| Online voting was meant to encourage participation and empower the masses, but what are they voting for? Cotton Ward reports.
It has been touted as the breakthrough that will revolutionise democracy for everyone. It could dramatically change the participation rate in companies’ annual general meetings and grassroots levels of government. We can sit back and relax at home, leisurely sort through complex issues, then hit a button to make our choice. The voice of the people has spoken. The reality is a little different though. So far online voting has been used for little more than helping to vote for the top performance in the Eurovision song contest and deciding whether the production of Beanie Babies should continue. Even here, these polls have been marred by enthusiastic multiple voters who make perverse or unsuitable choices. Online voting’s great contribution to democracy may have a while to wait before hitting prime time. Issues such as security and fraud are still a major concern. And what about poor minorities that don’t have online access? A recent US National Science Foundation report showed that online voting could not be safeguarded by even the most advanced technology available and it “should not be implemented for the foreseeable future”. The report was compiled for the foundation by 36 experts in computing, political science and elections, who warned that Internet voting posed a “significant risk to the integrity of the voting process” and should not be used in public elections until “substantial technical and social science issues are addressed”. It said Internet voting could be conducted at traditional polling sites or shopping centres and libraries, where it could be monitored by election officials. The foundation has set aside about $US3 million ($A6 million) so researchers can apply for grants to look for solutions. And even if everyone had easy access to the Internet from home, would we bother using it to vote? Last March, the US branch of Election.com conducted online polling and Internet voting in the Arizona Democratic Presidential Primary, and the company claims there was a more than 600 per cent increase in the participation rate (voting isn’t compulsory). But the University of Sydney’s American Studies expert, Professor Henry Albinski, is less enthusiastic. “I’m not sure that it would promote more participation. You need to be mindful that the Net is used overwhelmingly for entertainment or casual purposes. It’s not transforming a community into thoughtful voters.” However, he says it might ease the feeling of resentment generated by compulsory voting. “This could mean people might be more inclined to ponder their vote instead of feeling resentful of having to attend a polling place.” As for non-compulsory council elections, Albinski says online voting will mainly benefit “the more alert and aggressive members of the community”. “There’s a seductive notion that the Internet will create much greater public demand for a voice in public questions. But I’m not inclined to accept that. People are not interested in a lot of issues, especially if they’re not compelled to vote. There is continual apathy.” In an attempt to overcome voter apathy, NRMA Ltd will conduct an online vote for its board of directors between July and November. With a potential two million voters, the company holds Australia’s largest non-government elections and its members vote voluntarily. This could become the largest legally-binding corporate Internet vote held in the world. NRMA Ltd deputy president Mary Easson says the NRMA is keen to encourage as many as possible to vote. “We’re looking for ways to make voting easier, quicker and more convenient,” she says. “It’s clear that an online voting option has the potential, over time, to radically increase the participation rate of members and more accurately reflect their views and concerns. “We hope we can improve on the percentage of members who voted in the last election in 1999. At that time about 23 per cent of members voted, however on average it was often only about 6 per cent.” Traditional postal voting will still be available. There aren’t any figures on how many NRMA members use the Internet, but the company’s Web site attracts 25,000 visitors each week. There are no plans to install computers with online facilities in branch offices or to hold annual general meetings online. While proxy voting is not an option in elections for directors, it has been a source of controversy for the NRMA Insurance Group Ltd (NIGL). In the April 2000 election for the demutualisation of NIGL, there were complaints that the proxy forms were confusing and unfair. The Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) made NIGL place advertisements to clarify the proxy voting instructions. “We haven’t decided yet whether we’ll allow proxies to be sent over the Internet,” Easson says. “We don’t want to cause confusion as this would compromise the integrity of the voting process.” She says the NRMA looked at the possibility of online voting a couple of years ago, but “the safeguards weren’t good enough”. The process will be subjected to strict security measures, similar to those of postal voting, with the presence of a returning officer and the opportunity for scrutineers to check the counting of votes. Online votes can be scrutinised by examining paper audit trails that identify the time and date the votes were received. |
Now and Zen
| The New Age Reviews |
| Cotton Ward gets in touch with her inner self.
