That is the reaction of Australian retailers to a think-tank report which argues that the way they advertise and stock inappropriately sexualised clothing for young children amounts to corporate paedophilia. The report focussed on the growing “tween” market segment for… Read More ›
Life
No, I don’t know why either
See, I was googling for pictures of a kids’ sack race, because I wanted to play Photoshop some and make a banner image for somebody. Well, this wasn’t quite what I was looking for, but I just had to share,… Read More ›
Pro-sex, anti-misogyny:where’s the non-vile porn?
Everybody who wrote about porn over the last few decades has noted that the most popular porn is becoming more and more violently misogynistic and cruel, overwhelmingly portraying coercive, abusive sex. This is a trend which seems to not only… Read More ›
Friday garden blogging
Lorikeets in the pohutakawa last week
Even death won’t save you from James Blunt
From a list of the UK’s most popular funeral songs: 1 – “Goodbye My Lover” – James Blunt 2 – “Angels” – Robbie Williams 3 – “I’ve Had The Time Of My Life” – Jennifer Warnes and Bill Medley. 4… Read More ›
Eek! the geek meme
This one’s really got legs – all my US e-mates who don’t even usually do memes are doing this one. Behold, I am a Modern, Cool Nerd 82% Nerd, 65% Geek, 26% Dork
Public schools not challenging enough?
In all the angst about education, the Literature Wars and the History Wars and is public education running down beyond hope, I find this excerpt from my son’s state high school newsletter encouraging.
These are the research projects chosen by the 6 students doing Extension History for their HSC this year:
- Does the evidence from the ancient town of Pompeii support that it was built for the wealthy?
- Explain the philosophies of Michel Foucault and their impact on the development of Post-Modernism
- Assess the effects of Gorbachev’s reforms on the collapse of the USSR
- Evaluate the differing interpretations of the causes of Alexander the Great’s death.
- Does History end with Liberal Democracy?
- What are the differing interpretations of the 1951 seventeen point agreement?
- What are the objectives of historians who have written about the Holocaust?
Underweight mammals
In the first two instances, people look and say “starving” and “cruelty” and “neglect” and someone gets prosecuted.
Growing Up Different: Temple Grandin’s experiences with autism (and mine)
The whole article speaks to me about my experiences raising my autistic son, but this section especially:
AUTISTIC TACTILE PROBLEMS
I pulled away when people tried to hug me, because being touched sent an overwhelming tidal wave of stimulation through my body. I wanted to feel the comforting feeling of being held, but then when somebody held me, the effect on my nervous system was overwhelming.
Small itches and scratches that most people ignored were torture. A scratchy petticoat was like sandpaper rubbing my skin raw.
Opinions from strangers
I’m finding the various drive-by parenting “concerns” about Bindi Irwin interesting following her speech at her father’s memorial service. Oh, the pressure’s too much, she’s too poised (must be in denial, how sad), blah blah blah.
None of us know her, or the family, just because they’re on TV. Her upbringing has been entirely different from the way any of us are bringing up our kids because of the wildlife warrior
Hoyden About Town 