http://www.thepunch.com.au/tags/open-thread/ Politics, political opinion, world news, sports news and the latest news and views updated live, daily on The Punch - Australia's best conversation. en Copyright 2012 The Punch penberthyd@newsltd.com.au penberthyd@newsltd.com.au Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:00:12 +0000 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:00:12 +0000 Politics, opinion, world news, sports news, latest news, views, Barack Obama, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Nathan Rees, Malcolm Turnbull, Peter Garrett, Barnaby Joyce, Australian, federal politics, opinion polls, election, The Punch, thepunch, punch ExpressionEngine 1.6.7 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 15 http://www.thepunch.com.au/images/punch-logo-rss.png http://www.thepunch.com.au/ 144 70 Politics, political opinion, world news, sports news and the latest news and views updated live, daily on The Punch - Australia's best conversation. Search The Punch keywords http://www.thepunch.com.au/search/ http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-friday-review-10-02-2012/ It was a week of leadership tensions, talk of economics and debate about sexism. To kick off the week, I explored why leadership spills seem to backfire on political parties most of the time. Mal Farr went hunting for the government’s surplus. Lucy analysed all four corners of the debate over whether the PM has been treated poorly because of sexism. Our obsession with interest rates isn’t all that interesting, Tory Shepherd claimed. Stop expecting Facebook to be your friend, because it’s not, Ant wrote, hoping to chasten those of us under 30. And cabbies soliciting sexual favours for payment? A bogus trend, wrote Tory Maguire. The supermarket price war is hurting those who need the most help, World Vision CEO Tim Costello wrote. The Sunday Mail reporter Jason Tin urged us to tap into reality and switch off the television. Research scientist James Heathers explained the psychology of Punch-ing on, right here. And you had an excellent discussion about the way technology has changed over the course of our lives. It’s Friday, it’s excellent and it’s all happening. What’s on your mind? Have a sensational weekend, Punchers. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Antony McMullen) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-friday-review-10-02-2012/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-friday-review-10-02-2012/#item7725 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:00:12 +0000 We were having a chat about technology in The Punch office yesterday. Ant was shocked (shocked!) when I mentioned using computers at primary school. As he recalled, when he was in high school, it only had a couple of computers in a lab that you were very rarely allowed to touch. There was at least one in every classroom when I was at school and labs jam-packed with them. And by Year 8 or 9 most had mobile phones. I don’t think I can remember my report cards ever not being typed, whereas the rest of the team could all recall the challenge over having to decipher the teacher’s handwriting. Tory M remembered trying to save up several grand to buy her first computer – when today you can walk into JB Hi-Fi and pick up a laptop for around $800. One day soon all school kids will be typing up their end-of-school exams. Some already do. Times have sure changed. Considering you, our excellent regulars, are of all ages, we were wondering: how have you adapted to the technological changes of the past thirty years? What changes have you seen? What have you had trouble getting used to? Is it exciting? Terrifying? Astonishing? Confusing? What don’t you know how to do? I only found out about Ctrl-C/Ctrl-V a couple of years ago. Thought this was a bit of a talker for Thursday. What do you think? And hey, what else is on your mind? http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-open-thread-09-02-2012/ We were having a chat about technology in The Punch office yesterday. Ant was shocked (shocked!) when I mentioned using computers at primary school. As he recalled, when he was in high school, it only had a couple of computers in a lab that you were very rarely allowed to touch. There was at least one in every classroom when I was at school and labs jam-packed with them. And by Year 8 or 9 most had mobile phones. I don’t think I can remember my report cards ever not being typed, whereas the rest of the team could all recall the challenge over having to decipher the teacher’s handwriting. Tory M remembered trying to save up several grand to buy her first computer – when today you can walk into JB Hi-Fi and pick up a laptop for around $800. One day soon all school kids will be typing up their end-of-school exams. Some already do. Times have sure changed. Considering you, our excellent regulars, are of all ages, we were wondering: how have you adapted to the technological changes of the past thirty years? What changes have you seen? What have you had trouble getting used to? Is it exciting? Terrifying? Astonishing? Confusing? What don’t you know how to do? I only