What we don't notice

Shoes...high heeled shoes. Why do women buy them? Besides their desire to have something to cover their feet. It could be the pretty colours or the wow factor among their girl friends. What about seduction- or the need to look desirable to the opposite sex? It lifts the rear, it elongates the legs, and it allows for an easier hip swivel action that has been noted as all desirable feminine traits. So men must be going gaga (you know crazy, but not in the lady type of way) over women who where high heels and less so over those who do not, right?

Well 'experts at Northumbria University in the UK have studied the reactions of men to women walking with and without high heeled shoes' (To read where this quote is from and another blog about this check out http://grazia.ninemsn.com.au/blog.aspx?blogentryid=709440&showcomments=true). In a result that makes me further question the supposed increased intelligence of our species they have found that men give the same amount of excitement and desire through the very accurate measurement of 'wolf calls' to both women who were wearing high heeled shoes, and those who were not. I know this must come as a shock, but it appears that men just like women. Who would have thunk it?

So women of the world please do not torture yourselves for us...it appears we don't really care or notice. Speaking of things we never noticed, it fell on us all yesterday that many of us never noticed that a draw was a possible option for the AFL Grand Final. All the wasted bet/TAB and BBQ games were all drawn to a confused halt- who gets the money. This general outrage of confusion has called for many people to call the AFL and state that the rule for a second game in a drawn Grand Final should be changed- and that the code should follow a similar rule to other sports where there is extended time or penalties. But I would like to remind Australia how frustrating these things can be; remember the World Cup- not the recent one, but the one where Australia made it to the 16. Then we had to have a penalty shoot out with Italy- which they won, and then went on to win the whole Cup? That could be replayed but with a crowd of drunken Aussies that could give those rioting soccer fans a run for their money. Do we really want that?

Dale Stam

Various News

For those walking along Dean Street you may encounter the sad sight of the burnt out ruins of PriceLine and the Reject Shop. The news cameras of both Win and Prime were itching around the corners- the reporters looking anxious as people walked past the shot. Consider watching the news from either of these stations to gain some full details and possible leads.

There was a discovery of a new gene in mice that is related to intelligence, memory and problem solving ability, named appropriately the Homer Simpson Gene. It appears that this particular gene acts as a sort of resistor to the neural transmissions in the mouse brain- causing an inefficiency of compiling, recalling and understanding incoming information. The Gene by its other less memorable name RGS14 when switched off, removed or disabled allowed the mice to perform better than their normal peers at solving a maze as found by scientists at Emory University School of Medicine. Why a gene that's purpose is to hold you back has evolved is still under contest and debate. So are we going to have an army of super smart mice now- perhaps but as with most things with science it has a human application. You to have the Homer Simpson Gene and the thought is that there might be a future where we are removed from our own incompetence. However as many of you are probably noting we are quite different from mice, and the area of the brain that this gene mostly affects is still mysterious- like the rest of the brain, so we are not quite sure if this gene perhaps has other uses in us humans- like a love of donuts, or a sense of humour. Look for more information on the Homer Simpson Gene here http://technology.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978530717 or www.dailymail.co.uk/.../Scientists-discover-Homer-Simpson-gene-makes-mice-clever-switched-off.html

Even though we live in a technological time, it does not seem to make things any easier. An example- phones are a lot more fragile today and they have all of these difficult plans to decipher. Also it appears that the ability to recall your number is becoming more difficult because people store a lot of their information online- probably not the best place to put your number really. But as I have talked to a friend recently if you have to resend an 'unfortunately you have not been successful' letter because you printed the wrong contact details on it...well I do not really have a comment to that- I find it rather humorous really.

Also it appears that the Canadian city that was in discussions to hold the Commonwealth Games recently are reporting that the dangers, concerns and progress of their grounds would not be in such a state as Dehli's is- there would probably be different concerns though- since athletes would be able to go on winery tours during breaks- yes I won a medal- a good Semilon please. These are the representative of our countries they can drink when they get back.

