Answering the Q&A question at ABC Unleashed
March 10th, 2010 No comments »Panel beater
It sounds like such a great idea for a TV show: five opinionated and articulate guests drawn from a wide range of orthodoxies and professional fields, facing-off against an engaged studio and television audience that asks tough questions which challenge each individual and spark heated debate amongst the group. Such a program idea promises insight, provoked thoughts, and a little bit of verbal biffo, which is the dream television combination for political tragics on a Monday evening. But if it’s such a great idea why does its execution in the form of ABC TV’s Q&A suck?
Podmendations
March 6th, 2010 4 comments »I got out of the habit of listening to podcasts late last year as I slowly disconnected myself from everything in advance of my big trip. But now I’m back in the country, and since I’m staring in the face a shitload of travel over the next few months I really want to start listening to some good podcasts again. My brother-in-law has recommended This Week In Google, and the most recent episode is right now sitting on my iPhone awaiting playback, but I want lots more recommendations as well.
So, hit me. No restrictions on subject or genre, just your favourite podcasts for whatever reason.
Violence and vindaloo at ABC Unleashed
March 2nd, 2010 No comments »Lost in translation
Last Wednesday night a large group of online-organised Australians went down to their local curry restaurant and Vindaloo’d Against Violence, hoping to publicly condemn recent violent attacks against Indians in Australia that some say were racially-motivated.Several observers of the event thought that it was a pointless stunt – and it certainly is pointless as far as preventing attacks or tackling racism goes – but I reckon there was an important point: the message it transmitted to Indians via the world’s media.
It’s all coming together
March 1st, 2010 2 comments »Three weeks ago I was in India expecting to spend the rest of the year backpacking through the Middle East and northern Africa, and then all of a sudden due to unforeseen and very sad circumstances I was back in Australia without a house, a job, or a single clue about what I was going to do with myself. It was a pretty wild few weeks and it felt like my life was turned completely upside-down; I guess that’s just the way that shit works sometimes.
The first couple of weeks back in Australia seemed bizarre and directionless but a plan is starting to form, and I’m beginning to feel like I’m reclaiming a bit of control. Next week I’m starting a job that’s very new for me and even more exciting: tutoring a bunch of first-year students at university. The subject I’m teaching is really cool and I’m lead to believe that the lattes sold on campus are of an acceptable quality. Boxes ticked. As a casual job it’s only one piece of my total employment jigsaw puzzle but I’m working on some ideas for getting the other pieces pushed into place soon.
The only catch is that I’m going to be doing a lot of commuting on a weekly basis — we’re talking many hours in each direction. On buses and trains. It’s a bit of a burden but it’s something I’ve taken on willingly, and if I close my eyes, push myself up against the wall, and dream of the smell of sewerage, it’ll feel just like being on public transport back in India.
Political brainfarts at ABC Unleashed
February 17th, 2010 No comments »From the mouths of politicians
Every night in cities across the country, thousands of Australians weigh up their sleeping options and make a choice.Option one: a warm, dry bed wrapped in crisp, clean sheets, door safely locked to keep danger at bay. Option two: a cold, hard slab of concrete with a filthy blanket or sheet of cardboard to stop the soaking rain, nothing to protect against the many dangers of the street.
Why would anyone possibly choose option two, some who have chosen option one wonder, and if they have chosen option two then they’re clearly not in need of our compassion or assistance. QED.