found out about Ctrl-C/Ctrl-V a couple of years ago. Thought this was a bit of a talker for Thursday. What do you think? And hey, what else is on your mind? feedback@thepunch.com.au (Antony McMullen) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-open-thread-09-02-2012/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-open-thread-09-02-2012/#item7719 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:00:12 +0000 We were having a chat about technology in The Punch office yesterday. Ant was shocked (shocked!) when I mentioned using computers at primary school. As he recalled, when he was in high school, it only had a couple of computers in a lab that you were very rarely allowed to touch. There was at least one in every classroom when I was at school and labs jam-packed with them. And by Year 8 or 9 most had mobile phones. I don’t think I can remember my report cards ever not being typed, whereas the rest of the team could all recall the challenge over having to decipher the teacher’s handwriting. Tory M remembered trying to save up several grand to buy her first computer – when today you can walk into JB Hi-Fi and pick up a laptop for around $800. One day soon all school kids will be typing up their end-of-school exams. Some already do. Times have sure changed. Considering you, our excellent regulars, are of all ages, we were wondering: how have you adapted to the technological changes of the past thirty years? What changes have you seen? What have you had trouble getting used to? Is it exciting? Terrifying? Astonishing? Confusing? What don’t you know how to do? I only found out about Ctrl-C/Ctrl-V a couple of years ago. Thought this was a bit of a talker for Thursday. What do you think? And hey, what else is on your mind? http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-open-thread-08-02-2012/ Sexy men smoke. It’s a fact. James Dean, Jon Hamm, Humphrey Bogart and Shane Warne (feel free to add to this list).  So it’s a great pity that smoking will also eventually make them stupid. Or so says new research from the UK that has drawn a link between rapid brain decline and men who are long term smokers. Here’s the skinny from Reuters: The study used a group of men with an average age of 56 when they had their first cognitive assessment. The study used six assessments of smoking status over 25 years and three cognitive assessments over 10 years, and found that smokers showed a cognitive decline as fast as non-smokers 10 years older than them The study also found that women smokers are spared the effect on their brain because they generally smoke a lot less. Hmmm, we’re not sure about this one. What do you Punchers make of it? And if you’re a male smoker, does this kind of study put you off? Post your thoughts on this and anything else that’s on your mind below. Oh, and happy Wednesday. The week gets good from here. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Antony McMullen) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-open-thread-08-02-2012/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-open-thread-08-02-2012/#item7703 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:00:12 +0000 We were having a chat about technology in The Punch office yesterday. Ant was shocked (shocked!) when I mentioned using computers at primary school. As he recalled, when he was in high school, it only had a couple of computers in a lab that you were very rarely allowed to touch. There was at least one in every classroom when I was at school and labs jam-packed with them. And by Year 8 or 9 most had mobile phones. I don’t think I can remember my report cards ever not being typed, whereas the rest of the team could all recall the challenge over having to decipher the teacher’s handwriting. Tory M remembered trying to save up several grand to buy her first computer – when today you can walk into JB Hi-Fi and pick up a laptop for around $800. One day soon all school kids will be typing up their end-of-school exams. Some already do. Times have sure changed. Considering you, our excellent regulars, are of all ages, we were wondering: how have you adapted to the technological changes of the past thirty years? What changes have you seen? What have you had trouble getting used to? Is it exciting? Terrifying? Astonishing? Confusing? What don’t you know how to do? I only found out about Ctrl-C/Ctrl-V a couple of years ago. Thought this was a bit of a talker for Thursday. What do you think? And hey, what else is on your mind? http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-open-thread-07-02-2012/ It’s the first Tuesday of the month, so if you’ve got a mortgage, you know what that means: you’re going to be hearing about interest rates today. Economists are saying that it’s likely the RBA will cut rates. But those same economists, and punters, don’t seem to think it’s particularly likely the banks will pass on any cuts. What’s interesting YOUR rates today? What’s on your mind? feedback@thepunch.com.au (Antony McMullen) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-open-thread-07-02-2012/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-open-thread-07-02-2012/#item7695 