Tag Archives: Politics

I just want to enjoy their music – A reflection on Bob Dylan

I recent times I have been reading a lot about AI and have been experimenting with it in various scenarios. I thought I would experiment with a blog post. I gave ChatGPT my draft of this post and asked for a suggested post. In finalising this post, I used a combination of both my original draft and that of the AI interpretation. 

I am very interested to see what readers think about the concept of AI as an aid to blogging. For me the jury is out. This post was very much an experiment. I used it here because this post is a departure from my normal subjects. 


Photo sourced from the official trailer, Searchlight Pictures.

Over the 10 years or so that I have had this blog I have adopted a strict policy of steering clear of three topics: politics, religion and s$x. Growing up, these were definitely taboo at the dinner table. It seems the times have changed with everyone from celebrities to everyday people more than willing to share their views on these topics. I’m not sure our society is the better for it, in fact, I’m sure we are not!

In this post I depart from my policy as I reflect on Bob Dylan, a cultural icon and his avoiding canvassing his political views other than through his music. The release of A Complete Unknown, a story about Bob Dylan’s early years, highlights this unwillingness, while at the same time being more than willing to engage in the public discourse.

This isn’t a movie review, although having seen it, I can recommend it to those who like Dylan.

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No News is Good News

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I decided in late 2012 that I would have a news sabbatical. It was a time when the Australian political situation was at an all time low, just depressing every time I turned the Radio or TV on. It was worse when I read a Newspaper!

I decided it’s Christmas, Summer and I wanted to enjoy the holiday break. For me “No news was going to be Good News”. My approach was to tune out, read a book, watch the cricket, ride my bike and be oblivious to local and world events. It was awesome – so relaxing!

This Christmas I decided I’d do the same. A two week news sabbatical. I continued reading my book, revelled in Arsenal’s continued good form, enjoyed every minute of the cricket and had some great rides.

Unfortunately with a return to work it was back to checking in with the world and being able to confirm that “No News is Good news”.