Something I’ve noticed recently, largely through the constant email appeals of my work colleagues, is that there are an awful lot of charities out there. Foundations supporting disadvantaged kids, cancer research, women’s’ rights, men’s health, the general poor… The list is virtually endless. It really makes you think about the numerous ills afflicting our society.
I mentioned this to a workmate – “there are so many charities out there, I can’t afford to donate to them all!” I complained. She agreed it was a shame that there needed to be so many – that there was so much wrong with the world, that we needed so many NGOs to help ease the pain. But, I thought, they say if all the world’s billionaires donated some of their wealth, they could eradicate extreme poverty…
A friend to whom I related the story thought differently. What if, she suggested, the world actually needs poverty in order to run as we know it? A ridiculous thought, was my initial response. But then she laid out her reasoning.
Economically, poverty makes sense as a source of cheap labour and cheap production. With the eradication of poverty, millions of people would suddenly find their cost of living rising – and no one wants that.
In addition, socially, it gives people something to strive for. After all, the eradication of poverty is a goal that many people ostensibly want to attain – if you want proof, simply look at the number of charities in operation around the world.
Politically, it gives governments something to have on the agenda. While it can be a source of shame in some countries (see what Beijing did in the lead up to the 2008 Olympic Games), it can also be a sort of weapon. Think pledges to increase aid budgets, thereby enhancing global reputation and giving the people back home a warm fuzzy feeling that at least they are doing something.
The reasoning behind this school of thought seemed both logical and selfish. Sure, I could see why people might subscribe to this worldview, but what about all those who were trampled on along the way? The 99%, sustaining the lifestyle of the other 1%. Unfortunately, as extreme poverty continues and the gap between each end of the spectrum widens, it seems that this viewpoint is the dominant one, at least for now.
You could say that this is simply the result of our capitalist society. Indeed, capitalism does allow for people to be richer than others. The alternative put forward by Karl Marx has been widely discredited. Does that mean there is no hope of eradicating poverty?
There are other ways, other methods. But until one is widely accepted and implemented, the world will keep turning as it does now – and my inbox will continue to overflow with the requests for charitable support that go at least some way to helping those living in poverty.
Tag Archives: people
Road Work Chaos
Please note that the below is purely fictional, and any resemblance to real people or events is unintended and purely coincidental
Chaos reigned on Buckleby Street today as CBD pedestrians clashed with road construction workers.
Hundreds of hungry city dwellers descended on the street for the lunch hour, only to have their progress blocked by upgrades to the central vehicle corridor that intersects Buckleby Street.
The upgrades are part of ongoing work to improve the efficiency of the city’s roads.
However, the works have resulted in the closure of several pedestrian footpaths, closing the busy crossing at the intersection of Buckleby and Anne streets.
The closure of certain footpaths has caused a funnel of people to build up around Buckleby Street as pedestrians fight to cross the road.
Zed Exx, manager of a retail store that overlooks Buckleby Street, said the situation was “ridiculous.”
“It’s just stupid. You have to walk an entire block in either direction before you can find a place to cross the road.”
“There aren’t many signs either, so it has caused a lot of confusion.”
But Exx Zee, site manager of the works, said detours were signposted to help ease pedestrian difficulties.
“Look, we’ve put up signs, they are fluorescent and easy to see,” he said.
The crush of foot commuters has resulted in at least one casualty, an elderly man who fell as he crossed a busy section of the construction site. Mr Zee refused to comment on the incident.
The works are due to be completed by the end of next month.
A Dark Stain on Toilet-going
It’s happened to all of us. You are out and about, having a good time. Then all of a sudden, you feel the urge. Nature’s call. You run for the bathroom, hoping there isn’t a queue- and then you see it. The mess on the floor, the toilet paper strewn around like birthday crepe, the- well, you don’t want to think about what’s on the seat.
Welcome to the public toilet.
I’m sure I’m not the only one with a potent dislike for public restrooms. It’s seriously rare to find one, in this state at least, that doesn’t make you feel like disinfecting and sanitising your ass-cheeks afterwards. They seem to be in a constant state of feral. Smelly, wet and incredibly unclean, even he female ones. In fact, I’ve seen male toilets that are cleaner than the female ones.
The first port of call, when you encounter this sort of situation, is usually the owner or manager of the place you are at. I’ve been on he receiving end of this. A sickened looking patron returned to our restaurant to inform us, very angrily, that the last person to use the toilet had not flushed. She told the restaurant owner, in no uncertain terms, together out there and personally clean the toilets, or else. The owner was less sympathetic however, and after her departure was heard to say that he would not be cleaning that shit (no pun intended).
Some would argue that it is his responsibility, as the owner, to ensure that his amenities meet his customers’ quite reasonable expectations.
But here is the conundrum. Another customer made the mess in the first place, and is it not reasonable of him to expect that there will be no mess to clean?
Obviously, your standard public toilet, say on a CBD street or in the local shopping centre, is not only used by a select group of diners. It is open for use by any and all. A certain amount of trust is involved in the use of the shared white bowl- specifically, that one will treat it as they would wish for others treat it before by use it,or even as they would treat their personal loo at home.
So where the hell does the putrid disarray and debris come from? Would you throw wet toilet paper around in your own bathroom? Would you smear bodily excretions across your own walls? Would you drop used sanitary napkins on the floor for your family members to see? Would you spray make up on the mirrors?
