A while back and elsewhere, there was a conversation about this magazine cover. Part of the backlash – among breastfeeding mothers of all people! – was around “explanations”. “I don’t want to come across that magazine cover in the supermarket… Read More ›
Culture
The milieu through which we swim
Well-crafted scorn is a joy forever
What a shame that our current options for Dear Leader of Orstraya are Beige and Beiger. We are most unlikely to be hearing anything about drover’s dogs, or mouths filled with Achilles heels, or even a statement as relatively mild… Read More ›
Napoli-esque fanfic stupid
Quoted on fanficrants: “just wow.” Um, oh my god. Review (for a story I didn’t write): one thing: if [she] used tampons, the rape wouldn’t have hurt that much. i guess it would’ve hurt a little but not as much… Read More ›
Ads masquerading as “information”: more infant formula company hijinks
Edited to add (20 Oct 07): The Australian “Natural Parenting” website is now plastered with Wyeth formula advertisements, including on its front page. Way to go, NP. I’m glad to see they’re haemorrhaging members over it, but sorry to see… Read More ›
It’s so easy to fact-check
…so why don’t more journalists do it? And why on earth do so many make sweeping assertions outside their area of expert knowledge? In a fairly scathing review of Elizabeth, The Golden Age, a reviewer at Time Magazine says: But… Read More ›
Friday Hoyden: Diana Rigg as Emma Peel
On some other forums I use a different avatar. Someone commented on how much they loved this “ridiculous picture of the divine Ms Rigg”, so I posted the full picture from which I cropped the avatar, and from which I… Read More ›
Idol Speculation
I don’t watch Australian Idol, because I hate the over-ornamented vocal style that is the current vogue. However, I’m well aware that a lot of people really enjoy watching the performances, and that a lot of kids dream about winning… Read More ›
Schools, competition, drive for perfection and anorexia
School culture may promote anorexia The study shows that schools play a critical role in the development of girls’ self image, confidence and self-esteem, with many of the girls citing particular high school experiences as defining moments in their anorexia…. Read More ›
Designer genomes: a chassis for building almost anything?
Grauniad: I am creating artificial life, declares US gene pioneer Craig Venter, the controversial DNA researcher involved in the race to decipher the human genetic code, has built a synthetic chromosome out of laboratory chemicals and is poised to announce… Read More ›
Anti-choice propaganda: following the source and the money
Some of you may have stumbled across a news article citing a fancy-sounding “study” by Peter Carroll of London’s Pension and Population Research Institute: “The Breast Cancer Epidemic: Modeling and Forecasts Based on Abortion and Other Risk Factors”. From the… Read More ›
Hoyden About Town 