 Ottavio Marasco top of page A copyright clause with a difference This one's a ripper. As it appears on www.zgeek.com . The site belongs to a Sydneysider who's hit it big with this one.. as featured on the David Letterman show recently... Copyright © 2000-2004, Jelsoft Enterprises Limited. Everything is copyright, even stuff you own. Everything your say, think, touch and masturbate over is copyrighted by ZGeek. We own the fucking world, I copyrighted it so get the fuck off my copyrighted planet, but DONT use any spaceships because I copyrighted those too. So get Fucked!!... you can't swear back because I COPYRIGHTED THAT TOO!!.. Stop breathing!! breathing is copyrighted by ZGeek.com for the next YEAR! Copyright © 2003 Ottavio Marasco top of page Objectivism & Contemporary Management http://www.aynrand.org/objectivism/     “That’s not the way it’s done"," the present structure can’t permit it"," we have business constraints", if I had my way I would..."  Collective driven, gutless consensus Management which for all intensive purposes lacks any form of vision, that’s what I call it".  "Hey you, Mr Manager where is your valour”?  Ottavio... It is 1983. I find a book; a novel as it turned out. It looks shabby, old, most uninteresting and un-contemporary. The back cover read:  “Howard Roark was a brilliant young architect…Dominique Francon was a beautiful, desirable woman. This is their story - a story of passion, achievement and dedication…of love so strong that it could survive an outrageous marriage, vicious slander and cruel separation”.  Thus, I was drawn to it, but unknown to me at the time the attraction was for the wrong reasons.  It was a time when I enjoyed the work of Harold Robbins and the like...so I think a steamy love story, and to a large degree it was. The edition was published in 1961, my year of birth. So the reading begins, as each chapter is completed my original thoughts on the text give way to a new paradigm, one that soon made “The Fountainhead” (First Published in 1943) my all time favourite read. If, at the time, one were to ask why this book, I would not have been able to provide an intelligible answer. Several years ago, probably around 1997-8, (a period which saw me harbour an intense and deep dissatisfaction with my life, a feeling incidentally, which has not sufficiently dissipated since but rather whose source has now firmly established itself in my mind) the reason became abundantly clear. That the main character “Howard Roark”, all that he represented to himself and the world was the lure did not surprise me. I wish I were like Howard, having the capacity to deal with career adversity and management mediocrity at the organizational and individual level.  Like a cancerous disease that seems to permeate most nearly all levels of business and in all cases restrains the creative minds for the most superfluous of reason. That’s not the way it’s done, the present structure can’t permit it, we have business constraints…collective driven gutless consensus management which for all intensive purposes lack any form of vision. Hey you Mr Manager where is your valour?    Simply a love story it is not, more so a superlative tale exemplifying the virtues of individualism and Howard Roark triumphs. Its author Ayn Rand (pron “Iine” as in “mine”) is pure genius and refers to her work as a philosophy, one that quickly became a basis for all her written works and was soon known as “Objectivism”. As I interpret it, the conquest of the individual over the collective. Objectivism became a complete and integrated system of thought. Says Ayn “I am not an advocate of capitalism but of egoism; I am not primarily an advocate of egoism but of reason”…   To say that I am entirely sold on the philosophy is incorrect as she was an intransigent atheist, whilst I a Roman Catholic (albeit a poor one). That aside lets bring on more reason, brains, objective analysis and thought… Read it "The Fountainhead" and "Atlas Shrugged"... click on these links. Two books, two must reads.... and P.S. Read the reviews on the links....Atlas Shrugged is the "second most influential book for Americans today" after the Bible, according to a joint survey conducted by the Library of Congress and the Book of the Month Club…The Fountainhead  is still selling over 100,000 copies yearly, nearly 60 years after release..   Objectivism? Would it work in real life? Literally taken probably not, living exactly like Howard Roark would be dark but this does not negate the value of the books. Read in them what you will, for me no other books convey the virtues of being oneself; true to oneself, like these... Copyright © 2002 Ottavio Marasco top of page Self Improvement Books: How effective? "Real self improvement is a lonely affair"..... How many of us have invested in the odd book or two in order to improve our worldly lot? I am referring of course to books of the self -help variety. Some title listed have achieved unbelievable success.  