Deep Distraction

That episode where Jacci decides to look at the Craig Kelly United Australia Party text message saga and take a proper proper-gander linguistic and sentiment analysis of Craig's campaign message. Yes, cuckoo is potentially an ableist slur, but I am someone who is often called cuckoo, but I reckon there's an argument that also says the cuckoo clock was repetitive and annoying and nonsensical, like Craig's text messages are. So, yeah, that context.  

Because without being satire this is the most satirical thing he has ever done.  And I reckon he might think he is serious. 

#craigkelly #UAP #Auspol #propaganda #wow #isheserious #lockdown #melbourne #getrealbananapeel #CliveandCraigsittinginatree

Transcript of video text in Craig Kelly MP Campaign video - attached to text messages sent to Australians. 

I am leading the United Australia party at the next federal election. United Australia party will stand candidates for every seat in the House of Representatives and in the Senate. Stop lockdowns from health officers destroying your life and jobs. Protect freedom of speech. Choices for all Australians. Governments must stop bullying Australians. Get the army off the streets and free our citizens. The coalition between Labor and liberals destroys your rights and freedoms. Liberal and Labor have destroyed our economy. They’ve made a trillion-dollar debt. They’ve destroyed jobs and families.  Stop the lockdowns. Time for a change. Protect and defend your livelihood. Save our businesses and our jobs. Together we can take our country back. Together we can achieve a new government. We could never trust liberal or labor again.

I was delighted to be approached by comedian Rosie Wilby to review her new book, The Breakup Monologues: The Unexpected Joy of Heartbreak.  

And wow! Was I pleasantly surprised.  There really is something for everyone in this book, even for a aromantic, asexual person like me!

A delightful blend of information, stories and evidence - it's taken dating books to boss level status.  It takes us on a journey to better understand ourselves through the lens of the why and wherefore of incompatibility, rather than the constant mouse-wheel of love how to handbooks. 

A breath of fresh air for literature about love, dating and sex.  

The book is available here from Hares & Hyenas

https://hares-hyenas.com.au/p/14408577

There is also have an online launch coming up there on September 9

https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=799173&

Jacci talks with Amna Bee and Sam Serna of Raise the Bar Comedy after their Christmas in July variety special on 4th August 2021.

We share diverse views on the Olympics and then talk about consciously curated intersectional comedy and the struggle to get fully accessible venues in Melbourne (stairs! what's with the stairs!).  

“The line-ups are a delightful mix of seasoned, crowd-favourites and the rising stars of Australian comedy. This showcase supports and encourages diversity in all its forms. Come along on the third Thursday of each month at Club Voltaire in North Melbourne to witness and laugh your head off at a great and unique night in Melbourne comedy."

You can check out Raise the Bar on Instagram and Facebook.

#comedy #raisethebar 

If, when you tune into your sporting shows, you put on your rose coloured glasses, this episode is not for you.  Do not pass go and do not pick up $200 stadium tickets.  This podcast is a brutally critical deconstruction of all the bad shit associated with the worlds biggest, most expensive and most prone to bankrupting developing nations - sporting event.  

Well since Barnaby Joyce became Deputy PM the news has been a regular faux pas festival. I can't help but think he is the distraction from the distractions and policy decisions they want to distract us from.  So my response - go see some comedy! 

So shorter episode - beginning with a brief parody song spoken word mash up for Barnaby "Thank God you're not a Melbourne Boy" and shout outs to two great pieces of Melbourne satire and comedy - 

A satirical play "The Coal Story" written by Bryan Cooper at The Butterfly Club in Melbourne - Get tickets here Last show July 3

"Unbridled" - A comedy threesome with Justine Sless, Nicky Barry and Lucy Best, also The Butterfly Club in Melbourne - Get tickets here Last show July 3

 So the #FreeBritney movement has the press jumping all over the world.  But what deep distraction rabbit holes can it take us down? Do we put some weird ideal of love over and above bodily autonomy? Who gets the power to say our mental health prevents us from being human and doing basic human things? Note: The word women is used in this podcast and is used to mean people who identify as women or are assigned female at birth and is not intended to exclude trans women because as trans women are women.  #women #domesticandfamilyvoilence #FreeBritney #love #money

This episode is a repeat of 2 for other platforms without music. 

Content warning: Some low level discussion of domestic and family violence (concepts only - no examples or stories).  If this episode raises issues of concern for you there are a number of resources and services listed below (Australian only):

Family and domestic violence support:

1800 Respect national helpline: 1800 737 732 \

Women's Crisis Line: 1800 811 811 

Men's Referral Service: 1300 766 491 

Lifeline (24 hour crisis line): 131 114 

Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277 

NSW Domestic Violence Line: 1800 656 463 

Qld DV Connect Womensline: 1800 811 811 

Vic Safe Steps crisis response line: 1800 015 188 

ACT 24/7 Crisis Line: (02) 6280 0900 

Tas Family Violence Counselling and Support Service: 1800 608 122 

SA Domestic Violence Crisis Line: 1800 800 098 

WA Women's Domestic Violence 24h Helpline: 1800 007 339 

NT Domestic violence helpline: 1800 737 732

A few thoughts on the newsworthiness of the Ben Robert-Smiths defamation trial and how news today is more like satire than news.  Plus, what does the spectacle of this trial obscure in our cultural commentary about war, honour and violence? 

Satire, be it the work of recognised satirists or citizen satirists is a way to speak truth to power.  Often it's a way to shine a light on the unjust and lately, the news is looking more like satire than news and it can be hard to tell the difference! 

#satire #news #whennewsissatire #newmedia #theageofdistraction