Comments on: Not from the benevolence of the baker… http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/ Blogging politics, culture, sociology and life from Brisvegas Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:59:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Klaus K http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454639 Klaus K Mon, 07 Apr 2008 22:34:58 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454639 I've never had 3am shifts. I did have to get up at about 5 for work as a labourer a few years back, but that was the earliest it got. Also, I did some hospitality work that would sometimes finish close to 3am: does that count? "I’ll get around to reading Adam when I finish the works of his relative Wilbur, who writes some compelling social observations." I stopped reading old Wilbur about the time he started doing books about Egypt. For those who are interested, it's all there in the Smith oeuvre: the white man's burden, the noble (and ignoble) savage, cold war espionage, ugly stereotyped characters, family sagas spanning several generations, geopolitical rumblings in the jungle. A real feast of social observation, and quite entertaining. I’ve never had 3am shifts. I did have to get up at about 5 for work as a labourer a few years back, but that was the earliest it got. Also, I did some hospitality work that would sometimes finish close to 3am: does that count?

“I’ll get around to reading Adam when I finish the works of his relative Wilbur, who writes some compelling social observations.”

I stopped reading old Wilbur about the time he started doing books about Egypt. For those who are interested, it’s all there in the Smith oeuvre: the white man’s burden, the noble (and ignoble) savage, cold war espionage, ugly stereotyped characters, family sagas spanning several generations, geopolitical rumblings in the jungle. A real feast of social observation, and quite entertaining.

]]> By: Mark http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454518 Mark Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:07:52 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454518 GregM, mckenzie seemed to me to be being ironic and playful, and I'm not sure you are. I recognise it's hard to read all this sometimes, but let's not get personal, please. GregM, mckenzie seemed to me to be being ironic and playful, and I’m not sure you are. I recognise it’s hard to read all this sometimes, but let’s not get personal, please.

]]> By: GregM http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454510 GregM Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:50:30 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454510 <blockquote>Sorry about that. Up to now, I bet you thought you were quite useful.</blockquote> And you? A smug, complacent little parasite, and quite happy about it?

Sorry about that. Up to now, I bet you thought you were quite useful.

And you?

A smug, complacent little parasite, and quite happy about it?

]]> By: mckenzie http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454508 mckenzie Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:25:03 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454508 All that means, ambigulous, is that you're not one of those who made Australia the great country it is today. For that, either getting up at 3 am or sitting in the gutter at King's Cross at the same hour is obligatory. Sorry about that. Up to now, I bet you thought you were quite useful. All that means, ambigulous, is that you’re not one of those who made Australia the great country it is today.
For that, either getting up at 3 am or sitting in the gutter at King’s Cross at the same hour is obligatory.
Sorry about that. Up to now, I bet you thought you were quite useful.

]]> By: Jane http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454443 Jane Mon, 07 Apr 2008 05:49:42 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454443 Put your mind at rest SATP, according to a <a href="www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,,23481617-12332,00.html?from=public_rss" rel="nofollow">report</a> I read in the OZ during the week, it seems many eligible youngsters are bypassing tertiary education to cash in on the big bucks to be had working in the mining sector. And I didn't know that it was only blue-collar workers who pay tax and "subsidise" tertiary education. Bugger! I want all that tax money back, I'm a white-collar worker! Put your mind at rest SATP, according to a report I read in the OZ during the week, it seems many eligible youngsters are bypassing tertiary education to cash in on the big bucks to be had working in the mining sector.
And I didn’t know that it was only blue-collar workers who pay tax and “subsidise” tertiary education. Bugger! I want all that tax money back, I’m a white-collar worker!

]]> By: Ambigulous http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454435 Ambigulous Mon, 07 Apr 2008 05:18:57 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454435 Let's all share previous work experiences (esp those involving 3am shifts) - eventually we may figure out why 3am is so "special" for Brendan.... labourer: foundry in Collingwood labourer: foundry in Port Melbourne casual fruit picking, paid by the weight go-between [kitchen, waitresses] at restaurant near Eltham warehouse (storeman) work in Port Melbourne casual painting etc Brunswick sorting mail at Richmond PO NONE of these involved working at 3am. Let’s all share previous work experiences (esp those involving 3am shifts) - eventually we may figure out why 3am is so “special” for Brendan….

labourer: foundry in Collingwood
labourer: foundry in Port Melbourne
casual fruit picking, paid by the weight
go-between [kitchen, waitresses] at restaurant near Eltham
warehouse (storeman) work in Port Melbourne
casual painting etc Brunswick
sorting mail at Richmond PO

NONE of these involved working at 3am.

