October 28 – November 3, 2017
News
Comment
Comment
Paul Bongiorno
What’s NXT without Nick Xenophon?
“While Xenophon would dearly love to run 30 candidates in SA, finding the right ones takes more than wishful thinking. The infrastructure has to be constructed from scratch and the money has to be found to fund it. Other minor parties, such as Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, are testament to the car crash it can become. ”
Comment
Clem Bastow
Me too, myself and I
“While #MeToo may be an organic social media campaign, it carries with it the same expectation to perform trauma as personal narrative, and the same expectation that not doing so is somehow a betrayal. This is a culture of confession as substitute for systemic analysis – what the writer and activist Yasmin Nair calls the liberal feminist “imperative to reveal oneself as the wounded subject”.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
Profile
Conceptual artist Joseph Kosuth
As a pioneer of conceptual art, Joseph Kosuth’s reflections on the world’s great thinkers glow with deeper meaning. “It’s not about how, it’s about why,” he says. “So I think – not to be vainglorious about it – I instituted, for very selfish reasons, a view of art as something quite different from the inherited tradition.”
Music
Kllo’s ‘Backwater’
Electronic band Kllo draw listeners in to their downbeat soul with intricate melodies and meticulous sound design.
Portrait
Danny’s outback tours
“It is two years since he left Sydney’s Newtown to work as a tour guide in the desert. He begins his days early, under a thousand stars tossed like fairy lights across an endless expanse of sky. Rising, he lights the fire around which his charges sleep in swags, before playing a recording of the rhythmic drone of the didgeridoo.”
Books
Life
Life
Life and death at Niagara Falls
A trip to Niagara Falls provokes contemplation of the force of nature and the fragility of life.
The Quiz
Quotes
ASSAULT
“Do you want to know who my favourite magician is? David Cop-a-feel.”
The former American president jokes about groping an actress during a photo opportunity. His hobbies include invading personal space and Middle Eastern countries.
PETS
“You have sparked a totally unusual behaviour in my dog.”
The French president blames a junior minister for making his dog urinate on a fireplace at the Élysée Palace. At this point, his dog could defecate on the carpet and he could step in it and then walk it through the house and then put his feet up on the couch while he ate dinner in front of the television and he still would not be the least statesman-like leader in the world.
BUSINESS
“I am the furthest thing from a playboy there is … If I am a playboy, where are all the pictures of pretty girls?”
The billionaire complains about his public image. Strong point from a casino owner who periodically marries models and becomes engaged to pop stars.
SCIENCE
“I think that both sides have their own results, from their studies, and I appreciate and I respect both sides of the science.”
The US ambassador to Canada explains her position on climate science. You should see her play two-up.
CITIES
“Criminally overlooked Canberra packs a big punch for such a small city.”
The Lonely Planet spokesman names Canberra in third place on the guide’s 2018 list of cities to visit. In fairness, the entertainment this week has been better than usual.
ABUSE
“Our analysis is that the national redress scheme … was going to cost in total about $4 billion, and of about $4 billion we think our exposure is $1 billion.”
The chief executive of the Catholic Church’s Truth and Justice Healing Council responds to legislation providing for a national redress scheme for victims of child sexual abuse. There is no joke for this, just appalling suffering.