The Chopra Centre for Well Being Spiritual guru Deepak Chopra and two best-selling authors, psychologist Wayne Dyer and health enthusiast Louise Hay, will share their thoughts about spirituality and wellbeing at a one-day event, Today’s Wisdom, in Sydney on March 31. Chopra wrote the best-sellers Ageless Body, Timeless Mind and The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success. He practises ayurveda, a 5,000-year-old healing tradition that originated in India. Feng Shui resources According to the Chinese art of feng shui, moving your furniture around can change your destiny. Visit this hub and gasp at the confession of Lin Yun, of the Black Hat Sect: “The best advice I can offer is … that you are better off believing yourself instead of … me. I am a wandering impostor whose predictions have been 99.9 per cent wrong.” His followers claim, however, that he was misquoted. How to see auras www.worldtrans.org/spir/aura.html Never seen an aura? Aussie Robert Bruce outlines an “easy new way” to do this. The technique seems similar to when you look at those 3-D pictures – “relax and concentrate” and “focus the eyes in a special way”. He suggests practising by first looking at the aura of a book covered in blue or red paper (these create yellow and green auras, which are the easiest to see). Next, try several books at a time, then a pot plant. Nature Spirit Magic www.witchway.net/ritual/nature.html The ability to communicate with “nature spirits” comes in handy when you’re practising magic rituals in the forest. The idea is that each plant, animal and rock has a spirit and these can join together to create “spectacular physical manifestations”, such as swirling clouds, birds flying overhead in circles and insects, birds and animals joining in with your chants. Karma and reincarnation http://members.home.net/lumiere/karma/mystknow.htm Joseph Morales has taken all the hard work out of researching Eastern texts about karma. He says: “I have always found the descriptions by Eastern teachers to be frustratingly vague. I set out to find out what, exactly, the doctrine of karma is.” So what is it? “Beginningless.” Hmmm. Later, he says karma is “a spiritual-magnetic energy form” that generates a vibration that continues to vibrate in the mind. A bit of a boomerang theory – when you do something it comes back at you. Angel Haven Share your angelic experiences, dreams and poetry, send an angel gram, read weekly columns and buy angel figurines. Discuss whether that white ball of light you caught a glimpse of out of the corner of your eye was actually an angel. Or “plan a trip to meet an angel” (a fancy way of saying “meeting up with friends”). Heavenly. Homeopathic Educational Services Californian Dana Ullman describes this practice as a system of using plants, minerals or animals to stimulate the natural defences. Homeopaths try to find substances that cause similar symptoms to those from which the patient is suffering. Ullman says it’s based on the “law of similars” used in conventional therapies such as immunisation. Yoga Research and Education Centre The centre estimates there are 20 million yoga practitioners throughout the world, so it won’t cost each of us much to donate a total of $US11 million ($22 million) to build the first yoga university in the West. The “Instant Good Karma!” link takes you to a page where you’re asked to give $20 towards this project. Don’t be put off by this, because it has an excellent beginner’s tour. Astrology Kelli Fox offers free horoscopes, Chinese astrology, zodiac signs and compatibility tests. She gives you lots of information free, but for more details you have to pay. The personality profile was interesting, but contained many generalised statements. |
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Back in Rogue
| CLUBS |
| COTTON WARD behaves herself at one of Sydney’s longest-running clubs.
