Whatever happened to Second Life?A few years ago, you couldn’t blink without seeing a new article or news report about the online virtual world phenomenon. Well, it’s still kicking on, reports Chris Abraham, and it’s actually a much better place.
September, 2009
Fresh West Bank horror: street named after Twitter account
A Palestinian refugee camp now has the dubious honour of being home to the world’s first street named after a Twitter account. Dutch-Palestinian Tweep @arjanelfassed paid about AU$167 for the naming rights.
Swan: Budget deficit $5 billion lower than expected
Treasurer Wayne Swan says that Australia’s underlying cash deficit is $27.1 billion, which is significantly lower than the $32.9 billion blowout forecast in May. As Peter Martin explained recently, the RBA’s currency windfall has been a big help.
Is raising kids on a diet of TV child abuse?
Sex, violence and mindless manipulation: if TV came in a bottle, it would be illegal to sell it to children, says Jeff Jacoby. Why do we work so hard to keep our kids away from booze and drugs, then willingly plonk them for hours in front of an equally destructive addiction?
How a luxury item helped the poor grow richer
The spread of mobile phones in the developing world has boomed thanks to micro entrepreneur programs like Grameenphone. The Economist tracks how mobiles have influenced fish prices, political corruption and election outcomes.
Conde Nast tightens its (hand-made, designer, anaconda leather) belt
Publisher Conde Nast (GQ, Vogue, Vanity Fair) is well known for its culture of extravagance and indulgence — but even Anna Wintour isn’t immune to the media downturn, and the time has come to cut some costs. Can Conde keep the class without chauffeurs and caviar?
Girls in Ghana carry a heavy burden
Tens of thousands of young women in Ghana have left their families in the country for the country’s capital city of Accra to work as “Kayayo” — porters carrying heavy loads on their heads for as little as AU$1.56 a day.
Attention industrial designers: men and women aren’t equal
Making products female friendly isn’t just about painting them pink. Women want functional, smart design that is intuitive. And their spending power is worth the redesign.
The Republicans’ next hope: Liz Cheney?
Liz Cheney, Dick’s daughter, is “a red state rock star,” according to one fan. But is the 43-year-old lawyer an asset or a liability for the party? Meanwhile, she’s not the only political daughter touted as a GOP saviour.
PHOTO GALLERY: Babak Tafreshi’s Astrophotography
Iranian photographer Babak Tafreshi has won the 2009 Lennart Nilsson scientific photography prize for his amazing images of the night sky. Blast off on a trip through his best work.
Man’s best friend, explained: why dogs wee on fire hydrants and more
Think you know why Rover slobbers all over your face, wees on every tree and lamp-post, and can’t stop sniffing your crotch? Think again. An enlightening look at why dogs do the things they do.
Birmingham: Let them eat (and slaughter) lamb
The school children of Lydd Primary School in Romney Marsh, England, should be applauded for defending their right to slaughter class pet Marcus the Lamb for meat, says John Birmingham. Now that’s an education revolution.
No good Newspoll for Turnbull
Yesterday, The Oz published the latest Newspoll, claiming a drop in support for Labor (see Crikey’s take here). Except, The Oz missed the big scoop: the Coalition is looking even worse than it did during Kevin07, says Tim Gartrell.
Why Kraft gives Vegemite a bad name
Australians can’t stop talking about how bad the name “Vegemite iSnack 2.0” is. And that’s exactly what Kraft wants, says Willem Reyners Tay.
Lessons in aviation history: propellers
Ben Sandilands reflects on a time before jet engines, when DC-6Bs, Vickers Viscounts and Lockheed Electras ruled the major routes — and a Melbourne-Sydney flight was 20 minutes faster than it is today.
Henderson: The media sings along to Rudd’s G20 tune
There’s no doubt Rudd played an important role in the recent expansion of the G20’s power — but he certainly didn’t do it alone. So why is the media happily churning along with the ALP spin cycle by painting him as a lone visionary? asks Gerard Henderson.
Turnbull faces ETS battle in the benches
It’s leadership crunch time for Malcolm Turnbull, with more than two thirds of Liberal backbenchers disagreeing with his plans to negotiate on the Emissions Trading Scheme. It’s front bench vs. back bench, guns drawn.
Grattan: Can NSW Libs get their groove back?
The Bradfield preselection, won by Paul Fletcher, showed a strong field of NSW Liberal contenders. Can it help spark a renewal in the state branch? wonders Michelle Grattan.
Roman Polanski raped a child. Remember?
In the ongoing media circus surrounding film director Roman Polanski’s recent arrest, let’s not lose sight of one fundamental fact, says Kate Harding: he raped a child.
Leaked: who’s to blame for war in Georgia?
Officially, it’s equal blame game for the 2008 South Ossetian war, with Georgia opening the initial fire, but Russia responsible for keeping it going, according to leaks from the EU investigation.
Is Jetstar propping up Burma’s dictatorship?
Jetstar has come under fire for running flights into Burma, with critics claiming the airport fees and money the airline brings into the country are helping fund Burma’s repressive military junta.
Big tick for Beazley/Nelson
appointments
This week’s Essential Report comes in with a two-party preferred vote of 59-41 -– a 1-point gain to the ALP — and finds Aussies give a thumbs-up to Brendan Nelson and Kim Beazley’s ambassadorial appointments.
Health reform needs a Victorian invasion
Victoria has much to teach the rest of the country about how health systems can and should be run, writes Professor Ian Hickie.
