Happy Birthday to me
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Russell Grenning celebrates turning 66 years old and joins a distinguished group of celebrities who are also 66, though many are still working unlike him. He reflects on other famous people who died at age 66 and how turning 66 is not as notable of a birthday as others. Grenning discusses some events that occurred on his past birthdays and research he's done on the number 66, learning it represents love, intuition, optimism and more. He concludes by saying he thinks he's looking okay for his age.
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Why do people swear
- Swearing is common in modern society, with studies finding that over 75% of people swear regularly for no reason. However, swearing was once thought to physically injure Jesus Christ in medieval times.
- There are different types of swearers, from those who swear excessively in everyday speech, to those who only swear occasionally in moments of strong emotion or pain.
- While some swear words like "hell" and "damn" have lost impact over time, other words like racial slurs have become increasingly unacceptable as language evolves.
Yet another worry
1) Toilet disinfectants and other cleaning products often claim to kill 99.9% of germs, but their effectiveness in the real world may be less than advertised.
2) Studies have found that hand sanitizers only kill between 46-60% of microbes on children's hands despite 99.99% claims, and their effectiveness relies on optimal laboratory conditions rather than real-world use.
3) While product regulations only require effectiveness against a range of microbes, manufacturers are not required to disclose which specific bacteria or viruses their products can or cannot kill.
You get your friends where and when you can
1) The document criticizes the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and its Managing Director Mark Scott. It argues that the ABC receives government funding yet promotes a left-wing bias in its reporting.
2) It points to comments made by the Russian ambassador supporting the idea that the ABC's unfavorable coverage of the Australian government's asylum policies contributed to funding cuts. However, the ABC failed to report on these comments.
3) The document sarcastically argues that the ABC, under Mark Scott's leadership, has failed to live up to its claims of being balanced, principled, and providing value for taxpayers' money given its low ratings and perceived left-wing bias.
Writing memoirs
This document provides tips for writing political memoirs. It suggests ex-politicians get started early to capitalize on interest while memories are fresh. Memoirs by high-profile figures like ex-PMs will likely find larger audiences. However, the document cautions against self-justification and attempts to rewrite history. Instead, it advises including revealing anecdotes and stories that show unsparing honesty and transparency rather than trying to appear central to all successes. Boring genealogical details or policy submissions should be avoided in favor of more sensational revelations.
Wood you do it to me
Emma has found love with a poplar tree named Tim. She cares for him and claims they have a genuine emotional and sexual connection, saying he fulfills her needs better than any human partner. While unconventional, their relationship is described in some detail, including Emma's acts of intimacy with Tim's bark. The article also briefly discusses the condition of dendrophilia and past cases of sexual acts with trees.
Valentine
1) The document discusses Valentine's Day and the author's mixed views on it as both a single and partnered person.
2) It provides background on Saint Valentine who was martyred for secretly marrying Christian couples against the Roman emperor's orders.
3) The author mocks the holiday when single but also takes advantage of it to appear busy with romantic plans when in fact staying home alone.
With love from Lagos
Russell received an email from a woman in Nigeria claiming to be a widow who selected him to receive $30 million Australian dollars from her late husband's estate. All he needs to do is provide his bank account details. Russell believes the money will soon be transferred and is excited to pay off his fiancée's medical bills. However, he is worried because the Australian Taxation Office is threatening fines or jail time for those who do not declare offshore money. Russell insists he has done nothing wrong as a sincere, honest Christian.
What to buy for Christmas gifts
1) The document discusses potential unusual Christmas gift ideas by referencing past winners of the Diagram Prize for the oddest book title from the Frankfurt Book Fair.
2) It mentions several past winners, including books about nude mice, avoiding large ships, the history of concrete, and toilet etiquette for dates.
3) The author suggests buying multiple copies of past winners to give as gifts, addressing the risk that recipients may already own the books.
Recommended
Why do people swear
- Swearing is common in modern society, with studies finding that over 75% of people swear regularly for no reason. However, swearing was once thought to physically injure Jesus Christ in medieval times.
- There are different types of swearers, from those who swear excessively in everyday speech, to those who only swear occasionally in moments of strong emotion or pain.
- While some swear words like "hell" and "damn" have lost impact over time, other words like racial slurs have become increasingly unacceptable as language evolves.
Yet another worry
1) Toilet disinfectants and other cleaning products often claim to kill 99.9% of germs, but their effectiveness in the real world may be less than advertised.
