Sociology

Photo of Australian Parliament House (APH) in Canberra

Media Circus: Shame Shorten Shame – Spineless Opposition Edition

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The Shorten Opposition is there voting with the government in the House without rigorously debating the bills or using the Senate conscientiously as a House of Review, so these bills are being fast-tracked into legislation without adequate scrutiny let alone electoral transparency. Why?

Contrast the government’s war on welfare with the rhetoric surrounding critics of the increasing wealth gap as advocates of “class warfare”. Hmm.

What news story/commentary/analysis has grabbed your attention lately?

A woman in early twentieth century dress, gazing into a yawning chasm 5000 feet deep, Moran's Point. (c1902-1903) rift

Dawkins stirs the pot again

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I’ve just posted at Feministe about the latest developments in the skeptosphere’s Deep Rifts TM. For those who’d rather discuss the ongoing cyberstorm that began with Elevatorgate here, this is the thread for you. Links to other people’s posts especially welcome.

2 Lego minifigs, one a girl from 'friends' one a boy from regular set.

All those people giving Lego the benefit of the doubt?

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The news has come in that the “female scientists” Lego set, produced after a huge grassroots campaign and petition from parents who wanted more variety in female minifigs, will only exist as a limited edition set. Despite selling out almost immediately, it will not be released as a standard line.

Photo of Australian Parliament House (APH) in Canberra

Media Circus: No Snappy Title edition

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I have been mostly speechless/typingless at the latest news, taking refuge in offline activities. But I should still put up a post for the rest of you to vent/rant or even ideally substantively discuss these issues, because disengagement is never going to be a solution, even if it’s sometimes necessary for some self-care. Go for it.

What news story/commentary/analysis has grabbed your attention lately?

B&W early C20th of young white woman.

Friday Hoyden: Emma Goldman

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Emma Goldman was a Russian Jewish immigrant to the USA, who spent her life being persecuted for her work campaigning for the rights of workers and marginalised groups of all kinds.

Life at 5: group shot of parents and children

Life at 9: discussion thread

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Here we are at Life at Nine already. How quickly they grow up! The ABC’s documentary series tracking the growth and development of a sample cross-section of Australian children only appears every two years. The two episodes of this edition are designated ‘Independence’ and ‘Creativity’.