JOURNALISM
Damon writes regularly for newspapers, magazines and literary journals.
Some writings discuss 'big picture' philosophical ideas in daily life. Others are simply celebrations or clarifications - more literary or journalistic than philosophical.
OPINION/REVIEWS
The Age/The Sydney Morning Herald/AFR
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'Let's talk about sex--and philosophy' (23/11/20).
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'Landlords, you provide a service and that requires minimum standards' (4/4/18).
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'When life was "simpler", why didn't strangers smack men on the bum?' (12/1/18).
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'Away with the white dudes' (17/12/16).
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'I'm so humbled: what Mariah Carey and her Hollywood friends really meant to say' (7/11/15).
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'My darkest knight' (25/9/15).
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'Why the world does not exist' (19/9/15).
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'Meet the author: why writing is no longer just about the words' (16/5/15).
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'Magic pen delivers a graphic masterpiece' (7/3/15).
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'Austen's Fanny Price remains true to herself after two centuries' (27/9/14).
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'Pain comes before a punchline' (22/3/14).
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'Running on empty' (7/12/13).
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'Distraction - blame it on the mind, not the machines' (9/11/13).
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'Is "me time" a selfish pursuit?' (7/10/13).
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'Ever-present photography (and why it's a problem)' (17/9/13).
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'When it is and isn't political correctness' (27/8/13).
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'How to lose an argument before you've really started' (19/8/13).
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'No room for politics at the kitchen sink' (13/8/13).
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'Taste sours the sweetest food memories' (8/8/13).
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'What we can learn from Monet's garden' (31/7/13).
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'"Them" and "they": crutches for a limp existence' (30/7/13).
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'Free for all' (3/7/13).
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'Trivialising women in politics' (17/6/13).
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'Marriage: the "ball and chain"' (6/6/13).
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'Hopefully, wonders will never cease' (5/5/13).
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'Gardening is child's play' (10/4/13).
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'The curious pleasure of cleaning up' (4/4/13).
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'An encyclopaedia of Janeite love' (9/2/13).
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'The fashion assassins' (8/1/13).
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'Why the ink's not yet dry' (5/1/13).
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'The lure of erotic fiction' (1/10/13).
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'Talk about food should skip the bulldust' (31/12/12).
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'The joy of exercise, or why life lived well means a body worked hard' (2/9/12).
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'Play God: say yes to organ donation' (30/8/12).
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'Why patience is a virtue' (4/8/12).
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'Why karate kids are less likely to grow up to be violent men' (8/7/12).
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'A little bit of hush' (5/5/12).
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'Cherishing the ANZAC spirit - as long as it's not going to cost' (25/4/12).
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'We interrupt this program for an important message on relating' (17/4/12).
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'Oh, he of little faith' (17/3/12).
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'Homeopathy is not a cure, it's water and consolation' (16/3/12).
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'Narcotic for the mind: inhale deeply then delete at will' (4/3/12).
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'Embracing spontaneity helps make holidays child's play' (23/1/12).
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'Caffeine less vital than the conviviality of a cuppa' (23/1/12).
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'Revelling without a cause can leave you low in spirit' (31/12/11).
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'Listen up: this rapper's the Dylan of his day' (28/11/11).
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'Not idle, but thinking big' (8/10/11).
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'Holding thoughts to the minimum' (5/10/11).
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'Weak and dimwitted humans in a world run by machines' (8/6/11).
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'Life's lessons found packed in a removalist's box' (21/5/11).
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'Getting to grips with unnatural urges' (30/4/11).
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'Familiarity breeds content for old gallery's loyal patrons' (21/4/11).
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'Super-rich exceptions closer to being the rule' (2/4/11).
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'Turn video games into more than child's play' (14/1/11).
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'The crisis and the cure' (1/1/11)
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'Spring's gentle nudge to leave winter's walls behind' (15/9/10).
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'Too much screen time means our lives lack dimension' (28/7/10).
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'Exercise your mind and the body will follow' (13/7/11).
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'You don't need Jesus to enjoy Christmas' (20/12/10).
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'Fighting can nurture the soul - just ask Plato' (27/11/10).
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'A balanced life holds amazing rewards' (15/11/10).