2) Studies have found that hand sanitizers only kill between 46-60% of microbes on children's hands despite 99.99% claims, and their effectiveness relies on optimal laboratory conditions rather than real-world use.
3) While product regulations only require effectiveness against a range of microbes, manufacturers are not required to disclose which specific bacteria or viruses their products can or cannot kill.
You get your friends where and when you can
1) The document criticizes the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and its Managing Director Mark Scott. It argues that the ABC receives government funding yet promotes a left-wing bias in its reporting.
2) It points to comments made by the Russian ambassador supporting the idea that the ABC's unfavorable coverage of the Australian government's asylum policies contributed to funding cuts. However, the ABC failed to report on these comments.
3) The document sarcastically argues that the ABC, under Mark Scott's leadership, has failed to live up to its claims of being balanced, principled, and providing value for taxpayers' money given its low ratings and perceived left-wing bias.
Writing memoirs
This document provides tips for writing political memoirs. It suggests ex-politicians get started early to capitalize on interest while memories are fresh. Memoirs by high-profile figures like ex-PMs will likely find larger audiences. However, the document cautions against self-justification and attempts to rewrite history. Instead, it advises including revealing anecdotes and stories that show unsparing honesty and transparency rather than trying to appear central to all successes. Boring genealogical details or policy submissions should be avoided in favor of more sensational revelations.
Wood you do it to me
Emma has found love with a poplar tree named Tim. She cares for him and claims they have a genuine emotional and sexual connection, saying he fulfills her needs better than any human partner. While unconventional, their relationship is described in some detail, including Emma's acts of intimacy with Tim's bark. The article also briefly discusses the condition of dendrophilia and past cases of sexual acts with trees.
Valentine
1) The document discusses Valentine's Day and the author's mixed views on it as both a single and partnered person.
2) It provides background on Saint Valentine who was martyred for secretly marrying Christian couples against the Roman emperor's orders.
3) The author mocks the holiday when single but also takes advantage of it to appear busy with romantic plans when in fact staying home alone.
With love from Lagos
Russell received an email from a woman in Nigeria claiming to be a widow who selected him to receive $30 million Australian dollars from her late husband's estate. All he needs to do is provide his bank account details. Russell believes the money will soon be transferred and is excited to pay off his fiancée's medical bills. However, he is worried because the Australian Taxation Office is threatening fines or jail time for those who do not declare offshore money. Russell insists he has done nothing wrong as a sincere, honest Christian.
What to buy for Christmas gifts
1) The document discusses potential unusual Christmas gift ideas by referencing past winners of the Diagram Prize for the oddest book title from the Frankfurt Book Fair.
2) It mentions several past winners, including books about nude mice, avoiding large ships, the history of concrete, and toilet etiquette for dates.
3) The author suggests buying multiple copies of past winners to give as gifts, addressing the risk that recipients may already own the books.
What really happened at Waterloo
The article discusses a planned reenactment of the Battle of Waterloo where French lawyers intend to rewrite history by having Napoleon emerge as the victor. They claim Napoleon actually won at Waterloo based on his historical importance, despite clear evidence that the Duke of Wellington commanded the allied army to defeat Napoleon. The article goes on to sarcastically suggest other historical battles the French could pretend to have won, noting France's few actual military victories. It concludes by questioning whether "lost" may have a different meaning when translated from French.
Unwanted gifts
Unwanted gifts present a dilemma of what to do with them. Some options include hiding them in an "unwanted presents cupboard" until the givers visit, as the author's mother did, then displaying them prominently. Over time, these unwanted gifts from past decades have become nostalgic curiosities. Another option is re-gifting, selling unwanted gifts online, donating to charity, or throwing away. The author sometimes gives inappropriate gifts when in a mood, such as alcohol to a recovering alcoholic, and cites examples of humorously inappropriate gifts from comedians. A post-Christmas survey found many Australians receive unwanted gifts each year, and over half have re-gifted or stored unwanted gifts away
Trying to save our beer
Climate change is threatening beer production, as rising temperatures and weather extremes could negatively impact barley crops and lower the quality of malt. The "Save the Ales" campaign, which is running as part of Earth Hour, aims to raise awareness of this issue and encourage Australians to celebrate Earth Hour by drinking local beer. However, the author notes that claims about climate change's effects on crops use uncertain language like "could affect". The author also jokes that their nightly drinking helps the campaign's goals.
