I know I've spent a good number of years poo-pooing fans of the Harry Potter books for no good reason. I've always enjoyed the movies, and never been afraid to say so, but seven books? Come on. Who has got time to read seven books, let alone when they're supposed to be for children?
How wrong I was.
I am halfway through the sixth book, and am finding it very hard to deal with the fact that it will one day end. I have never been so captivated by a story. I come home from work, I make dinner whilst reading, eat whilst reading, and then retire to bed and read until midnight. Lame? Perhaps. But when a story can have that kind of power over you, it has to be magic.
My apologies to everyone who I may have taunted during my non-Harry-Potter-loving days.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Pixar's Andrew Stanton with Wall-E
Pixar studio's Andrew Stanton headed down under recently to promote Wall-E. Here are some pictures of the duo, smiling happily for Australian photographers. Stanton proved a very nice guy who is not above signing autographs and talking to fans about their favourite Pixar films.
Philosophy in high schools
This is an article I wrote for the Sydney Morning Herald on the teaching of philosophy in high schools. I interviewed Queensland teacher Peter Ellerton, who is trying to push for more high schools around Australia to adopt philosophy.
Special thank you to Darryn, who helped me to discover a Philosopher's Zone podcast, moving silently through the Greek countryside on a sunny day in June.
Article here.
Why is philosophy as a subject such a fizzer in schools, asks Laura Parker.
For Said Bouziane, a year 11 student, using deductive logic is as easy as stacking chairs.
"One day after class I noticed a student pick up a pile of five chairs and place them on a pile of two. I wondered how many times this student chose the bigger, heavier, more troublesome pile of chairs," he said.
Pondering reason and logic is a normal part of Said's day at Calamvale Community College in Brisbane, where he studies philosophy under the guidance of teacher Peter Ellerton.
A former physics teacher, Mr Ellerton introduced the philosophy and critical thinking program to Calamvale after joining a network of Queensland teachers which promotes and spreads the teaching of philosophy in high schools throughout the state.
"Some people don't understand what we mean by philosophy - they think it's just discussion," Mr Ellerton said. "The truth is it's a rigorous and analytical subject; you have to do it properly. We don't discuss the meaning of life. As a subject, I think it's more fundamental than maths or English."
Reason being … Peter Ellerton teaches philosophy at Brisbane's Calamvale Community College and started the Australian Philosophy Teachers Network to get more resources to teachers. Photo: Paul Harris
The teaching of philosophy in Queensland high schools is not new. The subject has been taught, in one form or another, for 50 years.
Other states have been quick to catch up, with Western Australia introducing a philosophy high-school program in the last year, and Victoria in the past five years. But in NSW the situation remains uncertain. The NSW Board of Studies offers philosophy as a distinction course only to students who have already sat the HSC exams.
The course is delivered through universities, and, although it contributes to the student's UAI, attendance numbers are not high: the Board of Studies data shows only 54 students enrolled in the philosophy distinction course last year. The Board of Studies also endorses school-developed courses in general philosophy, but only a handful of high schools in NSW that have taken up this offer.
One such high school is Newington College in Stanmore. The school offers critical thinking courses for each year group, as well as a moral philosophy course for years 10 to 12.
The school introduced the International Baccalaureate in 2007, which includes a theory of knowledge component. Jeremy Hall, a teacher at Newington, believes teaching philosophy in high school is the basis of a good education.
"We live in an increasingly complex world," Mr Hall says. "Whether it is genetics, war, globalisation or environmental issues, we need students to be engaged with these issues at a level that goes beyond superficial.
"Philosophy helps students to think critically, provide good reasons for being persuaded and explore their beliefs and values."
But why aren't more high schools in the state catching on?
Phil Cam is an associate professor in the school of history and philosophy at the University of NSW and the president of the Philosophy for Schools Association of NSW - a group that aims to introduce philosophy to more high schools around the state. For him, the lack of philosophy in NSW high schools is nothing short of an embarrassment.
"No one is seriously looking at teaching philosophy in high schools in NSW," Dr Cam said. "Philosophy is actually doing very well in other states, so it's clear we're behind in educational innovation.
"Would the world be a better place if kids began learning philosophy in school? Yes. It would result in a more inquiring society, a society of thinkers who are rational and reasonable."
On the world stage, philosophy is part of the high school curriculum throughout Europe and Latin America; it's only the English-speaking countries such as the United States, Britain, New Zealand, Canada and Australia that are to catch up.
"I think philosophy will eventually be added as a high school subject throughout Australia," Dr Cam says. "It's a matter of strengthening what's already happening in the curriculum."
