Simon Black

Simon Black

Originally from Canberra, Simon works over at news.com.au where he puts the site to bed of a night, when it isn’t asking for repeated drinks of water and telling him it can’t sleep.

His winding path to journalism has seen him work over the years as a chef, personal trainer, kickboxing instructor and disabled carer.

Articles by Simon Black

First there was Big Tobacco. Now there’s Big Social

First there was Big Tobacco. Now there’s Big Social

30 Sep 11 It’s good to be big. But being big doesn’t necessarily mean you’re doing good things.  Think what people mean when…... Read more

You can’t barrack for scientists

You can’t barrack for scientists

16 Aug 11 “Why don’t scientists and people who contribute something to the community get the same amount of admiration as sportspeople?” Mia…... Read more

When political sunshine means democratic melanoma

When political sunshine means democratic melanoma

15 Jul 11 Well we’re a few days into what will come to be known in days to come as the great “carbon…... Read more

Did you hear the one about Parliament joke time?

Did you hear the one about Parliament joke time?

24 Jun 11 Those of you who are eagle-eyed and able to connect the dots may have noticed our elected representatives have been…... Read more

Botnets: My PC is a zombified  gun for hire

Botnets: My PC is a zombified gun for hire

06 Jun 11 Most of the time I use the internet to research stories, look up movies or stalk… errm, I mean keep…... Read more

Gay sex. Apparently sexier than straight sex.

Gay sex. Apparently sexier than straight sex.

01 Jun 11 Should we allow the depiction of homosexuals in the media? Well of course we should, shouldn’t we? The answer is…... Read more

The evil genius of Donald ‘the Birther’ Trump

The evil genius of Donald ‘the Birther’ Trump

02 May 11 They say there’s no such thing as a silly question - but sometimes it can be silly to answer one.…... Read more

Drunken idiots: here’s a toast to the douchebags

Drunken idiots: here’s a toast to the douchebags

31 Jan 11 I would like to propose a toast. Here’s to the jerks that stabbed a Sydney bouncer in the neck and…... Read more

Are we creating a generation of “cash in hand” mums?

Are we creating a generation of “cash in hand” mums?

21 Jan 11 It doesn’t matter if it’s making babies as a commercial surrogate or a10-year-old kid stitching together basketball shoes in Vietnam,…... Read more

No power in the boardroom? Try the bedroom instead

No power in the boardroom? Try the bedroom instead

26 Nov 10 Lost jobs, failing economies, broken marriages. Now you can add a massive upsurge in the level of sexism in ads…... Read more

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Abbott’s crass logic: trash the Parliament in order save it

Abbott’s crass logic: trash the Parliament in order save it

An email was sent to almost every politician in Australia this week saying that someone should cut off…

Our special forces don’t always need special treatment

Our special forces don’t always need special treatment

We admire them, but we’re not entirely sure why. We allow them to operate in the shadows; we rarely…

A good holiday is about unrest, not rest

A good holiday is about unrest, not rest

Like a fat full-stop, it lay in my hand. A small orange – not exactly fresh, but purchased anyway…

Nosebleed Section

choice ringside rantings

From: They must pay for one’s bitter disappointments

Michael S says:

"A teacher at Geelong Grammar had criticised her for using words that were too long, which had left her confused and had made her doubt her ability to write essays. She became ''quite distressed'' when her English marks began to fall." I can sympathise. My scholastic mentors conveyed to me a causal relationship… [read more]

From: Welfare for breeders is a bonus for everyone

Change Up! says:

I have no problem paying my taxes. As a single, childless person on a very decent income, I can afford it and not have my life severely altered. Plus I understand that my taxes paying for things like schools, childcare and infrastructure is ultimately a good thing. A better community is better for me… [read more]

Gentle jabs to the ribs

They must pay for one’s bitter disappointments

They must pay for one’s bitter disappointments

A private school girl’s family is sueing her elite, extremely expensive private school for not… Read more

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