But the consumption of this reading matter raises an important  question. Just how helpful are they to their readers or conversely, can they be harmful?  Whilst some of the texts are better than others (e.g. Covey's 7 Habits is outstanding!) they are merely books and consequently can only offer a shallow  form of assistance. Texts whilst beneficial in some degree can be a cop out if, they purely become a substitute for deeper self inquiry. The forces that hold individuals back are too complex and entrenched to be weeded out and negated through simply reading a book, it takes much more than thought alone. In time they (problems) resurface and one winds up back at the starting block.  If you going to merely read however, from my point of view the secret is not to take any one title as an end all be all solution to ones woes; hence they should not be seen as gospel.  It is much more effective to consider them as valuable stimuli (or spur) to a new learning curve. In turn they are great in terms of assisting one to identify there weak areas and as such can become a catalyst to internal change, note the term "internal". Real self improvement is a lonely affair, something that must be addressed through deep and meaningful self analysis.  Treat them as a starting point to whatever it is you wish to achieve. If you can accept this go ahead read on....as long as one doesn't allow the author to assume to know who you really are, only you can know that.  Copyright © 2002 Ottavio Marasco top of page The Business significance of the Personal Selling Function The following is an except from an expression of interest written and submitted my myself to a prospective employer...  "In today's challenging business world, where there is much uncertainty yet so much possibility, one axiom seems to prevail. The unparalleled value of the personal selling function as a means of generating revenue and providing a value-added service whilst concurrently engaged in the development of new business. The overall process involves many tasks as described by a varied array of terms - relationship building, proposal management, business development, corporate or key account management, sales executive or simply sales representative"...  Copyright © 2000 Ottavio Marasco top of page Global Developments: An Evaluation of the Future, 2000 - 2010 Uncompleted! Have you ever started something and not finished it? Of course you have and so too I many times. Here is but one example, a written piece on the future to 2010 in the context of Foreign Policy, . However time constraints prevented it's completion at the time... Through this short analysis, I seek to examine this question in a broad or macro context by focusing on seven major drivers that will shape the future: Conflicts, Technology, Globalization, Governments, Population Trends, Environment and Natural Resources, World order (As guarded by the United States).  Forward:    I will promptly dismiss any notion of exactitudes as the projections derived are based on many variables. In terms of its broad nature and strategic perspective, the discussion is useful as a predictor of global trends in the decade to follow. Analysis about population growth and demographics are derived from current trends whilst any discussion dealing with Economics, Globalization, Governments and Global conflicts can be somewhat speculative as outcomes are dependant upon decisions made by Governments.   For all intensive purposes, current “World Order” is stable and predictable in-part due to the only remaining economic, technological, military and diplomatic superpower - The United States. Readers will note that the evaluations made will often attempt to measure the implications for the U.S. in terms of its national and international security and foreign policy objectives. This is no accident. Whether acknowledged or not it is in Australia’s interest that the U.S. continues to exact its influence on other society’s in-spite of some of the negative aspects of this. Our democratic way of life, economy and national security are irrevocably tied to a secure world order - an order to which the present day United States is at the heart as the pre-eminent driver of internationalism. Compare this to the global instability that existed in the first 20 years of the past century and its link to the two world wars that followed.  The resources used to undertake this analysis have been collected over some years as part of my own ‘resource centre’ and in the main include newspaper articles, local and international news magazines and more recently the internet.  