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:00:12 +0000 We were having a chat about technology in The Punch office yesterday. Ant was shocked (shocked!) when I mentioned using computers at primary school. As he recalled, when he was in high school, it only had a couple of computers in a lab that you were very rarely allowed to touch. There was at least one in every classroom when I was at school and labs jam-packed with them. And by Year 8 or 9 most had mobile phones. I don’t think I can remember my report cards ever not being typed, whereas the rest of the team could all recall the challenge over having to decipher the teacher’s handwriting. Tory M remembered trying to save up several grand to buy her first computer – when today you can walk into JB Hi-Fi and pick up a laptop for around $800. One day soon all school kids will be typing up their end-of-school exams. Some already do. Times have sure changed. Considering you, our excellent regulars, are of all ages, we were wondering: how have you adapted to the technological changes of the past thirty years? What changes have you seen? What have you had trouble getting used to? Is it exciting? Terrifying? Astonishing? Confusing? What don’t you know how to do? I only found out about Ctrl-C/Ctrl-V a couple of years ago. Thought this was a bit of a talker for Thursday. What do you think? And hey, what else is on your mind? http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-open-thread-06-02-2012/ A mandatory evacuation order has been declared for the inland Queensland town of St George as floodwaters deluge parts of the state. Searchers recovered a woman’s body in floodwaters near Roma, north of St George yesterday. If you’re in an area threatened by floodwaters, keep your ear tuned to local radio for updates. And remember, if it’s flooded, just forget it. It’s Monday and it’s somehow already the 6th of February. What’s been happening in your lives, Punchers? And what’s on your mind? feedback@thepunch.com.au (Antony McMullen) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-open-thread-06-02-2012/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-open-thread-06-02-2012/#item7689 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:00:12 +0000 We were having a chat about technology in The Punch office yesterday. Ant was shocked (shocked!) when I mentioned using computers at primary school. As he recalled, when he was in high school, it only had a couple of computers in a lab that you were very rarely allowed to touch. There was at least one in every classroom when I was at school and labs jam-packed with them. And by Year 8 or 9 most had mobile phones. I don’t think I can remember my report cards ever not being typed, whereas the rest of the team could all recall the challenge over having to decipher the teacher’s handwriting. Tory M remembered trying to save up several grand to buy her first computer – when today you can walk into JB Hi-Fi and pick up a laptop for around $800. One day soon all school kids will be typing up their end-of-school exams. Some already do. Times have sure changed. Considering you, our excellent regulars, are of all ages, we were wondering: how have you adapted to the technological changes of the past thirty years? What changes have you seen? What have you had trouble getting used to? Is it exciting? Terrifying? Astonishing? Confusing? What don’t you know how to do? I only found out about Ctrl-C/Ctrl-V a couple of years ago. Thought this was a bit of a talker for Thursday. What do you think? And hey, what else is on your mind? http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-friday-review-03-02-2011/ The fallout from the Australia Day incident continued. The PM’s leadership was further destabilised by silly media errors. Penbo said pollies should just sack their staffers. Our Lucy Kippist followed up our coverage with an expose of the volunteering medal that the PM was handing out on Australia Day. On the flipside, the ALP saved the alps. New contributor James Heathers broke down why alternative medicines aren’t scientific. Sue O’Reilly didn’t get the response she was looking for when she asked Tony Abbott to meet with a child with disabilities and their carers. Tory Maguire wondered why Sydney gets so sooky about the weather compared to elsewhere in Australia, Jason Tin decried the end of the internet and Tory Shepherd warned of the dangers of home births. Elsewhere in the world, a man planned to wrap a river in fabric. How about that? It’s Friday. What’s on your mind, Punchers? feedback@thepunch.com.au (Antony McMullen) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-friday-review-03-02-2011/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-friday-review-03-02-2011/#item7673 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:00:12 +0000 We were having a chat about technology in The Punch office yesterday. Ant was shocked (shocked!) when I mentioned using computers at primary school. As he recalled, when he was in high school, it only had a couple of computers in a lab that you were very rarely allowed to touch. There was at least one in every classroom