As you may well have heard recently, eBay plans to allow only “secure” methods of payment (actually only PayPal) for auctions in Australia as of June 17. This smacks of flagrant arrogance by eBay, and is also a threat our to consumer rights.

PayPal is owned by eBay, and this decision certainly is a gross case of monopolising self-interest. Not only would sellers and buyers be forced to use Paypal, but no other (competing) systems are offered, such as Google Checkout.

PayPal isn’t bad, but like the banks we all detest, it takes yet another cut out of every transaction. For example, to transfer money from PayPal to one’s bank account, there is a deduction of $1 (regardless of the amount transferred). Every transaction also has an certain commission overhead, and even more if credit cards are used!

Not only is this a dictatorial proposal, is it disadvantageous to both sellers and buyers. Not everyone wishes to use PayPal, and certainly bank deposit transfer for many is a much streamlined method. The right of consumer choice of payment method needs to be maintained.

Indeed this is a tricky situation, since the middleman is eBay, making both the “sellers” and “buyers” customers of the company. eBay claims this change will benefit buyers (giving them more protection), but it also forces them to use a monopolistic system, and at the whim of eBay and PayPal when fees are (inevitably) increased. Indeed, PayPal does have it’s haters, as seen on sites such as paypalsucks.com. In my personal experience, using PayPal has been generally hastle free (although the fees do sting a little), but many sites require “credit card authorisation”, something which I cannot do (as I don’t wish to own a credit card).

Fortunately, the ACCC is allegedly looking into this case.

Update: eBay has “decided” to discontinue this idea! :-)

We’re lucky enough to do all sorts of interesting things when studying Architecture. For design studio at the moment, we’re doing “Culture”, a series of tasks organised by Peter Corrigan. So, in roughly 500 words, a (far too pithy) critique/analysis of The Quiet American:

Set during final years of the French occupation of Vietnam, and the increasing combat successes of Ho Chi Minh, the Quiet American (based on the seminal Graham Greene novel of the same name) stars Michael Caine and Brendon Fraser.

Metaphor is pervasive throughout the film. Fowler is England: old, weary, and with the cynical experience of gaining, running then losing an empire. Diametrically opposite is Pyle, the young America: naive, moralistic, paternalistic, innocent; but also possessing increasingly dangerous powers. The political tensions are mirrored in the sexual tension between the old and the young man as they vie for the affections of the elegant, gorgeous and equally pragmatic Vietnamese lady, Phuong.

The film is far more critical of America’s actions than the occupying French, who are shown as demoralised and losing their grip on the country. Pyle is depicted as increasingly out of touch, wrapped up in the ideas of “York Harding” and paternalistically believing that the people of Vietnam need, want and will ultimately accept democracy (via the “third-force” — America). Indeed this interventionist attitude to political relations has brought America to war several times last 50 years, most recently in Iraq.

Similarly, as Fowler struggles with the journalistic ethic of being completely detached, this again is a metaphor for the struggle of policy and actions in international politics. Finally submitting, Fowler utters: “this is war.”

Phuong is somewhat characteristic of a young lady in a society where most do not have the financial means nor independence to marry for love. She is worldly and able to use her femine wiles pragmatically in order to assure and secure not just her own future, but also that of her family. An analogy could be drawn that Vietnam, with it’s separate and warring factions are similar to that of Phuong’s allegiences to her family, Fowler, and Pyle. Phuong may chose to be the lover of Fowler, but ultimately her family (perhaps a veiled analogy to the grass-roots Vietnamese Communist movement) is more imporant as she knows that Fowler may never be able to fulful her desires for marriage and a stable future.

Stylistically, the film attempts to contrast the foreign zones in Saigon with the mass of humanity in the other areas. This is relatively successful, as there is a definite pathos as the “European” calm is shattered by two simulataneous bomings, as well as Pyle’s final minutes - spent running down twisting alleys. However, the reality is that almost all South-east Asian cities are actually far more crowded, dirty, chaotic and interesting than the Saigon depicted by the film. In the film, the actors are able to successfully navigate the footpath, whereas it is actually the norm to walk on the shoulders of roads (the footpath being cracked, uneven and covered with a maze of bicycles and food stalls, and the road offering relative ease of pedestrian movement).

