[LINK] 'The Conversation'

[Tom Koltai]

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> stephen at melbpc.org.au
> Sent: Monday, 13 June 2011 12:54 AM
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> Oz-teachers at rite.ed.qut.edu.au; Link at anu.edu.au
> Subject: [LINK] 'The Conversation'
> 
> 
> THE CONVERSATION (BETA)  Academic rigour, journalistic flair
> 
>  <http://theconversation.edu.au>
> 
> A New Approach to Journalism
> 
> Welcome to The Conversation ..
> 
> Launched in March 2011, The Conversation is an independent source of 
> information, analysis and commentary from the university and research 
> sector. The site is in development and we welcome your feedback.
> 
>Who We Are ..
> 
> The Conversation is an independent source of information, 
> analysis and 
> commentary from the university and research sector - written by 
> acknowledged experts and delivered directly to the public. As 
> professional journalists, we aim to make this wealth of knowledge and 
> expertise accessible to all.
> 
> We aim to be a site you can trust. All published work will carry 
> attribution of the authors' expertise and, where appropriate, will 
> disclose any potential conflicts of interest, and sources of funding. 
> Where errors or misrepresentations occur, we will correct 
> these promptly.


An excellent initiative.
Although their Editor could do with some training as to what qualifies
Research and what qualifies Analysis and Comment.

Quote/ [http://theconversation.edu.au/pages/carbon-tax]
Research News (3)
June 6, 2011
Threats may chill climate research in long run

By Sunanda Creagh, The Conversation
Death threats against climate scientists may make researchers reluctant
to engage in public debate or even turn research.
June 2, 2011
Economists' open letter calls for carbon price

By Sunanda Creagh, The Conversation
An open letter signed by 13 of the country's top economists and
published in The Australian newspaper has called for.
May 26, 2011
Carbon tax spooks retail investors

By Sunanda Creagh, The Conversation
Half the retail investors questioned in a new survey expect the proposed
carbon tax to drive down the value of their portfolio.

/Quote

None of which of course equals Research.
But all of which qualify for the other heading on the page...

Quote/
Carbon tax
Analysis and Comment (20)
/Quote

I stopped Blogging because I felt that I wasn't qualified on various
topics to influence the next generation.
Let's not allow our Universities to make the same mistake. News served
up as Research that is Personal Analysis and Political commentary needs
to be identified as such or the "Trust" factor that the publication
appears to engendering on Alexa will continue to rise on an initial peak
of righteous fervour and then crash on the rocks of actuarial
apparatchik disappointment.

An excellent start in Journalism for our future political leaders of
2050 unfortunately the attempt at using the Cold War FUD tactics of 1950
ruins the good intentions.

Trust is never engendered with FUD.
Neither is trust generated long term by mentioning the word Trust really
really often. 

Qualification of the above Opinion:
On a personal note. I believe the world needs a Carbon {Polluters} Tax.
Although it will impact consumers pockets, it would appear to be the
only way to get rid of the slumlord remnants of the industrial
revolution.

Eventually, it may totally replace other forms of Taxation and become
the ultimate form of VAT/GST. The more you use, the more you pay. The
Proletariat dream.

As a Comment - It should be extended to a Carbon Tax per fingerprint...
So that young persons pocket money can be taxed based on leaving lights
on all over the house. Then we could even hold the Polluter of the Year
award and the winner would received the red Kerchief.

But back to "The Conversation".

A small observation...
As always it all comes back to who is paying for it.
If the money from Institutions is in the form of Grants, the publication
is likely to be seen as a lot more independent.

TomK