Toilet talk
Dr. Kathleen Smith and her team studied biosolids, or treated sewage sludge, and found that it contains valuable metals like gold, silver, and platinum. These metals end up in biosolids after passing through people and entering wastewater treatment plants. Dr. Smith's ultimate goal is to recover these metals from biosolids to both generate revenue and allow for more biosolids to be used as fertilizer. Her research found gold levels equivalent to minimal mineral deposits, showing there is potential for commercial mining from biosolids.
Timely warnings about climate change
This document summarizes articles from Newsweek and Time magazines from the 1970s that warned of imminent global cooling and the onset of a new ice age. The articles cited scientific consensus at the time that the Earth's climate was cooling, which would lead to catastrophic famines, droughts, and other extreme weather events. National science boards in the US issued similar warnings in the 1970s. However, the document notes that in 2006, Newsweek issued a correction saying their 1975 article on global cooling had been "spectacularly wrong." The document suggests the theory of global cooling may be making a comeback, and questions whether current warnings of global warming are also misguided.
This won
1) The document discusses the author's fear of dentists (odontophobia) from childhood experiences with sadistic dentists.
2) One dentist the author saw as a child was a former prisoner of war who seemed to take out his frustrations from the war on his patients through unnecessary treatments.
3) Another dentist the author discusses had an unsettling sense of humor and importance, quoting bible verses about opening one's mouth on his waiting room wall.
Thinking about the tele
The document discusses the author's consideration of getting cable television as a senior citizen. It summarizes that the author is often lonely during the day while their partner is at work, and cable TV could help fill time. However, the author believes in thorough research before making decisions and discusses some research they read about TV habits of older age groups. The author muses about joining the "younger old" demographic in increasingly watching daytime TV to conform with research findings. In the end, the author says they need to do more research on cable TV options before deciding, but it is now time for a comedy show and sherry.
There is nothing like a dame
Dame Vivienne Westwood, a British fashion designer and entrepreneur, faced criticism from the British media for comments suggesting poor people should "eat less" if they cannot afford organic food. When interviewed about genetically modified crops, she stated poor people should eat less in response to being told not everyone can afford organic food. Later, she said she was upset anyone would think she does not care about starving people, though her lavish lifestyle and public comments often contradict her stances. Westwood lives in an expensive home in London and believes food and clothes should cost more, despite her own products being priced well above what most could afford.
There are birds
This document discusses two unusual bird-related incidents: Vietnamese police arresting 16 pigeons suspected of being Chinese spies, and researchers getting finches drunk to study the effects on their songs. The pigeons were cleared after an investigation found they were racing birds that had landed in Vietnam by accident. The researchers found that drunk finches sang quieter and less organized songs, with some syllables being slurred more than others.
The third sex
1. The document discusses transgender issues in Australia and India, focusing on prominent transgender individuals who have achieved success despite facing discrimination.
2. It profiles Group Captain Catherine McGregor, formerly known as Malcolm McGregor, who came out as transgender while serving in the Australian military and was supported in her career transition.
3. It also mentions Madhu Kinnar, a transgender woman in India who was elected mayor, making history as the first transgender person to win such a political position despite coming from a marginalized Dalit background.
The Second Coming
The document discusses a man named Brian Leonard Golightly Marshall from Toogoom, Queensland, Australia who claims to be the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. It provides evidence for this claim, such as that he looks like the image on the Shroud of Turin and that a letter from the former Pope Benedict praised him and called him the Messiah. It also notes that Brian established "Miracle Water" that can provide cures, and that the author plans to visit Toogoom to obtain some after confirming they can get a Medicare rebate for it.
The rising cost of living
1) The document discusses the rising cost of living and financial struggles, even for those considered well-off such as a Supreme Court judge in Queensland, Justice John Byrne.
2) Justice Byrne is challenging his late mother's will that left most of her $17 million estate to a veterinary hospital rather than him and his brother.
3) Though Justice Byrne earns $381,691 annually as a judge, he claims his expenses are at least $118,200 per year, leaving him with little savings and motivating him to seek more from his mother's estate for a comfortable retirement.
The Press Conference
1) The document discusses several notable press conferences that went awry, including a Polish government prosecutor who shot himself in the head during a press conference and an American treasurer who committed suicide on camera.
2) It also discusses the unintended consequences of a press secretary's comments that led to the fall of the Berlin Wall.
3) Throughout, it comments on the often fraught relationship between politicians, press secretaries, and journalists.