Mr Ellerton agrees. In June this year he started the Australian Philosophy Teachers Network, to provide philosophy teachers across the country with the ability to download and share resources freely and easily.
"The problem in Australia is a lack of qualified philosophy teachers," he said. "My interest is in distributing and collecting resources for the teachers already teaching, and inspiring a few more to start.
"Overall, I think we need more teachers to bring philosophy into common ground, and understanding how great the skills it gives students are. It's a system of understanding the world, and what could be more precious than that?"
The Queensland program is taught to year 10, 11 and 12 students at Calamvale and is composed of three strands: deductive logic, critical thinking and pure philosophy. Students are instructed in the teachings of the great philosophers as well as reasoning, argumentation and spotting fallacies. Mr Ellerton discovered a newfound scepticism in his students after just one year.
"Once my students realised that they were learning to reason, they seemed to be shocked that it wasn't taught to them earlier," he said. "I think it's one of the most important things in life. A student even said to me that learning philosophy was like flipping a light switch inside his head. It's encouraging for me as a teacher to elicit this kind of response."
True enough, philosophy has left a big impression on students such as Said, and Nikki Greethead and Sara Merlino, who all study under Mr Ellerton.
"I now question absolutely everything, and I take everyone's word as opinion and not fact," Said says. "Being able to distinguish the difference between those two, I think, is priceless. Learning logic and reason has helped me find my moral compass. For a long time I'd been wondering why should I do what someone tells me, and philosophy gave me tools to reason and find answers."
Nikki found she was "far more likely to think things through now, and ask for more detailed reasoning. Nothing forces you to ask yourself 'why' quite like philosophy."
As for Sara: "I'm Christian so I had very firm beliefs to begin with. But I found that even then I was able to become more sceptical and think about things in a different way because I had learnt to reason. Philosophy is not a yes or no subject."
It seems that learning philosophy in high school also helps students to draw parallels to other subjects, encouraging their development in different areas.
"What we've found looking at the final year exams of Queensland students is that those who have studied philosophy perform better across all subjects," Mr Ellerton said.
"The result is kids who are critical thinkers and informed citizens. It's a big call to say the world would be a better place if everyone was taught philosophy young, but what you'd certainly get is a more informed and critical population, which can only be a good thing. This is incentive enough to see philosophy subject taught in other states."
Special thank you to Darryn, who helped me to discover a Philosopher's Zone podcast, moving silently through the Greek countryside on a sunny day in June.
Article here.
Why is philosophy as a subject such a fizzer in schools, asks Laura Parker.
For Said Bouziane, a year 11 student, using deductive logic is as easy as stacking chairs.
"One day after class I noticed a student pick up a pile of five chairs and place them on a pile of two. I wondered how many times this student chose the bigger, heavier, more troublesome pile of chairs," he said.
Pondering reason and logic is a normal part of Said's day at Calamvale Community College in Brisbane, where he studies philosophy under the guidance of teacher Peter Ellerton.
A former physics teacher, Mr Ellerton introduced the philosophy and critical thinking program to Calamvale after joining a network of Queensland teachers which promotes and spreads the teaching of philosophy in high schools throughout the state.
"Some people don't understand what we mean by philosophy - they think it's just discussion," Mr Ellerton said. "The truth is it's a rigorous and analytical subject; you have to do it properly. We don't discuss the meaning of life. As a subject, I think it's more fundamental than maths or English."
Reason being … Peter Ellerton teaches philosophy at Brisbane's Calamvale Community College and started the Australian Philosophy Teachers Network to get more resources to teachers. Photo: Paul Harris
The teaching of philosophy in Queensland high schools is not new. The subject has been taught, in one form or another, for 50 years.
Other states have been quick to catch up, with Western Australia introducing a philosophy high-school program in the last year, and Victoria in the past five years. But in NSW the situation remains uncertain. The NSW Board of Studies offers philosophy as a distinction course only to students who have already sat the HSC exams.
The course is delivered through universities, and, although it contributes to the student's UAI, attendance numbers are not high: the Board of Studies data shows only 54 students enrolled in the philosophy distinction course last year. The Board of Studies also endorses school-developed courses in general philosophy, but only a handful of high schools in NSW that have taken up this offer.
One such high school is Newington College in Stanmore. The school offers critical thinking courses for each year group, as well as a moral philosophy course for years 10 to 12.
The school introduced the International Baccalaureate in 2007, which includes a theory of knowledge component. Jeremy Hall, a teacher at Newington, believes teaching philosophy in high school is the basis of a good education.
"We live in an increasingly complex world," Mr Hall says. "Whether it is genetics, war, globalisation or environmental issues, we need students to be engaged with these issues at a level that goes beyond superficial.
