Australia versus the US: satirist Charles Firth at Sydney Ideas
25 October 2007
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Charles Firth will discuss the pros and cons of the Americanisation of Australia at the University this Saturday. |
Editor-in-chief of Manic Times and The Chaser co-founder Charles Firth will give his unique spin on the differences between Australia and the US when he speaks at Sydney Ideas at the University of Sydney this Saturday, 27 October, 2007.
The author of American Hoax (Pan Macmillan), who has recently launched the weekly newspaper and website Manic Times, will discuss the timely topic of "Australia versus USA: Education, Politics, Workplace", highlighting his experiences following two and half years spent in the States.
"Australia gets a lot of great stuff from America- delicious fast food, an assertive military stance and, of course, sitcoms," says Firth. "But there is a lot that America could learn from Australia."
With Australian attitudes towards the States currently on the agenda, Firth promises to reveal, in his unique way, "the pathetic genius and brilliant inadequacies of each country." He will discuss whether or not Australia is right to go down the path of US workplace laws and will also explore what we have to learn from the States in regards to the rapid privatisation of universities.
Firth will be introduced by ABC Broadcaster Jennifer Byrn and his lecture is part of the "Spring Back to Sydney" program, a special reunion for University of Sydney alumni who graduated in a year ending in 7.
Editor's note
In addition to launching Manic Times, Charles Firth has appeared as the US correspondent for The Chaser's War on Everything (where he once asked US Democrat candidate Hilary Clinton if she was in need of an intern) and was a presenter and writer on CNNNN, The Chaser Decides and The Election Chaser. With the Chaser team, he has also written five Chaser Annuals (Text Publishing) and produced the satirical newspaper, The Chaser. He has co-written (with Andrew Hansen) an international award-winning short film Garbage Man (2005) and has also written articles for a number of publications including The Monthly, The Sydney Morning Herald, Sunday Life and GQ.
Event details:
What: "Australia versus the USA: Education, Politics, Workplace" - Charles Firth at Sydney Ideas, the University of Sydney's international public lecture series.
When: 5pm on Saturday, 27 October, 2007
Where: The Seymour Theatre Centre, Car of Cleveland St, University of Sydney
Cost: $20/$15 concession. A limited number of free tickets are available for University of Sydney staff and students.
Bookings: (02) 9351 7940
More information: http://www.usyd.edu.au/sydneyideas
Also at Sydney Ideas
The Parthenon - Who Owns Cultural Heritage? - A Forum
As part of the Parthenon Project hosted by the University of Sydney, a panel of Greek and Australian experts will use the example of the Parthenon marbles to raise the broader issues of who owns cultural heritage.
What: "Who Owns Cultural Heritage" - A forum at Sydney Ideas, the University of Sydney's international public lecture series.
When: 4pm on Sunday, 28 October, 2007
Where: The Seymour Theatre Centre, Car of Cleveland St, University of Sydney
Cost: $20/$15 concession. A limited number of free tickets are available for University of Sydney staff and students.
Bookings: (02) 9351 7940
Contact: Katrina O' Brien
Phone: 02 9036 7842