Where Rogues Nightclub,16-18 Oxford Square, Darlinghurst [update: now the Gaff] When Fridays, 8pm-late How much $16.50 More information 9380 9244 The flyer for Friday nights at Rogues invites me to join “Sydney’s elite, including personalities from the media, entertainment, modelling industry, corporate business and celebrities”. Who could resist? Accompanied by my little brother Ray, we arrive at the Darlinghurst club at 10.45, where my fear that this evening may not be as exclusive as I at first thought is confirmed: there is a queue of about 20 people ahead of us. My brother, who is 23, takes one look at the crowd and says, “I feel too old to be here.” Most of them look as though this is their first outing since their high-school formal. There are a lot of Britney lookalikes with glittery halter tops, cowboy hats and tall sandshoes. The guys look like they’ve come straight from a Saturday 6 o’clock Mass – smart and conservative. Once inside, there’s a lively cafe in the courtyard where lots of men are chatting loudly. There are two levels – a cafe/restaurant that converts into a bar and dance floor, and the nightclub downstairs. About a dozen people are jiggling on the dance floor under four disco balls to a song featuring lots of no, no nos and yay, yay, yays. Despite the claims on the flyer and the fact that in recent weeks members of the Australian and West Indian cricket teams, Bardot and Evander Holyfield have been spotted here, tonight it appears to be a celebrity-free zone. Maybe we’ll have more luck star-spotting downstairs. Drinks in hand, we head to the lower level, which is pleasantly crowded. The sandstone cavern features two bars, plenty of seating and candlelight. The music sounds like 400 different versions of Spiller’s Groovejet, and amazingly, when a favourite track starts playing, everyone gives a hearty round of applause. The latest incarnation of this club, which has been operating in one form or another since the mid-’80s, seems a resounding success, but the name this time around, at least, is a misnomer. With a combination of such a young crowd and the rather risque (if somewhat dated) name, it’s easy to picture a lot of very worried parents at home waiting up, but I’ve seen worse things at a church disco. |
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Gimme some loving
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| R2 Valentine’s day Reviews | |
| Cotton Ward | |
| From wedding bells to leaving and hating, Cotton Ward follows the journey of the heart.
WedServ When preparing for wedding bells, visit WedServ. An interesting feature is the virtual table top where you move your mouse over a placesetting, putting the plates and glassware exactly where you want. You can then print this out for your caterers. Download the free wedding planner software, build your own Web site, get yourself organised with a calendar, track RSVPs, do seating arrangements and keep a list of the gifts you’ve received. The New Homemaker Family www.newhomemaker.com/family/relationships/10ways.html Getting married is easy; staying married is the hard bit. Here’s a list of 10 ways to keep your marriage together. Great suggestions include kissing your partner whenever you walk out the front door, going on a special weekly date and allowing each other a 30-minute break to unwind after work. Relationships Australia It’s not easy to maintain a loving relationship when you’re up to your elbows in dirty nappies. The advisers at Relationships Australia warn that coping with kids is likely to be one of the most difficult times you will have. There’s also a "pre-parenthood relationship check-up service" and a quickie online questionnaire. Hating The Avenger’s Front Page This is the direct path to revenge. One popular online prank is to whack a naughty photo and bitchy story about your ex up on the Web. It will practically never be removed due to the international nature of Web site hosting and the cost of taking legal action in every country. Plenty of other vengeful tactics here, too. Just heed the site’s warning: when you go down the road of revenge, remember to take two coffins. Jerry Springer Show Hank has 15 personalities and finally convinced his *bleep* wife to move back home with him. But the trouble is that she’s brought her new *bleep* boyfriend with her! And she’s gonna *bleep* dump Hank flat! Yeah, whatever. Before your ex contacts Jerry to appear on his Down Under edition, launch a pre-emptive strike by clicking on the Dear Jerry link and emailing your details. Leaving Ways to Affair-Proof Your Marriage http://marriage.about.com/people/marriage/library/blquinfaffproof.htm Based on the theory that the best way to avoid an affair is acting before it starts, this site suggests you spice up your sex life, support each other and don’t let problems fester. It even suggests that "if you feel tempted to have an affair, try and figure out why. Discuss it with your spouse". That’s certain to squash those fantasies! Reflect on your