The Pakistani Spectator

Jim Armstrong resides in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia where he was born in 1987. He attended primary school at St Flannan’s Catholic Parish School, Zillmere, where he first gained a passion for reading about the world around him. 

He then attended high school at St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe, where he gained a serious interest in economics & politics. He also became quite proficient in public speaking and script writing as St Patrick’s College Chess Captain 2004. 

Jim Armstrong is currently a university student attending Queensland University of Technology (QUT), studying a double degree in Business & Laws majoring in banking and finance. 

He writes a blog http://aeo8.wordpress.com/ that reflects his interests in Australian politics, economics and other topical issues affecting Australia and its place in the world.

Would you please tell us something about you and your site?

As a business and law student I have interests in both fields and I’ve decided that this blog is the best way to have such views heard in the wider community. I find that not only using the blog to express my opinions, it’s a method of improving my analytical and writing skills. I endeavour that the blog will help other people understand what’s real in topical issues and cut the ‘fat’ out of them so people don’t develop misunderstandings of issues that are serious in nature.

Do you feel that you continue to grow in your writing the longer you write? Why is that important to you?

I certainty feel that as I continue to write I grow in skills and experience. It’s important because writing, and because of the nature of my blog, understanding the world around us, is a life skill. I endeavour to be able to develop my skills to such a high level, that to read it, would be like reading words written in the time of ancient Greece and Rome.

I’m wondering what some of your memorable experiences are with blogging?

My most memorable experience was writing about my home city of Brisbane and its inherent transportation and infrastructure problems. At the moment there are so many issues affecting the Australian political and economic spheres and because of my hefty workload as a full-time university student, I can only pick select issues to write about weekly. However, during that week I thought it would be good to write about a topic that was literally in my backyard, that not only affects the residents but the businesses that operate in Brisbane.

What do you do in order to keep up your communication with other bloggers?

My communication with other bloggers is quite low but that doesn’t exclude me from reading some fine pieces of literature and opinions. I mostly read blogs on websites that I would be online for anyway for university like www.abc.net.au, www.brisbanetimes.com.au & www.atimes.com. My presence is mostly located on the ‘abc’ website where there is a robust opinions movement that I find very challenging and insightful.

What do you think is the most exciting or most innovative use of technology in politics right now?

I believe the use of websites for individual politicians and political parties is the most innovative use of technology. The idea of a website is not new but it’s been newly adopted in more mainstream operation in a sphere of media that will scrutinise your weak points and praise you on your strong points, like the turning of the tide.

Politics have had to move into such a sphere of communication because of generational change and importance of the technology in our everyday lives. Politics is generally slow to catch up with technology and something that seems old to us is quite innovative for those in politics, like facebook, myspace, etc.

Do you think that these new technologies are effective in making people more responsive?

I think it does engage a significant section of people that grew up with this technology but isolates older generations. However, I believe it’s a medium that is suited to younger and emerging generations to the same extent that the opinions page in a newspaper was for older generations. Both allow individuals to be responsive and heard in the wider community but the internet is much more ‘fluid’ because your audience is anyone that has internet access. The internet engages more and more people as our professional occupations increasingly use technology and it’s because of that increase in engagement that has spurred responsiveness.

What do you think sets your site apart from others?

My site outlines topical issues in a manner that cuts the ‘fat’ and presents an argument or opinion that can be widely understood. Especially, within economic topics I was taught to make economic arguments simple to understand and what disturbs me the most is politicians using complex arguments and number shouting that is confusing to follow, let alone understand.

My site endeavours to provide to its readers the ‘real word’ on topical issues and help people understand Australia and its place in the world.

If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?

One characteristic that stands out is my assertiveness. My assertiveness has brought me every success because it instils a sense of confidence within me to achieve my goals in life generally and everyday. To take risks and compete in the world, especially in business and law, is to not only have a quick tongue & mind but to have a strong bite.

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?

My gloomiest moment is my life so far has been without a doubt the passing of my father, Thomas James Armstrong. My happiest moment of my life is every morning when I wake up, and knowing that I’ve lived to see another day where anything and everything could happen in this great world.

Do you think [the use of Twitter and other social networking tools by politicians] is bandwagon jumping or what?