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'Father knows best: don't buy into this false festival' (4/9/10).
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'Instructive lesson in class at the auctioneers' (18/8/10).
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'Quiet now, your soul is healing' (17/7/10).
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'A little smut goes a long way' (23/6/10).
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'Empty pockets and wonky careers can provide a richer life' (19/5/10).
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'Taking a bite out of Apple's vision' (18/5/10).
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'In moments like these, we need mentors' (26/4/10).
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'Autumn glory lets us count our blessings' (2/4/10).
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'Forget the cheap shots, cage fighting is a virtuous sport' (12/4/10).
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'Channel your rage, young man' (9/01/10).
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'Should auld acquaintance and bad times be forgot?' (28/12/09).
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'An enriching, illuminating, bonding, godless Christmas' (23/12/09).
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'A bad review can be a learning experience (21/12/09).
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'The urge for single-sex fraternity will remain strong' (27/11/09).
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'Identifying with the victims, not the killers' (11/11/09)
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'Celebrity adoptions expose our hypocrisy' (14/9/09).
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'We don't need Dylan on satnav to be driven to distraction' (1/9/09).
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'Dreams don't come in installments' (18/8/09).
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'Reality she wrote: Austen's top tips' (7/7/09).
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'Your numbers may never come up, but dream on' (2/7/09).
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'To remain relevant, that is the dilemma (19/5/09).
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'Channel the rage: teach boys to fight' (22/4/09).
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'Here's a thought - turn off the TV, tune into life' (24/11/08).
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'Driven by distraction' (5/7/08).
The Guardian
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'Our botanic gardens are about more than prettiness, or even science'(18/5/14).
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'Eventually, jellyfish might rule the world. What should the art world do about it?' (19/2/14).
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'Why swimming is sublime' (7/2/14).
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'If exercise was good for Charles Darwin, it's good for all of us' (2/1/14).
The Australian
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'Live by the word, die by the sword' (16/5/15).
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'Forthright defence of atheism' (18/1/14).
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'The meaning of life? Here's the rundown' (27/4/13).
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'Thanks to the memory of a father who failed' (21/1/12).
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'The price of freedom' (7/9/11).
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'Open the pod bay doors, HAL' (27/8/11).
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'Ennui need not be dull' (19/3/11).
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'Research the name of the game' (2/3/11).
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'Philosophy as a contact sport' (8/12/10).
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'Merry hell' (20/12/08).
Meanjin
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'On playing the victim' (26/2/18)
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'A cautious argument for the scrutiny of hypocrites' (9/2/18)
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'On getting of screens' (11/12/17).
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'On language, poetry, and Langoustine' (21/2/14)
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'What I'm reading' (17/10/11).
The Canberra Times
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'The powerful, and dangerous, tale of the frugal home owners' (26/2/18).
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'Being embarrassed by politics is a sign that we care' (16/2/18).
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'Before your next insult, remember: being smart doesn't make you a good person' (3/1/18)
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'When politicians speak of 'mum and dad', they don't mean normal mums and dads' (21/11/17).
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'On moral authority' (7/11/17).
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'Australians' pathological indifference to the suffering of refugees' (13/2/16).
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'Eric Jarosinski's book 'Nein: A Manifesto' a brilliant summer read' (8/1/16).
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'Welcome back, Star Wars crew' (29/12/15).
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'Authenticity: is it the genuine article?' (5/12/15).
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'UFC 193: Why cage fighting is cruel and objectionable, but still alluring' (17/11/15).
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'An inquiring mind essential kit for travellers' (24/4/15).
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'When the benefit of the doubt is in order' (23/2/15).
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'Smacking children asks for a certain brutality' (14/2/15).
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'There might be two sides to climate change story, but only one is well informed' (7/2/15).
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'When it comes to quaffing, 'authenticity' has no taste' (9/1/15).
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'Sixty years on, we can learn from Ernest Hemingway's grim New Year's resolve' (2/1/15).
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'Civilisation, and how to cultivate it' (26/12/14).
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'Meeting the challenge of Christmas' (24/12/14).
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'Promises, promises' (9/12/14).
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'Celebrity culture brings out the worst in us' (2/12/14).