]]> By: Dr S http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454430 Dr S Mon, 07 Apr 2008 05:09:26 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454430 I know arguing with Steve at the Pub is not exactly on topic but I think a quick comment on user pays university might slot in here well. The clearest counter argument is US medicine. Here, my degree cost me six years and around 40 thousand in fees. This means that, come graduation time, I can work for 20 dollars an hour, sliding up to the princely sum of 30 dollars an hour over the next five years. In public practice. Both doing and training to do useful things. An American medical graduate hits the ward with upwards of half a million in debt. They not only have no particular reason to feel grateful to the government that trained them but also had better start earning hand over fist. Now. To hell with the useful things. There is no doubt I went to university for my own nefarious purposes but the subsidisation of the course allows a little less pressure to become a business man rather than a public servant and a little less justification for self-righteous opportunism. I know arguing with Steve at the Pub is not exactly on topic but I think a quick comment on user pays university might slot in here well.

The clearest counter argument is US medicine. Here, my degree cost me six years and around 40 thousand in fees. This means that, come graduation time, I can work for 20 dollars an hour, sliding up to the princely sum of 30 dollars an hour over the next five years. In public practice. Both doing and training to do useful things.

An American medical graduate hits the ward with upwards of half a million in debt. They not only have no particular reason to feel grateful to the government that trained them but also had better start earning hand over fist. Now. To hell with the useful things.

There is no doubt I went to university for my own nefarious purposes but the subsidisation of the course allows a little less pressure to become a business man rather than a public servant and a little less justification for self-righteous opportunism.

]]> By: Liam http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454359 Liam Mon, 07 Apr 2008 01:37:13 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454359 For the record, when I worked for a *very* short time doing skip tracing, my union was the <a href="http://www.asu.asn.au/" rel="nofollow">ASU</a>, who organise lots of call centres. I probably could have joined the NUW who do the same. I suppose bailiffs employed as State public servants could join the PSA. Don't know about repo people. For the record, when I worked for a *very* short time doing skip tracing, my union was the ASU, who organise lots of call centres. I probably could have joined the NUW who do the same.
I suppose bailiffs employed as State public servants could join the PSA. Don’t know about repo people.

]]> By: Andos http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454341 Andos Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:20:35 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454341 Without subsidised university fees, how can the children of the blue collar worker ever hope to get a degree if they so wish? Why should tertiary education only be available to those who can pay tens of thousands of dollars up front, Steve? Without subsidised university fees, how can the children of the blue collar worker ever hope to get a degree if they so wish? Why should tertiary education only be available to those who can pay tens of thousands of dollars up front, Steve?

]]> By: steve at the pub http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454272 steve at the pub Sun, 06 Apr 2008 14:33:25 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454272 Rather a contrast to Whitlam's rationale of 15 years beforehand. Always did blow hot & cold did Keating. One statement so looney he should be put against a wall, the next day he comes out with something more pragmatic than a fisherman or truckie would. I'll get around to reading Adam when I finish the works of his relative Wilbur, who writes some compelling social observations. Rather a contrast to Whitlam’s rationale of 15 years beforehand. Always did blow hot & cold did Keating. One statement so looney he should be put against a wall, the next day he comes out with something more pragmatic than a fisherman or truckie would.

I’ll get around to reading Adam when I finish the works of his relative Wilbur, who writes some compelling social observations.

]]> By: Mark http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454268 Mark Sun, 06 Apr 2008 14:19:28 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454268 Well, I guess he was way off the mark with his comments about "North Shore housewives sunning by the pool and studying sociology", steve, and how the workers shouldn't pay for their indulgences. Well, I guess he was way off the mark with his comments about “North Shore housewives sunning by the pool and studying sociology”, steve, and how the workers shouldn’t pay for their indulgences.

]]> By: steve at the pub http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454267 steve at the pub Sun, 06 Apr 2008 14:15:56 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454267 There are plenty of 2nd opinions available on that! There are plenty of 2nd opinions available on that!

