PRISM: The Delicate Art Of Refraction

Posted on by Kelly Welles

UK-Government-Online-Surveillance copy

A few days ago, a user on reddit’s CMV (Change My View) thread posted this query in response to news of the National Security Agency’s PRISM surveillance program.

I believe the government should be allowed to view my e-mails, tap my phone calls, and view my web history for national security concerns.

Obviously the response was huge. At the time of writing the query has 3340 comments, most citing well researched, evidence based reasons why they object to their private information being monitored by the authorities. Only one post though, by an anonymous contributor using the handle 161719 and purportedly hailing from “one of the Arab Spring countries“, managed to effectively articulate how information is power, how it’s collection may seem reasonable at the time, but rapid changes to political systems can result in innocuous data being used in the systematic persecution of individuals and their families.

It’s petrifying. Please read it in full here. Whether you want to change your view or not.

Richard Keys & Andy Gray: Rehabilitated & Ready For Rehoming?

Posted on by Kelly Welles

broadcasting_richard_keys_andy_gray

Andy Gray & Richard Keys. Still honking. Image via digitalspy. 

It’s just over two years since Richard Keys and Andy Gray were sentenced for crimes against football.

At the time, the almost universal rejection of the El Crude Brother’s comments about the ability of a female official to work out when a player was offside felt like a watershed moment, and while it’s unlikely that sexism (along with its intolerant bedfellows homophobia and racism) will ever be kicked out completely, it was refreshing to see so many writers, pundits and fans take the opportunity to condemn the remarks and affirm their commitment to an inclusive sport for all to enjoy.

Continue reading “Richard Keys & Andy Gray: Rehabilitated & Ready For Rehoming?” →

World Cup 2014: Prostitutes, Politicians & The Privilege Of The Few

Posted on by Kelly Welles

tba

“I’m Happy Being A Prostitute.” & “I cannot go without a condom, my love.” Not ideal, but the message shouldn’t be lost. Image via christianpost.

A campaign encouraging prostitutes to protect themselves against sexually transmitted diseases has been withdrawn by the Brazilian Health Ministry after objections from religious groups, it has been reported.

Continue reading “World Cup 2014: Prostitutes, Politicians & The Privilege Of The Few” →

Currently Residing In The ‘Where Are They Now?’ Files…

Posted on by Kelly Welles


I’m loving this random post by Ben Greenman on the New Yorker website, entitled ‘Whatever Happened To Terence Trent D’Arby?’

It’s positively Bateman-esque in its scope and murderous intensity.

Google Glass: Pandora’s Head Mounted, Colour Co-Ordinated Box

Posted on by Kelly Welles

tumblr_mme4ycrLVH1spaymdo1_1280

Wait, is he watching porn? Filming porn? Both? Image via tumblr.

Given that the human race has time and again proven itself laughably inept at coping with life-improving gadgets, I think that we should be a little more cautious when approaching the facial fun park that is Google Glass.

Continue reading “Google Glass: Pandora’s Head Mounted, Colour Co-Ordinated Box” →

FEMEN: Inciting Mammophobia

Posted on by Kelly Welles

971264_530031260398078_1440656837_n

Image via facebook.

That model’s alarm is feigned, surely? No one with actual boobs is going to be that scared of another pair of boobs, even if they’re attached to a FEMEN activist making an unscheduled appearance onstage at Germany’s Next Top Model.

Well, unless they’re a complete dimwit, in which case anything is possible.

Amanda Platell: Making A Splash

Posted on by Kelly Welles

6f826_gty_computer_porn_mw_110707_wg

Amanda Platell being lowered into the vile, roiling pit that is internet child porn by the editors of the Daily Mail was one of the more enduring images of this weekend for me. Platell, who is an ex-advisor to William Hague, was obviously identified by Paul Dacre’s managerial minions as the intrepid journo most capable of traversing the darkest depths of humanity without getting permanent stains on her action pants, and traverse it she did, exposing herself to all manner of revolting videos to supply further ammunition to the paper’s contention that it’s the internet’s fault this kind of depravity exists.

Specifically Google’s.

Continue reading “Amanda Platell: Making A Splash” →

Balpreet Kaur: Dignity In The Face Of Douchebaggery

Posted on by Kelly Welles

balpreet-kaur

Image via nydailynews.com. H/T HNS.

Yes, I’m late to the party. But this woman just restored my withered faith in the internet, and by proxy, humanity.

Given that I’ve spent the last few months bitching about these issues, I feel duty bound to share her story with you guys.

The ‘I’m Sorry, What?’ Files: To Meme Or Not To Meme?

Posted on by Kelly Welles

list-of-things-aint-nobody-got-time-for

I’ve been trapped ‘neath a pile of indescribably hideous dayjobrealwork for a couple of weeks now. The end is in sight, (or at least the smoke has cleared sufficiently for me to see the horizon) although at this point my typically pessimistic mind is just using the view to amplify my fear to new and deafening levels. In my head, the freshly revealed hills and valleys are complicit in my persecution, harbouring all manner of overlooked paperwork phantoms waiting patiently to hurl themselves through the my office window and make my life even more of an admin filled misery than it already is.

Last night I hopped aboard the internet, hoping a few moments browsing smart arse memes aboard the ultimate cloud of collective human experience would distract me from their impending arrival and remind me of happier, less fraught times.

It seems that I will never, ever, learn.

Continue reading “The ‘I’m Sorry, What?’ Files: To Meme Or Not To Meme?” →