1.Potential for Conflicts: The Players, Variables and Factors China will continue as a dominant economic powerhouse. The risk however is that the pressures associated with such growth (Social, Political) may challenge the stability of its Government and lead to corruption and general criminal activity both within the confines of its borders and at the international level as is the case with current day Russia. Conversely, the economy, which appears to be the foundation of Chinese power, may act to supplement its military might. Although this may well depend on the regimes capacity to manage the social implications of an expected 5 to 10% economic growth curve over the next decade. The general technological sophistication of its armed forces will continue to lag that of the U.S. for example. Its state owned enterprises would not be able to produce state of the art military hardware but disturbingly will have the capacity to produce weapons systems - albeit less sophisticated - in significantly large quantities. Its army - the People Liberation Army or PLA - will continue to be the largest in the world but again its weapons systems will not be as technologically advanced as even those of Western European states. China will increase its activities abroad to limit the gap in this area. Russia: The next 10 years are less predictable for this former super state. The quality of Russian government, which of late lacks the necessary framework and capacity to adjust to its new less prominent world role, is questionable. Its leaders must come to terms with the fact that Russia’s influence has declined dramatically in recent years, as have the resources to be the super state it once was. If they cannot manage this transition, some of its politicians may be drawn toward a more authoritarian mode of government in the belief that the past can be somehow rekindled. This state of affairs will have an adverse affect on the region. Russia will not be able to maintain a large army over the coming years, at least not one capable to project notable power. As a nation, it will rely on its aging nuclear arsenal to project power. As the capacity to defend its territory continues to shrink, it will most likely use its limited military budget to develop advanced and guarded programs, perhaps weapons of mass destruction (WMD’s) in order to deal with western superiority in other areas. India: India will consolidate its role as the new superpower of Asia. Whilst its military capacity will strengthen, the gap between rich and poor will widen further. It is nuclear capable and will increase its arsenal of such weapons to counter Pakistan’s recent entry into the nuclear fold. Pakistan's nuclear capacity will also be increased in the future although it has stated that such growth will only be based on a deterrent factor against that of India. Japan: Currently the world’s third largest economy but it has struggled somewhat of late. Its economic influence will continue to be great but will experience a further slowdown by 2010 which will affect any decision to upgrade security. Its military is and will remain small but sophisticated. As such, it can quickly incorporate new advanced weaponry. North and South Korea: Middle East: Many regional rivalries will continue to foster and combined with further economic pressures we may witness a proliferation of WMD’s but not an increase in the capacity of conventional armies and weaponry. Armies such as those of Iraq and Iran will be very large due to the availability of youth but poorly trained and ill equipped. Terrorism is not likely to decrease, as are emergencies of a humanitarian nature and disputes/conflict due to religious and/or ethnic differences. Iran is expected to test land-based cruise missiles by 2005 and will develop its short and medium range missile program using conventional warheads. More frightening is that such weapons can be deployed with biological or chemical weapons. Iraq’s capabilities are greatly influenced by the stance adopted by the United Nations Security Council obstructing the availability of materials required to develop such systems. It is unlikely that Iraq will have any long range ICBM type weapon before 2010 and it remains questionable as to whether a nuclear weapon will be developed during the same period. Bu 2010 there will be a Palestinian state but this will not herald the end of Israeli-Palestinian tensions or conflict. Due to the energy resources located in the region competition will again emerge between rival Middle Eastern states e.g. Egypt, Syria. The oil reserves of the region will continue to fuel destabilizing forces. The governments of the Middle East are resistant to change and reluctant to pursue reform. They are under little economic pressure to submit to change due to the continuing energy revenues of the region. As such the view is generally negative for the region through to 2010... Copyright © 2000 Ottavio Marasco top of page A synopsis for a novel? For over 20 years Rowan Smythe diligently fulfilled his mission. As President  of a world renowned Economics Consultancy Group he successfully cultivated a network of highly placed similarly engaged individuals in Government and Private sectors. For all intensive purposes he had only one superior, Ben Faulks who's position as Director of America's most influential think tank, Futures World Inc. provided an inestimable platform for steering Foreign, Technological and Economic policy development the world over.  