Assange’s last court appearance taught us one thing
Julian Assange fronting court only succeeded in revealing the Kafka-esque nature of the case against him.
The first step of dementia is often misinformation
While dementia is real, the proliferation of misinformation online often magnifies symptoms that may not exist.
Here’s how we could have spent the $27m wasted on Christmas Island
It cost the taxpayer $27 million dollars to reopen Christmas Island to house one family. Here’s what we could have got with the same amount.
Our greenhouse emissions are falling, but there’s a catch
Thanks to our ‘world-leading’ deployment of renewable energy, our greenhouse emissions are set to decrease from next year on.
Villawood: ‘I felt ashamed and angry…every Australian needs to see this’
Every Thursday for the past four years, Anna Buch has visited Sydney’s Villawood detention centre to give support to asylum-seekers and witness the extent of our immigration program.
Protest that just reads the headline is dangerous as it is stupid
The modern discourse is in trouble. Instead of protest bringing change, I’ve found that it’s quickly just become a way to hear oneself talk, and facts be damned.
11 ways to fix the much-maligned Religious Discrimination Bill
The much-maligned Religious Discrimination Bill can be fixed with some logical additions and subtractions.
This is your brain on celebrity gossip
Celebrity gossip is a strange phenomenon. No matter how large our brains might be, we all fall into the trap. So why is it so effective? A recent study endeavoured to find out.
I’m addicted to validation…and so are you
There’s an opiate we’re all hopelessly addicted to. Validation powers our trials, endeavours and every day lives. If I have this problem, you do too.
My therapist marginalised my climate anxiety, so I quit therapy
My therapist’s approach to anxiety is to help me accept things the way they are, instead of letting them stress me out. That doesn’t transfer to today.
Peter Greste: “Silencing journalists is a threat to our democracy”
With most broadsheets blacking out their front pages in protest, we spoke to Peter Greste, a man trying to walk back the criminalisation of legitimate journalism.
Reflections on witnessing the final performances of Sinatra, Pavarotti and Kristofferson
I recently had the privilege of being wowed by an 83-year-old Kris Kristofferson. However, being present for the latter performances of other legends, I wasn’t nearly as lucky.
Forbes’ thick layer of men (with apologies to Laura Liswood)
Last week, Forbes published a list of the most innovative leaders in America today. Surprisingly, they found room for only one woman. But hey, what are we complaining about, right?
A quick word: Language is dead, and we killed it
As far as I’m concerned, the concept of grammar and language will soon go the way of the dinosaurs. However, that may not be a bad thing.
Religious profit: Expanding the cashless welfare card ties in with Morrison’s beliefs
The philosophy of the cashless welfare card is the perfect marriage of neoliberal ideology and evangelical Christianity, both of which pathologise, criminalise and individualise poverty as a lifestyle choice.
11 ways to fix the much-maligned Religious Discrimination Bill
The much-maligned Religious Discrimination Bill can be fixed with some logical additions and subtractions.
Horse racing must change, or the court of public opinion will bury it
With the darker side of horse racing illuminated, I fear only transformative change will save the industry from the public.
It’s not illegal to refuse a strip-search: Your rights explained
With a 47% rise in strip-searches, and indeed, after seven minors were subject to the practice at Splendour in the Grass, here’s what you need to know if you’re selected.
“Not that I know of…we’ll have a look” – the AFP fails to rule out further raids
Today, our front pages uniformly opposed the AFP. Soon thereafter, the AFP commissioner casually ruled out further raids with a wave of the hand.
The meat pie and Harry’s Cafe de Wheels: Two lasting Australian icons
In ever-changing times, the humble pie remains a constant in the Australian experience. And as far as pies go, Harry’s knows best.
This is your brain on celebrity gossip
Celebrity gossip is a strange phenomenon. No matter how large our brains might be, we all fall into the trap. So why is it so effective? A recent study endeavoured to find out.
Observations from a hospital bed I’ll never leave
By the time you read this, I might be dead. But while I don’t fear death, I do fear that the image of me in a hospital bed with colour the memories of my loved ones.
Shakespeare invented so many words, you can murder him with them
To many, William Shakespeare is an antiquated hack. I certainly thought so, until I discovered how many common words he authored.
It’s not just Pharrell, pop-culture has always undermined consent
Last week, Pharrell conceded that he was “embarrassed” by his song ‘Blurred Lines’. In reality, pop-culture has been pushing our ‘no’ into a ‘yes’ for most of this century.
TripAdvisor pulls support for venues featuring captive animals
TripAdvisor will no longer sell tickets to attractions such as Sea World on the Gold Coast, on the grounds of animal welfare.
The first step of dementia is often misinformation
While dementia is real, the proliferation of misinformation online often magnifies symptoms that may not exist.
I’m addicted to validation…and so are you
There’s an opiate we’re all hopelessly addicted to. Validation powers our trials, endeavours and every day lives. If I have this problem, you do too.
Work-life balance is a tightrope – here’s how to cross it
Work-life balance is a precarious tightrope to walk. Compared to most of my friends, however, my tip-toed path in achieving it has operated in reverse.
NSW premier flatly refuses pill testing, despite the recommendations of the state coroner
After yet another overdose, pill testing must now be seriously considered. Forget the media angles, or the political rhetoric, it works. Simple as that.
You do have a type (and it’s probably your ex)
According to a new study, we all have a type…which for numerous reasons, is just like that person you just left.
TripAdvisor pulls support for venues featuring captive animals
TripAdvisor will no longer sell tickets to attractions such as Sea World on the Gold Coast, on the grounds of animal welfare.
