Further information

The New Critic is the on-line journal of the Institute of Advanced Studies.

It aims to present discussion and debate and opinion about matters of interest to us within the University and beyond - the time for an ideas exchange is now.

Edition 11 - our first for 2010 features an interesting mix of perspectives and ideas from some familiar faces, which we hope will stimulate discussion and debate.

In accordance with the editorial policies of The New Critic the items in this edition have not been peer-reviewed.

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Beyond the Little Mermaid

David Ritter
We are living in the post-Copenhagen world. In hindsight, the thinking seems oh so wishful. Some feared a greenwash outcome of superficial gains masking weak commitments, but few predicted the absolute extent of the summit’s malfunctioning.

Homo Sapiens And The Sixth Mass Extinction Of Species

Andrew Glikson
Lost all too often in the climate debate is an appreciation of the delicate balance between the physical and chemical state of the atmosphere-ocean-land system and the evolving biosphere, which controls the emergence, survival and demise of species, including humans.

Public perceptions of Pakistan’s war against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan

Mustafa Qadri
Perceived foreign enemies of Pakistan are directly or indirectly blamed both by state authorities and much of the population. Avoiding the role of militant, political Islam may help rally the population behind the state’s war against the Taliban, but it prevents Pakistani society from confronting the very real and serious infiltration of militant, political Islam into mainstream society.

Permanent decline and fall or imaginable resurrection? The fate of History at UWA as viewed from the edge of retirement

R.J.B. Bosworth
I have to confess that I find my returns to Australia vexing, all the more when I try to integrate the present into my memories of the First Year Teacher and so of my version of my past. One major problem is the country’s ‘howardisation’ which two years of cautious Labor government have done little to amend.

A reply to Richard Bosworth

Ann Curthoys
I trust it is clear that I believe passionately in history as an international enterprise, and have been arguing for and practising this approach for some considerable time. It was in this spirit that I co-wrote, with John Docker, Is History Fiction? (UNSW Press and University of Michigan Press, 2005). The last chapter ponders the influence of the growing trend towards transnational, international, global, comparative, world and other forms of supra-national history on the long-standing debates over truth and fiction in history.

Real People Real Life Real

Sarah Burnside
There is a pervasive sense that modern life is artificial or false, which has contributed to a fetishisation of authenticity; the descriptor is used for a variety of consumer goods from powdered soup to ‘peasant food’ and the concept is played out in debates on the politics of identity.

Review: The Native Title Market

John Southalan
At times, I wasn't sure whether this was 'native title: warts and all' or just the warts! But Ritter also criticises some of his own previous observations. He presents a realistic assessment of how native title is working and urges the adjustment of expectations that have grown from native title 'myths'. But he also has some suggestions for how the situation might be improved.