Calculatingly unknown to media interests they wielded enormous power, one that effectively shrouded their true identity as operatives for another civilisation located on a very small highly populated and advanced celestial mass orbiting our nearest star - Proxima Centauri.   Within months of completing their mission Rowan discovers the shocking truth behind his peoples motives. Set in the not too distant future, a spellbinding Science fiction tale of intrigue which details the disturbing extent of alien infiltration within the society and begs the question...' Copyright © 2000 Ottavio Marasco top of page Objective News Sources  News: It's sources are many. The events of the past week have left many of us inundated with information and for the most part its been bad. The unprecedented attack on New York has logically resulted in an avalanche of news commentary from every source medium. We sat glued to our TV monitors viewing the same horrific images played over again. To date TV coverage has contented itself with skimming over the dramatics thus avoiding any in-depth examination. But can we expect anything more?  Apart for a select few notably, "Dateline", "Foreign Correspondent", "SBS World News" and Jim Lehrers "Newshour", TV news reporting too often appears to be edited for 10 year olds. I am reminded of remarks made by Dan Rather of the CBS.com network in the U.S. commenting shortly after President Bush's announcement on the future of stem cell research earlier this year. He told viewers that because of the complexity of the issue TV and radio had "difficulty" with it adding that "for those seeking details they should read one of the better newspapers". I could not agree more. If you wish to know what's really going on read about it in a good newspaper or its website.  Additionally, The Washington Post and Time websites provide excellent reading with an international zest particularly for those seeking in-depth analysis, feature stories and objective - albeit as far as is possible - journalism. Markedly it provides and alternative to the hackneyed and overly dramatic nature of CNN... Copyright © 2001 Ottavio Marasco top of page The Sopranos High class riveting drama or poor television? I just keep hearing it; how good this show is. Three different parties in the past 2 weeks all seemingly engrossed by the show. The Sops oops Sopranos - In all cases I was the stand out who didn't like it, and after yet another viewing nothings changed. To date I've been somewhat obscure as to my reasons opting out by drawing on Tony's overall hopeless deposition in life (and of life) as to my interpretation. This line of reckoning may seem rather weak, insufficient. So here I go attempting to detail why I believe The Sopranos is poor viewing. My first impression of the character "Tony" (James Gandolfini) was that of a complete imbecile who couldn't organize a simple family get-together at a MacDonald's restaurant without finding an excuse - any excuse! - to lose the plot, as in drop his bundle and carry on like a pork chop for the most trivial of circumstance. Every aspect of his life seems disturbed and insecure, the relationship with the Mrs, Son and Daughter. Everywhere he goes and with everything he does there is the possibility of an altercation, dispute, fights and death. He hardly trusts anyone including himself. Fortunately he can afford to see (and screw!) shrinks.  When watching the show I find he's weaknesses and shortcomings disturb me, ok he may be redeeming as one good friend pointed out which I suppose means  having intrinsic goodness...but endlessly redeeming? What about some light at the end of the tunnel. The swearing is copious but this doesn't bother me nor do scenes of strippers  and sluts doing there thing for a bunch of male no-hopes....I recently viewed The flick "Insatiable" the 80's R-Rated classic without so much as a glimmer of guilt, hence this is not an exercise in espousing the virtues of morality and goodness.  