No Gaul, Ref!

While WASSAs vocal cords are still a bit strained after the glorious qualification of the All Whites, it is the more recent qualifier between France and Ireland that has caught our eye.

For the France vs Ireland game has become overshadowed by a blatant bit of cheating that has provoked discussion that brings the 'beautiful game' and the human condition a bit closer than is normally the case.

The incident in a flash:

The perpetrator: French Captain and superstar Thierry Henry controls the ball twice with his hand ("Oui, I did it, but not on purpose") to set up a goal for team mate
The injured party: Republic of Ireland denied opportunity of qualifying for the World Cup

One commentator has reflected on this defining moment as being an opportunity to take one of two paths while an Ex French player Football reckons football has "the power to lead by example and shape values in society.".

Football and the human condition are not the strangest bed-fellows as these philosophical soundbites (apparently non less than Jean-Paul Sartre played in goal!) demonstrate. However, some of these the French and Irish would agree to disagree over!


"To give and to take, to accept success modestly and defeat bravely, to fight against odds, to stick to one's point, to give credit to your enemy and value your friend - these are some of the lessons which football should impart." Arthur Conan Doyle (Founder of Portmouth FC, and also played in goal)

In football we win if we obey the rules. In politics we win if we have the audacity to change the rules." Slavoj Zizek

"Football has nothing to do with fair play. It is bound up with hatred, jealousy, boastfulness, disegard of all rules and sadistic pleasure in witnessing violence: in other words it is war minus the shooting.”George Orwell

Black gold on tap?

Reports of huge reserves of oil are being made, which sounds great for a NZ economy in dire straights. But if the rush for black gold becomes too intensive what are the potential impacts on the environment? Apparantly there are 10 potential zones stretching the length of the country. New Zaaland moving towards a carbon light future? Not just yet....

SocCon11 Cafe Evening

Victoria and Massey Universities, together with their local social sciences subject associations and teaching communities have offered to host SocCon11, to be held at Te Papa, Wellington, 18-20 July, 2011. Social Sciences Conference 2011 is a biennial conference for teachers of Social Studies, Geography, History and Economics. We would like your input about the shape and direction of this conference (including a conference theme and ideas for keynotes) . And we'd love to offer you an opportunity to meet with other social sciences teachers for a bit of an end of year catch-up. Beyond your input at this get-together there is no pressure to become further involved!

Date and time: Monday 23 November, 5-7pm
Venue: Global Focus Aotearoa Meeting Room, Level 2, James Smiths Building, 55 Cuba Street, Wellington.
Who: Everyone in the Wellington and Manawatu social sciences community is welcome. Please feel free to extend this invitation to those who might be interested.
Format: A very brief introduction followed by cafe-style discussions on a range of topics. Wine and nibbles will be served. And for those who are interested in continuing the conversations, we will repair to a local eatery.