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Search The Punch keywords http://www.thepunch.com.au/search/ http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/cash-mobs-arent-so-flash/ For a moment in the mid-naughties, they were the coolest of all cool social media-fuelled meme-thingos. I’m talking about flash mobs, the groups of strangers who gather in a public place to do something like dance a routine, freeze in a contorted pose or smack someone over the head with a pillow. At their best, flash mobs, which are typically organised through social media, are flickers of spontaneity, bursts of community in CBDs filled with busy suits. In recent years though, they’ve become a whole lot less cool. That’s because they’ve been gatecrashed by another crew: the cash mob. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Tory Shepherd) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/cash-mobs-arent-so-flash/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/cash-mobs-arent-so-flash/#item7718 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:45:28 +0000 Recently, Jason Tin wrote a rather satisfying article about the imminent death of the internet due to it collapsing under the weight of its own vapid incivility. He’s right. And you’ve seen it, of course. An online comment section can turn a group of people who pay their mortgages and love their kittens into petty, hateful stupid people braying non-sequiturs at each other like Tourettes’ donkeys. But, why? Good question. Science, having nothing better to do, has come up with some rather intriguing answers. So if the internet is dead, then consider me the pathologist – the science wonk who goes picking around in its chest cavity with tweezers trying to determine what killed it. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-science-of-punching-on/ Recently, Jason Tin wrote a rather satisfying article about the imminent death of the internet due to it collapsing under the weight of its own vapid incivility. He’s right. And you’ve seen it, of course. An online comment section can turn a group of people who pay their mortgages and love their kittens into petty, hateful stupid people braying non-sequiturs at each other like Tourettes’ donkeys. But, why? Good question. Science, having nothing better to do, has come up with some rather intriguing answers. So if the internet is dead, then consider me the pathologist – the science wonk who goes picking around in its chest cavity with tweezers trying to determine what killed it. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Tory Shepherd) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-science-of-punching-on/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-science-of-punching-on/#item7692 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:45:28 +0000 Recently, Jason Tin wrote a rather satisfying article about the imminent death of the internet due to it collapsing under the weight of its own vapid incivility. He’s right. And you’ve seen it, of course. An online comment section can turn a group of people who pay their mortgages and love their kittens into petty, hateful stupid people braying non-sequiturs at each other like Tourettes’ donkeys. But, why? Good question. Science, having nothing better to do, has come up with some rather intriguing answers. So if the internet is dead, then consider me the pathologist – the science wonk who goes picking around in its chest cavity with tweezers trying to determine what killed it. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/first-lets-sack-all-the-staffers/ The two biggest stuff-ups of the political year to date have said little about the conduct of our politicians and everything about the judgment of the advisors they employ. Given that 2012 is not yet five weeks old, these two remarkably stupid episodes confirm the extent to which the black art of media management has become an unchecked cancer on modern politics. The irony is that in both cases the very people who were hired to make life easier for our politicians, ostensibly with their capacity for crisis management and flair for finessing a message, have in one case created the crisis and in the other mangled the message. This should not be of interest solely to political tragics and Canberra insiders. The punchline to the joke is that the mugs who are footing the bill are, of course, the taxpayers, who over the past two decades have funded an ever-increasing number of spin doctors, speech writers and media advisors for politicians of every hue at both the state and federal level. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Tory Shepherd) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/first-lets-sack-all-the-staffers/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/first-lets-sack-all-the-staffers/#item7639 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:45:28 +0000 Recently, Jason Tin wrote a rather satisfying article about the imminent death of the internet due to it collapsing under the weight of its own vapid incivility. He’s right. And you’ve seen it, of course. An online comment section can turn a group of people who pay their mortgages and love their kittens into petty, hateful stupid people braying non-sequiturs at each other like Tourettes’ donkeys. But, why? Good question. Science, having nothing better to do, has come up with some rather intriguing answers. So if the internet is dead, then consider me the pathologist – the science wonk who goes picking around in its chest cavity with tweezers trying to determine what killed it. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/brands-have-become-our-new-moral-arbiters/ It’s not often you hear an apology from a big corporation that sounds like it really means it, but Jenny Craig’s statement last night that it “badly misjudged public perception of Kyle Sandilands” sounds genuine enough - perhaps because it’s so bloody obvious. Hmmm, brand heavily skewed towards women with body issues, linked to the “fat slag” king, what could possibly go wrong? The language marketing departments use when one of the stars they throw millions of dollars at to flog their products step out of line, is often at best hilarious, at worst mealy-mouthed. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Tory Shepherd) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/brands-have-become-our-new-moral-arbiters/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/brands-have-become-our-new-moral-arbiters/#item7542 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:45:28 +0000 Recently, Jason Tin wrote a rather satisfying article about the imminent death of the internet due to it collapsing under the weight of its own vapid incivility. He’s right. And you’ve seen it, of course. An online comment section can turn a group of people who pay their mortgages and love their kittens into petty, hateful stupid people braying non-sequiturs at each other like Tourettes’ donkeys. But, why? Good question. Science, having nothing better to do, has come up with some rather intriguing answers. So if the internet is dead, then consider me the pathologist – the science wonk who goes picking around in its chest cavity with tweezers trying to determine what killed it. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/you-stink-sorry-that-was-totally-taken-out-of-context/ Liberal MP Teresa Gambaro swung the full pendulum yesterday, after her ridicluous comments about teaching migrants to use deodorant were published in The Australian. At first, presumably before Tony Abbott’s office scrambled into damage control mode, Gambaro went on radio to expand on her theory better personal hygene would aid in assimilation. When it dawned on her the rest of the country was in a melt-down of piss-taking she pulled out the classic chestnut - “out of context”. She even put out a statement saying the story was inaccurate. Then when it became clear there was no context in which her comments, which included the line “Without trying to be offensive” could be taken well, she backed down and apologised. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Tory Shepherd) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/you-stink-sorry-that-was-totally-taken-out-of-context/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/you-stink-sorry-that-was-totally-taken-out-of-context/#item7508 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:45:28 +0000 Recently, Jason Tin wrote a rather satisfying article about the imminent death of the internet due to it collapsing under the weight of its own vapid incivility. He’s right. And you’ve seen it, of course. An online comment section can turn a group of people who pay their mortgages and love their kittens into petty, hateful stupid people braying non-sequiturs at each other like Tourettes’ donkeys. But, why? Good question. Science, having nothing better to do, has come up with some rather intriguing answers. So if the internet is dead, then consider me the pathologist – the science wonk who goes picking around in its chest cavity with tweezers trying to determine what killed it. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/if-you-really-want-to-help-the-sisters-keep-your-gear-on/ Next week New Idea will feature a half-naked George Calombaris on the cover. “I want to be a role model for all the short and stocky men out there,” he says. Meanwhile, Hugh Jackman reveals all on the cover of the Australian Women’s Weekly about how to stay fabulous in your 40s. “I’m doing it for all the insecure men out there,” he grunts between his 112th and 113th rep. “You too can look like this!” Of course, this is all happening in a parallel universe. Generally, men don’t feel the need to take off their clothes for the cover of a magazine. So why do some women? This wasn’t what the suffragettes had in mind when they fought for women’s emancipation all those years ago. Emmeline Pankhurst, speaking at the Women’s Franchise League in 1889 didn’t say: “One day, women will be able to remove their clothes in public and be judged on how hard they work out at the gym. What a glorious day that will be!” Let’s start with Deborah Hutton’s cover shot. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Tory Shepherd) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/if-you-really-want-to-help-the-sisters-keep-your-gear-on/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/if-you-really-want-to-help-the-sisters-keep-your-gear-on/#item7505 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:45:28 +0000 Recently, Jason Tin wrote a rather satisfying article about the imminent death of the internet due to it collapsing under the weight of its own vapid incivility. He’s right. And you’ve seen it, of course. An online comment section can turn a group of people who pay their mortgages and love their kittens into petty, hateful stupid people braying non-sequiturs at each other like Tourettes’ donkeys. But, why? Good question. Science, having nothing better to do, has come up with some rather intriguing answers. So if the internet is dead, then consider me the pathologist – the science wonk who goes picking around in its chest cavity with tweezers trying to determine what killed it. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/public-service-message-beware-flirty-journalists/ You know that shirt really makes your eyes look amazing. I bet you know lots of really important stuff. Would you like to go back to your place and show me all your confidential files? A report has been handed down in the UK by Dame Elizabeth Filkin, “The ethical issues arising from the relationship between police and media”, prompted by allegations the News of the World phone hacking scandal was not properly investigated by Scotland Yard. It’s a fascinating document, surprisingly free of the usual bureaucratic mangling of the English language, although it does contain case studies with a traffic light system of assessing risk - red for high, yellow for medium, green for low. But the most up-front part carries the title: “Ten tactics used by some in the media. Watch out.” feedback@thepunch.com.au (Tory Shepherd) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/public-service-message-beware-flirty-journalists/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/public-service-message-beware-flirty-journalists/#item7483 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:45:28 +0000 Recently, Jason Tin wrote a rather satisfying article about the imminent death of the internet due to it collapsing under the weight of its own vapid incivility. He’s right. And you’ve seen it, of course. An online comment section can turn a group of people who pay their mortgages and love their kittens into petty, hateful stupid people braying non-sequiturs at each other like Tourettes’ donkeys. But, why? Good question. Science, having nothing better to do, has come up with some rather intriguing answers. So if the internet is dead, then consider me the pathologist – the science wonk who goes picking around in its chest cavity with tweezers trying to determine what killed it. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-beauty-of-a-spin-free-media-interview/ In the era of The Real Julia, a cricket captain entrapped by media trainers and wall-to-wall corporate spokespeople, you don’t hear many bullshit-free interviews. As a little summer refreshment, listen to this chat this morning on ABC Radio 702 with Rick Parsons from North Avoca Surf Life Saving Club. Last night there was a SHARK ATTACK! on his beach. Thankfully the 28-year-old surfer who was bitten on the arm is ok, but standard precautions were this morning carried out, including closing the beach and helicopter patrols. Mr Parsons sounds like the sort of bloke you want around in a crisis. Crisis? What crisis? feedback@thepunch.com.au (Tory Shepherd) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-beauty-of-a-spin-free-media-interview/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-beauty-of-a-spin-free-media-interview/#item7474 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:45:28 +0000 Recently, Jason Tin wrote a rather satisfying article about the imminent death of the internet due to it collapsing under the weight of its own vapid incivility. He’s right. And you’ve seen it, of course. An online comment section can turn a group of people who pay their mortgages and love their kittens into petty, hateful stupid people braying non-sequiturs at each other like Tourettes’ donkeys. But, why? Good question. Science, having nothing better to do, has come up with some rather intriguing answers. So if the internet is dead, then consider me the pathologist – the science wonk who goes picking around in its chest cavity with tweezers trying to determine what killed it. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/bullying-and-humiliation-thats-entertainment/ A new report has found that women on MTV reality television programs call each other rodents, skanks, trash bags, tricks (whatever that is) and hoes. The study condemns reality television’s negative depictions of female and male behaviour, as the networks compete to reach the next level of shock value. It can’t be denied that reality television often exploits and humiliates its participants for entertainment value. There is, however, a notable exception in Junior MasterChef 2011, which has made a visible effort to protect the emotional and mental health of its young participants. I’ve observed the previews of both Junior MasterChef seasons with a resolve not to support a competition that places unnecessary, national pressure on children. But I’ve been won over by the optimism and resilience of the young participants. The challenges are colourful, the judges gentle, and each negative comment comes wedged in a compliment sandwich. Children aren’t alienated from their families – a stark comparison with its adult counterpart, where participants must resign from society. The judges focus on celebrating the leaders of the scoreboard rather than exploiting the losers, and deliberate strategies are implemented to build upon the children’s self-confidence. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Tory Shepherd) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/bullying-and-humiliation-thats-entertainment/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/bullying-and-humiliation-thats-entertainment/#item7265 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:45:28 +0000 Recently, Jason Tin wrote a rather satisfying article about the imminent death of the internet due to it collapsing under the weight of its own vapid incivility. He’s right. And you’ve seen it, of course. An online comment section can turn a group of people who pay their mortgages and love their kittens into petty, hateful stupid people braying non-sequiturs at each other like Tourettes’ donkeys. But, why? Good question. Science, having nothing better to do, has come up with some rather intriguing answers. So if the internet is dead, then consider me the pathologist – the science wonk who goes picking around in its chest cavity with tweezers trying to determine what killed it. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/simon-katich-and-the-year-of-living-silently/ Simon Katich doesn’t deserve a reprimand. He deserves an award for restraint. After falling foul of the thought police at Cricket Australia he was called up before that stuffy little outfit’s resident kangaroo court to explain his so-called “spray” against Michael Clarke. “Spray”, as it was dubbed in headlines, is a ludicrously overstated term for what Katich had said. All he said was that he doubted he would ever get a spot in the Test team under captain and selector Michael Clarke. Katich, you will recall, grabbed Clarke by the neck in a dressing room dust-up in 2009, risking serious damage to Clarke’s latest haircut. His assessment of his chances of reclaiming a baggy green under Clarke was both accurate and unremarkable. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Tory Shepherd) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/simon-katich-and-the-year-of-living-silently/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/simon-katich-and-the-year-of-living-silently/#item7344 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:45:28 +0000 Recently, Jason Tin wrote a rather satisfying article about the imminent death of the internet due to it collapsing under the weight of its own vapid incivility. He’s right. And you’ve seen it, of course. An online comment section can turn a group of people who pay their mortgages and love their kittens into petty, hateful stupid people braying non-sequiturs at each other like Tourettes’ donkeys. But, why? Good question. Science, having nothing better to do, has come up with some rather intriguing answers. So if the internet is dead, then consider me the pathologist – the science wonk who goes picking around in its chest cavity with tweezers trying to determine what killed it.