when I was at school and labs jam-packed with them. And by Year 8 or 9 most had mobile phones. I don’t think I can remember my report cards ever not being typed, whereas the rest of the team could all recall the challenge over having to decipher the teacher’s handwriting. Tory M remembered trying to save up several grand to buy her first computer – when today you can walk into JB Hi-Fi and pick up a laptop for around $800. One day soon all school kids will be typing up their end-of-school exams. Some already do. Times have sure changed. Considering you, our excellent regulars, are of all ages, we were wondering: how have you adapted to the technological changes of the past thirty years? What changes have you seen? What have you had trouble getting used to? Is it exciting? Terrifying? Astonishing? Confusing? What don’t you know how to do? I only found out about Ctrl-C/Ctrl-V a couple of years ago. Thought this was a bit of a talker for Thursday. What do you think? And hey, what else is on your mind? http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-open-thread-02-02-20111/ The Punch received a press release from the Defence Department yesterday announcing that the Asia Pacific Civil-Military Centre of Excellence has been renamed the Australian Civil-Military Centre. This led us to ask… does this mean the Civil-Military Centre is no longer excellent? That it’s just your average Australian Civil-Military Centre now? We could all do with a little more excellence in our lives. Speaking of things that are, or have been excellent: it’s Thursday. What’s on your mind, folks? feedback@thepunch.com.au (Antony McMullen) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-open-thread-02-02-20111/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-open-thread-02-02-20111/#item7655 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:00:12 +0000 We were having a chat about technology in The Punch office yesterday. Ant was shocked (shocked!) when I mentioned using computers at primary school. As he recalled, when he was in high school, it only had a couple of computers in a lab that you were very rarely allowed to touch. There was at least one in every classroom when I was at school and labs jam-packed with them. And by Year 8 or 9 most had mobile phones. I don’t think I can remember my report cards ever not being typed, whereas the rest of the team could all recall the challenge over having to decipher the teacher’s handwriting. Tory M remembered trying to save up several grand to buy her first computer – when today you can walk into JB Hi-Fi and pick up a laptop for around $800. One day soon all school kids will be typing up their end-of-school exams. Some already do. Times have sure changed. Considering you, our excellent regulars, are of all ages, we were wondering: how have you adapted to the technological changes of the past thirty years? What changes have you seen? What have you had trouble getting used to? Is it exciting? Terrifying? Astonishing? Confusing? What don’t you know how to do? I only found out about Ctrl-C/Ctrl-V a couple of years ago. Thought this was a bit of a talker for Thursday. What do you think? And hey, what else is on your mind? http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-open-thread-01-02-2012/ As many great Australians and members of The Punch team would do after achieving a great success, on Sunday evening Novak Djokovic picked up a microphone and had a go at karaoke. Djokovic belted out a few bars of Accadacca’s Highway to Hell post-match. Are you a karaoke’er? If so, what’s your song? My tune is Kanye West’s Gold Digger . Pity everyone who has been subjected to it. Members of The Punch team who will remain anonymous are known to practice their songs months before planned karaoke events*. It’s Wednesday and we’re well on the highway to Friday. What’s on your mind, Punchers? *Disclosure: The 2011 Punch Christmas party revolved around a particularly seedy karaoke bar in inner-city Sydney.   feedback@thepunch.com.au (Antony McMullen) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-open-thread-01-02-2012/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-open-thread-01-02-2012/#item7646 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:00:12 +0000 We were having a chat about technology in The Punch office yesterday. Ant was shocked (shocked!) when I mentioned using computers at primary school. As he recalled, when he was in high school, it only had a couple of computers in a lab that you were very rarely allowed to touch. There was at least one in every classroom when I was at school and labs jam-packed with them. And by Year 8 or 9 most had mobile phones. I don’t think I can remember my report cards ever not being typed, whereas the rest of the team could all recall the challenge over having to decipher the teacher’s handwriting. Tory M remembered trying to save up several grand to buy her first computer – when today you can walk into JB Hi-Fi and pick up a laptop for around $800. One day soon all school kids will be typing up their end-of-school exams. Some already do. Times have sure changed. Considering you, our excellent