Au Courant

It appears that the word "fashion" has become somewhat debased in recent years.  In a publication known as...

...the Blogger profile, I have sometimes stated my connection with the fashion industry, but it seems that "industry" and "fashion" mean different things to different people.

To be fashionable, in my view, and that of other enlightened persons, means to be a pioneer.  We blaze a trail through the world, sweeping aside mediocrity, blandness and tacky absurdities.  To be industrious means to produce something useful. Hence, the fashion industry should be the best of all industries.

In my opinion, fashion has very little to do with the mass production of silly styles of clothing, most of which are shoddily abhorrent to persons of discernment.  Even items produced from materials of higher quality are frequently purveyed through a network of mass-marketed chain stores and journals for the unaware.

To be fashionable in the enlightened 21st century means to be aware of current issues of importance.  But what is a current issue of importance?  It is an issue that is likely to remain important for the next 250 years, to acceptable historians and informed citizens, just as the issues of real, ongoing importance have remained quite similar for at least the last 250 years.

As any well-informed person knows, Adelaide is the true fashion capital of the world.  We may not make the most money from our fashionable ideas but we do make the ideas that will remain in fashion (at least amongst enlightened inhabitants of the earth) for centuries to come.

To be au courant is to be aware of whatever should be deemed as important in a civilized society.  How do you become aware of issues of importance?  Are you a media pioneer like Elizabeth Mallet?

Unfortunately, many journalists and other media persons of today are not pioneers and rarely appear to be enlightened.  I am especially concerned about the prevalent societal pursuit of the ephemeral rather than the ethereal.  Please take note dear Canberra Press Gallery.  I am especially wondering why there are more members of the media inhabiting Australia's Parliament House than members of the House of Representatives.

Through my own blog-pamphlets, I am following the example of Elizabeth Mallet, "to spare the public half the impertinences which the ordinary papers contain" (stated around 1702 and quoted in the New York Times on Wednesday 29 December 1882).  My scrolls are therefore inscribe for you as inspired by all the muses.

We writers need the assistance of the muses whenever we experience writer's block.  But what are politicians to do when they frequently suffer from policy block?  Good journalism may help, as in this example:


Falling down the miner's shaft, by Laura Tingle, The Walkley Foundation


Before the federal election, it would be wise for every Australian voter to visit the Australian Electoral Commission website, especially this section (you may need to press the  "view summary" button there to read the very interesting "all" list).

There are so many other important au courant issues to consider, too.  For example, if you need treatment in a public hospital between now and election day, is it more likely that you will see a physician or a politician?

The Mozarty Party will not be presenting the public with any official candidates this federal election because the expert information of Mr Antony Green of the ABC suggests one of the other major parties will win.  We are the A Major party, as everyone knows, but the Australian public does not appear to be enlightened enough to vote for us yet so we will not waste our resources now, or even when our moment in history arrives.

My own view is that Australia needs an enlightened cultural policy before a more suitable political climate becomes possible.  The difficulty is that most of the populace seem unable to read anything which has more than one short paragraph of 140 characters nowadays.


How can the Mozarty Party hold a debate if our debate policy is far better than the nation's policy debate?


Are most Australians incapable of debating policy in a civilized manner?  Of course we need to discuss ways to prevent all sorts of organised and disorganised crimes, within the appropriate contexts.

Of course we need to discuss such topics as Plato's Allegory of the Cave, the merits of courteous appreciation of the arts, and the importance of good shoes.  And of course, we need to discuss the future of food, fun and fashion.



So, my dear reader, what is your own cultural policy, and how does it relate to the future of the world? 


I recommend to you this article:

Cultural policy in Australia, by Ben Eltham and Marcus Westbury


Then I suggest you might like to think about food policy:

Drought. Flood. Frost. Fire. Mice. Locusts. Mites. No vegemite? No toast? No tomatoes?


Art, music and food are important aspects of life, and politics.  We all need to sleep, too, so it is important to do all of these activities when it is most appropriate to do so, for yourself and for everyone else around you.

Enhancing wellbeing, especially psychological, is the responsibility of everyone, including all government departments, all politicians, all journalists, and all artistic personages...

Or do you just think you need a smaller waistline?