The King who never was
1) Duke Franz von Bayern is considered by Jacobites to be the rightful king of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland as the senior descendant of the last Stuart king, James II.
2) The Royal Stuart Society, based in London, maintains the line of succession which now rests with Duke Franz as the head of the House of Wittelsbach in Bavaria.
3) Despite past interest, Duke Franz is happy in his role as the Duke of Bavaria and does not make claims to the British throne, seeing it as an internal British issue.
The Hills Are Alive
1) The document discusses the 50th anniversary of the film musical "The Sound of Music" and the author's initial dislike for the film as a teenager, in contrast to his mother's love for it.
2) As a 16-year-old in 1965, the author dismissed the film as too sugary sweet while preferring rock music, but it went on to become hugely popular and financially successful.
3) Over the years, the author's opinion changed and he has come to appreciate aspects of the film, such as its themes of love, music, happiness and family, though he still dislikes how it portrayed the family's escape from Austria.
The heat is on for lizards
Male bearded dragons in Australia have been found to spontaneously change sex when exposed to hot weather, according to a study by researchers at the University of Canberra. The team observed that hot temperatures can cause the chromosomes in male lizards to become disrupted, transforming them into functional females capable of laying eggs. However, this sex reversal negatively impacts the population as the offspring of female lizards that were formerly male consistently produce only male babies themselves. If this pattern continues, it could eliminate males from the bearded dragon population in the wild.
The Great Australian Novel
This document is a satirical piece where the author humorously outlines their plans to write "The Great Australian Novel." Some key points:
1) The author claims they have been urged to write this novel by "multitudes" of people impressed by their skills, though they can only name two supporters, one who is dead and one in an institution.
2) The author grandiosely describes how their novel will be brilliantly written and receive widespread acclaim.
3) Various ideas for the novel are proposed, such as making it semi-autobiographical about overcoming adversity, though the examples given are obviously fabricated for humor.
4) The ending circle backs to wondering why the character
The crime of ageing
1) The author expresses disappointment at being rejected from consideration for a mission to establish the first human colony on Mars, believing it was due to his age.
2) During a discussion with his mother about his upcoming birthday, she refers to him as elderly, despite him being years away from 70. This highlights the generational differences in how age is perceived.
3) There are varying definitions of what constitutes "old age" according to different government organizations, with thresholds ranging from 45 to 65 years old. The author finds humor in the numerous government inquiries and recommendations focused on addressing barriers faced by older individuals.
Taking things a bit too far
This document discusses a news story about a prostitute in Germany who kept a lamb named Rosi as a "sex slave" for nine days. The lamb had been stolen from a zoo. The document expresses relief that Rosi has now been returned safely to the zoo and integrated back into the herd. It questions whether the prostitute practiced safe sex with Rosi and wonders about her identity, as she had stolen 26 other animals previously. The document concludes by suggesting contacting German police to identify the prostitute in case she tries to immigrate to Australia.
Sweet revenge
Russell Grenning discusses the growing issue of "revenge porn", where intimate images are posted online by ex-partners seeking retaliation. Two cases are described in detail, including a woman named Cathy whose photos were doctored into porn scenes without her consent, severely impacting her life. Laws criminalizing revenge porn are inadequate or nonexistent in most Australian states. While some tech companies are taking steps to limit the spread of such images, victims have little recourse against overseas websites that host the content.
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More from Russell Grenning
What really happened at Waterloo
The article discusses a planned reenactment of the Battle of Waterloo where French lawyers intend to rewrite history by having Napoleon emerge as the victor. They claim Napoleon actually won at Waterloo based on his historical importance, despite clear evidence that the Duke of Wellington commanded the allied army to defeat Napoleon. The article goes on to sarcastically suggest other historical battles the French could pretend to have won, noting France's few actual military victories. It concludes by questioning whether "lost" may have a different meaning when translated from French.
Unwanted gifts
Unwanted gifts present a dilemma of what to do with them. Some options include hiding them in an "unwanted presents cupboard" until the givers visit, as the author's mother did, then displaying them prominently. Over time, these unwanted gifts from past decades have become nostalgic curiosities. Another option is re-gifting, selling unwanted gifts online, donating to charity, or throwing away. The author sometimes gives inappropriate gifts when in a mood, such as alcohol to a recovering alcoholic, and cites examples of humorously inappropriate gifts from comedians. A post-Christmas survey found many Australians receive unwanted gifts each year, and over half have re-gifted or stored unwanted gifts away
Trying to save our beer
Climate change is threatening beer production, as rising temperatures and weather extremes could negatively impact barley crops and lower the quality of malt. The "Save the Ales" campaign, which is running as part of Earth Hour, aims to raise awareness of this issue and encourage Australians to celebrate Earth Hour by drinking local beer. However, the author notes that claims about climate change's effects on crops use uncertain language like "could affect". The author also jokes that their nightly drinking helps the campaign's goals.
