The goddamn truth: people are f*****

I seriously might have to delete this post in the future. 

Every single fucking day for the past two months, I have been constantly disappointed by the sheer number of fucking retards that I've had to deal with. I'm not even angry. I'm just 

Every single fucking day I read any comment thread on the internet, it's like watching real-time retrogression of humanity, and the imminent end of our evolutionary vector, because god knows - Trump, a guy who advocates non-consensually grabbing women 'by the pussy', is that close to getting his hands on America's nuclear missile launch codes. But not just that, despite myself being aligned with left-wing principles, I am physically disgusted by the increasing aggressiveness of other left-wing activists ('social justice warriors') for yeah, living up to the stereotype of being absolutist and sanctimoniously shutting down any argument that doesn't adhere to their own superficial values. Some of the things vomited out by both the left and right wing have been... ridiculous. And it's fuelling each other.

You know what. At this point, having the earth bombed to a charred, ashen, marshmallow of a planet and toeing the line of human extinction might be the purgatory we all need. That earth needs. Fuck, I don't even care anymore.

I have a lot of sympathy with Adrian Veidt of Watchmen, and I have no problem sanctioning certain 'methods' against certain people that I know some of you more admirable and morally pure-hearted would never agree to, like downright assassination (but surreptitiously, of course).

I literally ranted about this in my previous post about how, because I've been exposed to a lot of shit (in life and in the news) when I was young, I am able to take the more realistic approach to certain issues. And of course, there are some issues so complex that I acknowledge it is impossible to take sides, but what we can do and should do is calm the fuck down and look at the facts. And here's a fact I want to reiterate: human nature is not a 'blank slate'. We're fucked. Admit it. Things like jealousy, insecurity, suspicion, anger, compulsiveness, truculence - these are the things that lead to conflict, potentially massive conflict. And frankly, these are fundamental human characteristics, and as with positive traits like altruism and empathy, they will always exist. You can never make it go away, except try and strike a balance. Unfortunately, however, it's the negative traits we all embody that result in greater consequence for society. Trust me, I'm not being cynical. I'm just being an adult. And it's why we all miss the blissful ignorance/innocence of our childhood.

And since I'm ranting....

Ever heard of Peter Scully? The Australian man who engineered a paedophile ring in the Philippines and for years trafficked young girls and raped babies in dungeons to produce content for his subscribers? I remember reading about this when I in high school, when some of the material he produced were merely 'urban legends' of the dark web.

Well, he deserves death. And not just death. But a slow, tortured, excruciating death. If I had the ability to carry this out myself, I fucking would. I would ... I shouldn't even type out the things I'm thinking because it is literally so despicable that I almost feel just as fucked up. But sometimes, I look at my friends, who have never experienced huge prejudice in their lives, or the friends who make cheesy posts about the Paris Attacks but ask them about what's happening in Istanbul or Pakistan, and they're like 'what?'... and you can't help but think - People. Don't know. Shit. 

Even me, ranting about problems like lack of Asian representation in the media. Yeah, I get frustrated at people who use the cop-out justification 'Hollywood is a business'. They clearly recognise there's a wrongness in whitewashing, or white saviour tropes (when you explain it to them), but because they've never felt it from YOUR point of view, they feel no need to speak up the way I do. So their automatic subconscious response is to kind of dismiss the petitions and rants they see popping up on Facebook, because it just doesn't affect them.

Now. Imagine. Being a black person in America. The problems they're facing. My problems almost seems like a goddamn privilege compared to the shit THEY deal with, and the dismissiveness THEY have to fight and have been fighting since they were goddamn shipped to America as slaves.

Anyway. Adulting. It's fun.

Exposure to the dark web, 4chan and sex, violence, and gore

My ability to tolerate other people and their shitness is amazing. Actually, my ability to tolerate the stupidity and ignorance of worldwide society is amazing. If you've actually read my previous posts, you'll know I've had a lifetime of training for this. And not just because I've had to deal with atavistic adults in my personal and professional realm, but because I used to be an avid commenter on contentious news articles and intrepid explorer of the dark web. You might laugh but the latter is mostly represented by 4chan (being the springboard to even darker material), which I used to check up on a lot to smirk at politically incorrect jokes, many of which would have broken provisions in the Racial Discrimination Act/your souls. But I also go on to analyse the fascinating psyche, attitudes, opinions and beliefs of this much derided and hormonally imbalanced community.