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'Political ideals of progress are impeding our advancement' (8/11/14).
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'Political insults have their place, but better to engage in debate' (31/10/14).
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'Running towards a higher level' (1/3/14).
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'Broadband out of whack with experts' (4/11/13).
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'Death penalty at odds with the value we place on life' (21/10/13).
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'Laptop dogs growl at cost' (22/7/13).
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'Spectator vitriol exposes losers off court' (17/7/13).
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'The "specialness" of gold class cinema' (25/5/13).
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'In short, what we need is more wit' (23/4/13).
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'Chard remains' (31/1/13).
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'Intensity of friendships reveals a reflection of our true selves' (4/1/13).
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'Desire is never just a walk in the park' (27/12/12).
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'Deep thoughts on nature's way' (12/12/12).
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'Laughter: antidote to a crazy world' (21/11/12).
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'Politics: the good, the bad and ugly' (13/11/12).
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'Turnips for work; chestnuts for play' (3/10/12).
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'Shining a light on real values' (28/10/12).
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'Intellectual ambition rarely appears on the box' (24/10/12).
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'Every good boy deserves to...become better' (9/10/12).
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'Satire the perfect way to test huffiness of today' (6/10/12).
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'For sale: traditional values. Well used. Still loved' (3/10/12).
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'More than promises broken when politicians recant' (28/9/12).
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'Glamour can't disguise the fact that sex is still about power' (12/9/12).
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'Malicious web trolls are petty, broken human beings' (8/9/12).
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'Much in human nature that is dim, blind and cruel' (3/9/12).
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'Throwing the book at literary prejudice' (27/8/12).
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'Political lessons to learn from the United States' (13/8/12).
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'Limiting exposure to the commercial cacophony' (6/8/12).
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'The politics of bashing those down on their luck' (27/7/12).
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'More than mere child's play' (16/7/12).
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'Too easy for Google stuff to fill our vacant minds' (13/7/12).
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'Papers need to lift debate standards' (9/7/12).
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'To tax is to share, not to punish' (19/6/12).
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'A healthy civilisation needs writers -- and readers' (7/6/12).
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'Good, the bad, and the ugly: the blog's here to stay' (24/5/12).
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'Never mind the quality, feel the art's price' (14/5/12).
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'Gossip is easy and addictive, but also unhealthy' (3/5/12).
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'We are dehumanised by automatic work processes' (24/4/12).
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'Why grandmothers are key to familial wellbeing' (16/4/12).
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'Savouring the magic of the local bookshop' (2/4/12).
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'Fun between the covers with long-dead strangers' (9/3/12).
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'Stop submerging status in the subservience of "sir"' (1/3/12).
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'Honour? Thanks but no thanks' (13/2/12).
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'Navigating the conditions of unconditional love' (31/1/12).
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'Impossible vanity of caring for everything at once' (16/1/12).
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'Norse lessons from across the rainbow bridge' (11/1/12).
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'As copyright ends, we can take the literary plunge' (6/1/12).
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'Nurturing a healthy lifestyle is food for thought' (3/1/12).
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'It's time to let the fizz out of these sickening drinks' (16/12/11).
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'Children's stories need a moral side' (12/12/11).
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'At times, pedants are just revolting' (29/11/11).
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'Practical, proud paths of civility' (24/10/11).
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'Not easy to be an older parent, but it's not selfish' (10/10/11).
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'Memory lane is a learning curve' (3/10/11).
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'The work/life divide: time to think about getting it right' (26/9/11).
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'Why Australia is one of the least corrupt nations' (29/8/11).
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'Violence runs deep within young men' (13/8/11).
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'Fountain of the imagination and joy in the hand' (8/8/11).
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'Tastes that narrate our lives' (26/7/11).
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'Smokers: 'liberated', but not free' (22/7/11).
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'Cinema puts us all on the same stage' (11/7/11).
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'On-the-spot fines for swearing fans the fire' (6/6/11).
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'Very witty Wilde, but what about this weather?' (26/5/11).
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'Counting the cost of credit card debt' (18/5/11).
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'Don't write off female front-line warriors just yet' (20/4/11).
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'Desperately seeking nothing of real importance' (10/4/11).