Toilet talk
Dr. Kathleen Smith and her team studied biosolids, or treated sewage sludge, and found that it contains valuable metals like gold, silver, and platinum. These metals end up in biosolids after passing through people and entering wastewater treatment plants. Dr. Smith's ultimate goal is to recover these metals from biosolids to both generate revenue and allow for more biosolids to be used as fertilizer. Her research found gold levels equivalent to minimal mineral deposits, showing there is potential for commercial mining from biosolids.
Timely warnings about climate change
This document summarizes articles from Newsweek and Time magazines from the 1970s that warned of imminent global cooling and the onset of a new ice age. The articles cited scientific consensus at the time that the Earth's climate was cooling, which would lead to catastrophic famines, droughts, and other extreme weather events. National science boards in the US issued similar warnings in the 1970s. However, the document notes that in 2006, Newsweek issued a correction saying their 1975 article on global cooling had been "spectacularly wrong." The document suggests the theory of global cooling may be making a comeback, and questions whether current warnings of global warming are also misguided.
This won
1) The document discusses the author's fear of dentists (odontophobia) from childhood experiences with sadistic dentists.
2) One dentist the author saw as a child was a former prisoner of war who seemed to take out his frustrations from the war on his patients through unnecessary treatments.
3) Another dentist the author discusses had an unsettling sense of humor and importance, quoting bible verses about opening one's mouth on his waiting room wall.
Thinking about the tele
The document discusses the author's consideration of getting cable television as a senior citizen. It summarizes that the author is often lonely during the day while their partner is at work, and cable TV could help fill time. However, the author believes in thorough research before making decisions and discusses some research they read about TV habits of older age groups. The author muses about joining the "younger old" demographic in increasingly watching daytime TV to conform with research findings. In the end, the author says they need to do more research on cable TV options before deciding, but it is now time for a comedy show and sherry.
There is nothing like a dame
Dame Vivienne Westwood, a British fashion designer and entrepreneur, faced criticism from the British media for comments suggesting poor people should "eat less" if they cannot afford organic food. When interviewed about genetically modified crops, she stated poor people should eat less in response to being told not everyone can afford organic food. Later, she said she was upset anyone would think she does not care about starving people, though her lavish lifestyle and public comments often contradict her stances. Westwood lives in an expensive home in London and believes food and clothes should cost more, despite her own products being priced well above what most could afford.
There are birds
This document discusses two unusual bird-related incidents: Vietnamese police arresting 16 pigeons suspected of being Chinese spies, and researchers getting finches drunk to study the effects on their songs. The pigeons were cleared after an investigation found they were racing birds that had landed in Vietnam by accident. The researchers found that drunk finches sang quieter and less organized songs, with some syllables being slurred more than others.
The third sex
1. The document discusses transgender issues in Australia and India, focusing on prominent transgender individuals who have achieved success despite facing discrimination.
2. It profiles Group Captain Catherine McGregor, formerly known as Malcolm McGregor, who came out as transgender while serving in the Australian military and was supported in her career transition.
3. It also mentions Madhu Kinnar, a transgender woman in India who was elected mayor, making history as the first transgender person to win such a political position despite coming from a marginalized Dalit background.
The Second Coming
The document discusses a man named Brian Leonard Golightly Marshall from Toogoom, Queensland, Australia who claims to be the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. It provides evidence for this claim, such as that he looks like the image on the Shroud of Turin and that a letter from the former Pope Benedict praised him and called him the Messiah. It also notes that Brian established "Miracle Water" that can provide cures, and that the author plans to visit Toogoom to obtain some after confirming they can get a Medicare rebate for it.
The rising cost of living
1) The document discusses the rising cost of living and financial struggles, even for those considered well-off such as a Supreme Court judge in Queensland, Justice John Byrne.
2) Justice Byrne is challenging his late mother's will that left most of her $17 million estate to a veterinary hospital rather than him and his brother.
