The unabashed peddling of poverty porn
Slumdog Millionaire (2008) was celebrated for its direction and storytelling, but its portrayal of poverty was widely described as revolting and, to some, deeply...
Ghosts of White Australia: A history that refuses to stay buried
Yesterday's piece on Australian identity produced the kind of comments section that tells you more than any poll could. Taylor Hyslop put it plainly:...
I am Australian. And I refuse to argue about it.
Picture this. You are standing at the rim of the Grand Canyon, one of the most breathtaking geological wonders on the planet. The tour...
The Tyranny of Affluence
The tyranny of affluence is a paradoxical idea: that wealth and abundance, rather than liberating us, can become their own form of pressure.
One of...
Australia’s under-16 social media ban: A debate that continues
Australia’s decision to restrict social media use for people under 16 has sparked considerable debate. Public opinion is mixed, but there are broadly three...
Why immigration has become a global flashpoint
immigration has become a defining political issue in many countries, driven by a mix of economic, cultural, political and psychological forces.
Economic anxiety is often...
Ink and identity: The psychology behind tattooing
Tattoos have become a common form of self-expression, with people from all walks of life choosing to adorn their bodies with permanent ink. What...
The geography of anger
For most of the past decade, Australia’s political centre has assumed the real contest was between Labor and the Coalition, with minor parties flickering...
Who gets to be Aussie when identity refuses to sit still
A migrant’s identity is rarely neat. It moves. It stretches. It changes shape depending on where you stand and who is asking the question.
Most...
26 January: Two democracies, one shared story
January 26 is a day of profound dual significance. For all Australians, it is a day to reflect on our journey as a modern...