Blog.
The radicalisation puzzle
This week I have not been able to stop thinking about an article I read called “The Radicalization Puzzle: A Theoretical Synthesis of Empirical Approaches to Homegrown Extremism.” Examining homegrown Islamic terrorism in Europe, the article from Hafez and Mullins synthesises the pieces of the puzzle that lead people (mostly young men, but increasingly women) toward radicalisation.
On the politics of Joker
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD
Over the weekend I saw Joker with a friend. The movie has been controversial to say the least. Despite the connections the commentary has had with my research interests I’ve been hesitant to write anything about it. Now that I’ve seen it for myself, boy do I have some feelings.
Book Review: See What You Made Me Do by Jess Hill
I just finished the excellent book See What You Made Me Do by the journalist Jess Hill. See What You Made Me Do is an in depth investigation into domestic abuse in Australia, written by a journalist who has spent years covering the topic, and who brings a lot of expertise into the field.
Gender: its value and its limitations
This is a talk I gave at a high table dinner at the ANU College Bruce Hall on Tuesday the 6th of August (republished with their permission). Thank you for the organisers at Bruce Hall for inviting me to speak. I had a great night!
On Cloudflare's decision to knock off 8chan
Some thoughts, somewhat unstructured, about Cloudflare’s decision to remove 8chan from their server.
What do networks tell us about white extremist terrorism?
In analysis published in The New York Times last week they presented evidence of a growing network of white extremist terrorists.
On Christchurch, lone wolves, and the threat of fascism
Following the horrendous attack on two mosques in Christchurch two weeks ago, debate has turned toward the nature of the fascist threat in Western countries. Many have argued that we have ignored the threat of a growing fascist movement for too long, and that this attack highlights the consequences of this.
Be Wary of Blunt Technological Solutions to Extremism
In the wake of the Christchurch attacks, there’s naturally been a focus on the role of social media in spreading extremism.
Notes on Jordan Peterson Live
Last night I travelled to Sydney to see Jordan Peterson live. Peterson spoke in an absolutely packed theatre at the International Convention Centre in Darling Harbour. While the crowd skewed to a younger male demographic, it was quite diverse. It felt like the theatre had met the football.
The ALP and its disdain for the general public
I have been thinking a lot about the behaviour of the ALP in recent weeks.
Facing attacks, humanties academics should embrace a debate about the value of our work
The humanities in Australia seem to be under attack. Last week it was revealed that the former education Minister Simon Birmingham had blocked approximately $4 million dollars of funding for humanities projects that had been approved by the Australian Research Council (ARC).
Mardi Gras and the politics of inclusion
Late last week I got a letter from a group of Mardi Gras volunteers titled “SYDNEY GAY AND LESBIAN MARDI GRAS IS UNDER THREAT AND NEEDS YOUR HELP”.
On Richard Flanagan's article that he didn't want to write
Over the weekend Richard Flanagan wrote an article he didn’t want to write about the nature of debate in our society, particularly following the canning of Germaine Greer and Bob Carr from the Brisbane Writer’s Festival. It has caused quite a stir!
Trevor Noah, James Gunn, and the problem with outrage culture
The outrage cycle has struck again this week — this time targeting two big stars in Hollywood and the late night circuit.
Why do men join far right groups, and how can we get them out?
Last night I went to an excellent lecture from Professor Michael Kimmel, hosted by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. Kimmel researches why men are attracted to far right groups and spoke about how to get them out in this talk.
The troubles with challenging identity
Last week I shared a very controversial article from Rebecca Reilly Cooper about gender identity. To summarise the article Reilly Cooper argues that making gender a ‘spectrum’ (with all the new identities that come with it) ends up just creating more restrictive gendered boxes, when what we need to be doing is tear down the idea of gender itself.
How the left has facilitated moral panic about Barnaby's affair
Over the past couple of days the Barnaby Joyce affair-with-his-staffer saga has dramatically shifted. Most importantly the discussion has moved somewhat away from discourse about allegations of potential corruption, and well into the arena of a discourse about the character and judgement of a man who would cheat on his wife and family in this way.
Three Billboards, I, Tonya, and the value of a complex narrative
In the past few weeks I saw two of the best movies I’ve probably seen in many years. Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri, and I, Tonya (both movies with commas in their names) are both frontrunners for a number of Oscars and have been big hits this summer.
Sport builds strong communities. Why therefore do so many on the left scoff at its importance?
The Summer of Tennis in Australia is once again over. This weekend brought us two epic grand finals – with Caroline Wozniacki taking out Simona Halep in a three set cliff hanger, while Roger Federer beat Marin Cilic in a surprisingly competitive five-setter.
This is a huge win: let's celebrate it
It’s official. Australians have voted in favour of marriage equality!