The reason why 4chan is interesting to me is because it is a no-holds barred communication platform. Under anonymity, people say what they really think and feel. And they can be as ragey as they want. Obviously, there's a lot of racism, sexism, homophobia etc. that's prevalent on the threads, but being aware of how ingrained these attitudes are among certain 'lowlifes' of our communities, and how secretly they hold onto these attitudes, is in itself a highly valuable sociological insight. If you can handle the porn and shitposting, sometimes you do come across some very serious and personal stories about family, romance, academia... usually, these are really sad stories from lonely and depressed people who have nobody else to talk to. Being able to look through this window into another person's most deeply held fears, insecurities, or experiences, is something that I think most of us would find interesting to read. And it does make you a little bit wiser when interacting with other people. You never know what sort of pain others are going through, and if you go into 4chan with full awareness of its nature, you (ironically) become more attuned to the effects of bullying, family violence, and depression.

Secondly, 4chan is the birthplace of many of the internet's greatest urban legends, catchphrases, memes and global online movements, including the now infamous hacktvisit group, Anonymous. I mean, how can you resist? Even if I weren't a journalist and an intensely curious/voyeuristic person, I'd still be like 'whoaaa, this is so cool, I'm actually watching people talk about how they're going to take down Sony'. And then days later, millions of Sony accounts get hacked, causing a worldwide shitstorm. The Sony hacks were stupid, but what was exhilarating was watching the progression of individual hackers and self-proclaimed shitlords come together online for the first time and hatch a global-scale rebellion, against a powerful corporation, a politician, or just some celebrity they don't like (e.g. Justin Bieber/Taylor Swift). It's not something you get to see every day within the peeling confines of your staid, quotidian lecture theatres - teenagers and college students manipulating big agendas. 

Apart from 4chan, I frequently browse LiveLeak, which is a video-hosting website for uncensored content that wouldn't be available to find anywhere else. LiveLeak is the sort of place you go to find the latest uncensored videos of police brutality against black people, the immediate aftermath of an airstrike hitting and maiming Syrian children, the wanton bashing of a woman to death inside a McDonald's located in a bad part of China, gang fights between members of different Colombian drug syndicates, scenes of people being shot during the Paris Attacks, a couple of cruel adolescents in Scotland pissing on a classmate in the schoolyard... It's where you go if you want to stare the cold hard truth of humanity in the face. And accept human nature as it is.

It would sound very sad and very pathetic if I were to just go up to a stranger, or even a friend, and be like 'yeah, I grew up surfing 4chan, LiveLeak, Encyclopedia Dramatica...'. 4chan in particular, obviously has a reputation for being 'the asshole of the internet' and a place where pubescent idiots congregate. But personally, and almost hilariously, I'm a better person for it. I know exactly how fucked up people can be. I know exactly the sort of suffering humans willingly inflict upon each other. And in knowing, seeing, and virtually sensing the full brunt of bigotry, pain and physical or sexual violence around the world, I know that I analyse things more clear-sightedly, and more pragmatically or realistically than other people. 

I see beyond the surface of mainstream media. I learn to question what I'm reading and not simply accept versions of the 'truth' espoused by outlets like The New York Times or The Guardian, which can be ridiculously leftist; CNN, which is journalism's sobriquet for 'international tabloid'; NowThis, whose popular Facebook videos are edited in ways that are often grossly and actively manipulative (please for the love of god treat NowThis as an editorial, not a news source); New Statesman and many other British news publications, (at least in the past) that are dominated by Eton and Harrow educated male editorialists; and well, every media publication because every writer comes with their own bias. Including me, though I try to be as balanced and self-aware as possible. 

Additionally, because I was exposed to a lot of violent imagery when I was young (e.g. my parents making me watch a film on The Nanking Massacre when I was 15 so I got to see dead babies on the street and women being raped by sticks and other foreign objects) is an absolutely pivotal reason why I feel so passionately about human rights and just generally, stories of injustice, and why I chose to pursue journalism and law. When you're so young, and you see a dead boy who was bashed so violently by KKK sympathisers that his entire front face had caved in (Emmett Till), or the puny hunched figure of an emaciated Sudanese baby crawling inches away from a lingering vulture (Kevin Carter's 1994 Pulitzer winning photo), you. Fucking. Change. There was no way I could fathom a future career in finance, banking, or some other blood-sucking industry that won't somehow allow me to address the wrongness I saw in society. Just by the way, I think the finance/banking industry is one giant corrupt as fuck dickhead that needs to be castrated or at least sterilised by some hard-hitting laws. I seriously wouldn't mind going all Saw 1 on some of Wall Street. And I can't help feeling physical disgust towards all my peers who worship Big Banks and Investment Bankers. 

