Comments on: Youth still to be seen but not heard http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/11/06/youth-still-to-be-seen-but-not-heard/ now with extra source Sat, 11 Feb 2012 23:09:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: John Bennetts http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/11/06/youth-still-to-be-seen-but-not-heard/#comment-44680 John Bennetts Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:53:12 +0000 http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/11/06/youth-still-to-be-seen-but-not-heard/#comment-44680 Well written, Joshua. It is horrid that politicians, large employers and national advertisers are driven by secret polling. The corollary is that all public shows of consultation, with whatever group of people (young, old, disadvantaged, employees, racial groups, or whatever) tends to be set up as a sham, an opportunity for a sound bite and a shot for the evening news, after which the participants and their efforts are cast aside. The needs of the Big Boss are what count, as he/she sells the message. Look upon this as an experience in growing up. Who knows? You may one day be the CEO who wants to appear to be talking with and sharing empathetically with his employees. About 2 or 3 times per year should be enough, I would think. Not too often, though - don't want them to remember what you said last time around. Or perhaps you have a future as a media minder for a politician, or as an advertising content writer, or corporate communications director. Your recent experience and insights will be useful in your chosen career. Well written, Joshua. It is horrid that politicians, large employers and national advertisers are driven by secret polling. The corollary is that all public shows of consultation, with whatever group of people (young, old, disadvantaged, employees, racial groups, or whatever) tends to be set up as a sham, an opportunity for a sound bite and a shot for the evening news, after which the participants and their efforts are cast aside.

The needs of the Big Boss are what count, as he/she sells the message.

Look upon this as an experience in growing up. Who knows? You may one day be the CEO who wants to appear to be talking with and sharing empathetically with his employees. About 2 or 3 times per year should be enough, I would think. Not too often, though - don’t want them to remember what you said last time around.

Or perhaps you have a future as a media minder for a politician, or as an advertising content writer, or corporate communications director.

Your recent experience and insights will be useful in your chosen career.

]]> By: Greg Angelo http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/11/06/youth-still-to-be-seen-but-not-heard/#comment-44275 Greg Angelo Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:45:57 +0000 http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/11/06/youth-still-to-be-seen-but-not-heard/#comment-44275 Joshua As you are young and probably still a little innocent, this is probably a significant wake-up call for you. Never trust a politician. As children we are told to trust adults, and as a general rule that is probably a good basis for survival as a child. As one makes the transition to adulthood, one has to appreciate that trust is something that you are only likely to find between close friends and associates. As you now appreciate, when governments go into a consultative mode, is only a smokescreen for a decision already made taking account of the political pros and cons of the options and alternatives. They are not seriously interested in your opinion. The electorate as a whole has not yet woken up that the current Prime Minister and his entourage are a bunch of consummate liars. Take for example the "2020 Summit" held last year. Despite the pompous rhetoric and self-congratulation at the time , this talkfest has disappeared without trace. A cursory examination of the final report would indicate that the end result was a pile of platitudes and nothing much else. This was one of just another number of cynical pre-election manoeuvres designed to give the impression of activity which could easily be dumped after the election. Having rushed to sign the Kyoto treaty, the government is now running away from the consequences. You have learned a valuable lesson an early stage in your life. Approach all relationships with politicians with cynicism and the opportunities for subsequent disappointment will be reduced. Joshua
As you are young and probably still a little innocent, this is probably a significant wake-up call for you. Never trust a politician. As children we are told to trust adults, and as a general rule that is probably a good basis for survival as a child. As one makes the transition to adulthood, one has to appreciate that trust is something that you are only likely to find between close friends and associates.

As you now appreciate, when governments go into a consultative mode, is only a smokescreen for a decision already made taking account of the political pros and cons of the options and alternatives. They are not seriously interested in your opinion.

The electorate as a whole has not yet woken up that the current Prime Minister and his entourage are a bunch of consummate liars. Take for example the “2020 Summit” held last year. Despite the pompous rhetoric and self-congratulation at the time , this talkfest has disappeared without trace. A cursory examination of the final report would indicate that the end result was a pile of platitudes and nothing much else. This was one of just another number of cynical pre-election manoeuvres designed to give the impression of activity which could easily be dumped after the election. Having rushed to sign the Kyoto treaty, the government is now running away from the consequences.

You have learned a valuable lesson an early stage in your life. Approach all relationships with politicians with cynicism and the opportunities for subsequent disappointment will be reduced.

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