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'A time to plant, and a time to harvest' (7/4/11).
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'Families are slaves to an age of debt' (11/3/11).
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'Penning books for the young no life sentence' (25/2/11).
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'Gossip adds to woes in office' (14/2/11)
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'It's a juggle, but parents can love in the struggle' (7/2/11).
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'Internet a tool for tyranny as well as democracy' (4/2/11).
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'Courage keeps society a civil one' (31/1/11).
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'Along with our grapes, we're maturing nicely' (24/1/11).
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'Kicking away the crutches of luxury' (18/1/11).
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'Time to put down the pen and join the human race' (27/12/10).
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'These feet are made just for walking' (20/12/10).
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'The big four are well overdrawn on humanity' (10/11/10).
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'Why backflips by politicians are steeped in such negativity' (18/10/10).
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'Playing outside has many benefits' (13/10/10).
ABC
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'I can't be angry with my teen for swearing (well)' (4/7/2020).
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'Constancy or madness in the midsummer heat?' (15/1/14).
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'Curiosity vs celebrity: why do some reject fame?' (14/10/13).
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'FlexiWar: a modest proposal...' (10/7/13).
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'We shouldn't ask the dying to keep living' (13/5/13).
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'Biographical daydream' (4/1/12).
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'The garden in the library: Cicero and the stuff of life' (21/12/12).
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'Gods can teach us--just don't worship them' (7/12/12).
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'A myth understanding' (23/11/12).
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'Private faith v public faith' (9/11/12).
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'Critical thinking critical to teaching' (26/10/12).
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'An adoring family does not a feminist politician make' (9/10/12).
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'The "herd" instinct' (5/10/12).
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'The fictional universe of the spiritual illuminati' (24/9/12).
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'The fight for common sense' (21/9/12).
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'Princesses and superheroes: the consequences of gender roles' (7/9/12).
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'Coffee with David Hume' (23/8/12).
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'Everyone picks on the fat kid' (10/8/12).
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'Our alien and desiccated home' (30/7/12).
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'Is God interesting?' (27/7/12).
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'Surviving the suburban purgatory of the school run' (13/7/12).
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'Christ's love is bad medicine' (29/6/12).
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'The Mayans and the end of thought' (15/6/12).
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'A letter from a god' (1/6/12).
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'Darwin's modest discovery of evolution' (18/5/12).
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'If God is dead or dying, why criticise religion?' (4/5/12).
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'The Bible just isn't funny' (27/4/12).
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'Prayer is delusional but its power can be real' (20/4/12).
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'Believers share their dubious apologetics with Trekkers' (13/4/12).
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'Infinite debt of a Christian faith' (6/4/12)
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'Art without god' (30/3/12).
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'Universe's magnificence without the narcissistic supernaturalism' (23/3/12).
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'Waiting for God: an ultimate power' (16/3/12).
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'Liberating a popular literary invention: the Lord' (9/3/12).
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'Why worry about theology?' (1/3/12).
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'Sympathy for the devil' (24/2/12).
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'Religion and politics: dangers of policy based on faith' (17/2/12).
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'Atheism and growing up' (10/2/12).
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'The Ultimate Fighter, priest-style: piety and religious vice' (2/2/12).
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'Friends in high places' (27/1/12).
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'Astrology: an odd mix of humility and arrogance' (19/1/12).
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'The symbolism and rage of victimhood' (12/1/12).
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'Do scientists have faith?' (3/1/12).
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'The symbols of Christmas' (26/12/11).
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'Hitchens and infuriating faith' (22/12/11).
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'Martial arts and the mind' (16/12/11).
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'Out with the caricatures!' (9/12/11).
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'Politics and loyalty: to the party or the person?' (2/12/11).
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'What was Socrates the radical philosopher doing in Bolt's blog?' (25/11/11).
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'For better, for worse, for satin, for cufflinks' (18/11/11).
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'The world is not enough for supernaturalists' (10/11/11).
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'Paranormal success is a psychic's only power' (3/11/11).
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'Atheists, creationists and the pitfalls of public debate' (27/10/11).
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'God, man, and the Obedient Wives Club' (20/10/11).
