Wednesday & Thursday, March 16 & 17 2011 (diary)

These last few days the rains have almost completely stopped, the sun is getting through and the day temperatures are rising up into the 30s (°C).
Yesterday (Wednesday) David and Bev from King Island (a small island, well known for its cheeses, in Bass Strait between Tasmania and Australia's mainland) arrived with the news that they encountered a lot of water flooding over the roads, up to 18 inches (45cm).
Also the Barkley Highway between Camooweal and Tennant Creek was closed for traffic due to flooding. So I have been very lucky to get through there 10 days ago.

As it was fine and dry today Rick took our Mango farm dog Roxy for a good walk and run. Returning home she was absolutely exhausted and found as usual a welcome resting place on the cool tile floor of my veranda.

I was surprised (when I arrived here 10 days ago) to see at least two dozen mango geese still residing on the property. After the heavy wet season they have been thoroughly washed clean, now with shiny, spotlessly white and black feather coats.

Friday - Sunday, March 18 - 20 2011 (diary, international affairs)

Interestingly both happiness and unhappiness can be catalysts of positive change.
Happiness can be (amongst other things) a reward and incentive for the pursuit of beauty or of truth.
Unhappiness, especially when experienced on a regional, national or even international scale, can be the driver for social or cultural change. We see this latter dynamic playing out on a dramatic scale at present in nations of the Middle East and Northern Africa. Ultimately freedom and the possibility for a better life may be the reward for these efforts.

And what about China?
The Government is keeping the situation tightly under control. However I read in The Economist (March 12-18, "The Truncheon Budget", p.28) that the "Chinese media have published a surprising survey indicating that only 6% of citizens felt happy".

The housing situation, as reported today (Sunday) on the Australian SBS TV Dateline program : China's Ghost Cities, is undoubtedly a major cause for this widespread unhappiness.

To keep production and GDP up, China is building on average 10 completely new cities per year. However most of these end up as "Ghost cities" because few can afford the high price ($70,000 - $100,000 - $300,000) for a new apartment. Upon purchase 50% of the price must be paid at once and the rest repaid within 3 years.
The average worker with an annual income of only $6,000 has therefore absolutely no chance to own an apartment. As a result it is estimated that 64 million apartments are at present standing unoccupied, and with no customers, shops in grandiose modern shopping malls are standing empty too.

Unrest, as a result of the increasing polarity between the rich and the poor is rising, and a massive housing bubble is looming over China. The Government is increasing its subsidised housing by a generous 33% in this year's budget, but will it be enough?