Opinion
Social media
Smartphones have robbed teenagers of freedom. No law will change that
Social media and smartphone technology make it very difficult to convince adolescents that true freedom lies in privacy, in anonymity, in no one knowing what you’re up to.
- by Jacqueline Maley
Latest
Opinion
US Votes 2024
Let them eat pets: Why we shouldn’t laugh too hard at Trump’s prejudice
There is only one problem with making fun of Trump’s absurd claim: it shrouds how fundamentally racist and terrifying it was.
- by Jacqueline Maley
Opinion
Freedom of speech
What surprises about the Middle East culture wars? The left and right have swapped sides
Culture wars have many fronts but the Israel/Hamas conflict has supercharged unlikely battles over free speech, discrimination and the nature of protest.
- by Jacqueline Maley
Opinion
Census
Should we care if nosy data wonks ask about our sexuality?
It’s a shame there was no sensible public debate about the census changes because there are sensible views on both sides.
- by Jacqueline Maley
Exclusive
Political leadership
The high-profile powerbrokers with a big idea to make Australia better
A new grassroots organisation with “the head of a think-tank and the heart of a community organisation” hopes to solve gnarly policy issues.
- by Jacqueline Maley
Opinion
Parliament House
Is ‘rip him a new one!’ really necessary for robust democratic debate?
The teals are inviting us to see the cacophony as something else – stupid, harmful to social civility and, above all, unnecessary.
- by Jacqueline Maley
Opinion
US Votes 2024
They called him ‘Tampon Tim’ as an insult. It backfired
Positive political role models like Tim Walz are important. He shows young men that they have nothing to fear by giving things to women – be they tampons or just some basic respect.
- by Jacqueline Maley
Sarah Ferguson on her worst interview: ‘He was just rude, not interested’
The five-time Walkley Award-winning journalist and host of 7.30 also reveals who’s at the top of her interview wish list.
- by Jacqueline Maley
‘There is nothing like proving someone wrong to motivate you’: Brooke Boney
The 37-year-old surprised everyone when she announced she was walking away from her high-profile breakfast television job. Her next move? Oxford University.
- by Jacqueline Maley
Opinion
Ageing
Boomer or bust? No, leaders like Biden and Trump should know when to bow out
Since the US presidential debate, discussions of the dangers of gerontocracy have moved from the abstract to the horribly real.
- by Jacqueline Maley
Opinion
Assange saga
The freedom messiah is free, but a few women won’t join the cheer squad
Julian Assange is a notable supporter of revolutions, but perhaps he draws the line at ones inspired by feminism.
- by Jacqueline Maley