The Sops disturb me because Tony's woes seem so enduring and ingrained, the neuroticism and bleakness gets under my skin. One could imagine getting the same vibe from endless listening of "Dark side of the moon" on a mild LSD curve. The critics say its great drama with good acting and they may be right but just as the haunting opening theme song begins "Got up this mornin, got a gun"...please...give us a break...brings Madonna to mind in her recent gun wielding controversial video. So there you have it my appraisal of one very popular show that I reckon makes sick television...but then again who am I? Copyright © 2001 Ottavio Marasco top of page Dear Earthling As addressed to Mark Sloan of the U.S. Academy of Sciences.. I believe this establishment may be substantially funded by the Pentagon. It's time the authorities come clean on the question. Memorandum  To:     Mark Sloan Fr:      Larry Marsden Date: 15 August 1999 Re:     Last known communication from subjects Fortitude One Our interests on your planet having been fulfilled we now prepare to return to our people but not before (as per your many requests) supplementing our communications with one last transmission. How strange it was to have mingled with you and learning amongst things about how we once were... We struggled to address your innocent curiosities and fumbling words upon discovering our true identity and were abruptly reminded of the profound implications our presence amid you could have had. What moved us most however, was the great respect bestowed upon us by your scientific fraternity; particular thanks to Dr. Pirriene of Oxford, Professor Shelby of Princeton and Major General Phelps from your Governments military (Special Projects) laboratories. We seek your understanding for the apparent absence of information which we leave you.  We appear to be a parallel human culture co-existing at the edge of the Milky Way galaxy whose civilizations have evolved over roughly an equivalent period of time. A brief study of your history reveals a period of some 800 years where science was viewed as heresy. Your civilisation would have been colonizing space by now if it were not for this dark age. Our civilisation did not experience such a setback hence the estimated technological gap between our  two worlds is some 600 of your Earth years based on your current development. We have consulted with the home world and decided upon leaving you with pointers in relation to your many questions. We feel you deserve this following the unfortunate confiscation and conduct of tests on our devices during our period of illness (the virus as you referred to it) and short stay with your medics.  Dr Perrine's report on our hardware was fairly predictable as our technology is largely impervious to your scientific scrutiny.  The report cited "Low levels of radiation indicating and operative energy signature", "No detectable circuitry", "No moving parts whatsoever", "No chips", "Nothing to indicate its nature or purpose or indeed materials used to encase it", "Facts alone which are sufficient to perplex our most distinguished minds".  Given this logical assessment we are contented to leave the matter at that. We hope that the following pointers steer you toward a constructive base of scientific enquiry as a result of our unfortunate encounter.  1. Any occurrence or change in state or of state, is, at a given and precisely calculable time both here and there, both done and un-done, co-existing in both realms. A synchronized and determinable event. We refer to this as Iridium's Law. Your fraternity touch on this in a theoretical manner through Mathematical models, the latter being elementary in our sciences and unfortunately for your science establishments are a misconception at that.  2. The distance between two opposite extremes is great, however only until they are joined. We imagine your dear Professor Shelby attempting to grasp this last point with an expression not entirely different to that of a man mentally counting to twenty and thinking down the lines of Folding Space. This is a conventional and plausible appraisal and yet another misconception. Understandably you will  -and we believe for some 150-200 years hence- have no idea how the aforementioned explains our ability to traverse from one end of the galaxy to the other irrespective of distance, -100,000 light years or 1 million it does not matter- in the virtual blink of an eye. Nor does it immediately explain some of the other activities you regretfully monitored. Forgive us for having referred to you as primitives. At first contact this was natural and accurate from our perspective.  By now we know you understand. Good Bye.. Useful Links:   Extra Solar Life  SETI Institute Copyright © 2001 Ottavio Marasco top of page Concerned about Internet and Email Privacy in the workplace? Get over it!! Companies have the right to monitor their employees emails and internet habits, there is nothing preventing them from doing so. Legislation to prevent it does not yet exist (2001) and there isn't any in the pipeline. Do companies have the right to do irrespective of laws for the moment? I believe they do. Because of bandwidth issues. Some of the latest or current internet uses include streaming audio and video and MP3's, no doubt for personal use. Consider the amount of bandwidth required to accommodate this, company networks are slowed down significantly and with it productivity. Because of Legal Issues. An