3) Though Justice Byrne earns $381,691 annually as a judge, he claims his expenses are at least $118,200 per year, leaving him with little savings and motivating him to seek more from his mother's estate for a comfortable retirement.
The Press Conference
1) The document discusses several notable press conferences that went awry, including a Polish government prosecutor who shot himself in the head during a press conference and an American treasurer who committed suicide on camera.
2) It also discusses the unintended consequences of a press secretary's comments that led to the fall of the Berlin Wall.
3) Throughout, it comments on the often fraught relationship between politicians, press secretaries, and journalists.
The King who never was
1) Duke Franz von Bayern is considered by Jacobites to be the rightful king of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland as the senior descendant of the last Stuart king, James II.
2) The Royal Stuart Society, based in London, maintains the line of succession which now rests with Duke Franz as the head of the House of Wittelsbach in Bavaria.
3) Despite past interest, Duke Franz is happy in his role as the Duke of Bavaria and does not make claims to the British throne, seeing it as an internal British issue.
The Hills Are Alive
1) The document discusses the 50th anniversary of the film musical "The Sound of Music" and the author's initial dislike for the film as a teenager, in contrast to his mother's love for it.
2) As a 16-year-old in 1965, the author dismissed the film as too sugary sweet while preferring rock music, but it went on to become hugely popular and financially successful.
3) Over the years, the author's opinion changed and he has come to appreciate aspects of the film, such as its themes of love, music, happiness and family, though he still dislikes how it portrayed the family's escape from Austria.
The heat is on for lizards
Male bearded dragons in Australia have been found to spontaneously change sex when exposed to hot weather, according to a study by researchers at the University of Canberra. The team observed that hot temperatures can cause the chromosomes in male lizards to become disrupted, transforming them into functional females capable of laying eggs. However, this sex reversal negatively impacts the population as the offspring of female lizards that were formerly male consistently produce only male babies themselves. If this pattern continues, it could eliminate males from the bearded dragon population in the wild.
The Great Australian Novel
This document is a satirical piece where the author humorously outlines their plans to write "The Great Australian Novel." Some key points:
1) The author claims they have been urged to write this novel by "multitudes" of people impressed by their skills, though they can only name two supporters, one who is dead and one in an institution.
2) The author grandiosely describes how their novel will be brilliantly written and receive widespread acclaim.
3) Various ideas for the novel are proposed, such as making it semi-autobiographical about overcoming adversity, though the examples given are obviously fabricated for humor.
4) The ending circle backs to wondering why the character
The crime of ageing
1) The author expresses disappointment at being rejected from consideration for a mission to establish the first human colony on Mars, believing it was due to his age.
2) During a discussion with his mother about his upcoming birthday, she refers to him as elderly, despite him being years away from 70. This highlights the generational differences in how age is perceived.
3) There are varying definitions of what constitutes "old age" according to different government organizations, with thresholds ranging from 45 to 65 years old. The author finds humor in the numerous government inquiries and recommendations focused on addressing barriers faced by older individuals.
Taking things a bit too far
This document discusses a news story about a prostitute in Germany who kept a lamb named Rosi as a "sex slave" for nine days. The lamb had been stolen from a zoo. The document expresses relief that Rosi has now been returned safely to the zoo and integrated back into the herd. It questions whether the prostitute practiced safe sex with Rosi and wonders about her identity, as she had stolen 26 other animals previously. The document concludes by suggesting contacting German police to identify the prostitute in case she tries to immigrate to Australia.
Sweet revenge
Russell Grenning discusses the growing issue of "revenge porn", where intimate images are posted online by ex-partners seeking retaliation. Two cases are described in detail, including a woman named Cathy whose photos were doctored into porn scenes without her consent, severely impacting her life. Laws criminalizing revenge porn are inadequate or nonexistent in most Australian states. While some tech companies are taking steps to limit the spread of such images, victims have little recourse against overseas websites that host the content.
