I have read a number of interesting articles lately on an eclectic range of subjects.
The May 2023
Vanity Fair cover story '
Inside Rupert Murdoch's Succession Drama' by Gabriel Sherman is a fascinating look at the aging media baron's decline and the in-fighting among his children for his empire. At age 92, Rupert Murdoch outwardly projects an image of virile leader, holding on to the reins of his corporation. But the last decade has been rough as he divorced two wives, battled injuries and illnesses, and became estranged from his youngest son. The article explores Rupert's lurch to the far-right, backing of Trump, and the trouble he is in with the Dominion Voting Systems defamation lawsuit.
The Monthly magazine has an excellent April 2023 cover story on Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Written by Hugh White, '
Penny Wong's next big fight' explores the path she navigates between China and America in a contest for the Pacific. The threat of nuclear war is real. White argues that it may be easy to support America due to our history and alignment of values, and the AUKUS program, but is it good policy? Wong is an intelligent leader who understands the global economic shift and can see a non-binary path in which power in the Asia-Pacific is shared in a 'strategic equilibrium'. Wong spoke more freely when in Opposition, but has toned down her messaging since the election. As White argues, 'Penny Wong is uniquely placed to lead' in a debate about whether we would go to war, but it will be a serious test of her political capital. Given the stakes, I am glad we have someone as wise and considered as Penny Wong at the forefront of this issue.
The Guardian has been running a fascinating series on slavery as part of their '
Cotton Capital' project investigating the paper's founders' links to slavery. One of the articles is about the act of wilful forgetting that has taken place, to whitewash history and eradicate the legacy of racism and colonialism. In '
Lest we Remember: How Britain Buried its History of Slavery' author Gary Younge writes 'The transatlantic trade in human beings for profit doesn't slop one's mind, momentarily like an elusive name or date. A nation does not forget centuries of slavery as a person might forget an umbrella. The nation sets about the task with great prejudice.' Demand for cotton in the Manchester mills helped fuel the slave trade. This is a thought provoking series exploring various aspects of the slave trade and its historic and modern consequences.
With a nation-wide workforce shortage efforts to attract, develop and retain staff are essential for every business. I have been watching with interest the push for a four-day work week. On many levels I am attracted to the idea (personally and professionally) but I also have conflicted thoughts about the practicalities of making it work. The article published by The Ethics Centre on 12 April 2023 '
The Ethical Dilemma of the 4 day Work Week' highlighted the trust reciprocation needed to make it work. What was missing for me is how to counter the potential of a further divide between knowledge workers (for whom flexible work is more straightforward) and those who have more hands-on work (e.g. manual labourers, care workers). The article briefly mentioned a trial at Unilever in Australia but factory workers were not able to take part due to union agreements, but I would be keen to see how it can work for shift-workers and how productivity would be measured.
Finally, I loved the article in the
New York Times by Doosie Morris '
Hot Cross Buns are the Pumpkin Spice Latte of Australia' published on 3 April 2023. In our house we regularly lament about the premature release of seasonal products, but the early availability of hot cross buns is excused and we are glad these can be obtained pretty much year round. The article explores why Australians have become obsessed with these tasty treats and our terrible efforts to diversify with gross flavour combos and bizarre aligned products. Worth a read with a cup of tea and a hot cross bun.