"Philosophy helps students to think critically, provide good reasons for being persuaded and explore their beliefs and values."
But why aren't more high schools in the state catching on?
Phil Cam is an associate professor in the school of history and philosophy at the University of NSW and the president of the Philosophy for Schools Association of NSW - a group that aims to introduce philosophy to more high schools around the state. For him, the lack of philosophy in NSW high schools is nothing short of an embarrassment.
"No one is seriously looking at teaching philosophy in high schools in NSW," Dr Cam said. "Philosophy is actually doing very well in other states, so it's clear we're behind in educational innovation.
"Would the world be a better place if kids began learning philosophy in school? Yes. It would result in a more inquiring society, a society of thinkers who are rational and reasonable."
On the world stage, philosophy is part of the high school curriculum throughout Europe and Latin America; it's only the English-speaking countries such as the United States, Britain, New Zealand, Canada and Australia that are to catch up.
"I think philosophy will eventually be added as a high school subject throughout Australia," Dr Cam says. "It's a matter of strengthening what's already happening in the curriculum."
Mr Ellerton agrees. In June this year he started the Australian Philosophy Teachers Network, to provide philosophy teachers across the country with the ability to download and share resources freely and easily.
"The problem in Australia is a lack of qualified philosophy teachers," he said. "My interest is in distributing and collecting resources for the teachers already teaching, and inspiring a few more to start.
"Overall, I think we need more teachers to bring philosophy into common ground, and understanding how great the skills it gives students are. It's a system of understanding the world, and what could be more precious than that?"
The Queensland program is taught to year 10, 11 and 12 students at Calamvale and is composed of three strands: deductive logic, critical thinking and pure philosophy. Students are instructed in the teachings of the great philosophers as well as reasoning, argumentation and spotting fallacies. Mr Ellerton discovered a newfound scepticism in his students after just one year.
"Once my students realised that they were learning to reason, they seemed to be shocked that it wasn't taught to them earlier," he said. "I think it's one of the most important things in life. A student even said to me that learning philosophy was like flipping a light switch inside his head. It's encouraging for me as a teacher to elicit this kind of response."
True enough, philosophy has left a big impression on students such as Said, and Nikki Greethead and Sara Merlino, who all study under Mr Ellerton.
"I now question absolutely everything, and I take everyone's word as opinion and not fact," Said says. "Being able to distinguish the difference between those two, I think, is priceless. Learning logic and reason has helped me find my moral compass. For a long time I'd been wondering why should I do what someone tells me, and philosophy gave me tools to reason and find answers."
Nikki found she was "far more likely to think things through now, and ask for more detailed reasoning. Nothing forces you to ask yourself 'why' quite like philosophy."
As for Sara: "I'm Christian so I had very firm beliefs to begin with. But I found that even then I was able to become more sceptical and think about things in a different way because I had learnt to reason. Philosophy is not a yes or no subject."
It seems that learning philosophy in high school also helps students to draw parallels to other subjects, encouraging their development in different areas.
"What we've found looking at the final year exams of Queensland students is that those who have studied philosophy perform better across all subjects," Mr Ellerton said.
"The result is kids who are critical thinkers and informed citizens. It's a big call to say the world would be a better place if everyone was taught philosophy young, but what you'd certainly get is a more informed and critical population, which can only be a good thing. This is incentive enough to see philosophy subject taught in other states."
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Why robots are better than aliens
I like robots because they’re cute. Some can not look cute, but no one really makes robots that don’t look cute. I am talking of course about androids, who are robots made to look like humans. Not entirely like humans of course but just the basics: a body, a head, two arms and two legs. Most developers choose to make androids because it helps the human-robot relationship because it’s much easier to interact with something when it’s shaped like you.
A robot’s cuteness usually comes from the fact that they have rounded joints, which makes them look cuddly. Some developers also give their robots really big puppy-eyes and this makes them a lot cuter than those C3P0-type robots that you see sometimes in university research centres. The reason why robots are better than aliens is because robots were invented to help humans lead a better life, and now there is serious research being done in using robots to help with aspects of human life that we’ve always reserved for other humans, i.e. early childhood education, care and service, and even companionship. Aliens don’t do any of these things. They’re also not cute, like robots are.
This is why robots are better than aliens.
A robot’s cuteness usually comes from the fact that they have rounded joints, which makes them look cuddly. Some developers also give their robots really big puppy-eyes and this makes them a lot cuter than those C3P0-type robots that you see sometimes in university research centres. The reason why robots are better than aliens is because robots were invented to help humans lead a better life, and now there is serious research being done in using robots to help with aspects of human life that we’ve always reserved for other humans, i.e. early childhood education, care and service, and even companionship. Aliens don’t do any of these things. They’re also not cute, like robots are.