Darren Weir is just one horse trainer, animal cruelty is an industry problem
This week, Melbourne Cup-winning horse trainer Darren Weir was charged with animal cruelty. I fear he is the just the tip of an industry-wide iceberg.
Reflections on my first LGBTQ+ pride month
As part of The Big Smoke’s Next Gen program, Giselle Atlas (13) discusses what LGBTQ+ pride month means to her and her community.
TBS Next Gen: The objectification of girls starts early, it needs to stop
As part of The Big Smoke’s Next Gen program, Giselle Atlas (13) discusses the unfair expectations that have been placed on girls since time immemorial.
TBS Next Gen: If I could speak with Scott Morrison, this is what I’d say
As part of The Big Smoke’s Next Gen program, Cara Barnard (11) shares her concerns of the future, and what she’d say to the Prime Minister of the present.
This voice-based scam targets you by mimicking Microsoft
After a recent voice-based fraud scammed $250,000 by mimicking a CEO, our friends at Kaspersky Lab have discovered another.
If you could legally change your age – would you do it?
Started by a Dutchman who wanted to boost his chances on Tinder, legally changing one’s age is now a thing.
5 ways to tell if a medical article is lying to you
The internet is awash with articles that extol amazing advances in science and medicine. However, proving if they’re legit is quite easy.
Pedestrian on phone wanders into traffic, court rules in favour of pedestrian
The number of pedestrians wandering into traffic due to their phones is on the rise, but one landmark case in Britain has shocked many.
Study: Those who put their trees up in October are happier
Yes, those who already have their Christmas Trees up are clearly insane. However, if one psychoanalyst is to be believed, the early erectors are gifting themselves some sweet sweet serotonin.
Assange’s last court appearance taught us one thing
Julian Assange fronting court only succeeded in revealing the Kafka-esque nature of the case against him.
The first step of dementia is often misinformation
While dementia is real, the proliferation of misinformation online often magnifies symptoms that may not exist.
Here’s how we could have spent the $27m wasted on Christmas Island
It cost the taxpayer $27 million dollars to reopen Christmas Island to house one family. Here’s what we could have got with the same amount.
Our greenhouse emissions are falling, but there’s a catch
Thanks to our ‘world-leading’ deployment of renewable energy, our greenhouse emissions are set to decrease from next year on.
Peter Greste: “Silencing journalists is a threat to our democracy”
With most broadsheets blacking out their front pages in protest, we spoke to Peter Greste, a man trying to walk back the criminalisation of legitimate journalism.
Reflections on witnessing the final performances of Sinatra, Pavarotti and Kristofferson
I recently had the privilege of being wowed by an 83-year-old Kris Kristofferson. However, being present for the latter performances of other legends, I wasn’t nearly as lucky.
Trudeau blames Canada for brownface scandal, and he’s half right
Justin Trudeau’s brownface scandal has reeled many, as has the numerous apologies he’s offered. But the Canada he’s made is far better than the one he entered.
Forbes’ thick layer of men (with apologies to Laura Liswood)
Last week, Forbes published a list of the most innovative leaders in America today. Surprisingly, they found room for only one woman. But hey, what are we complaining about, right?
Peter Greste: “Silencing journalists is a threat to our democracy”
With most broadsheets blacking out their front pages in protest, we spoke to Peter Greste, a man trying to walk back the criminalisation of legitimate journalism.
Reflections on witnessing the final performances of Sinatra, Pavarotti and Kristofferson
I recently had the privilege of being wowed by an 83-year-old Kris Kristofferson. However, being present for the latter performances of other legends, I wasn’t nearly as lucky.
Trudeau blames Canada for brownface scandal, and he’s half right
Justin Trudeau’s brownface scandal has reeled many, as has the numerous apologies he’s offered. But the Canada he’s made is far better than the one he entered.
Forbes’ thick layer of men (with apologies to Laura Liswood)
Last week, Forbes published a list of the most innovative leaders in America today. Surprisingly, they found room for only one woman. But hey, what are we complaining about, right?
This is your brain on celebrity gossip
Celebrity gossip is a strange phenomenon. No matter how large our brains might be, we all fall into the trap. So why is it so effective? A recent study endeavoured to find out.
Observations from a hospital bed I’ll never leave
By the time you read this, I might be dead. But while I don’t fear death, I do fear that the image of me in a hospital bed with colour the memories of my loved ones.
Media companies that hold government fundraisers call for press freedom
Today, our newspapers proudly took a stand against a government-controlled press. Which works, if you happen to ignore the last five years.
Shakespeare invented so many words, you can murder him with them
To many, William Shakespeare is an antiquated hack. I certainly thought so, until I discovered how many common words he authored.
TripAdvisor pulls support for venues featuring captive animals
TripAdvisor will no longer sell tickets to attractions such as Sea World on the Gold Coast, on the grounds of animal welfare.
Darren Weir is just one horse trainer, animal cruelty is an industry problem
This week, Melbourne Cup-winning horse trainer Darren Weir was charged with animal cruelty. I fear he is the just the tip of an industry-wide iceberg.
Money matters: Should young Australians rely on their parents for financial education?
As part of The Big Smoke’s Next Gen program, Billie Cooper (13) discusses the money management skills her peers are lacking, and how the responsibility does not solely lie with their parents.
Reflections on my first LGBTQ+ pride month
As part of The Big Smoke’s Next Gen program, Giselle Atlas (13) discusses what LGBTQ+ pride month means to her and her community.