]]> By: Mark http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454265 Mark Sun, 06 Apr 2008 13:42:32 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454265 I don't think he was in his dotage in 1987 by any measure! I don’t think he was in his dotage in 1987 by any measure!

]]> By: steve at the pub http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454263 steve at the pub Sun, 06 Apr 2008 13:33:22 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454263 Paul Keating seems to be getting smarter in his dotage. He is speaking in lockstep with me more & more often! Paul Keating seems to be getting smarter in his dotage. He is speaking in lockstep with me more & more often!

]]> By: Mark http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454258 Mark Sun, 06 Apr 2008 13:17:44 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454258 I'm just saying, steve, you might find Adam Smith an interesting read on the topic, is all. Did you realise you're channelling Paul Keating btw? That was one of the arguments he made in Cabinet in favour of HECS. I’m just saying, steve, you might find Adam Smith an interesting read on the topic, is all.

Did you realise you’re channelling Paul Keating btw? That was one of the arguments he made in Cabinet in favour of HECS.

]]> By: steve at the pub http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454251 steve at the pub Sun, 06 Apr 2008 13:01:14 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454251 Mark? Is that your way of saying that I should pay for someone else's university education? People go to uni so they can draw a higher salary. Why should they be subsidised by blue collar workers? Mark? Is that your way of saying that I should pay for someone else’s university education?

People go to uni so they can draw a higher salary. Why should they be subsidised by blue collar workers?

]]> By: hannah's dad http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454244 hannah's dad Sun, 06 Apr 2008 12:39:03 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454244 I helped pay for my uni education by working as a short order cook at 3am in the old Adelaide East End Market. OK truth be told maybe some of the money, just a wee bit, went on non-university related pursuits. But at least I helped the men who made Australia great and fed Adelaide. I helped pay for my uni education by working as a short order cook at 3am in the old Adelaide East End Market.

OK truth be told maybe some of the money, just a wee bit, went on non-university related pursuits.

But at least I helped the men who made Australia great and fed Adelaide.

]]> By: mckenzie http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454223 mckenzie Sun, 06 Apr 2008 11:03:56 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454223 Nelson would tell you that repo men suffer just as much as the people whose goods they are repossessing. And then, later, he'd say it was a different kind of suffering, of course, but he recognised it all the same, and he spent 10 years of his life working with people whose goods were being repossessed. Why, only the other day - at 3 am in the morning - he was sitting in the gutter with someone who used to own five guitars but then one was repossessed so now there's only four. And when you see him, just go up to him and say "G'day Brendan" 'cos that's what it's all about really. Nelson would tell you that repo men suffer just as much as the people whose goods they are repossessing.
And then, later, he’d say it was a different kind of suffering, of course, but he recognised it all the same, and he spent 10 years of his life working with people whose goods were being repossessed.
Why, only the other day - at 3 am in the morning - he was sitting in the gutter with someone who used to own five guitars but then one was repossessed so now there’s only four.
And when you see him, just go up to him and say “G’day Brendan” ‘cos that’s what it’s all about really.

]]> By: DeLiCa http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454220 DeLiCa Sun, 06 Apr 2008 10:51:54 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454220 Obviously Dr Whatever thinks all Liberal Voters are 1970s tragics, with reading ages under 10 and IQs of the seriously mentally challenged. No wonder he's Mr 10% Doh! Obviously Dr Whatever thinks all Liberal Voters are 1970s tragics, with reading ages under 10 and IQs of the seriously mentally challenged. No wonder he’s Mr 10%

Doh!

]]> By: Mark http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454187 Mark Sun, 06 Apr 2008 07:44:39 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/06/not-from-the-benevolence-of-the-baker/#comment-454187 <blockquote>bailiffs and repo-men</blockquote> We had a nice chat with a very friendly bouncer outside the Step Inn on Friday night. Was in bed way before 3am though. I didn't want to risk running into any politicians at that hour. Not that I'm not saying that politics, too, can be a vocation, mind. ;) /Weberian allusion

bailiffs and repo-men

We had a nice chat with a very friendly bouncer outside the Step Inn on Friday night. Was in bed way before 3am though. I didn’t want to risk running into any politicians at that hour. Not that I’m not saying that politics, too, can be a vocation, mind. ;)
/Weberian allusion

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