tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-170814845771372625.post2148460738149119869..comments2024-02-08T10:33:22.915+13:00Comments on Available Light: The Auld MugKelvin Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16682322819567886400noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-170814845771372625.post-65059917809128870752013-10-03T07:49:43.339+13:002013-10-03T07:49:43.339+13:00My sole attempt at handling a sailboat ended up ca...My sole attempt at handling a sailboat ended up capsized in Otago Harbour. Landlubber that I am, I stand corrected on the subject of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sailing_faster_than_the_wind<br />I thought I had given my name.<br /><br />Brian<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-170814845771372625.post-51724651894127877612013-10-02T12:02:26.507+13:002013-10-02T12:02:26.507+13:00Yes Alden, you more than anybody else in my acquai...Yes Alden, you more than anybody else in my acquaintance would know. <br /><br />Anonymous, I've broken my rule about publishing with no name because in a sense your comment about wanting recognition presages what I want to say in my next post on the subject which is about mimesis. <br /><br />and just by the by, yachts can go faster than the wind as any AC observer will tell you. The AC72s routinely do about twice the windspeed - over 40 knots boatspeed in about 20 knots of breeze. Albatrosses can glide at 3 or 4 times the windspeed, so although there must be a theoretical physical limit, we're a long way from it yet. Kelvin Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16682322819567886400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-170814845771372625.post-43147831128114822012013-10-02T11:44:49.791+13:002013-10-02T11:44:49.791+13:00Any explanation regarding Sailing generally or the...Any explanation regarding Sailing generally or the Americas Cup specifically is multilayered. It is many things on many levels. One of the classic responses given by mountaineers as to why they climb mountains is "Because they are there" which is shorthand for a large book of reasons covering every aspect of the human psyche.<br /><br />The reason as to why it captures our attention is because on another level this competition concerns archetypes and in Dean and Dalton et al we see the "Journey of the Hero" and as viewers of their drama we empathise and feed vicariously of their journey - I think it is our own personal potential for the 'Hero' writ large. On a certain level, their living out of this archetype provides inspiration for the heroism that is required of us all within our own at times mundane lives. <br />As to whether such a large amount of money should be spent on this rich mans folly when the same drama could be played out with a small percentage of what has been spent is like trying to answer the question as to why we debate this ACup question within our own culture at all, whilst we ourselves are awash with such huge material largess at the same time as two thirds of the world go to bed hungry every night.Aldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11030108176895480287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-170814845771372625.post-55462940325326238152013-10-02T11:41:34.813+13:002013-10-02T11:41:34.813+13:00The trouble is, these things are not what I've...The trouble is, these things are not what I've always thought of as yachts. They look more like flying trampolines. Computerised technology will continue to shave off seconds or micro-seconds, but as with humans running on land, you will soon reach a point where it is physically impossible to go faster. A yacht can't go faster than the wind.<br />Small nations always crave recognition, and it is (whether recognised or not) part of NZ's national psyche to crave recognition and approval from other nations. Visitors often observe this trait. Whereas most Americans have probably never heard of the America's Cup. Or the World Cup, for that matter.<br />Modern sport does call for enormous dedication and native ability on the part of participants - but also huge resources of money and infrastructure, which can only be found by franchising the whole exercise as a form of TV entertainment.<br />This makes the achievement of North and East Africans in middle and long distance running all the more remarkable.<br /><br />BrianAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-170814845771372625.post-80687868576902666592013-10-01T18:42:55.339+13:002013-10-01T18:42:55.339+13:00"Like" to the spectacle part you describ..."Like" to the spectacle part you described so well---yes, those wind and splashing sounds over TV cry out "adventure." Then, too, a high percentage of your 4 million compatriots are tied closer to the ocean in some way by definition of living on islands. But, as for Rene Girard, now you've got me curious. Elaine Denthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05277699063620071309noreply@blogger.com