Jellygoop

I really love Fed Square. I can appreciate the scepticism about it’s design when you look at a photo on the web. To be honest, you need to stand in the middle of it in person to fully appreciate the space. And it’s part of the Arts Precinct in Melbourne so don’t be that surprised that the design is way out there. 
As for Apple’s design, the new cube will definitely compliment the surroundings better than the original. As a purely commercial entity they are incredibly lucky to get the space at all - it is supposed to primarily be a public & entertainment space. 
Hopefully the new store design is enough to mute the politics a bit and get the thing built. 

radarthekat said:

Hmm, so if I accidentally kill someone while driving compared to someone who isn’t a multimillionaire, according to your views I should be held to higher account, even if the exact same circumstances prevailed?  

Or or if Someone illegally parks a Ferrari, and the next day, in the exact same spot, someone else illegally parks a Dodge Challenger, the Ferrari owner should be fined more for the infraction?  

radarthekat said:

Soli said:

A $40k fine for improper handling of hazardous waste? How is that in any way a disincentive to a company as large and profitable as Apple? I wish fines were based on the gravity of the potential maximum risk to the environment over the longterm multiplied by a factor of the company's wealth so that a company as large as Apple wouldn't even consider trying to get away with harming the environment.

Did you just say that some people should be treated differently under the law versus others?  Equal treatment in the eyes of the law is a founding principal of American justice.  

I think the point being made is that a fixed amount fine that has little financial impact to a large company is not equal treatment when compared to one where that same amount has a substantial impact.

vmarks said:

The difficulty in fines is always what the unintended consequences are as opposed to the desired results.

Duke Energy spilled coal ash into the Dan River in NC. They were fined and made to clean it up, but the cost of cleanup was steep, and Duke Energy decided they were able to do "cost recovery" by increasing everyone's bill, to the tune of 183 Million. 

That is, if you want something to be punitive, what do you do in order to prevent it from just being a fee passed on to the consumer? With Duke Energy, the utilities commission has to approve rate increases... which were approved. 

thrang said:

Should Macy's means test your income level before telling you the price of a sweater?
And why would a small violation in one state have a fine based on the entire net worth of a one of the largest corporations in the world.
Equality is a good idea. Try it, you'll like it.