The Bechdel Test, sometimes called the Mo Movie Measure or Bechdel Rule is a simple test which names the following three criteria to evaluate films: (1) It has to have at least two women in it. (2) The women have to talk to each other. (3) And, they mu…
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Marginal Notes: Phone Sex Operators
Who picks up the phone? Here is an interesting photo essay from Mother Jones on phone sex operators. This woman reveals: I’m 60 years old, I have a BA in cultural anthropology from Columbia University, and I’ve been married for 25 years. I make twice t…
Continue readingThus Prate the Pundit » Social Critique: First Take on the Public Domain Manifesto
Communia published its Public Domain Manifesto. The manifesto identifies the public domain concept with respect to historical development and more urgently, its relevance to culture today. I think it makes an important statement, in terms of offering a level, common understanding that could be used widely across society, government, and
Continue readingThus Prate the Pundit » Social Critique: Response to Canadian Copyright Consultation
The government set up public consultations and a web site for discussion and formal submissions of responses to questions concerning copyright reform. The web site posed five questions, which I thought about for a bit and then hastily wrote some responses today. I’ve been away travelling for a while–there’s nothing
Continue readingAkaash Maharaj - Practical Idealism: Power, the People, and the PMO – Akaash Maharaj Podcast
With more than a year of minority government behind us, Steve Paikin and The Agenda assemble a national panel to ask if political power in Canada is still primarily a matter of the proverbial “who do you know in the PMO”. With Jeffrey Simpson, Norman …
Continue readingAkaash Maharaj - Practical Idealism: Politics and Principles – Akaash Maharaj Podcast
In the wake of the Quebecois Nation issue, TV Ontario’s The Agenda asks if politics and principles are Canada’s true twin solitudes. With Steve Paikin as moderator, Val Meredith for the Conservatives, Robin Sears for the NDP, and I for the Liberals.
Continue readingAkaash Maharaj - Practical Idealism: Politics and Principles – Akaash Maharaj Podcast
In the wake of the Quebecois Nation issue, TV Ontario’s The Agenda asks if politics and principles are Canada’s true twin solitudes. With Steve Paikin as moderator, Val Meredith for the Conservatives, Robin Sears for the NDP, and I for the Liberals.
Continue readingAkaash Maharaj - Practical Idealism: Who Wants to be a Party Leader? – Akaash Maharaj Podcast
Ottawa Morning, CBC Radio One’s news and current affairs programme in the national capital, explores the question of why the field of candidates for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada appears to be contracting. Hallie Cotnam hosted in Ottaw…
Continue readingAkaash Maharaj - Practical Idealism: Interviewing Leadership Candidates, Call-In – Akaash Maharaj Podcast
Host Alan Neal of CBC Radio One’s Ontario Today and I take telephone calls from across Ontario on the people’s choice for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.
Continue readingAkaash Maharaj - Practical Idealism: The Fall of Paul Martin – Akaash Maharaj Podcast
Former Cabinet Minister Herb Dhaliwal and I review the long road for Paul Martin from his triumphal entry as Liberal leader to his humble departure after the general election.
Continue readingAkaash Maharaj - Practical Idealism: Visionary Politics – Akaash Maharaj Podcast
A feature-length CBC Radio One national debate between Judy Rebick of the NDP, Adam Daifallah of the Conservative Party, and myself on visionary politics in Canada.
Continue readingAkaash Maharaj - Practical Idealism: Visionary Politics – Akaash Maharaj Podcast
A feature-length CBC Radio One national debate between Judy Rebick of the NDP, Adam Daifallah of the Conservative Party, and myself on visionary politics in Canada.
Continue readingAkaash Maharaj - Practical Idealism: Political Machines – Akaash Maharaj Podcast
The CBC’s Anna Maria Tremonti and I discuss the role or organisation, policy, and machine politics in the Liberal Party of Canada, in this nationally broadcast Radio One special.
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