Anyway, the last thing I have to say is that going on all these sites and witnessing or partaking in these brutally honest online exchanges - I've learnt to listen and be empathetic, and soft when I need to be, but savage as fuck when the time beckons. Or perhaps I don't need to be 'savage as fuck', but I've learnt a lot about how to approach people, to stand up for myself tactfully, to learn when to hold back from spraying somebody with expletives or vocabulary they don't understand, to embrace machiavellian social strategy (hitherto only in work life) like winning over the loyalties of your enemies' friends and subsequently overturning power dynamics (lawl), and just in general, being a more realistic and socially attuned person. Also, thanks to that one friend I have who, purely by me observing her, taught me how to be much more 'life smart'/street-smart. 

Having said that, this was just my personal experience, and more likely, those who surfed 4chan as adolescents turn out more immature than mature. But yes, it is certainly a fascinating world. 

Making porn stars wear condoms - well...duh?

Infected porn stars say the outbreak of HIV infections

shows the industry needs to get serious about condoms

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/hiv-positive-porn-stars-argue-condoms-article-1.1460438#ixzz2fR6HaOvT
Following the above controversy, a friend and I had a discussion about whether or not porn actors should be forced to wear condoms at work.  My view was that this should definitely be an industry requirement (which common sense tells me it already is, just maybe not adhered to) - and perhaps even legislated at some level.  Sure, the 'tactile pleasure', as he called it, wouldn't be as awesome, but it's better to sacrifice a bit of TP than to contract freaking HIV.

He went on about 'freedom of choice' and something about 'those who don't want to wear condoms are looked down upon by peers'....some weird shit like that... which is either:
1. something he just assumed cos lul iunno HE HAS A DICK THAT NEEDS TO BE LIBERATED FROM A HERMETIC RUBBER PRISON.
2. or something legit because he knows the porn industry like the back of his hand

Regardless, the peer pressure thing ultimately didn't make sense to me. Wouldn't producers want the actors and actresses to do it without a condom for better performances? If anything, I would have thought there would be more pressure on them to do it without protection. Feel free to rebut me on this... lel.

Anyway. The current outbreak clearly shows that despite certain health groups and organisations encouraging the use of condoms or setting a requirement for its use in pornography, and despite the growing  awareness about the dangers of contracting HIV for the last decade, porn actors and actresses (well, they can request it) are not using condoms enough. Maybe they're in reckless denial about the risk they're taking. Maybe it's just pressure from producers or co-workers.

Whatever it is - the consequences are manifestly clear.

Another isolated incident or a sign of pervasive racism in Australia?

School boy racially abused by 50-year-old woman on Sydney bus

FOOTAGE has emerged of yet another racial attack on a Sydney bus - but this time, the victim is a school boy.

Video posted to YouTube and aired on A Current Affair last night shows a 50-year-old woman hurling verbal profanities at a young male of Asian descent in a school uniform.

It all starts when, in order to protect "fragile equipment" stored in boxes, the boy and a friend decide to stand in the aisle of the bus while keeping the equipment safe on bus seats.

It's this that agitates the woman, who claims the pair are blocking her view.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/national-news/school-boy-racially-abused-by-50-year-old-woman-on-sydney-bus/story-fncynjr2-1226657226955#ixzz2VFHJJ2vs

Fortunately, I have never been a direct victim of racism but I think I know exactly how this boy feels.  Being subject to explicit racism is an incredibly scarring experience that stays with you for a long time - maybe for the rest of your life.  And when it's 2013 and you're living in one of the world's most affluent and multicultural cities, having this happen to you is gut-wrenchingly demoralising.

This incident was particularly disheartening for me because no one spoke up for him and also because he immediately reminded me of my younger brother.  My brother is very shy and can be quite socially awkward.  My friends used to say hi to him outside the school gates while we waited for my parents to pick us up and he would literally - not even kidding - scurry over to a tree or behind some foliage and retreat into the shadows.  Not saying a word.  That's how much confidence he lacks.

So if something like this ever happened to him...

He'd probably keep his mouth shut and look away, shrinking back into his seat and digging himself further into his little bubble of timidness.  Scarred for life.  And the worst thing is, he might not tell us about it.  He'd keep it to himself and feel bad all the time, and no one can help him.

Really, this video just makes me feel: wow, that could've been my little brother taking the bus, being abused by some random.

Very sad.
Makes me want to freaking destroy/punch the f out of anyone who makes him feel that way.

