Thursday, June 21, 2007
Join SAMIHOPC
That's right, I'm happy to announce the launch of a new lobby group, the Society Against Media Induced Hysteria Over Power Cuts (SAMIHOPC - a very memorable acronym I feel).
Target #1: The Dominion Post
A 40 minute power cut one evening in Auckland's leafy North Shore suburbs "caused chaos" apparently.
How so? Well, "the power outage disrupted movies and meal orders." No shit Sherlock. Now if this was a regular occurrence - as it in fact is in much of the world - it might be cause for comment. As it was, however, the brief cut caused a minor and very temporary interruption to commercial operations, much as one would expect.
How cynical of us here at SAMIHOPC: what if vital medical procedures were disrupted??? Well, they weren't:
Perhaps, as every Aucklander would suspect, the real chaos was on the roads?
How on earth can people drive without street lights and traffic monitoring cameras you might ask? Well, relatively sensibly it seems.
Update: wait there's still more!!
Target #2: The New Zealand Herald (for uncritical reporting of bullshit)
The fact that Mt Albert Grammar had to close for half a day yesterday, and an afternoon of "learning" was lost, is officially "a disaster".
One might think a school principal would be slightly more judicious in his use of language. Mt Albert Grammar being wiped out by a volcanic eruption - say, from nearby Mt Albert, ... now that would qualify as "a disaster".
Missing an afternoon of "learning" is, at worst, "a mild inconvenience" for staff and parents, and "a joyous occasion" for pupils.
Target #1: The Dominion Post
A 40 minute power cut one evening in Auckland's leafy North Shore suburbs "caused chaos" apparently.
How so? Well, "the power outage disrupted movies and meal orders." No shit Sherlock. Now if this was a regular occurrence - as it in fact is in much of the world - it might be cause for comment. As it was, however, the brief cut caused a minor and very temporary interruption to commercial operations, much as one would expect.
How cynical of us here at SAMIHOPC: what if vital medical procedures were disrupted??? Well, they weren't:
North Shore Hospital spokeswoman Bryony Hilless said it switched to its emergency generators as soon as the power went off and only non-essential areas were affected.
"Our emergency management plan went perfectly and staff were calm."
Perhaps, as every Aucklander would suspect, the real chaos was on the roads?
Even lights on the harbour bridge, traffic lights and traffic monitoring cameras were out. "It was pretty black. Everyone was making for home very quickly."
How on earth can people drive without street lights and traffic monitoring cameras you might ask? Well, relatively sensibly it seems.
Update: wait there's still more!!
Target #2: The New Zealand Herald (for uncritical reporting of bullshit)
The fact that Mt Albert Grammar had to close for half a day yesterday, and an afternoon of "learning" was lost, is officially "a disaster".
One might think a school principal would be slightly more judicious in his use of language. Mt Albert Grammar being wiped out by a volcanic eruption - say, from nearby Mt Albert, ... now that would qualify as "a disaster".
Missing an afternoon of "learning" is, at worst, "a mild inconvenience" for staff and parents, and "a joyous occasion" for pupils.
Labels: media
Comments:
Post a Comment