Someone does, or there would be no stigmas attached to the public toilet. People wouldn’t mind going in to them-hell, it might even be an enjoyable experience. As it is, it is the furthest thing from. Those animals who make the mess are essentially preying on people at their most vulnerable, when hey are at nature’s mercy with their trousers down.
What possesses people to do this, I can’t say. But I know I’m not the only one who wishes they wouldn’t. Going to the toilet should not be an activity filled with apprehension. At the very least, it should be able to be done in a sanitary environment.
Is it too much to ask that you treat public toilets with the same respect you give your toilet at home? For the sake of humanity, for sanity and for a comfortable loo experience that doesn’t make you feel like you would rather go behind a tree on the highway, please try and keep your business where it belongs- within the bowl. And don’t forget to flush.
“Simply Embarrassing” – opinion
It’s been a busy few weeks in Australian politics, and it seems we have truly seen it all. Politicians described as quails, party members destabilising their own, and the resurgence of the misogyny debate.
But what we haven’t seen, is actual policies.
You know, serious debate about issues that actually matter and should be deciding the outcome of the upcoming federal election.
In place of this, we see supposed grown ups acting like children in our nation’s halls of democracy. Embarrassing us. Our elected representatives, indulging in name calling and slander, on both sides of parliament.
Immaturity, rudeness and deflection from an apparent inability to govern or put forward an alternative government.
Which leaves citizens in an unhappy predicament this September – who should you vote for, in a parliament that looks to be devoid of able leaders?
We need to see a few more solid policy ideas, rather than blocks and vague, catchy slogans, to enable us to make the necessary choice. We need to see that the people We entrust with this country’s future, with the handling of our taxes and with our stability as Australians, are able to offer more than just arguments.
Where are the ideas,the words that provide us with a vision for our future? The viable alternative to the current education proposal? Don’t just talk about misogyny, tell us what you are going to do further pay equality between the sexes. Why not listen to the majority of the public, pay attention to matters that are of importance to us, and seriously consider legalising gay marriage, overhauling asylum seeker policies and reviewing our global strategic relationships?
Our Constitution requires that the government be chosen by the people, and communicate freely with voters on issues of government and politics. On issues of government and politics, not on what clothes the others are wearing. It is time this sort of communication was reestablished.
To all the federal politicians out there, hear the plea of your citizens. Please give us something to put our faith in this September. It is the will of the people, and for the good of our nation – because at the moment, our political scene is simply embarrassing.
The Light in the Darkness
It had been a drab and dreary day, that faded vaguely into an equally unimpressive night. Noses to the ground, the black-clad office drones hurried home, shrouded in umbrellas. Rain fell sideways, impairing vision and poking beneath beanies, scarves, jackets, shawls, gloves….
It had been a terrible day. Work was a nightmare, slow and draining. She was fed up with the daily grind, and knowing that there was more work to be done at home just made things worse. The walk to the station cost her more comfort – now her shoes were soaked through, with no prospect of being dry for at least an hour. Soggy feet were so uncomfortable.
A general feeling of apathy seemed to have settled over the sardine tin she was travelling in, and she felt it keenly. Peering out the fogged up window, she could just make out the lights of the expensive river-side mansions – screw them and their riches!
There were cafes behind the next station, and people sitting in the window seats, enjoying a warming cappuccino or latte with friends and family. Delicious-looking pasta was being dished out at the next restaurant. She remembered she hadn’t bought anything for dinner tonight. Great.
The rain poured relentlessly, coating the roads in slick danger. She watched people running, doing that strange high-stepping tip-toe dash that you do when you don’t want your feet to get wet, as they tried to make it to the platform in time. But not one solitary figure.
He stood at the crossing, waiting for the train to pass and the barrier to release so he could get safely to the other side. He was illuminated by a single street light and, in sharp contrast to the blackness surrounding him, he held a blue and yellow umbrella – oddly reminiscent of the sunniest day. And, while he waited, face turned down against the rain, he twirled it in his hands.
As she watched him, she could feel her heavy heart lighten. The spinning umbrella became a whirl of colour, so bright against the gloomy night. It was such a simple action, but one of innocence and carelessness, and one that made her smile. Somehow, seeing someone else so free and happy made her feel just as good, forgetting her worries and the drag of the day.
She craned her neck to see him as the train pulled away. He was still standing there, silhouetted against the single circle of light, the umbrella still spinning as though it were waving goodbye to the day.
The Networking Dilemma
I know that networking is an essential tool for any business person, and especially a journalist on the hunt for a good story. Yet, as a shy person who has never been great with small talk, networking is not an easy skill for me to pick up. This article, while quite short, does shed a little light on something that seems murky and even a little intimidating.
Based on my own experiences, here are a few essential things I have learnt about this vital vocational tool:
You need to promote yourself – tell people all about what you do, how you do it, and if you smell an opportunity, link it back to what you are doing and how you are doing it. For (a very bad) example: “I’m building a deck.” “No way! I know a guy who is great at that!” “Oh really? Cos I could use a hand, I can’t quite get X right… do you think he could help?” “Yeh sure, here is his number” etc etc.
Also, dig! Ask the other person what they do, how they got into that, all about their friends and family – you never know when an opportune moment may present itself.
Confidence is key; you need to look sure of yourself and your actions and words. Part-time work has really improved my small talk (which can lead to a networking opportunity by drawing you in to a deeper and more meaningful conversation), and I have my own personal strategy to get around this problem as well. Confidence makes you look much more presentable, approachable and knowledgeable. Or it does in my experience anyway!
networding 