But overall, I still hold an optimistic view for the future of multiculturalism in Australia.  I always assure myself - once my peers are the ones running society, we will have a generation of leaders where most have grown up in very multicultural communities and are great champions for anti-racism and acceptance.

Anyway, it's important not to get too bogged down by this new incident.  While we have seen quite a number of racist incidents being reported by the media recently, we must not forget that there are definitely leaders out there who are actively supporting and fuelling multiculturalism in Australia:

Multiculturalism and anti-racism were key messages at the fundraiser for the Liberal Candidate for Bruce, Emanuele Cicchiello.  And yes, here's a video of my time that night:

emanuele cicchiello fundraiser from Cincity on Vimeo.

What makes Australia so great? It definitely isn't the quality of journalism.

As I was about to leave my criminal law lecture today (a lecture which I paid no attention to), I randomly asked the two people sitting on either side of me:

"What do you guys think about Australia?"

"Can you give me a context to that?"

Why yes Peter, I can:

According to the latest OECD Better Life Index, which analyses 34 of the world's developed economies based on categories like income, health, housing, education and life satisfaction, Australia is the happiest nation in the world, a title we've won three times in a row.

In general, Australians are more satisfied with their lives than the OECD average, with 84% of people saying they have more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is higher than the OECD average of 80%.

In addition to this, I told Peter and Alex that when asked what made Australia such a great country, answers generally reflected a shared appreciation of multiculturalism and fairness in our society.  People on Yahoo ASK (because that's a totally reliable site) said:

-          The fair-go attitude and the help-your-mate spirit as well as the relaxed she'll be right way of looking at things.

It is also the most beautiful land.
I was not born here but I call Australia home
The multi-culturalism here is true-blue. (Sure, there are few idiots who ruin it for most ofus - but then again, every country has them.)

Cheers

It is also the most beautiful land. I was not born here but I call Australia home The multi-culturalism here is true-blue. (Sure, there are few idiots who ruin it for most ofus - but then again, every country has them.)
Cheers

  It means a lot to me. Australia is a secular, democratic humane nation where human rights comes first. I am proud to call this great nation my home.
NO MATTER HOW FAR I MAY ROAM, I STILL CALL AUSTRALIA HOME
born in sri lanka and been living in Australia for over 30 years

In my 55 years I have never been hungry.I am educated freely.Should I take ill, medicine and health care is available and free.I am allowed to go where and when I please without hindrance of any kind.I am able to eat 3 times a day , more if I want to.I can vote for my Leaders.I can become one of those Leaders should I so desire.I am FREE.I have always had a roof over my head but should that change, my country will provide for me.I am welcome anywhere in the world, because the wonderful ANZACS that protect me make it so.And I am damn bloody grateful for all that.

With his eyes still firmly glued onto the Google images gallery of a bikini clad Home and Away actress ("Oh my god, Cindy look, she's so hot, homggg"  "Wow she could almost pull off that mixed-race Asian look" "What the heck are you on about?"), Alex simply offered a "no way" before Peter said something like "Really? Wow.  What sort of study is this.  I'm surprised - the Australian media is so racist."

"Racist?"  I asked.

"Yeah - A Current Affairs, Today Tonight?" he looked at me expectantly.

Ahhh yes.  Not since my ignorant days as a socially inept 5 ft 2 year seven student have I watched an ACA or TT program, and thinking it was actual news.  I do miss those subtle thematic jabs of 'yellow peril'/'Asian wave'.  And Tracy Grimshaw's hair.  Always ahead of the soccer mum trend.  I hope no-one forgot about this fiasco:

All-Asian mall?! ACA beat-up exposed by local rag

Qualitaay.

Anyway, the fact that Peter and Alex's immediate reactions were ones of uber scepticism actually surprised me.  I mean, I think Australia's pretty great even compared to Canada (too cold) and New Zealand (too New Zealand and the only thing that makes up for this is Flight of the Conchords).  On the issue of racism, perhaps I haven't taken the Frankston line or hung out with Collingwood supporters enough to see how badly entrenched racism is in some parts of the community.

Personally, I still think the issue of racism in Australia has been fairly exaggerated by the media.  While some subconscious discrimination might still exist among the older generations, I'm sure that by the time my peers have entered the workforce and some of them becoming employers themselves, job candidates won't be rejected simply because they have the surname Wong or Jayasinghe.  Or not be given promotions because Caucasian employers think it's better to have Caucasian faces fronting the company.  If people say 'racism' is still a big problem in Australia, then I think this sort of implicit discrimination is much more prevalent than old women on the trains going "MY GRANDFATHER FOUGHT FOR THIS COUNTRY. NOW YOU FOREIGN FUCKERS HAVE TO COME AND SCREW IT ALL UP."