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'Book of Jobs: electronic Eden not paradise for everyone' (11/10/11).
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'Communication: it's always better when we're together' (22/9/11).
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'A boy's world through rose-coloured glasses' (11/4/11).
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'Can a job really be worse than unemploymnt?' (1/4/11).
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'The paper's place in a digital world' (13/1/11).
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'The marvels of what is' (17/12/10.
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'Feminism: a struggle shared' (3/12/10).
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'Stop and think: it's World Philosophy Day' (18/11/10).
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'Editors: strange, misunderstood, essential' (15/11/10).
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'Digitally surfing the flushable sea' (20/10/10)
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'The wisdom of illness' (1/10/10).
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'Why write?' (10/9/10).
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'Guiltlessly myopic electioneering' (17/8/10).
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'Mentally sexy dads' (30/7/10).
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'A rhythmic, sweaty meditation' (18/6/10).
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'Not just for geeks' (11/6/10).
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'Skinny vs healthy debate' (6/4/10).
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'A time for reflection' (7/12/09).
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'When will the shallowness end?' (2/11/09).
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'Write on' (12/10/09).
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'Light bulb moment' (4/9/09).
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'The shape of love' (9/7/09).
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'Plant for the future, not the past' (17/3/09).
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'Junk ethics' (16/9/08).
The Herald-Sun
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'Sweetest tastes of Easter are not found in chocolate eggs' (11/4/09).
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'Seasonal magic of creating happiness' (25/12/08).
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iPod down, stand up for a lady' (17/11/09).
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'Lives driven to distraction' (22/9/08).
New York Daily News (US)
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'Legalizing mixed martial arts in New York' (16/1/11).
The West Australian
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'The gift of literary moonshine' (5/3/12).
BBC (UK)
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'The distraction society' (7/5/10).
The Independent (Ireland)
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'A guide for hungry bibliophiles' (13/8/17)
Indianapolis Star (US)
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'Boxing is liberating for men -- and now for women' (14/4/11).
ESSAYS
New Philosopher
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'Thug Life' (19)
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'A commodified world' (18)
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'Virtue signalling' (17)
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'Even simple food is not simple' (16)
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'The thief of time' (15).
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'Lucky Oedipus' (13).
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'Orwell and lamingtons' (12).
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'The longing to be seen and heard (10).
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'Can ideas travel?' (8).
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'Plato said knock you out' (7).
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'The right side of history is wrong' (6).
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'The self and other explosions' (5).
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'Dirty thoughts on civilised leisure' (4).
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'Happiness is hard to find' (3).
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'What is a mind?' (2).
Meanjin
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'Aryans in Love' (79, 2, 2020).
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'Why Are Swords Still a Thing?' (77 4, 2018).
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'The Punisher's Numb Rage' (76, 3, 2017).
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'Get Your Kicks in Batman 66', (75 4, 2016).
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'Four Quarters' (75 2, 2016).
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'Check your entitlement' (74 4, 2015)
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'Illustrating Ethical Dilemmas' (72 2 2013).
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'The Devilish Art' (70 2, 2011).
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'The Reader's Duties' (70 1, 2011).
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'My Melbourne Spring' (69 3, 2010).
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'On fiction and philosophy' (67 4, 2008).
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'The languorous siesta: on summer reading' (66 4, 67 1, 2007/8).
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'A Sparta for our times' (66 2, 2007).
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'Faith without God' (65 4, 2006).
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'Facing Nietzsche's demon' (64 3, 2005).
Island
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'I love, I Slay, and Am Content' (154)
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'This Foundering Polity' (146).
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'Stupid Idiots' (145).
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'Are Princesses Real?' (144).
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'Secrets, Lies and Philosophy' (143).
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'We're all Fucked' (142).
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'Philosophy is Not a Therapy' (141).
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'Who is the Author?' (140).
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'Fanny Price in the Garden' (139).
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'Everyday Philosophy' (138).
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'An Australian Superman' (137).
Aeon (UK)
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'It is because it isn't' (22/9/16).
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'The wisdom of gardens' (14/6/13).
Griffith Review
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'Hail Hydra' (67, 2020).
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'Tragic intimacy' (35, 2012).