Unleashed VC is a blog's best friend

Isn't that what a free society is about?

I am still exploring the opportunities inherent in blogging, and some of what I do is experimental. For example, I am endeavouring to formulate a policy on open access to scientific research and have put out a draft in a recent posting.

Among other things, the blog has given me the opportunity to express my views on such issues as "the idea of a university today", reprising Cardinal Newman's famous essay in a new context; the development of a new code of ethics at the university; if governments can make us happy; how to develop a fairer higher-education system; and expanding equality of opportunity in universities.

I have also discussed philanthropy, research, innovation, the role of the humanities, what the future may hold, health, depression, literacy, education, marketing and, by way of making an argument about the importance of scholarship, Tiger Woods.

It has been rewarding, and a lot of fun.

There is a downside to blogging: a large amount of spam that needs clearing out each morning, and some comments are rude, hostile, or unintelligible (unfortunately some of these have Macquarie IP addresses).

An independent moderator (really) makes the decision about uploading replies based on whether or not they are expressed in a civilised manner, not on whether they agree or disagree with me.

But to my mind, the benefits outweigh the negatives, and I will continue to blog. I would not want to miss the cut and thrust of debate, or the little gems of advice that sometimes pop up such as, "A bit more rhetoric in our curriculum couldn't hurt!" and "If Macquarie graduates each gave $50 p.a. to the university, our income would rise quickly."

They may well be right.