commitment to one another and remember why you fell in love. Or join the Cheating Chatters’ forum and get it off your chest. Philanderers International The other grass still looking greener? Try the checklist to see if you’re really ready to dive into someone else’s bed. Are you good at sticking to a plan over an extended period of time? Do you think clearly in stressful situations? These are some of the talents you’ll need to master. You can meet prospective partners on an anonymous bulletin board and swap tips on how to make sure your affair lasts. Tao of Divorce Your partner has forgotten your birthday, is spending a lot of time at the office and has bookmarked Philanderers International. Hmmm … time to do some snooping around. The Tao of Divorce offers suggestions that range from sensible – checking the numbers on your phonebills – to Machiavellian – consult with the best divorce lawyers in town so they won’t be able to accept your partner’s business due to a conflict of interest. Dear Peggy.com http://www.dearpeggy.com/affairsmenu OK, you or your partner have been caught having a fling on the side. Peggy Vaughan’s husband had numerous affairs. When he finally owned up, she wrote a book, The Monogamy Myth. To recover from an affair, she suggests you answer all questions, build trust through actions and be honest. She also advises, "Most people remain in a state of shock … after learning of a mate’s affair. It’s essential that they wait until their emotions are under better control before deciding the future of the relationship." DivorceSupport.com Divorce links galore. You can split up and still be friends, according to "How to divorce as friends". One wounded heart cries "My husband left me after 30 years for my sister!" And the divorced woman’s response? "Once she dies, if you are a believer in the Almighty, then she will answer for all of her actions!" That could be a long wait. |
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Living in the 70s
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| Living in the ’70s | ||
| R2 The ’70s Reviews | ||
| Cotton Ward heads back to those halycon days when people wore platform soles and hot pants – without irony.
Super Seventies RockSite! Find out where those ’70s stars are now, with features about “’70s stars in the news today” and a birthday section. Answer 100 music trivia questions (with multiple-choice answers), read the almanac with a summary of the biggest events each year and review the “classic 150 songs”, “top 100 singles” and “greatest album covers”. Bad fads museum Platform diva Hippies in polyester The traditional hairdressing page Dozens of hairstyles are documented for those who want to fiddle with curlers, perms, rollers and pincurls. Recapture the look of hair heroines such as Jaclyn Smith and Farrah Fawcett. A fan of the Farrah flip painfully recalls: “I used a large bag of brush rollers every night. At first sleeping with so many rollers was hard, but winding them firmly and closely together helped a lot.” The Farrah Fawcett ring Number 96 Meat Loaf UK Fan Club KISS Online Digital watches The Six Million Dollar Man Olivia Newton-John ABBA Report M*A*S*H www.mash4077.co.uk Liam’s Digital Disco Club Pet Rocks Lava lamp inventor dies in London Cool wheels Chrysler in Australia Panelvan Heaven If the van’s rockin’, don’t bother knockin’. This site involves a different type of passion – lustful enthusiasts. Read the editor’s account, including photos, of his restoration of a Sandman, that included “rear interior removed, bullbar/bumper swap and undercarriage rust proofed with bitumastic paint. New windscreen inserted, new front loop pile carpet, thermo fan, chrome air filter and GTS mirrors sprayed in Supermint Green”. There are 27 small pictures of panelvans on one page from the “Van Nationals” held in Port Augusta earlier this year, which involve car races and shows. Scroll through a list of the “best panelvan” winners since 1976 with names like: Street Legal, Bad Ass and The Beast. Fairlane Club of America Dedicated to the preservation, restoration and enjoyment of 1962-76 Fairlane/Torino cars. The club has technical advisers, regular events and a magazine and sells decals and numberplate frames. It has a huge FAQ telling you how to value your car, and how to get a photo of it on the club’s site. Past imperfect The ’70s was an era when the Vietnam War finally ended, Gough Whitlam was dismissed, inflation skyrocketed, unemployment was high and oil prices soared. But there wasn’t a VCR in every home. See, the good old days weren’t that great after all. |
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| FOUR ILLUS: Thank you for the music: megastars of the era ABBA (above) and KISS (below, left). Family affair: the Partridges (above) embodied all that was wholesome, while Olivia Newton-John (right) tried to back away from her saccharine image when starring in Grease opposite John Travolta. |
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Cotton Ward 