Exclamation: Tumblr. + Yahoo! = !! -
I’m delighted to announce that we’ve reached an agreement to acquire Tumblr!
We promise not to screw it up. Tumblr is incredibly special and has a great thing going. We will operate Tumblr independently. David Karp will remain CEO. The product roadmap, their team, their wit and…
All universities in Australia have student unions. They are run by students for students. They are meant to represent the student body, and are meant to represent the interests of the students.
So, why do many - even me - feel like they’re not doing their job?
Here’s the thing about student unions - especially with the MSA at my university (Monash University Clayton): they don’t represent the entire student body. They represent those who actually elect the student body. And largely, it is the really politically active, or members of political groups like Go and Switch (and Left Action - the crazy socialists whose policies don’t really represent the students but more “Let’s hijack a cause so we can spread propaganda”) that end up voting.
There is only one reason why we don’t vote: we don’t like you guys. You guys are the most overzealous, ambitious and really annoying people in the world (and that’s saying something - because I see the current state of federal politics in a better light compared to you guys).
We don’t like you guys because you don’t represent the students, nor have any intention to. You only are interested in furthering your political career. First participate in the union, get elected to the committee, then work your way up to being a parliamentarian in federal or state politics.
We don’t like you because you guys doing really stupid acts to get attention. Take for instance, you guys came into the Matheson Library and started protesting when people are studying or trying to complete their assignments. You’re justification: “No place is safe from education cuts.”
Yes, we know that. We don’t like the cuts as much as you do. However, we don’t do stupid shit that harm our fellow students’ education. We want to actually finish the degree and get a good job.
Then you decided to trick people into going into your student protest on May 14 by putting up posters claiming to be from Monash University (was really obvious it was a poor imitation). And (allegedly) one of the protesters set the fire alarm on the same day.
Here’s the thing: student unions are great for students to combine and make sure their interests are heard - especially on the education cuts front. However, it’s you guys are making it unrepresentative.
The only people who put their hands up to be part of the MSA Committee are Arts or Law students. All of the positions filled by the MSA Committee today are Arts or Law students. Next year’s committee will eb filled by Arts or Law students.
See the problem?
There are more than just two faculties at the university - there are Engineering, Information Technology, Science, Mathematics, and Nursing (just to name a few). So why aren’t there more people from those faculties coming over?
Well - most of us don’t focus on left/right (and far-left) politics. We don’t align ourselves to be a member of Go or a member of Switch. We see ourselves either a member of the MSA or a member of our club. Also, we’re time-poor students, so we don’t the have the time to be President, Secretary or Treasurer.
But that doesn’t mean that we can’t still be in the Committee - education affairs, women, queer, welfare, environment and social justice, and editing Lot’s Wife portfolios we can still perform.
So how to fix this?
The only way to get more people involved is to cut the crap. Our committee should be elected by merit not by politics. Our committee should be elected by their desire and what they want to do to improve student life not by their political ambition.
Also, stop the stupid actions. (And possibly ban the Socialist Alternative from getting people to sign petitions - because seriously, everyone hates them)
We need to get more people from different faculties in. Make it more open to people to have their say, as opposed to being another club just for Arts/Law students.
But most importantly: we need to change how we vote. We need to have online voting - it’s simple, easy and quick to do (especially amidst assignments and labs). Of course, there should be checks and balances to make sure that there are no voting irregularities. Paper is all well and fine, but given the fact that most universities are on laptops, smartphones, etc. these days, it makes sense to do this.
But you may be wondering? Why the hell did you write this piece? Does this mean you’re running for a position in the MSA committee?
Fuck no.
I run a technology blog on the side - I don’t have the time.
And that brings the ultimate problem: no one wants to be part of the MSA committee except the crazy political people. It’s like a poisoned chalice for everyone but them.
So we’re fucked.
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All In On One: I’m doing research (on Wikipedia) for the Australian election coming... -
I’m doing research (on Wikipedia) for the Australian election coming up this year, mainly because I hate Tony Abbott and Julia Gillard and I don’t want to vote for either of them. They head the two major parties so one of them is definitely going to be Prime Minister after the election, but I want…
Don’t worry! I’m here to help!
Your scenario is probably why I love the Australian voting system so much - you get to rank who you want as an elective representative, from the one you really really want to the one you really don’t want to represent you in parliament.
I understand why you don’t want to vote because of Tony Abbott and Julia Gillard; but I suggest you take a look at their policies. Immigration is a big fuck up, but look at their policies that might interest you - like Health, Education, and Broadband (remember, NBN - you can probably watch 1GB GIFS now :P).
If I was you in this situation, I would preference the minor parties - let’s say The Greens. Then I would preference a major party, let’s say Labor. That way, you still get a say.
Also, to anyone else reading this - please do not waste your vote. Yes, it may be a tedious thing to do, but be thankful you live in a democracy and not fighting for it like in some places in the world.
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Why are posts from sponsored blogs showing up on my dashboard?
Because they found a place to put the ads… by making companies put GIFs of their products.
Sad, I know. But hey, the world of business.
[Also, please don’t block ads - as a content creator who needs money, it’s our livelihoods you’re robbing :( ]
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