Dale Stam

New Channels

The battle for rating supremacy is still being waged between Channel Seven and Nine. Seven was the market leader for the last few years knocking the champions- Nine of from their podium and showing that they need to refocus their programming. It appeared for the time being at least that Nine were not- 'Still the One'. However when they released Go! they were able to reconnect with the younger generation and have thus improved their position. With Go! becoming a rather popular Channel.

However just because they are increasing the amount of free-to-air channels they are not increasing the amount of local content that Australians have been clamoring for. With Go! showcasing many American shows, mostly in a re-run format. Thus giving further evidence and precedence for upcoming television writers to aspire to the US of A, where writers seem to be employed.

The new Channel Seven offering after the success of Seven 2 is going to be called Seven Mate- which is aimed at the Male market; with shows such as "AMERICAN DAD, FAMILY GUY, PARKS AND RECREATION and sci-fi dramas CAPRICA and WAREHOUSE 13 alongside factual hits FIFTH GEAR and MEGA DISASTERS." Seven Mate will premier at the HD AFL Grand Final on the 25 September at 6pm- with a light and relatively safe opener of 'That 70's Show'. They will also follow the tradition of the subsidiary channels of returning the well-missed tradition of the Friday Night Movie. Further information can be found on the official site http://au.tv.yahoo.com/mate/article/-/article/7759064/.

In contrast Channel Nine will try to pull the ladies with their sly pick-up Channel called Fems. Actually only half of that is true, with their new Channel, GEM, Nine will focus on attracting female viewers the day after Mate starts- possibly a smart move to not compete with the AFL opener- it tends to be a male remote dominated day.
"GEM will be a mix of new content, classic comedies, cherished drama series, all-time favorite movies, and all of Nine’s sport coverage in high definition.

GEM is designed to complement Nine’s premium channel, and the network’s number one multi-channel, GO!, attracting females 35+ and grocery buyers." They will be banking upon the success of a relatively new show 'The Big C'- perhaps a more risky gamble compared to the Mate offering. With other shows such as Weeds and Friends and Secret Diary of a Call Girl. For more information refer to the official Nine information article http://channelnine.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=7960634.

Mate or Gem will either of them usurp the current channels, unlikely but the audience will certainly have more to choose from, and as the broadcasters hope more gender battles for the remote.

Dale Stam

What do you think of Mate or Gem, leave us a comment or send in a request.

Stolen memories of yore

Danny- Danny tastes great. No, not my impression of an intelligent zombie, it was the marketing phrase of a dairy product from my youth. It was similar in style to Yogo but was of a more firm base, and well did not need a Gorilla and Snake to sell- though on the off hand if anyone with the marketing department of Yogo is reading, bring back the Gorilla and Snake, I miss their stories- and it was my favourite item to have in my lunch box. It did not dry out as the sandwiches often did, and I did not have to wait in line at the canteen to purchase it. Put simply, I thought Danny did taste great. Then one day during my Primary schooling it just dissipated; it was no longer available. This has been a hard road for those of us who have had our favourite items removed.



More recently there was at least a ten month long period where I was unable to get CC's, it seemed that I wanted them but the production companies can supposedly say No to them...they just defied their own marketing strategy. So in a huff I was to trail my way through countless other brands to find something comparable to the Tasty Cheese CC. Doritos did not even come close, and their 3 cheeses and nacho cheese only started to make my head swirl- more of a dipping chip. In fact the closest I was able to get was El Toro Tasty Cheese from Aldi, however the after taste was slightly synthetic...I had adapted but I was not happy.



At university I was slowly developing a taste for coffee and allowing it to mingle with my old friend tea, and one day at the super-market I stumbled upon a product that would allow for a easier adaptation of the different texture of a latte or cappuccino- a Tea Latte from Nerada. They were in a similar fashion to the packaged powdered lattes and caps that we see their now, but they were from a tea extract and well like everything else in this article- I loved them. But I was unfortunate enough to witness not the immediate halt of the product, but the slow gradual demise. I still have stashed away, for fear that they are the last of their kind. And seriously I don't particularly want to go to Europe or the UK just so I can have a Tea Latte (For information about what a Tea Latte is check this website http://breweddaily.com/2008/12/what-is-a-tea-latte/)



Also during this time Taylors stopped producing a Tai Satay which was the perfect blend of spice and penuts that went well with my spicy chicken- one of my favourite meals, but they stopped producing them. We even went to the extent of contacting the factory and seeing if we could purchase it in bulk or direct. Once again I was foiled. We are a society based on consumption, and though I have written and will post my ideas about that, I have to learn to live in it. However I find it especially mocking to produce something, get people to like it, and then remove it- perhaps they were not making money? Am I the only one seriously buying these items?



