Word-whore. I write 'em. I talk 'em. Information, politics, media, and the cybers. I drink. I use bad words. All publication is a political act. All communication is propaganda. All art is pornography. All business is personal. All hail Eris! Vive les poissons rouges sauvages!
GetUp! has raised over $200,000 to show this spoof TV advert during the AFL Grand Final tomorrow. It’s a send-up of the government’s glossy promo which tries to give the impression they’re doing something about climate change.
While it may not be screened many times during the game, I reckon the fact that “ordinary Australians” have chipped in to make it possible is newsworthy — which will in turn get the advert shown for free all over the place. Sweet.
Überanalyst Antony Green’s guide to the 2007 federal election is now online. That is all. At ease.
Security expert Bruce Schneier has blogged about The Chaser‘s APEC security breach — which means it’s just been read by most of the switched-on security professionals on the planet. “Social engineering” attacks like this are easy, he says. You just have to look like you fit in. One commenter points out that this goes beyond “security theatre” into “security opera”.
Now here’s a surprise. Not. The massive security operation surrounding APEC brings us yet another example of security theatre — pointless activity that’s all for show but which does nothing to actually enhance security.
The police busy themselves by (mostly politely) hassling tourists and photographers, deleting images of The Fence because “protesters might be doing reconnaissance for weak spots.” Uhuh. But The Chaser crew get within metres of George W’s hotel by playing dress-ups and driving big black cars.
Continue reading “APEC “security theatre” a joke, literally”
I love this review of Sea Patrol in the Sydney Morning Herald “The Guide” this week. Giving the episode a big thumbs down, it says:
This is one of the best shows I’ve seen in a long time. Who would have thought a straight-faced spoof on the high seas drama — a sort of Secret Seven Sail the Ocean Blue — could be quite this funny? I especially love the way Lisa McCune had her smiling muscles removed to bring faux-gravitas to her role.
Dialogue from the Ark, needless background music and all the tension of Anna Nicole Smith’s knicker elastic. This will run and run.
Thank you, Keith Austin. I’ve never watched the show — and now I feel even less urge.