Benj’s blog!

I’ve bought an Apple iPod, it’s the 40gb model and I’m now in the process of converting my CD collection to 224kbps AAC format via iTunes. Everything about the iPod is beautiful, even the packaging, Apple really know how to do product design and presentation. I decided on an iPod so that I can enjoy more of my CDs without having to carry them around (not really practical for over 500 CDs). iPod means that I can walk, bus, cycle, whatever and have 10000 songs in my pocket!

I haven’t tried hooking it up to my amplifier and I probably won’t bother. AAC is not CD quality. It’s good at some kinds of music — very difficult to tell the difference between CD or AAC — but with some tracks it’s quite obvious it’s a compressed format (i.e. Santana’s guitar on Shaman album). It makes much more sense to enjoy CDs on my little Linn setup (Classik + Tukans). Perhaps if someone released a Wifi hookup so I could control the iPod via the laptop, I’d use it when I’m too lazy to change CD and listen via big speakers …

A photo here

Johan Norberg responded to my points a couple of weeks ago via email; here’s what he had to say:

“Here are my brief responses to your questions: I don’t agree that we have to rape the earth to create growth. Growth means moving resources from uses we value less to one we value more, that does not imply destruction of resources. When we use sand to create computer power that is a good new use, and new technology are going to make it easier to recycle these resources (and clean up pollution). The environmental problems are worst in poor countries, not in growing ones. I am developing this issue in my book In Defence of Global Capitalism: http://www.johannorberg.net/neo.asp?page=indefense

This is also why wealth does not presuppose that someone is ripped off. When we create value we don’t have to destroy it for someone else, in every exchange, both parties must think that they benefit, otherwise there would be no deal. Voluntary exchange is not a zero-sum game.

It’s true that the Western European countries have destroyed a lot with colonialism and genocide. I am not saying that everything that happens across borders is a great thing, I am saying that liberal globalisation, the globalisation of voluntary relations, trade and communications is a great thing. And the opposite of forced colonialism (the classical liberals, Smith, Cobden etc, were fierce opponents of empire and colonialism).

It’s not an ideal system, I have never said that. Only the best one so far, and we can move to improve it in many ways, for example by implementing the liberal reforms, free trade etc that I am discussing in my book and film. And they, by the way, are very similar to what Adam Smith proposed in The Wealth of Nations.”

I’ll add my thoughts later …

Burt Bacharach is an amazing composer and manages to impress me even when re-arranging his own songs! I noticed on the Burt Bacharach Forum that he was to team up with Ron Isley to record some new arrangements of his songs. The website for the CD appeared back in September and I feel it deserves a mention here! Ron (of the Isley Brothers) has an incredible voice and gives the lyrics the careful attention they deserve. What’s more, the whole CD was recorded in 2 live sessions — orchestra and all — I can’t wait!

Check it out, no excuses :). Two videos and full audio for four tracks (in WMA or Real format ) can be found on the media page. “Isley meets Bacharach — Here I am” is released in the US on 11th November, not sure of the UK date but Amazon UK will import it.