This is why robots are better than aliens.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
David Sedaris
My lover and I haven't been able to find a publication that will print an interview with David Sedaris, and we both really, really want to interview him.
David, if you can read this, will you let us interview you just for the fun of it?
The article can be published here, on my blog. Yes?
David, if you can read this, will you let us interview you just for the fun of it?
The article can be published here, on my blog. Yes?
Looking for a great gift?
Everyone is.
Here's my latest from The Vine: an article all about the joy of gift-giving. People often think that giving gifts is more about the sentiment rather than the gift itself. That's not true. I don't really care half as much about the peron's intentions as I do about what's actually given to me. You may call this selfish, but I'm sure you'll find that most people feel the same. Giving shit gifts is no excuse. So, here are some good ones.
Crafty Gift Guide
Being a creative present buyer doesn't come easy. Time, money and a general lack of good ideas often lead the best of us to the sock counter at Myer ... which can often leave the gift receiver a little more than wanting.
To save you unnecessary embarrassment, we’ve come up with a list of innovative arty and crafty gifts that will soon put you at the top of everyone’s party invitee list.
TABITHA EMMA
This 22-year-old designed lives in the outskirts of Sydney and works as a casual ice-cream shop assistant in-between designing novelty bags, purses, tea cosies, art prints and pocket mirrors. Inspired by childhood memories, Tabitha's creations are girly, young and innovative, with a touch of humour that makes these beauties perfect for the young at heart.
After studying fashion at the Whitehouse Institute of Design, Tabitha set up her own business online at Etsy.com, a site for selling and buying handmade things. Her products range from $5 to $40 and her customers come from all over the world.
"I sell wholesale and consignment to other shops around the world, both online and physical stores. I also do custom orders - I have made my purses in alternative colours and even made my designs into cushions for customers. I mail off most orders the day after purchase where possible, if not within 3 days."
Web: tabidesigns.etsy.com
KATE BANAZI
Born in London "long enough ago to have seen Star Wars when it first came out," Kate grew up in a studio environment courtesy of her artist parents. After a fashion degree and a job in textiles, she began working as a screen-print artist with her friend before moving to Sydney a year ago to get married. Kate now works from home creating custom-made silkscreened prints for just about anyone.
“I've done quite a few custom portraits and they've always been really interesting projects,” Kate says. “I try and get the idea of someone’s character often by not having met them personally or even having heard their voice. I usually send out a questionnaire, with somewhat inane questions, but these help establish personality when all I have to work with are photographs.”
Kate has worked on commissions for the music and entertainment industry, books, restaurants and tourist attractions. She uses professional water-based inks and tries to use as much recycled board and paper as she can. Her prints range in price from $50 to $2000.
“My screenprints and portraits would be the perfect gift for someone who’s looking for something a little different, and who appreciates the imperfections of something handmade.”
To order a custom-made portrait, contact Kate’s agent Jeremy, at www.jackywinter.com.
Web: www.katebanazi.com
BETSY BLONDE
Growing up in Victoria, Betsy started making jewellery for her family and friends when she was very young. After following the love of her life to Queensland, Betsy began making jewellery to pay the bills and, with no formal training under her belt, quickly quit her job to pursue her creative habit.
After a few months of selling to work colleagues and friends, Betsy Blonde was in full swing. Heavily influenced by pop culture, Betsy’s perspex shapes are quirky and fun, selling to anyone of any age, sex or taste.
“I sell to people who want something different, something that they will not see anyone else wearing. My jewellery starts conversations,” she says.
Betsy currently sells online (her own website is under construction) and her products range in price from $10 to $50. She takes custom orders and usually ships within 24 hours after receipt of payment.
Web: www.stores.ebay.com.au/betsy-blonde
SHERBET BIRDIE
Sherbet Birdie, aka Sasha Dobies, moved to Brisbane six months ago to start her own boutique old-school glamour photography studio. Catering for the 40s, 50s and 60s pin-up girl look, Sherbet Birdie is aimed at bringing out every girl’s inner sass.
“I had been art directing photography magazines in Sydney when I realised how many women I knew compared themselves with the models on the pages,” Sasha says. “I began shooting my friends for fun and that’s how it all began.”
After spending the better part of two years sourcing the right clothes, lingerie, props and costumes, Sherbet Birdie opened last month. Each photo shoot last for four hours - including hair, make-up, home-made snacks, champagne and pink cupcakes – and Sherbet Birdie caters to every girl’s fantasy (just tell them what you want).
