With all the talk of economic “green shoots” it’s very hard to hold a bear perspective, especially when according to my body clock it’s still hibernation time, writes Steve Keen, in part one of his farewell to journalism.
August, 2009
787 becomes a moving target, again
After several delays, the No2 Dreamliner in the 787 flight test fleet has been doing taxying tests at Everett.
ESPN The Magazine: 4 cents per issue
One idea for curing the paywall fear: lure people with a one year magazine and website subscription for US$1, then get them to cough up for paywall access next year. Will it work? ESPN The Magazine hope so.
How to crack an egg with one hand
We got such a positive response when we posted a video on how to open a banana like a monkey, we couldn’t help but share this one too.
YouTube: Broadcast Yourself (and Time Warner)
YouTube will now be able to legally show clips of shows from CNN, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, TNT and Time Warner Television thanks to a new deal made with Time Warner. Full length episodes won’t be available though.
Victorian newspoll: more of the same
The new Victorian state Newspoll via The Oz had the primaries running 43 / 37 to Labor. Possum Commitus crunches the numbers.
It’s Time: Turnbull needs to change
If Malcolm Turnbull wants to make his place in political history, then he should look for historical inspiration from, perhaps surprisingly, Labor giant Gough Whitlam, writes Nick Dyrenfurth.
Why the Afghanistan election will change nothing
The Afghanistan election is essentially meaningless, because the president serves as a puppet of democracy and the Taliban will still have the real control of the country, writes Thomas P.M. Barnett.
Violence and fraud threaten Afghan elections
Threats by the Taliban were enough to keep voter turnout at Afghanistan, with polling stations empty and escalating violence. But the government continues to say everything is fine, writes Jean MacKenzie.
Obama denounces release of Lockerbie bomber
US president Barack Obama has led the criticism against the release of the Lockerbie bomber by the Scottish government, calling for the Libyan government to place him under house arrest.
How bottled water made a dictatorship cool
Fiji water is one of the trendiest and most popular bottled water brands in the world — just the name conjures up images of lush rainforests, tropical climates… and a repressive military dictatorship.
Taliban affects Afghan elections
Voter turnout for the Afghanistan election may have been as low as 10% in regional areas and 26 people were killed in Taliban attacks, but officials were satisfied with the turnout and have deemed the election a success.
Live-blogging the Afghan election
Foreign Policy live-blog the Afghanistan election, with updates from regional centres and videos of vote counting.
Suicide: the silent epidemic
Suicides rates in Australia have been miscalculated by up to 30% and has not decreased in the last decade. Repeated systematic failures of the mental health system are blamed for the figures, writes Ruth Pollard.
Breakfast Media Wrap: Bumpy roads and cold shoulders in Australian-Chinese relations
The pick of the morning’s media
Tough times for truth seekers
Between Birthers and town hall hellraisers yelling about “death panels”, America’s media watchdogs find it hard to get their voices heard over the mountain of myths and misconceptions permeating the country’s political thinking.
Future of fish farming: giant robotic cages?
We know salmon is good for us, but it’s in danger of being overfished. Giant robotic fish farms that roam the sea, away from overcrowded coastal areas, are being developed. Are they the future of fish farming?
Supreme Court slams Hardie, bans directors
The Supreme Court of New South Wales has delivered significant penalties in the civil action brought by ASIC against various former executives and directors of asbestos manufacturer James Hardie.
Heathrow Airport’s writer in residence
Author Alain de Botton is writing a new book — from the middle of London’s Heathrow Airport. His book, masterminded by the airport’s PR department, will document his experiences living in the airport for a week, chatting to travellers, baggage handlers, airline executives and others.
Potter: fair healthier to come out against the insurers
Did Michael Moore’s documentary, Sicko, really make the communications head at a major US health insurer quit the industry? It did. And Wendell Potter now publicly advocates healthcare reform.
Why Hunter S. Thompson didn’t cover the O.J. trial
As the O.J. Simpson murder trial captured headlines around the world, San Francisco Examiner editor Phil Bronstein had a brainwave: commission famed gonzo journo Hunter S. Thompson to cover the beat. But as is increasingly the case for media outlets, his ideas were bigger than his wallet.
CIA hired Blackwater for Al Qaeda hitsquad
The CIA ‘death squad’ plot thickens: the intelligence agency reportedly hired outside security contractor Blackwater — recently marred by allegations of murder, gun-running and child prostitution — to help with its plan to assassinate key members of Al Qaeda.
All you need is a video game
Paul McCartney used to mimic Elvis. Now, with The Beatles: Rock Band video game, McCartney hopes people will mimic The Beatles and experience music above the standard superficial level, learning the different nuances of the famous songs.
Clock stops ticking for 60 Minutes creator
Another giant of American journalism has left this world, with the death of Don Hewitt, creator of 60 Minutes, overnight, at the age of 86.