The film makes for enjoyable viewing, with a sharp political commentary veiled behind a social drama. The Quiet American continues to be relevant today.

If you get Australia’s current population:

And divide it by:

You get the idea that perhaps almost 10% (actually ~9.37%) of Australia is using facebook!

Obviously this isn’t super-accurate as there could be people who choose to associate with other countries instead (by joining a different country network) or not joining a regional network at all. There also could be “wannabe” Australians, skewing the results the other way.

This is a emotionally gruelling but ultimately well made film, about the worst things that could possibly go wrong, following a single act of “evil.”

It mildly bemuses me that this film is rated “R” in America — sure it contains drug use, perky breasts and a fair amount of graphic voilence, but I found myself more caught up in the tragedy and irony of the characters and the disastrous situations unfolding.

The biggest gripe one could have with Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead, is that because of the omnipitent pathos in this production, combined with the nearly 2 hour running time… One feels emotionally drained by the end. This is definitely not a feel-good film. Really, it’s a hard film to watch.

Nonetheless, I’d encourage you to watch it (if you are prepared for the unrelentingly tense atmosphere) as the acting is extremely convincing, and the structure, while not the conventional chronological series of events, isn’t confusing.

See more informatin on IMDB.com.

Well. I know, I know, English teachers say never to begin with “well”, but I will. “Well” has a nice feeling to it, like you’re about to begin a tale of sorts.

Before I start my story/semi-rant, I’d like to point out that I do speak in generalisations. Not all of what I say will be applicable everywhere in mainland China. Really, you will be pleasantly surprised sometimes. :-)

Travel in China: The Bad

Most (mainland) Chinese tourists are very unpleasant, but sometimes quite amusing. For instance, every large tourist attraction has a rock (with the name of the place carved into it, usually in red letters) or a “traditional” style gate out the front. Generally you see people (usually groups with their uniform hats, who are led around by a guide with a flag and a megaphone) posing (and I really mean that in a “poser” sort of way) with the usual V-signs and strained cheesy expressions in front of the aforementioned edifice. Next, is the actual antics of these amusing people… The bus drives into carpark. Disembark. Pose in front of rock. Hop on minibus/chairlift/etc to “main viewing point”. Take photos. More posing. Get back on minibus. Go home. All of the aforementioned happens in the space of about half an hour. It’s really quite scary. And really common.

Most (mainland) Chinese men are chain smoking (you can smoke anywhere — smokers paradise, really!), constantly spitting (quite vocally), cocky (to an extent) and unfit. Really. It was really suprising to me, in a country with few overweight people (though it’s increasing), that people are actually very unfit (or just lazy when it comes to travel?). I’ve walked up quite a few Chinese mountains (Huang Shan, Lu shan, Jiuhua Shan, Kongtong Shan, Song Shan, and Wudang Shan… all… with… steps!) and observed. Usually they need to stop every 5-10 minutes for a rest. And then a smoke every 30 or so. All of the aforementioned mountains had chairlifts, too. The tourist mobs use the lifts.

Most (mainland) Chinese know next to nothing about the outside world (esp. Geography — they’re like the America of Asia). While this is in part to due to the nature of the government (ie: totalitarian fascist state — it’s definitely not Communist anymore) and the nature of the schools, it also extends to the national psyche. Curiosity and creativity is repressed (or at least there is limited opportunity in the education system) and perhaps because of this, suppressed by the individual. Time and time again, I’ve had to re-iterate that not everyone from overseas (the view is literally you are “Han Chinese” or “foreign”) has lots of money and a great job, and the reason why it’s easy for us (ie: “foreigners”) to travel in China is due to the very good exchange rate for us (not for Chinese who wish to travel overseas though). Also student backpackers have to be frugal. Despite being very fiscally responsible normally, when it comes to travel, (most) Chinese forget all that (and assume we are the same — ie: we are “rich Americans”).

