"There is even a word in Japanese, kaisen, for these tiny steps towards growing new habits..." (Poulson, 2008)
Dump and deny journalism
Like pump and dump stocks, dump and deny journalism.... Hat-tip to former On Dit editor David Penberthy... Over at News Ltd, David Penberthy of The Punch has another crack at Canberra-based political journalists. He reminds readers that in the past off-the-record was used for only one of two reasons: to protect whistle-blowers, a la the... Continue Reading →
First draft of history? Gaia help us all
It is way too easy, as a historian of the present, (cough cough) to get seduced by newspapers. They're detailed, not infected with the memoirist's ability to fit the events into a convenient/coherent narrative - and in theory the journalist doesn't have a dog in the fight. ... Except, no. If there ever was a... Continue Reading →
Of professors, binge-writing, tortoises, hares, foxes and hedgehogs
So, there's an Aesopian fable to be re-written, perhaps? Not so much with tortoises and hares, but (Berlin's) foxes and hedgehogs. But actually, surely it's possible to both a fox and a tortoise? A fortoise? Is it possible to argue this a fortiori? Among university professors, for example, getting tenure is a major hurdle... Continue Reading →
Sexism and social movements….
‘Sexism isn’t the problem: anyone can talk when they want to,” declared one man. “It’s just that some of us have had more experience and can talk more easily in groups.” “We all support women’s liberation,” chimed in another man. Around the room, reactions spanned a wide range: resentment, distraction, passive interest, eagerness and anxiousness.... Continue Reading →
Good burnout advice from Edward Abbey
“One final paragraph of advice: do not burn yourselves out. Be as I am - a reluctant enthusiast....a part-time crusader, a half-hearted fanatic. Save the other half of yourselves and your lives for pleasure and adventure. It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it. While you... Continue Reading →
Does your device suffice?
And do your devices cause crisis? Not for the gorillas or the coltan miners. I mean, screw them, right? They should get with the (shareware) programme. I don’t care about that crime screen- sorry, scene. Neither do you. We can screen it out, rope it off, easy as we like. With a vintage audio cassette... Continue Reading →
The longest time
You gotta go along to get along You gotta get along to go along You gotta You gotta You gotta get Get ‘Git, boy’. Get more You gotta go along You gotta ride along You gotta ride and ride You gotta never be wry, right? You gotta you got You better you bet You gotta... Continue Reading →
Thlogging as the way forward? Hmm
I am going to need SOME trick to write this bloody thesis. Pretending it is a series of blog posts? Thesis -blogging, aka "thlogging"? Maybe? Or just 'Shut Up and Write' and 'Write or Die' and writing buddies. I definitely have enough material. Some of it really rich. Just need to (re)assemble it and think... Continue Reading →
What do we want? Grumpy old men at the National Library of Australia (book launch!)
Last night at the National Library of Australia two grumpy old men talked about social movements and protest. That doesn’t sound too enthralling, does it? But the event – hosted by the NLA, and the launch of the book “What Do We Want: the story of protest in Australia" was a thoughtful, passionate and... Continue Reading →