On the positive side, CC's have come back- they changed the packaging of my flavour from Yellow to Red, but hey I can adapt to that small thing...I guess. In the world of competing products perhaps we should fight more for those we love, and not just accept those that are given to us.



Dale Stam



Send in your comments about the story or any products you have lost.

Why Sociology can never be a 'hard' science

Printed in the Hungappa- University Magazine

Why Sociology can’t be a ‘hard science’.

Sociology sounds like it could be quite profitable to society; to be able to view, interpret and thus predict society would allow us to know what works and hence advance society to the Utopian ideal of Well’s and not Huxley. This would make it a good candidate to be in the same league as physics- to explain the universe and particles, chemistry- to explain and understand the reaction of elements, and biology- to understand how plants and animals (including us) work. Unfortunately sociology has a few problems;

1. Unlike the other sciences aforementioned, sociology has no laws to speak of really (I know in physics technically they’re theories, but generally accepted as right until something better comes along). Instead it has a lot of good ideas that contrast each other, which also often have a gaping hole that resembles the logic of some university assignments.

2. It has many factions that despise each other, and unlike the constructive criticism shown in the ‘hard sciences’, sociologists tend to berate each other because they see society differently- much like religious groups. Even though the foundations of nearly all of these factions can be traced back to a small band of people who definitely should be in the next summer buddy blockbuster. Imagine Talcott Parson’s, Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx, and Max Weber as the ultimate society analysing team, who then have to beat up their evil students for taking one of their ideas and then twisting it to all kinds of WTF. Or how about a collectable card game, either way it is not aiding in the self cohesion of their science, though neither did my ideas, but they would at least take their war of words to a different level.

3. The agency-structure dilemma. The major teleological paradox that has caused the splintering fanatical groups that tear each other apart thus reducing the possibility to forming laws. Basically do people construct society or does society construct people. Some groups go former, other later, in exams and assignments it’s a little of both. That’s right its one of the few sciences where you can fence sit and be rewarded.

4. Because of the previous debate we have either macro-structural: the bird’s eyes view of society, like Parson’s abstract Grand theory, or micro-interactional: the individual’s view, like the examination of common sense acts of the ethnomethodologists. Those groups that try to bridge them fail much like bridging astro and quantum physics. They usually commit the logical sin of teleology, that agency creates structures and then structures creates agency or the reverse. Creating the spin the wheel explanation of society, and links back to the previous point of fence sitting, that is incredibly looked down upon in the other sciences.

Hence sociology will not be taken seriously as a ‘hard’ science, and must retain its convoluted form in the ‘soft’ science till it gets its act together. But this need not be a bad thing sociology, you just need to believe in yourself, and make sure you build a few good strong fences, you’ll need them.

The Thinker. (aka Dale Stam)

The Downsides of being a Writer

Being a writer is a difficult career- because it is based upon a form of communication that is hounded into us since we are able to talk, or at least start schooling. We all work our ways through trying to keep the cursive writing from being more descriptive to the name by trying desperately hard to stay within the lines and be fluid. Just to look over and see that another student can do it with ease.

You struggle through using a pencil, and having to constantly resharpen it because you have to keep it sharp- but then it is too sharp and it snaps on you- making you fall behind in the writing off of the overhead. Until finally the teacher deems you worthy of obtaining a Pen License. You develop a great smile and hold it as a testimant to your dedication to improvement. Then when you head to the year later, the teacher will not accept anything written in pencil, ha ha you might think about those slackers who never got their license...well ha ha back- it turns out you do not need one.

