Vol 33 No 16

21 August 2023

ARTS AND CULTURE

The radical empathy of Elizabeth Strout
- Gillian Bouras
- 01 September 2023
1 Comment
The best novels teach us about the world and about ourselves. In her Lucy Barton books, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Elizabeth Strout knows about loneliness and the solitary nature of life but also shows us ways in which we are all connected.
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AUSTRALIA

Father down the road
- Barry Gittins
- 31 August 2023
2 Comments
Father's Day: a symbolic marker in Australia's calendar, often evoking mixed emotions. From fond memories of childhood to the challenges of modern fatherhood, the journey is both beautiful and complex as the role of fathers continues to evolve.
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ARTS AND CULTURE

Literature's power is in self not identity
- Mark Tredinnick
- 31 August 2023
3 Comments
Amid shifting perceptions and the fluidity of names, our understanding of self dances on the edge of subjectivity. Traversing the landscape of literature, we're invited to confront our own reflections, to ask what truly defines us in a world that is ever-evolving, and to look beyond the obvious and into the heart of our shared human experience.
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FAITH DOING JUSTICE

Rethinking social justice
- Andrew Hamilton
- 31 August 2023
3 Comments
The immediacy of the climate crisis and the paradigm shift ushered in by Artificial Intelligence are reshaping our world, leaving the marginalised bearing the brunt. As technological advancements raise complex ethical questions, what does it mean to be socially accountable in an age where the lines between reality and illusion grow ever thinner?
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AUSTRALIA

All apologies
- Tony Thompson
- 31 August 2023
In an era where victories are celebrated and mistakes are concealed, the power of the simple phrase 'I am sorry' seems to be vanishing. From personal slights to public gaffes, our society seems increasingly averse to accepting responsibility and offering genuine apologies. But why has this sentiment become so rare, and what does its absence say about the values we hold?
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AUSTRALIA

Listen – just listen!
- Brian McCoy
- 30 August 2023
16 Comments
The Kimberley region stands as a testament to both the enduring spirit of Australia's Aboriginal communities and the shadows of colonisation. As the Referendum looms, the potential for a united Voice beckons, inviting Australia towards a harmonious future.
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INTERNATIONAL

Purges in the Kremlin
- Binoy Kampmark
- 29 August 2023
1 Comment
Yevgeny Prigozhin's rise in Putin's Russia reveals the Kremlin's treacherous balance of power. From hotdogs to leading the feared Wagner mercenary group, his ambition culminated in unpredictable consequences. The question is, will Putin be left stronger after this sanguinary purging?
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AUSTRALIA

Outside looking in
- Julian Butler
- 28 August 2023
In public discourse, personal experiences can become overshadowed by generalised media narratives. Pope Francis' 'off-script' moments at World Youth Day became illustrative of the disparity between media portrayals and a closer, more participatory view. Can we become open to a tension in perspectives?
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ARTS AND CULTURE

The long way back from Bedlam to Bethlehem
- Andrew Hamilton
- 25 August 2023
1 Comment
Failed Ambitions offers a complex exploration into the history of institutions for individuals with mental illnesses and intellectual disabilities. The book addresses the evolution of attitudes towards these communities, highlighting ongoing struggles with public stigma, systemic neglect, and the importance of giving voice to marginalised individuals.
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AUSTRALIA

A cogent argument for voting Yes
- John Honner
- 24 August 2023
13 Comments
You might think that, if anyone could pull off the establishment of a treaty, a great poet and a great policy maker, working in harmony, would surely have the best chance. But this was not the case: when Judith Wright and H.C. Coombes advocated for a treaty throughout their lifetimes, they were unsuccessful.
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ARTS AND CULTURE

Hollywood poems
- Damian Balassone
- 24 August 2023
1 Comment
I have played Gandhi, King Tut, gangster, giant, elf, / but a lifetime of lifetimes destroyed my mental health: if you’re all things to all men, you’re no one to yourself.
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ARTS AND CULTURE

The duality of Barbie
- Juliette Hughes
- 23 August 2023
2 Comments
In Barbie, director Greta Gerwig maps out a journey from naive pink utopias to poignant real-world challenges. Drawing parallels from the 1960s Twiggy phenomenon to today's elusive ideals of feminine success, Gerwig's film becomes a mirror to our society's ever-shifting landscape of female identity and aspiration.
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ARTS AND CULTURE

Navigating privilege
- Michele Frankeni
- 23 August 2023
2 Comments
In the rich tapestry of the English language, 'privilege' stands out as a term both celebrated and debated. While its roots may be diverse, its modern interpretation often overlooks personal effort and journey. Amidst the vast lexicon, is there a term capturing life's effort without diminishing individual experiences?
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RELIGION

Fire on earth: A centenary of Teilhard de Chardin's essay 'The Mass on the World'
- Michael McGirr
- 21 August 2023
15 Comments
In the realm of intellectual giants, Einstein's acclaim often overshadows luminaries like Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. A century after the publication of 'The Mass on the World', this Jesuit priest's reflections remain challenging, spotlighting his quest for a singular reality binding all existence.
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FAITH DOING JUSTICE

May this new engagement not be broken off
- Andrew Hamilton
- 21 August 2023
10 Comments
The Catholic Bishops Justice Statement, timed with an impending Referendum on the Voice to Parliament, scrutinizes the ties between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians. Crafted alongside the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council, it underscores the urgency of deepened engagement through listening, learning, and love, advocating for Indigenous justice and healing.
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Vol 33 No 16