bLOGOS/HA HA: Critical Infrastructure v critical infrastrucTAR

David Jones, artist and poet (1895-1974) begins his PREFACE TO THE ANATHEMATA :

'I have made a heap of all that I could find.' (1) So wrote Nennius, or whoever composed the introductory matter to Historia Brittonum. He speaks of an 'inward wound' which was caused by the fear that certain things dear to him 'should be like smoke dissipated'. Further, he says, 'not trusting my own learning, which is none at all, but partly from writings and monuments of the ancient inhabitants of Britain, partly from the annals of the Romans and the chronicles of the sacred fathers, Isidore, Hieronymous, Prosper, Eusebius and from the histories of the Scots and Saxons although our enemies . . . I have lispingly put together this . . . about past transactions, that [this material] might not be trodden under foot'. (2)

(1) The actual words are coacervavi omne quod inveni, and occur in Prologue 2 to the Historia.
(2) Quoted from the translation of Prologue 1. See The Works of Gildas and Nennius, J.A.Giles, London 1841.

19 June 2020

Critical Infrastructure v critical infrastrucTAR

Today, two announcements from the Australian government.

First announcement : a prepared statement read by the Prime Minister Scott Morrision is serious and concerning : re. computer attacks on Australian "critical infrastructure" by "a sophisticated state-based actor", presumed by many to be the Government of China.

"This activity is targeting Australian organisations across a range of sectors, including all levels of government, industry, political organisations, education, health, essential service providers and operators of other critical infrastructure."

T S Eliot, six days after being awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature, as artist-in-residence at Harvard (1948) lecturing about the structure of his play 'The Cocktail Party'

Joey Ramone (The Ramones, 1979) 'Rock N' Roll High School'

Second announcement : delivered by a less sophisticated state-based actor, Education Minister Dan Tehan : business-oriented education courses will be halved in their cost to students. This will be balanced (paid for) by doubling the cost of Arts and Social Science degrees. Again, serious and concerning. Again, an attack on critical infrastructure. This time from within.

Last week Prime Minister Scott Morrision stated, in relation to Australian #blacklivesmatter protests, "there was no slavery in Australia"... thus demonstrating his ignorance or spin mis-use of Australian history.

Responding to the objections of historians, the Prime Minister :
So I don't intend to get into the history wars, my comments were not intended to give offence and if they did I deeply regret that and apologise for that. This is not about getting into the history wars.

So the Liberal-Nationals assault on critical thinking/criticism continues : Peter Costello v student unions; John Howard v Black Armband History; John Howard v Political Correctness; Tony Abbott v Climate Change science; Tony Abbott promotes teaching of 'Western Civilisation'; ... ongoing cutbacks to ABC National Broadcaster; George Brandis v arms-length Arts funding; Scott Morrison abolishes Arts Ministry*; Scott Morrrison v whistle-blowers & journalists (raids by AFP on ABC and Annika Smethurst); Australian Government Secret Trial since 2004 bugging East Timor Govt v Bernard Collaery and Witness K; Scott Morrison vs COVID-19 JobKeeper payment to Arts sector and Tertiary Education sector; Scott Morrison v Humanities courses...

* "Thursday’s ministerial restructure creates a situation where, for the first time since the existence of a cultural portfolio, there is no government department with the word “arts” in its title."

- The Guardian 6 Dec 2019