Then when you start to write in high school- they praise your creativitiy to a degree- it is all subjective you see, it sometimes gets in the way...as a friend of mine might be able to regale you about a certain creative chemistry exam. Then you win awards and people start to notice your writing- then you reach university.

It follows a similar path- it might be creative and different...but not necessarily my cup of tea. So you spend more time developing a hand of your audience and able to adapt and mold to certain situations. Unfortunately for you so do all the other students- but they usually have the upside of not necessarily having to be that creative.

Then you head into the world- most job applications want someone who is a good communication, written and oral. Yes you think, but have you considered all the other people who learnt how to write.

Unlike a doctor or an engineer or even a sound technian, a writer will always be viewed as easily replaceable. I mean they can write, and I can write...why do I need to pay them. The writer will also have a bunch of people offering suggestions for improvement- as will other professions- but nobody knows more of writing than someone else. Writing is communication, a collection of symbols we are all aware of, and most of us can form some meaning from them.

So pity the writer who writes all day, fearful that someday he will be replace and just like that, be gone with neither titter or tat. Support your writers because they might just be able to help you with your writing.

Dale Stam

Feel free to comment, and tell us whether you got your Pen License.

What about the youth?

I have found that in today's society that people are often filled with a sense of ennui, and a sense of increasing depression for the future. We have a growing and aging population, but because of the growing increases in costs in the western world there has been a dramatic increase in people starving off retirement. But what are the ramifications of such actions/

Keeping people in the work force is good in keeping these people purpose, giving them a sense of self control and allowing them to support themselves, not to mention the health benefits of having people continue to actively engage with other people, their work, and society at large. But what of the younger generation? If people are staying longer in the workforce, and we are gaining a larger population through immigration, new borns, migrating to the states where the work is, and off shoring of jobs where will people become employed?

'Australia is surviving the GFC (Global Financial Crisis) very well' is a phrase we have been feed for a while now, it even became a selling point for the Labor Party during the recent election- 'Labor got us through the GFC'- but who is the 'us'. Is it the baby boomer? The X-Gen? The Y-Gen? Possibly it was all of us, but not everybody has been left unscared.

The ABS states that Australia's unemployment rate has decreased from about 5.8% in August 2009, to 5.2% currently- but the current unemployment rate for those under 24 seeking full time work is nearly double at 11%. The people who will 'Advance Australia Fair' are being left behind because we cannot find jobs for them. It does seem unfair to call on the youth to look after the growing and aging population when a substantially large portion of them are unable to become gainfully employed.

Youth who are unemployed will have to deal with some large restricting factors such as; the lack of references and experience that will enable them to further their careers, and it often leads to what we see on the streets and at time highlighted in the media- the disengaged, and uncaring youth. Sociologist Robert Merton talks about the concept of 'anomie' (a term that was used by earlier sociologist Emile Durkheim), in which he describes a 'discontinuity between cultural goals and the legitimate means available for reaching them'. This means if we show through our films and through our 'important people', that money and a successful and job are what is required to be happy and live comfortably, and then we have a situation like this 11% where the youth are unable to gain access to these jobs through applications, we are either going to push them towards gaining the end goals of money and/or happiness by unconventional or criminal means (drugs, theft), or they are going to give up ever achieving these goals, and thus we would have lost these potential leaders and developers of tommorrow because we have diminished the problem.

Labor has been talking about increasing Trade Skills, and having trade school. This is a good start, but we have students and youth who are not skilled and/or interested in the area -perhaps because we have presented other more attractive and lucrative job prospects than the common 'tradie'- most of which are not necessarily true. What about the students who are skilled in writing, those who are good in mathematics, or those who are good at other skills. We have a push and shove situation now for those applying for jobs, and this will only increase in generations to come if we do not start to develop skills and industries that will increase job prospects for the future- perhaps green energy or the materials industry would be a good place to start.

We should be preparing for the future, and we should let our leaders know, and inform the youth that we have not forgotten about them. So write a letter to your local MP or your State Premier and inform them that now that the election debacle is over, we should be preparing for our future, the next generation that will be leading us out of the next crisis financial or otherwise.


Dale Stam