Then again, I grew up in the suburban sprawl of Monash, which is considered one of the most multicultural areas in, like, the world.  I don't know whether this means my judgment is biased because I've been stuck in this enclave for too long or whether it actually means I'm right, because of Monash being a heightened example of the multiculturalism that already exists across Melbourne.

Regardless of shitty mainstream journalism and Collingwood supporters and racists on the Frankston line, Melbourne is still a pretty awesome place to call home.  Have you guys ever noticed the massive number of artsy festivals we hold here?  We've got the International Coffee Expo that just happened (or is still ongoing, I haven't checked) and the Emerging Writers' Festival and the St Kilda Film Festival happening right now - at the exact same time.

Also, ask any international student what they think about Australia and I'm sure the verdict is usually very positive.  Ask any Chinese international student what they think and it'll be:

- more relaxed, laidback
- clean environment e.g. "WOW I can actually see BLUE SKIES."  "NO PIGS IN DA YARRA. HURDUR."
- greater social mobility
- no toxic baby milk powder
- less homework, school is easy, maths is especially easy :D   No Gaokao craziness
- fairer society
- more considerate community, meaning one that is more willing to help strangers
- crap Chinese food

My weekly radio segment with China Radio International:

I say the word "interesting" way too much.

Way way too much.

I also need to stop going "glad to be on the show" and "thanks for having me" every single time he welcomes me or when I sign off.  I sound like a Betty Draper robot.

For those who don't know, I do a small weekly segment with John Artman from China Radio International in Beijing.  As their Melbourne correspondent, he calls me and we do a short light-hearted discussion on a local news story or event here in Australia.  Our segment is aired every Sunday afternoon at 1pm Beijing time - which is 3pm here in Melbourne.

Topics could range from things like the Queen visiting to the Moomba Festival to omgpeoplearecolouringtheirdogsredtolooklikeClifford??!?!  

China Radio International was founded on December 3, 1941.  It's a state-owned radio station which has links with 30 other bureaus around the world.  They have shows focused on issues all around the globe as a way of promoting connections with China and showing mutual understanding of global issues.  

John is an American expat living in Beijing.  He also writes frequently for one of my favourite sites - www.beijingcream.com which is pretty much Beijing's version of Gawker.  

^ Beijing.

If you have never seen a map before. Which should be unlikely,

because even if you live in a basement under your parents'

house, you could still access the internet.

#gonzojournalismftw

I've actually been doing this show for a while but I've never posted anything about it until now.  Because now I have a nice new blog that isn't filled with 1000 word rants about how Bruno Mars is the antichrist + lots of sixteen year old teenage angst.  Ugh. 

Anyway.  Here's a few interviews I did recently - have a listen 

Also the rest of the program have really good topics as well.  If you're studying Asian studies or really interested in contemporary Chinese society, then.... WHY ARE YOU NOT DOWNLOADING THE PODCASTS ALREADY?

To all my friends who have known about my stint with CRI, sorry to keep you waiting - you can finally listen to my voice all day erryday:

5/5/2013:  Queensland Minister for Transport Scott Emerson legalises the use of segways on footpaths and roads - even when it's banned in other countries for being too unsafe:

http://english.cri.cn/4926/2013/05/03/1561s763013.htm

(Oh good old Queensland, doing things for the lulz)

Yes, Queensland, that is your minister of transport.
Oozes.  Cool.

21/4/2013:  New study by Curtin University finds that young Australians who are shown CGI images illustrating the effects of smoking on their appearances later in life are more successful in quitting.  

http://english.cri.cn/4926/2013/04/22/1561s760893.htm

14/4/2013: Freak winds in Melbourne causes a heritage listed wall to crumble and crush three people to death - Melbourne reacts strongly - how could it be allowed to happen? Who's responsible??? 

http://english.cri.cn/4926/2013/04/15/1561s759444.htm

31/3/2013: Permission given by Melbourne City Council to build the Southern Hemisphere's tallest (LUXURY RESIDENTIAL) building (WITH A 6 STAR HOTEL) - Australia 108 - but there are claims this building will cast a shadow over the Shrine of Remembrance.  WHAT DO??!?!

http://english.cri.cn/4926/2013/03/29/1561s756780.htm

Why did I even caps.

Yeah.

Dat feel.