employer can be held liable for what its employees get up to. They (the employers) need to be aware if certain employees are sending what could be defined as sexually harassing material across internal email channels. To protect themselves companies need to create "Acceptable Use Policies" and importantly clearly communicate such to all its employees.. Other measures to protect themselves could also include the installation of software that monitors and blocks or reports suspicious emails and internet activities. Its a grey area as some argue that employees should be able to use the net in the same way they use the phone. It is not just Sexual harassment that's the issue, employees can get there company into hot water due to copyright infringement resulting from the forwarding of emails, downloading etc. And what of offensive material? Can we legally define it? Not in Australia, apart from the obvious e.g.. child pornography, violence or hate material what is defined as unacceptable? To me one thing is certain, employees will always access the internet for some personal use, it's inevitable. At best employers can attempt to measure what percentage of total mail and internet use is for personal use and impose some flexible limits but not altogether control it, needless to say its ok for morale. From the employees perspective common sense should prevail. Its the bosses computer and network and prudence would dictate a measured and responsible approach. Some facts: In a survey of public sector agencies last year the NSW ombudsman's office reported that nearly 80% of public authorities reported an incident of Internet and /or email abuse. At Ansett, an employee was sacked for internet use that was not in line with company policy. A policy stating that the technology was only to be used for company business activities. Needless to say the employees email was critical of company management. NSW police sacked 5 staff members for emailing hardcore pornography to each other. Centrelink and Telstra have also had problems with staff over this issue.  Useful Links:  www.tumbleweed.com  For products that scan incoming and outgoing emails. www.efa.org.au Electronic Frontiers Australia - Model AUP for employees to view and use. www.surfcontrol.com The name says it all.. http://www.privacy.gov.au/issues/p7_4.html Australian Privacy Commissioner... Copyright © 2001 Ottavio Marasco top of page Sex and its connotations Sex...it's connotations...The word...Images...Of males...Females...Couples. Tossed around, splashed! It's importance, misrepresented...distorted....undervalued... The consequence? We're taking the sex out of the pursuit, out of the endeavor. Desexualisation of sex itself; a process that that removes the curiosity, the intrigue, the naughty and the nice; replaced by a sense of regular competitive customary duty. At best an unremarkable activity that's everywhere. The media's constant preoccupation with the subject - the demystifying process - is by all accounts doing nothing to improve sex, particularly for young woman who are making it a joyless competitive pursuit. Even with market saturation of the subject generation X woman have all but forgotten the basics. Perhaps someone ought remind them that those curves are an asset not a liability to be whittled away by diets and physical work regimes. That its not just the physical that sparks the interest... what of plain and unpretentious flirting ala natural. What of down-to-earth activities like working up a sweat whilst playing with the kids or unblushingly enjoying a scrumptious meal and a good drink with their partners. Being there real, natural and biologically driven selves. To quote Ms Shane Watson, a respected female journalist for The Guardian. "There is nothing less life-enhancing than the woman at dinner sloshing down water in the hope of dissolving the 76 calories she knows she has consumed. As to how much fun she is in the bedroom, one can only guess." Prozac Analgesic of our Generation!!  It's use may not be as prevalent as real analgesics like Paracetamol and Aspirin, but the record number of patients turning to anti- depressants is cause for concern. A recent a news report mentioned that there had been a 300% increase since 1990 and in most cases the prescribed treatment is, you guessed, Prozac or its generic equivalent. In Victoria alone nearly 600 scripts are submitted daily - August 2000 figures. It would appear that busy general practitioners are prescribing the medication for even mild states of depression that would otherwise be quite manageable without it. Not surprisingly, these figures are consistent with those reported in similar affluent nations - U.S, Canada and those of Western Europe. This is a somewhat anomalous occurrence; a quick look at the previous couple of centuries would suggest that life has never been better, for rich and poor alike. Sure there are problems - at the individual, family, community and world stage. There always was, always will be, life is hard ok! But hasn't the quality of life available to us increased significantly of late? Unlike yesteryear, whole communities are not wiped out by influenza outbreaks , we no longer die from simple infections, or pneumonia. The 1990's did not see us have to cope with a major world war (WWI, WWII) or a "Great depression "... Stop and look at your supermarket shelves next time you skip to buy something, no I mean really look and note the abundance of it all. We flick a switch and get light, or heat or cool air. Turn a tap and get hot water, pick up a phone and instantly communicate with a loved one. HELLO, is there something wrong here? Why are we such an unhappy lot? The human race seems to be regressing in a vital area; the ability to cope with adversity, irrespective of the degree. Give me a quick fix fast! We - and GP's! - are into them in a big way. I'm not surprised about the quick fix psyche', it's consistent with the superficial content found in most personal success literature generated over the past 50 or so years. Like Prozac the solution offered is nothing more than a social band aid or "analgesic" which leaves the underlying root cause of the problem intact and ready to re-surface at a later date. The quick fix path may be the easiest but not the correct one when it comes to depression. This is where Prozac and the like come into the picture, they're perfect for the fast paced lifestyles that most seem to lead. No time to think; to evaluate and evaluate why the depression is there in the first place - of course not! Doubtless there would be many a circumstance where a script for the odd anti-depressant or two would be entirely justified and yes, even beneficial but I struggle to accept that its prevalence or incidence has increased by hundreds of percentage points over the past decade. I do accept that the attention paid to the subject by media and public education forums of late has -fortunately- helped patients to open up to their doctors but this is a very substantial increase in prescription rate which - unlike antibiotics for a cold - requires many months of treatment for an effect. You'd think depression were a new medical phenomenon, it is definitely not. Incidentally do you really believe that all G.P's devote sufficient time to sufferers of the condition? Right, so what do they do? What should one do if they feel they're suffering from depression?  Firstly, by all means it should be mentioned to a doctor but attempts should be made to discuss alternatives rather than blindly embarking on a lengthy course of pills - Importantly G.P's should appraise each case to assess whether it is really a case of depression and if so to what degree. And yes one may still walk out with a script but if the G.P is good he /she may go that little bit further by: Evaluate lifestyle factors: Dietary, stress, self esteem, etc Attempting to evaluate the origin or basis of the illness, and suggesting appropriate action. Provide you with some reading material even if published by pharmaceutical companies. Refer you to a local self help group. The thrust being to not simply rely on the drugs to help you alleviate the doldrums. Not forgetting what is possibly the greatest resource of all; the internet. Very useful links:  http://www.depressionet.com.au/index.html  http://www.prozac.com Also visit:  Depression Symptoms & Treatment Information http://depressionsymptomsinfo4u.com/ Description: There are different types of depression disorders. For each of these depression types the individuals will feel the same symptoms in different ways. Copyright © 2001 Ottavio Marasco top of page Sisterbleach They were a band... Erroneous sounds. Indefinable, elusive, demanding attention. Not your ordinary everyday stuff. Distinctive, uncommon, enveloping, tapping at ones audible senses from beneath. How does one want to feel; enlightened, illuminated, intimidated, sorrowful, sanguine or perhaps crazed? A disquiet that can supplement all forms of being. It is merely music, seemingly structured, deliberately contoured to knock on the doors of the human psyche. Fashioning an experience of surreal proportions of whose residual properties are unashamedly the subject of individual interpretation and welcome to all forms of scrutiny.  Music that descends from speaker boxes and hits the under surface before reaching upwards with outstretched arms to transform the mind, carrying the signature of 4 artists - The Creators. Gordi, Coe, Paul, and Reggie. Collectively they form an ostensibly ubiquitous outfit that simply seeks to produce that which gratifies them. As they would say, prepare to be bleached. They create music. They are a band. They are Sisterbleach. Copyright © 2001 Ottavio Marasco top of page

---

copyright © 1998 - 2008 ottavio marasco all rights reserved