Science Update: Media Causes Cancer

Goat. Will almost certainly give you cancer. Image via politicalscrapbook.net.

Cancer fatigue is a recently identified condition on the rise among the population of the UK.

Origins: Realisation by UK news media in the early 90s’s that exploitation of moral panic resulting from a single event frightens people and compels them to buy newspapers to educate & therefore protect themselves. Cancer quickly identified as a ‘fear’ hot button by media and the search begins for every piece of published scientific research that can be worked into a story about cancer, irrespective of reliability.

Causes: Identification of everyday foodstuffs, recreational drugs, social networking sites and basically any animate or inanimate object in the known universe as a potential cause of cancer.

Symptoms: Paranoia. Cyberchondria. Substance abuse, depression. All of which result in higher stress levels, which according to reports, are scientifically proven to cause cancer.

Complications: Relevant information pertaining to cancer becomes lost among the hundreds of thousands of articles about how exposure to doughnuts, toilet paper and goats can potentially cause cancer.

Treatment: Avoid exposure to the internet and all news media outlets for ever.

Rachel Corrie: Blind Spot

Rachel Corrie. She’s the one with the megaphone and the hi-viz vest, in case you couldn’t spot her. Image via ibtimes.

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”

The above photo shows US activist Rachel Corrie standing in front of an Israeli bulldozer as it tries to demolish Palestinian homes in Gaza in 2003. Later the same day, Corrie was killed after being crushed by, you’ll never guess what… an Israeli bulldozer.

Having spent the last nine years seeking justice for Rachel’s death, her parents brought a civil claim against the Israeli Ministry of Defence for negligence, but this morning an Israeli court ruled that the state of Israel was not responsible for her death, that it was a regrettable accident but had taken place during ‘wartime actions‘ while Corrie was “protecting terrorists in a designated combat zone.” Oh, and the bulldozer guy didn’t see her.

It’s difficult to work out which of these myriad excuses is most offensive to her memory. But if you’re one of those who feel that the whole thing would never have happened if she hadn’t been there, think about the quote above. If a young woman from Washington believed in a cause so strongly she was prepared to put her life on the line for it, the least the rest of us can do is pay attention.

Bad things can happen when you’re not looking.

And We’re Back: British Post-Olympic Optimism Pierced By Prince Harry’s Penis

Penis not shown. But then, it doesn’t really need to be. Image: Lma/Bauer Griffin.

Being a cynic of some repute, I had a feeling that this brave new world of post-Olympic British optimism wouldn’t last. The feelings of togetherness and joy we experienced as a nation – borne from the realisation that we were capable of doing something on the global stage without making complete tits of ourselves – were only ever a veneer, an unexpected heat wave in our perpetual winter of self-loathing and narcissism. We were still there. Just waiting. Just breathing.

Little did we know that last Friday night, while we were still exploring the well-lit alleys and sunny streets of ‘optimistic’, events were afoot that would break that heatwave and douse us once again in the familiar chill of the endless bloody rain.

Royalty. Nudity. Naked Girls. Camera Phones. Drinking. It’s like a perfect storm of British scandal.

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The X-Factor: Religious Ratings Boost

Image: VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/GettyImages.

Simon Cowell has taken a risk with his latest appointment to the X-Factor judging panel, but it’s widely agreed that Pope Benedict XVI is certain to provide the show with a much needed ratings boost.

The Viewer: Celebrity Big Brother

Sam Brick. Not as comfortable with pretty princess tag as you might think. Image via unrealitytv.

Her work with the Geordie Shore crew has transformed The Viewer into an overnight sensation, but as she is rapidly discovering, fame comes with it’s own price tag.

Only last week she had a panic attack after realising that her new status as the darling of the sarcastic circuit had elevated her to the very furrow of fame Channel 5 ploughs when it needs Celebrity Big Brother contestants. Fortunately for all concerned, The Viewer has not been selected for this series of CBB, but it’s only a matter of time before you, your friends and/or your family pet are forcibly ejected from your homes and into a plywood shed in Elstree for three weeks to talk endlessly about your insignificant achievements until the world wants to waterboard you.

Having watched the opening exchanges, The Viewer would now like to offer you a few words of advice, should that terrifying series of events come to pass.

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Todd Akin: Legitimate Head Slapping

Todd Akin. Ripe for a legitimate head slapping. Image: REUTERS/House of Representatives.

First of all, from what I understand from doctors, that’s really rare. If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.

In light of Congressman Todd Akin’s comments during an interview about abortion on Sunday, it’s only fair we warn him about ‘legitimate head slapping‘. This is a involuntary reaction similar to that experienced by women who are being raped, but instead of the body “shutting that whole [pregnancy] thing down“, what tends to happen is that the arms of people presented with dangerous, ill-informed remarks tend to rise and issue a number of sharp slaps to the back of the offender’s head until they stop talking.

Honestly, it’s proven. I’ve seen it happen.

Dressed To Impress: Activism With A Sartorial Edge

In case you’ve been looking for me, my support of the FEMEN movement, the Free Pussy Riot campaign and the government & corporate accountability that the existence of Wikileaks provides, now dictates I can only leave the house dressed like this.

It might look peculiar, but I can assure you I’ve worn more ridiculous outfits out in public. I’m confident I can pull it off.

Schadenfreude Corner: KP ‘The Nuts’ Pietersen

Image: REUTERS/Luke MacGregor.

When you get dropped from the England cricket team for allegedly sending critical text messages about your fellow players to the opposition, it’s fair to say you’re unlikely to receive the biggest welcome when you return to your club.

So congrats to Kevin Pietersen, who generously gave supporters something to get their teeth into at the weekend by getting bowled out first ball and having to do the walk of shame to a veritable chorus of enthusiastic boos and hisses.

Did you really think you could call your captain a ‘doos’ and no-one would figure out what it meant? You’re not the only one with access to electronic communication, Kev.

Pussy Riot: Martyrs For Mobilisation

The whole ‘hoping this would just go away’ policy was not working out for the Russian authorities. Image: REUTERS/Mikhail Voskresensky.

Three members of a Russian punk band arrested for singing a protest song in an orthodox church have been sentenced to two years in jail.

In her verdict, Judge Marina Syrova claimed that Pussy Riot “committed hooliganism driven by religious hatred” and in doing so offended the church and religious people.

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NRL: Inaugural Bisecting Wedgie Award

Image: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

I hope this is a direct result of the NRL introducing elastane into the composition of player shorts this season. Otherwise this photo will be used as evidence in the first criminal trial  involving a bloke actually being sliced in half during a sports game – a bisecting wedgie, if you will.

Either way, it’s great. Unless you’re the dude in the red pants, obviously.