CNNNN: Newstainment
CNNNN is an Australian television programme. It takes delight in parodying some of the conservative aspects of recent Australian life. This includes the increasing popularity of ''newstainment'' (as it threatens to undermine the priority of investigative journalism) and the efforts of the Liberal (social-conservative) Party (before their 2007 Federal election defeat) to undermine some of the fundamental rights and values of Australian society.
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Simon PerkinsSHARE
Yes Prime Minister: parodying Australian Prime Minister
[Yes Prime Minister is an interactive parody of Australia's ex-Prime Minister John Winston Howard. The interactive toy works as a kind of digital 'fridge magnet poetry' through allowing users to re-mix Little Johnny's speeches for humorous effect. The toy was created by the Australian communications agency 'Thought By Them'.]
CONTRIBUTOR
The Constellations ProjectSHARE
The War On Terror And Other Conservative Catchphrases
"The word terror activates your fear, and fear activates the strict father model, which is what conservatives want. The "war on terror" is not about stopping you from being afraid, it's about making you afraid."
(George Lakoff University of California, Berkeley)
[George Lakoff uses the metaphor of the family to explain contemporary American conservative politics. He draws a distinction between a strict father model and a nurturing parents model. He believes that Bush and his conservative cronies evoke the strict father model as a mechanism for enforcing control and reframing debate around issues of security and self-interest. Clearly the conservatives in Australia are following a similar line which is evident in their anti-terrorism campaign played-out through television advertisements and train station billboards.]
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The Constellations ProjectSHARE
Ethics Question Satirising Australian Prime Minister
"This test only has one question, but it's a very important one. By giving an honest answer, you will discover where you stand morally. The test features an unlikely, completely fictional situation in which you will have to make a decision. Remember that your answer needs to be honest, yet spontaneous. You are in Darwin, Northern Territory. There is chaos all around you caused by a cyclone with severe flooding. This is a flood of biblical proportions. You are a photojournalist working for a major newspaper, and you're caught in the middle of this epic disaster. The situation is nearly hopeless. You're trying to shoot career-making photos. There are houses and people swirling around you, some disappearing under the water. Nature is unleashing all of its destructive fury. Suddenly you see a man floundering in the water. He is fighting for his life, trying not to be taken down with the debris. You move closer - somehow the man looks familiar. You suddenly realise who it is. It's John Howard. At the same time you notice that the raging waters are about to pull him under. You have two options, you can save the life of 'Little Johnny' or you can shoot a dramatic Pulitzer Prize winning photo, documenting the death of the Australian Prime Minister. So here's the question, and please give an honest answer: Would you select colour film, or would you go with the high contrast black and white?"
(anonymous email)
[This email has likely circulated the Internet for a while. While the specifics of the story may have been altered, its general thrust will likely be the same. Witty emails like this one provide an avenue for public commentary (in this case about the former Australian Prime Minister John Winston Howard).]
CONTRIBUTOR
The Constellations ProjectSHARE
Escape From Woomera: Videogame Social Commentary
Honor Harger
A online game, being developed by an Australian collective of games developers, artists and activists. The game is designed as a direct critique of Australia's [...] detention centres[...]. Escape from Woomera
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The Constellations ProjectSHARE
