Post GFC Australia is, well, pretty much the same as pre GFC Australia. The resources boom is still bubbling away, our relations with Asia continue to be crucial. Now, how will we cope with the prosperity?
October, 2009
Watch the blistering growth of social media in real time
Australian social media expert Gary Hayes has put together a neat flash app that shows the growing number of blog posts, tweets, YouTube videos and more being posted every second, in real time before your very eyes.
Not so fast, Microsoft: Google scores a Twitter deal of its own
Just hours after Microsoft announced its big coup in inking a deal with Twitter to include tweets in its search results, Google has announced its done one too. Close, Gates, but no cigar.
Film review: The Box
Luke Buckmaster reviews the latest flick from director Richard Kelly (Donny Darko), The Box: an experience simultaneously compelling, befuddling, audacious and frustratingly disjointed.
Kohler: The last GFC shoe to drop?
The charges against Centro’s executives will have significant repercussions for future class actions. Expect an ASIC announcement exempting class actions having to register as managed investment schemes, writes Alan Kohler.
Take that, Google: Microsoft teams up with Facebook and Twitter
Microsoft has struck another blow to Google in the search engine wars, inking a deal with Facebook and Twitter to include their content in its Bing search results. You can already try out its Twitter search here.
The soft drink wars heat up
Discussion about the soft drink industry’s recent forays into public health is heating up, with PepsiCo, the Cancer Council, obesity experts and a host of others weighing-in.
graph pr0n Howard vs. Rudd at 23 months
Possum Comitatus’ visual comparison of Howard vs. Rudd on net satisfaction, preferred PM and the two-party preferred polls at 23 months in shows relatively smooth sailing for Mr 70 Per Cent.
The people who call Chernobyl home
No-one is allowed to live in the 30-km exclusion zone around Chernobyl; but in the 23 years since the disaster, some survivors have returned anyway, living illegally in their own homes in this bizarre, post-apocalyptic community.
IPA: What’s wrong with a few Golden Arches in schools?
Australians should welcome the sponsorship of companies like McDonald’s for education programs in our cash-starved schools, says the Institute of Public Affairs’ Carolyn Popp. No-one’s forcing Big Macs down kids’ throats.
Rundle: The last grouper lost at sea
Greg Sheridan’s attacking piece in today’s Oz mentions treacherous leftie Stephen Smith. What, members of the government have differing opinions? gasps Guy Rundle.
From lone ranger Howard to gang leader Rudd
Kevin Rudd isn’t continuing the Howard government’s Pacific Solution. Rudd’s new ‘Indonesia Solution’ is an important shift politically, getting our neighbours to help bear the asylum seeker burden.
A history of weird and wonderful Windows ads
Celebrate the release of the latest Windows operating system (and hopefully the death of Vista) with a look back through some of the weirdest ads for each Windows release.
Rock ‘n Roll Rudd
Kevin Rudd’s globular mug is headed for the pages of Rolling Stone magazine. Because nothing says “rock” like a man who lists Handel’s Messiah as his favourite tune.
Atkins: It’s only rock’n'roll, but he has no clue whatsoever
Dennis Atkins recalls a deeply uncool 33-year-old Kevin Rudd who had never heard of Jimi Hendrix and wonders exactly what he’s doing anywhere near the pages of Rolling Stone magazine.
Kerr: More Pat Boone than Paul Keating
Kevin Rudd and rock ‘n roll? Christian Kerr can’t quite see it. Now Paul Keating, there was a punk rock Prime Minister…
Crabb: The super nerd does John Denver
“Super nerd” Kevin Rudd on the pages of Rolling Stone is a disturbing thought. But music fans can rest easy, says Annabel Crabb: he won’t be donning white underpants and a seductive pout like Britney Spears, or nuding up with Therese in the style of John and Yoko
Grattan: Rudd’s Pacific Solution 2.0
The symbolic and semantic argument on the language surrounding refugees has returned, writes Michelle Grattan. The ‘Indonesia Solution’ looks just as flawed as the ‘Pacific Solution’.
A former UN officer: If they were white, we’d welcome them
Let’s be honest with Australia’a immigration policy, says Keane Shum. Being white and having money makes it far easier to get a visa to Australia than if you are black or brown and your life is at serious risk. People need to be aware of this.
Why Palin won’t run for President
Sarah Palin won’t run in 2012, predicts FiveThirtyEight after crunching her popularity numbers and finding she couldn’t beat Romney or Huckabee for GoP nomination. Besides, she’s too busy hanging out with Oprah.
Sheridan: Tough talking Rudd is right
Greg Sheridan may have been against the Pacific Solution when it was first introduced, but, he says, “it worked”. Indonesia is central to how we discourage illegal immigrants from attempting to enter Australia.
NSW Blues bat their way to a million-dollar pay-day
The NSW Blues are set to leave India’s Champions League Twenty20 competition with at $US1.3 million — and a potential $US2.5 million if they can take out the series. Howzat?!
Is Windows 7 worth your time?
The latest version of Microsoft Windows goes on sale today, but after the sheer awfulness of its last effort, Vista, is another costly upgrade worth your while? Gizmodo has a complete guide to everything you need to know.
Put down the dog-whistle
Our government is treating asylum seekers as just the latest ugly political game. But, writes Shakira Hussein, refugees are desperate people who’ve had to abandon their homes, not people in search of flat screen TVs.
The Atlantic / Thursday, 22 October 2009
So what if Fox News is conservative? asks Matthew Cooper. That’s no excuse for the White House to completely shun it: “If the White House can reach out to the Iranians and North Koreans, for gosh sakes, they can talk to Shepard Smith.”