The Pakistani Spectator

I am an academic researcher and teacher. My teaching involves encouraging students to start up businesses. My research mainly concerns Pakistani (and other South Asian) business-owners and entrepreneurs in the UK.

 

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

As an academic specialising in entrepreneurship, my site criticises the UK Government for many of its policies on the economy, taxation, civil liberties, education, and other policy areas. I blog here.

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

Yes, I’ve long been interested in writing. The more that I write, the better I think I become at conveying my ideas and arguing the case for my views.

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

Sometimes if you write a blog on something that is very topical you receive very many page-views.  This is what happened when I blogged on Diane Abbott (MP for Hackney North in London) and her powerful speech against 42 days detention without trial in the UK.

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

I do try to comment on other blogs as much as I can, in order to encourage them to link to my site.

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

It is the use of email and mobile phone technology for politicians to contact potential voters. This is often based on marketing data provided by market research companies.

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

Very effective. You can target people more easily and more specifically if you know their shopping preferences, and likely opinions on social/economic/environmental issues. Also their demographic information - for example, if they are over 60 you can communicate about subjects relevant to them; if they are under 30, they will be more receptive to other issues.

What do you think sets Your site apart from others?

It is critical of the Government but aims to appeal to anyone of any political persuasion.

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

Hard work!

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?

Happiest - Returning home to live after 7 years away.
Gloomiest - When my grandfather died.

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

No. I think it is commendable - they need to use technology to communicate.

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?

1. Pakistan
2. Finland
3. New Zealand

What is your favorite book and why?

The final book in the Harry Potter Series. Because it is pure escapism.

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

Their smile (or not if they don’t smile!).

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

No.

How bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?

Yes, sponsoring advertising. But I prefer not to do this.

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

Not necessarily. Once you set it up and convince other people to promote it, and it spreads by “word of mouth”, you can spend very little time on it.  The problem is that if it is very successful and they “moderate” the comments, it takes too much time!

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

I don’t know much about them so I have no comment.

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

They will communicate with people online that they would not normally speak to if they met them in the street. The problem is some commenters can put some nasty, unfriendly and hostile comments on in response to things they don’t agree with!

Who are your top five favourite bloggers?

1. Tim Montgomerie, www.conservativehome.com

2. Ordovicius, http://this-is-sparta.blogspot.com/

3. Slugger O’Toole, http://www.sluggerotoole.com/index.php

4. Sunny Hundal, http://www.pickledpolitics.com/

5. J. Arthur MacNumpty, http://macnumpty.blogspot.com/

 

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

Yes, I recently put on a post defending a radio presenter who was fired for backing a politician on his Radio Show. I got very many responses to this post in support of my belief that the presenter should be re-instated.

What is your perception about Pakistan and its people?

I think it is a wonderful country with a friendly, hard-working people. I have never been there, but I have worked closely with a Pakistani academic in the UK and have spoken to him about his country.  I have sampled the food and it is delicious. 

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

Not really.

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

The main difference is in a developing country there is often genuine hunger and higher levels of infant mortality; people can genuinely not afford medicine and other needs; and the shortage of water in some places. There is no real poverty in the Developed World.

What is the future of blogging?

A bright future!

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

It hasn’t. I balance them all.

What are your future plans?

Keep working hard and continue blogging.

Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?

I wish you all well!

 

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