It depends how they use these tools are used because if they only use them for elections and abandon them during their political term or if they are defeated, then is definitely bandwagon jumping. The use of such sites should not be an on and off again operation but an ongoing presence to engage the online social community, because there is nothing worse than logging onto one of their social networking site profiles and noticing they haven’t logged on for 6 months.

If you could pick a travel destination, anywhere in the world, with no worries about how it’s paid for - what would your top 3 choices be?

Firstly, I’d travel to Ireland because that was my father’s homeland. Secondly, I’d travel to Philippines because that’s my mother’s homeland and where my genetics originates. The third destination I’d travel to would be Vancouver because behind my serious face and attitude lays an avid fan of Stargate and Vancouver is the home of Stargate.

What is your favourite book and why?

My favourite book would be the “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu because it provides valuable insights and applications for life and business. I find it most useful because I believe passionately about preparation and organisation as a stable base to build someone’s life.

What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?

The first thing I notice about a person is their eyes because you can tell a lot about their character from what you can see.

Is there anyone from your past that once told you, you couldn’t write?

I would have to say all of my English teachers in primary and high school because I traditionally write like I speak and when you speak grammar doesn’t have that high importance as it does with writing. However, I’ve come along way from then and now I’m a proficient writer but still not the best.

How bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?

Bloggers who want to benefit financially from a blog should be using the blog as a portal into their characterisation and have it reinforce their career path. Potential employers and connections with the wider community can be forged with a blog in whatever field you work in, such as politics, economics, law, I.T, etc. There cannot be anything more financially beneficial than having your name known widely in the community, especially in a field that you are passionate about and professionally interested in.

Is it true that who has a successful blog has an awful lot of time on their hands?

I don’t believe that is necessarily true for instance successful blogs may just have a post every 3 days or many short posts. Alternatively, the author may be very efficient in their lives and completes tasks that seem time consuming very quickly.

What are your thoughts on corporate blogs and what do you think the biggest advantages and disadvantages are?

The biggest advantage for corporate blogs is engagement with their consumers and shareholders. It’s been increasingly important within the last few years, not to mention now during the ‘credit crunch’ that consumers and shareholders know who they do business with. It’s a form of accountability for executives and corporations but the greatest disadvantage is that information released may be business sensitive and may give a competitor an advantage against your corporation. In addition, corporate blogs can be extensively time consuming for high level executives that essentially have a job to do.

What role can bloggers of the world play to make this world friendlier and less hostile?

The role of bloggers is increasing because you can read about a person who lives on the other side of the world and understand their views of topical issues. It’s important that people from around the world continue on the path of integration not just economically but culturally to provide stable world politics. Bloggers will be the force to reckon with now and the future because of the tenets of ‘freedom of information’, ‘freedom of association’, and ‘freedom of speech’. These are the drivers of cultural acceptance and are the building block for economic stability and growth between countries.

Who are your top five favourite bloggers?

I don’t have favourite bloggers unfortunately.

Is there one observation or column or post that has gotten the most powerful reaction from people?

I’d like to think that all my posts equally invoke powerful reactions. The posts I blog are points of argument I present in person and those that I speak with it does invoke powerful reaction, especially Australian migration, industrial relations and the Australian economy.  

What is your perception about Pakistan and its people?

I think Pakistan and its people to be wonderful and that I perceive them to be a country and people that wants to provide change in their country and the wider community. I have friends that originate from Pakistan and they have represented their country very well.

Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger?

I have been stunned to the extent that if it’s someone you know personally it may differ quite substantially or alternatively may be a reflection upon that person’s own personality.

What is the most striking difference between a developed country and a developing country?

The most striking difference is its economic development and legal protection that in developing countries may be weak, corrupt or non-existent. It’s hard to fathom a developing country trying to develop economically when you are in Australia because our economy has been within my lifetime quite stable and strong. I’m a strong believer that if you get the economics and legal systems right to provide stability, then you can work on changing people’s lives for the better, with stronger education, health, etc.

What is the future of blogging?

The future of blogging is endless and just like economics you cannot definitively predict where it’s heading but I can say with some certainty that it will become increasingly important in the future. It will be a driving force for countries to integrate with other countries in more than on a economical level.

You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?

It’s increased my ability to get involved in issues by stimulating thought and conducting research. It’s all been positive for both spheres of life.

What are your future plans?

 My future plans include graduating with a double degree in business and law, completing my legal practice course, be admitted as a lawyer and working in Australia and Asia in law, property and banking & finance. 

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