The ticketing systems for many areas are very convoluted and incredibly mean. First a ticket to get into the area (usually between 30Y and 150Y). Then another to see place X (+10 to 20Y). Another for place Y. Then another to cross a bridge (+5 to 10Y), etc. This really leaves one with a bad taste in the mouth… and all these prices add up. I won’t go on about the toilets.

All (mainland) Chinese yell. Almost all of China is noisy. There isn’t much of a thought about noise pollution. People yell into phones. Yell at each other (and they’re not angry — it’s just the norm). Play their music openly, and loudly (really Chinese pop music is utter crap, eclipsing Western pop in idiocy… There are 10 [really terrible] mixes of the Numa-Numa song… I heard the same pop songs all year…). Cars, busses honk by default. It all accumulates into a sometimes unbearable white-noise, for those used to something different.

Travel in China: The Good

It’s not all bad however. If you can accept the fact that most parts of China are 2nd world, the odd place 3rd world, and a few otherworldly expensive places are 1st world, then it’s actually okay. It’s actually more than okay. China is an interesting and vibrant place, teeming with life and that constant rapid pace of “development”. There are even places to be found which offer moments of solitude. It also has excellent food (especially since different places have interesting local cuisine and your standard bowl of noodles is never the same wherever you go). The people really are friendly and helpful (when they don’t want your money), even if their habits/manners do sometimes seem a little lacking, different, strange, antisocial or just plain disgusting. I’ve had people offer me a bed/couch at their home, shout/cook me meals, and take me to meet their family and friends. Granted, if you know at least some Mandarin (beyond “Hello”, “Thank you” and “Good-bye”), this makes things so incredibly easy for getting along with people, and people’s respect for you will increase greatly!

Eating in China is very uncomplicated and easy affair (food is very important, and I agree!). Scraps are put on the table. You can slurp your soup, your tea and your noodles, and bring the bowl to your mouth to eat. Just remember to always bring your bowl to the serving bowls/plates/etc and not the other way around. The other big faux pas is to leave you chopsticks stuck vertically into your food (it looks like incense sticks, which are used to remember the dead).

Nice places to visit

• Tibet — it’s not China (though nearly all mainlanders will disagree, the rest being under house arrest :-S). It’s amazing. And a little sad, because of the repression. But still truly amazing and beautiful…
• Xinjiang (”East Turkestan”) — again, not China (people aren’t Han and speak a completely unrelated language). It’s a central asian state. They really like foreigners (and really, really dislike the Chinese). Avoid “Kanas” and the tourist stuff close to Urumqi (just another Chinese city), as it’s overrun with mainland Chinese tourists. Visit Kashgar! Kashgar! Also, Karakul Lake (there’s a nice guy offering a yurt and a few meals with his family). Good stuff.
• Northern parts of Guangxi province and southern parts of Guizhou province — not too many people travel to these places… There are numerous small Dong/Miao/etc (they’re not Han Chinese) villages. I could only visit Zhaoxing [Guizhou] and Chengyang [Guangxi], but they were both great.
• Southern Gansu province — beautiful place generally (and not very touristy)… Maiji Shan Grottoes (near Tianshui) are good.
• Suzhou, Jiangsu — numerous beautiful gardens, and an great museum by China’s only decent modern architect, I.M. Pei.
• Shanghai — enough said. It’s the best big city on the mainland.

In general, try and avoid all medium-large sizes towns and cities as they all look the same. Really. And it’s not particularly pretty. Try and escape to the countryside, and a few villages/towns which are “undeveloped” (or “developed” only to a lesser extent)… It’s worth it.

So…

If you stay in any country long enough, you’ll definitely see both the good and the bad (of the country, the country’s people, and of people in general). This is a double edged sword — your preconceived ideas of the place will most definitely be shattered, but on the other hand, you actually know something about the place, it’s people and even possibly more about yourself (such as how you react to certain situations, different environments, customs, cultures, etc).

Lastly, in order to get the most of your experience backpacking, you need to be prepared to get your feet dirty and really go out on a limb! Try and have a conversation with your 100 words of mandarin, take up that offer to have dinner with someone’s grandma, let someone practice their English on you, etc, etc. :-)