He clenched his fist around the USB, impatience gripping him as he waited. He had just finished pacing only to sit down, unaware of his rocking back and forth. Once he saw her, he was back to his feet. He wanted to push it into her hand and disappear. Instead, she guided him to a table, “let’s have a drink first,” she offered. “Sure.” They sat, ordered drinks. Small talk. He looked around, more small talk. The crowd was distant, his mind never leaving what he ha seen. How he felt. Once the drinks were in front of them, she sipped hers, a tall cold beer. She looked at him, “tell me what is on...

In 1935 while in exile Brecht wrote his poem challenging the aristocracy of history. The belief that events and the entire of human existence occurs because of a great man, the dear leader. In contemporary moments, politicians and influential people are looked at with cultish adulation. They are the exemplifiers of perfect power, human gods who may fix, solve and accomplish through their personality but above all else, the power afforded to them by status. A status safeguarded through wealth and the template of governance, to bribe the mercenary minded, zealotic believers who will do all...

“Never again.” Those words were spoken in the wake of the second world war, the revelation and realisation that a sophisticated, educated and civilsed nation of people could commit atrocities of such a scale. Not merely a genocide, a regime of torture, slavery and human misery under the guise of scientific enquiry and chauvinistic supremacy. The victors of the Good war satisfied their sacrifice and accomplishments in knowing that they had conquered an evil. Myths were born. It was the feat of the greatest generation. All other wars and enemies would be judged by this one, the second world...

She just turned ninety, her body withering along with her mind. She dithers and smiles, walks slowly among the isles, she is never alone when outside, she remains lonely. She has always been a pensioner, never worked. Her husband died thirty years ago, now with three adult kids. She is without want, despite wishing she had her youth back. Her middle son, in his fifties, has never worked. Now, full time carer, paid to look after his own mother. He has no kids, never married. He boasts about his pokie wins, and treats himself to a massage twice a month, each ending happy. He takes pride in his...

This is an older allegory thing that I wrote back in early 2022   The Mountain of Ambition   Imagine if you will that upon the horizon sits an impressive mountain. It is the distant fixture that confronts you every day. So far away and yet, it stands as it has since before history. A thought popped into your mind, ‘I would love to climb to the top of that mountain some day’. It is at first a seed of an idea, until you declare it to others. The declaration becomes a mandate, one that mutates into an obsession. You do not need a reason why that you want to accomplish this feat, only...

He walked nearly twelve kilometres, barefoot, hungry. Most children like him, if they are lucky eat a single meal every second or third day. When he arrived to where the wheat was being distributed, he smiled. He was happy. Grateful. He kissed the hand of the American contractor who took the above photos. Then IDF snipers shot him. Killed him along with others. The world saw it. Soon, in places like Australia, it will be harder to see such things. Aussies love government, love laws banning things. Speech, what we can see, hear, say. But, do the governments need censorship? Did the Wikileaks...

Recently Patrick Macfarlane, my fellow, fellow at this dear Institute discussed on his Vital Dissent podcast the Kazuo Ishiguro novel, Never Let Me Go. In his books Ishiguro frequently covers memories, relationships and the human condition. Never Let Me Go, is a dystopian book on the meaning of individual life and how systems, hierarchies and society itself can value and categories people based on collective and ideological needs. I suggest listening to Patrick’s podcast for an in depth break down. I will not reveal any spoilers. Only, care to elaborate and expand on certain themes. I read...