Every now and then we feel the need to rant about something, raise an opinion or form a response.
Society provides us with enough to feed off, and social media has become the hub of distributing a view.
Culture Maddened is a weekly article that looks at every aspect; nobody is safe, be they rich, famous, powerful or highly educated.
When the Government makes a mistake, you’ll read about it.
When a footballer sends naked pictures to a fan and gets axed by the club, you’ll read about it.
When a company feels the need to sack thousands of workers and add to the unemployment rate, you’ll read about it.
But not only can you read about it; you can send me topics to be discussed, to be pushed into the spotlight so awareness can be raised and those in power don’t control the view.
Education ministers speak about improving universities, but what do the students think?
Sporting bodies dictate the future of the games we love, but what do fans think?
Popular radio stations control the music that hits the airwaves, but what do listeners think?
Culture is defined as the ideas, customs and behaviour of a particular society, and sometimes we can’t help but rage at the results.
A young Carlton footballer was dumped because he sent explicit images of himself on Snapchat, an app that transfers pictures from user to user with a time limit of viewing. It obviously didn’t take long for users to create ways of saving the pictures, ruining the idea of the program as the technological people of today are renowned for. The ticketing system for Splendour in the Grass was hacked by such people, PlayStation accounts are infiltrated by such people and bank accounts are under threat by such people.
Now, was the risk worth the reward for Josh Bootsma, a much maligned player who obviously expected a reciprocation from the female he sent himself to? Not a chance, but it demonstrates the thinking of the younger generations. Football players were once able to drink on weekends, party into the night, have time away from the club to do what they please and conduct themselves as they saw fit. Not anymore. Part of the parcel is professionalism of the highest order, and with the upgrades in their pay why wouldn’t it be? Buddy Franklin earns millions to play the same game everyone else plays and spend the rest of the time soaking up Bondi’s rays.
So send me your stories, send me your photos and send me your ideas. There’s never a dull moment in this society of ours.
Chris_sutton@live.com.au
