Polarised NSW

Yesterday the people of NSW went to the polls and voted.

In what is a rather interesting result, the state appears dramatically polarised.

Assuming that the Liberals just fail to win Port Stevens, the Liberals and Nationals have moved many of their current seats beyond reach, with only five seats held with margins from 5-10%, and one seat less than 5%.

This is a substantial change from the 2003 and 1999 results, where many seats have been held on low margins.

The ALP has seen many of their margins cut. Seven seats are held on less than 5%, and eight are held on between 5-10%.

At this stage it also seems likely that seventeen seats will be decided between the major parties and independants. This is a significant shift from prior results.

Dancing around cultural issues

Over the past few years, I have been wondering about the cultural connections related to certain ways people do Music and Dancing.

A week away with work collegues has probably enhanced my understanding of things a little, though I'm not sure how much is genuinely cultural.

At the moment I feel that there are a few broad groups of people when it comes to dancing to jukebox music etc. At different times during the night people might fit into different categories, but here goes.

Type 1: The Singer/Dancer
This dancer will love songs which they know the words to, get in a circle, and hope to be around other people who love the song, so they can all yell the words at each other while jumping up and down.

Type 2: The Up-close and personal dancer
This dancer will get more enjoyment out of just dancing close with people, whether out of fun or a serious intent. They may seem weird to others, but often it is without any harm intended.

Type 3: The Clique of Girls dancers
These dancers seem to live within their own little world, but just dance as an outlet of socialising with some of their friends to some nice music.

Type 4: The I don't dance, dancers
These people are rarely on the dance floor, even if many others are around. Since I am not one of these people, I will try not to describe them more than it appears.

Anyways, what is my point...

None of these styles as broadly described is necessarily bad or good. Many people are wired differently, so to expect everyone to act in a certain way is not helpful.

Dancing is very much cultural. Especially where there is an interaction of different cultures, suspicion of others based on what they do on a dance floor, can create barriers. As a Christian however, I try and have my culture critiqued by my God and his word. This doesn't require me to eliminate my culture, but to be aware how it may be percieved by others, something I may do poorly from time to time.