What makes two people in a long-term loving relationship decide to let others in? For every couple, the reasons will be entirely different. For my ex-partner and myself, who explored the option of non-monogamy towards the end of our relationship, the reasons were varied. What I’m fascinated by is the amount of people I know … Continue reading All the love
capitalism
Profits of Doom by Antony Loewenstein
Melbourne University Publishing 9780522858822 (paperback) 9780522864366 (ebook) August 2013 In Profits of Doom, Antony Loewenstein investigates the effects of predatory, vulture or disaster capitalism on individuals, communities, the environment, and future prospects of entire countries. Loewenstein’s work is powerful because he goes to Afghanistan, Christmas Island, Papua New Guinea, and other places ravaged by greed, … Continue reading Profits of Doom by Antony Loewenstein
Guest review: Gabriel Ng on Various Pets Alive and Dead by Marina Lewycka
Fig Tree (Penguin) 9781905490912 March 2012 (buy paperback) review by Gabriel Ng The title of Various Pets Alive and Dead might make you think it involves lots of cute animal stories and some kind of furry genocide. Instead, it’s a very political novel about the global financial crisis and the failure of the leftist ideals, … Continue reading Guest review: Gabriel Ng on Various Pets Alive and Dead by Marina Lewycka
Between worlds: Dominic Smith on Bright and Distant Shores
Allen & Unwin, 9781742374161, 2011 (Aus paperback, ebook + US/Kindle) Bright and Distant Shores is hugely imaginative historical fiction. It’s set just before the dawn of the 20th century in Chicago and the South Pacific. Owen Graves is sent by Hale Gray, the president of Chicago First Equitable, to collect some ‘special items’ to … Continue reading Between worlds: Dominic Smith on Bright and Distant Shores
Raj Patel: Messiah? Or Sydney Writers Festival guest…?
So you may have heard about author Raj Patel being deemed a Messiah by a religious group after appearing on The Colbert Report recently. Well I have heard more exciting rumours, that Patel - the author of The Value of Nothing - will be gracing our shores at Sydney Writers Festival this year. The program for the … Continue reading Raj Patel: Messiah? Or Sydney Writers Festival guest…?
Avatar: a mash-up
This piece is a mash-up of an undergrad essay from a couple of years ago, plus present thoughts, imaginings and speculation on the narrative of self in a virtual environment. Storytelling is as old as humanity. The human has always actively projected him/herself into realms of fantasy (through song, art, drama, writing). Modernity advanced the visual aspect … Continue reading Avatar: a mash-up
Capitalism is funny – a review of Max Barry's Company
Company, Max Barry, Scribe, 9781921215643, 2008 (Aus, US) Jones joins Zephyr as an enthusiastic employee, without even knowing what the company does. This doesn't seem to be an odd thing at Zephyr, where Jones' coworkers in the Training Sales department just accept that Zephyr is a ‘holdings' company, and get on with their menial, perpetual … Continue reading Capitalism is funny – a review of Max Barry's Company
I’m Afraid of the Five-Blade Razor – Book Review and Commentary
Affluenza: When Too Much is Never Enough - Clive Hamilton and Richard Denniss. Allen & Unwin, 2005, 9781741146714 (Aus, US/Kindle) Three years ago Clive Hamilton half-jokingly referred to the possibility of the five-blade razor. It comes as no surprise that his prediction has come true, and emphasises why Affluenza continues to be an extremely relevant … Continue reading I’m Afraid of the Five-Blade Razor – Book Review and Commentary
The World According to Y – Rebecca Huntley
2006, Allen & Unwin, ISBN: 9781741148459 (Aus, US & Kindle) It’s strange, this book was only published last year but already there is one major change in what my generation might consider a priority. There is absolutely no mention of Gen Y being conscious of climate change. It just shows what a wonderful thing a … Continue reading The World According to Y – Rebecca Huntley
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