More from Russell Grenning (20)
Happy Birthday to me
- 1. Happy Birthday to me! Russell Grenning Well,todayIam 66 – and I’mjoiningaverydistinguishedgroupindeed. My fellow 66’ersincludePrince Charles,Lionel Ritchie,OliviaNewton-John,JeremyIrons,Meryl Streep,JohnFarnham,BillyJoel andLulutoname butfew.And,more or less,theyare still working – unlike me –and shouldhave some prettygoodyearsaheadof them. Thenagain,quite a listof famousfolkshave diedat66 – DudleyMoore,TonyGreig,Gene Pitney, RichardGreene (whowasfabulousinthe blackand white TV series, “Robin Hood”) andFredGwynne (equallyfabulousasthe fatherin “TheMunsters”) andDavy Jonesof “The Monkees” . I’drather not thinkaboutthat list. But being66, is nothingreallyspecial –it’snotthe sortof birthdayyoucelebrate likeyour18th , your 21st , your40th , your 50th , your 60th or your 70th and beyond.Lastyearwe had a splendiddinnerparty for mybirthdaywhichfell ona Saturday;thisyearI have toldmy partnerto start savingfuriously for my 70th . I can recall a fewthingsthathappenedonmybirthdayoverthe years.On my 16th birthdayin1965, Singapore became anindependentnationafterleavingMalaysia,onmy20th birthdayin1969 CharlesMansonand hisscrewed-upfollowersmurdered pregnantactressSharonTate and fourof herfriendsina brutal,frenziedattack andin1974 on my 25th birthday,PresidentRichardNixon resigned.Ienjoyedmy25th birthdayespecially. My birthdaytodayis,Ithinkappropriately,onaSunday – what my dearoldmummystill callsThe Lord’sDay. Nowthisis a bitspookyas Dame Edna mightsay, butthere are 66 booksinthe Bible and 66 wordsin The Lord’s Prayer. Will the comingyearsee me become religious?It’ssome time –well,about57 years – since I learnedatSundaySchool that Jesuswantsme fora sunbeamsoperhapsIshouldcheckback to see if that isstill inprospect.Youcan’t be too careful whenyouhave a lotmore yesterdaysthanlikely tomorrows. I’ve done some researchaboutbeing66 and I am indebtedtoTaniaGabrielle who isa“Wealth Astro-Numerologist”–well,that’showshe describesherself onherjollyinformative website.And she has such a lovelysmile whichencouragesme tobelieve herandtrusther. She writesthat66, “Is the spiritualmaster numberof love.It showsa double‘6th sense’ – an ability to connectwith othersintuitively on such a deep level thatyou are able to coach themand supporttheir goals.”Isn’tthat interesting?The factisthat I’ve beenlike thatall of mylife – helping,mentoring, coachingand guidinglotsof folkswhethertheywanteditornot.Some didn’tyouwill be surprised to learn. The “AffinityNumerology”website tellsme that66 is “a composition containing theideasof optimism,creativity, inspiration,socialinteraction and idealism”. And,yes,I’mall of that andmore.
- 2. In the worldof mathematics,66 isa sphenicnumber,atriangularnumber,ahexagonal numberand a semi-meandricnumber.Whatabusylittle numberitis!Remindsme of along-agochumwhowas similarlydescribed. And dysprosium hasthe atomicnumber66. It isa rare chemical elementwithametallicsilverlustre and,combinedwithotherstuff,isusedasa lasermaterial.Talkingof lasers,Order66 in “Star Wars” isa preparedOrdertothe clone trooperstokill the Jedi commandingthem. The number666 isdescribedinthe Bible as “thenumberof the beast”– the Anti-Christ,the Devil. Yes,I suppose itcouldbe seenthatat 66 I am two-thirdsof adevil butI don’tfeel thatthe frighteningandapocalypticeventswhichare describedin the Bookof Revelationare likelyinthe comingyear. Sue me if theydo. If you fear666 thenyousufferfrom “Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia”andI’mprettysure itcan’t be fixedwithtablets oracourse of injections. We will visitmymummytodayathermaximumsecurityfrail elderly highcare facilityand,nodoubt, she will goon andon about whatsort of a kiddie Iwas,how I wasa lazystudentandhow I was this and that.She toldme whenIwas 60 that I procrastinatedalot andcouldhave achievedmore inmy life andI retortedthatI had yearsand yearsleft.Well,six yearshave passedsince thenandIam still seriouslyponderingbothnewadventuresandventures –Idon’tlike torush these things. I’ve reachedcertainconclusionsinrecentyears –I don’tlike toeathealthfoodsbecause Ineedall of the preservativesIcan getand I don’tworryabout avoidingtemptationsince ithasstartedavoiding me. FormerUS Vice-PresidentNelsonRockefeller,whoonlymade itto70, once said, “There arethree periodsin life: youth,middleageand ‘how well you look!” I thinkI’mlookingOK.