“It’s all about a personally-tailored experience,” says Sasha.
A basic package for a half day session costs $900, including two prints. Sherbet Birdie is touring the country with stops in Sydney and Melbourne late October.
Web: www.sherbetbirdie.com
Here's my latest from The Vine: an article all about the joy of gift-giving. People often think that giving gifts is more about the sentiment rather than the gift itself. That's not true. I don't really care half as much about the peron's intentions as I do about what's actually given to me. You may call this selfish, but I'm sure you'll find that most people feel the same. Giving shit gifts is no excuse. So, here are some good ones.
Crafty Gift Guide
Being a creative present buyer doesn't come easy. Time, money and a general lack of good ideas often lead the best of us to the sock counter at Myer ... which can often leave the gift receiver a little more than wanting.
To save you unnecessary embarrassment, we’ve come up with a list of innovative arty and crafty gifts that will soon put you at the top of everyone’s party invitee list.
TABITHA EMMA
This 22-year-old designed lives in the outskirts of Sydney and works as a casual ice-cream shop assistant in-between designing novelty bags, purses, tea cosies, art prints and pocket mirrors. Inspired by childhood memories, Tabitha's creations are girly, young and innovative, with a touch of humour that makes these beauties perfect for the young at heart.
After studying fashion at the Whitehouse Institute of Design, Tabitha set up her own business online at Etsy.com, a site for selling and buying handmade things. Her products range from $5 to $40 and her customers come from all over the world.
"I sell wholesale and consignment to other shops around the world, both online and physical stores. I also do custom orders - I have made my purses in alternative colours and even made my designs into cushions for customers. I mail off most orders the day after purchase where possible, if not within 3 days."
Web: tabidesigns.etsy.com
KATE BANAZI
Born in London "long enough ago to have seen Star Wars when it first came out," Kate grew up in a studio environment courtesy of her artist parents. After a fashion degree and a job in textiles, she began working as a screen-print artist with her friend before moving to Sydney a year ago to get married. Kate now works from home creating custom-made silkscreened prints for just about anyone.
“I've done quite a few custom portraits and they've always been really interesting projects,” Kate says. “I try and get the idea of someone’s character often by not having met them personally or even having heard their voice. I usually send out a questionnaire, with somewhat inane questions, but these help establish personality when all I have to work with are photographs.”
Kate has worked on commissions for the music and entertainment industry, books, restaurants and tourist attractions. She uses professional water-based inks and tries to use as much recycled board and paper as she can. Her prints range in price from $50 to $2000.
“My screenprints and portraits would be the perfect gift for someone who’s looking for something a little different, and who appreciates the imperfections of something handmade.”
To order a custom-made portrait, contact Kate’s agent Jeremy, at www.jackywinter.com.
Web: www.katebanazi.com
BETSY BLONDE
Growing up in Victoria, Betsy started making jewellery for her family and friends when she was very young. After following the love of her life to Queensland, Betsy began making jewellery to pay the bills and, with no formal training under her belt, quickly quit her job to pursue her creative habit.
After a few months of selling to work colleagues and friends, Betsy Blonde was in full swing. Heavily influenced by pop culture, Betsy’s perspex shapes are quirky and fun, selling to anyone of any age, sex or taste.
“I sell to people who want something different, something that they will not see anyone else wearing. My jewellery starts conversations,” she says.
Betsy currently sells online (her own website is under construction) and her products range in price from $10 to $50. She takes custom orders and usually ships within 24 hours after receipt of payment.
Web: www.stores.ebay.com.au/betsy-blonde
SHERBET BIRDIE
Sherbet Birdie, aka Sasha Dobies, moved to Brisbane six months ago to start her own boutique old-school glamour photography studio. Catering for the 40s, 50s and 60s pin-up girl look, Sherbet Birdie is aimed at bringing out every girl’s inner sass.
“I had been art directing photography magazines in Sydney when I realised how many women I knew compared themselves with the models on the pages,” Sasha says. “I began shooting my friends for fun and that’s how it all began.”
After spending the better part of two years sourcing the right clothes, lingerie, props and costumes, Sherbet Birdie opened last month. Each photo shoot last for four hours - including hair, make-up, home-made snacks, champagne and pink cupcakes – and Sherbet Birdie caters to every girl’s fantasy (just tell them what you want).
“It’s all about a personally-tailored experience,” says Sasha.
A basic package for a half day session costs $900, including two prints. Sherbet Birdie is touring the country with stops in Sydney and Melbourne late October.
Web: www.sherbetbirdie.com
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