regulars, are of all ages, we were wondering: how have you adapted to the technological changes of the past thirty years? What changes have you seen? What have you had trouble getting used to? Is it exciting? Terrifying? Astonishing? Confusing? What don’t you know how to do? I only found out about Ctrl-C/Ctrl-V a couple of years ago. Thought this was a bit of a talker for Thursday. What do you think? And hey, what else is on your mind? http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-open-thread-31-01-2012/ Between the Prime Minister’s shoe and Novak Djokovic’s shirt, we can easily wildly generalise that clothing theft is soaring across Australia this new year. There’s a rather amusing video doing the rounds of Djokovic’s chucking his shirt into the crowd after Sunday’s grand final and a woman snatching it from the sky before its intended recipient had a chance to get a hold of it. Have you ever gone to extreme lengths to see a celebrity or get their autograph? Who was the last celebrity you saw on the street? Who would you go out of your way to see or have a chat to? And shoes, shirts and celebrities aside, what’s on your mind today? feedback@thepunch.com.au (Antony McMullen) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-open-thread-31-01-2012/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-open-thread-31-01-2012/#item7641 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:00:12 +0000 We were having a chat about technology in The Punch office yesterday. Ant was shocked (shocked!) when I mentioned using computers at primary school. As he recalled, when he was in high school, it only had a couple of computers in a lab that you were very rarely allowed to touch. There was at least one in every classroom when I was at school and labs jam-packed with them. And by Year 8 or 9 most had mobile phones. I don’t think I can remember my report cards ever not being typed, whereas the rest of the team could all recall the challenge over having to decipher the teacher’s handwriting. Tory M remembered trying to save up several grand to buy her first computer – when today you can walk into JB Hi-Fi and pick up a laptop for around $800. One day soon all school kids will be typing up their end-of-school exams. Some already do. Times have sure changed. Considering you, our excellent regulars, are of all ages, we were wondering: how have you adapted to the technological changes of the past thirty years? What changes have you seen? What have you had trouble getting used to? Is it exciting? Terrifying? Astonishing? Confusing? What don’t you know how to do? I only found out about Ctrl-C/Ctrl-V a couple of years ago. Thought this was a bit of a talker for Thursday. What do you think? And hey, what else is on your mind? http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-open-thread-30-01-2012/ Morning, Punchers. Ant Sharwood here. Last Friday, journalist Amanada Shalala made a fair point on the TV show The Drum. As the panel previewed the Australian Open women’s tennis final, she asked why they were only talking about the grunting. Should they have talked more about the actual tennis? Was it somehow sexist or gruntist or some such not to do so? And while we’re talking tennis, did anyone catch the men’s final last night? I’m writing this thing at 6:40 pm Sunday night, and I expect Nadal to beat Djokovic in four sets. How’d I go? And what did you make of the final? What else has got you talking around the water cooler this morning? And hey, why don’t you see as many water coolers as you used to these days? feedback@thepunch.com.au (Antony McMullen) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-open-thread-30-01-2012/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-open-thread-30-01-2012/#item7633 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:00:12 +0000 We were having a chat about technology in The Punch office yesterday. Ant was shocked (shocked!) when I mentioned using computers at primary school. As he recalled, when he was in high school, it only had a couple of computers in a lab that you were very rarely allowed to touch. There was at least one in every classroom when I was at school and labs jam-packed with them. And by Year 8 or 9 most had mobile phones. I don’t think I can remember my report cards ever not being typed, whereas the rest of the team could all recall the challenge over having to decipher the teacher’s handwriting. Tory M remembered trying to save up several grand to buy her first computer – when today you can walk into JB Hi-Fi and pick up a laptop for around $800. One day soon all school kids will be typing up their end-of-school exams. Some already do. Times have sure changed. Considering you, our excellent regulars, are of all ages, we were wondering: how have you adapted to the technological changes of the past thirty years? What changes have you seen? What have you had trouble getting used to? Is it exciting? Terrifying? Astonishing? Confusing? What don’t you know how to do? I only found out about Ctrl-C/Ctrl-V a couple of years ago. Thought this was a bit of a talker for Thursday. What do you think? And hey, what else is on your mind?