Features

You see them as you ride the bus to work; they stare at you as you drive through the city; they greet you as you open up your email; and they are even in your home. There is no escaping them.
     Even reclusives like me cannot help but be exposed to advertising in the modern world. On billboards, in newspapers and magazines, on TV, online, in public bathrooms, on taxis and buses, and every space in between, ads are everywhere. I even discovered one on my coffee cup the other day. In American football, the game has pauses for the very purpose of a commercial break; however with advertisers paying in the millions for a spot during the Superbowl, can you blame them?

The US election has been in full swing for a while now, and although there may be only three names on the news, they are certainly not the only names on the ballot card.
    According to Roger Calero, the idea US citizens can only vote for either the Democratic or Republican parties is simply an illusion, and he should know, he is the Socialist Workers Party candidate for US President.
    Calero, who visited AUT on May 20, says while it is falsely but widely assumed the Republican Party represents the interests of the capitalists and the Democratic Party the working class and minority groups, in reality, both parties are “exactly the same”.
    Both parties develop policies serving the interests of the “big rich families” and ignore the youth and working class, says Calero.

After nine years of fiscal prudency, Finance Minister Michael Cullen last month embarked on his ninth budget with tax cuts being the main focal point. The rainy day that Dr. Cullen had been saving for finally emerged (coincidently with election year) in the form of skyrocketing costs of living and the threat of an economic recession. With expectations running high, much to the chagrin of Dr. Cullen, the government unveiled its master plan to alleviate the financial burden for households – and students. 

So I’ve moaned and groaned to loads of people before about tweens being into bands solely for their appearance and looks, and that the kids these days do not bother to read into the music, or even bother to listen to it. This practically takes away from the band’s reason for existing, which is a shame, unless the band sings about why they are hot, then it starts to get stupid. This is also why I love being old, well older.  The concept album is what is at the bottom of my rant, records with a back story, something you can actually think about. People these days just do not care for concept albums, and I feel they’re a dying... thing.