Latest news with #TheStranger
The Age
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Age
This is fine: An existential guide to Australian politics
Albert Camus would have been a lousy goalkeeper. Think about it. The French-Algerian standing between the posts, his head in the clouds. Reports say the writer excelled for Algiers Racing Uni's First XI, but I have my doubts. Imagine relying on Albert as your last line of defence, the bloke spouting stuff like, 'The only real progress lies in learning to be wrong all alone'. Or: 'An intellectual is someone whose mind watches itself'. Wake up, Albie! The ball is coming! Tuberculosis intervened, sadly, the goalie trading gloves for philosophy, plus those olive-green novels – The Stranger, The Fall – that ask the big questions. Each title has been a staple of high school and Existentialism 101. Not that Camus used the term. Indeed he rejected the e-word, preferring instead to forge fables around the incomprehensibility of existence. As that's the central plank, that irksome query about why we're here, and what we should do about it. 'Man is the only creature who refuses to be what he is,' as Camus said. Which makes you wonder what we're meant to be. Precisely the conundrum heard in Canberra this month. Is it any wonder? How can a power bloc of two parties implode into a rabble, losing seats like musical chairs, going from Coalition to Noalition? Cartoonist Cathy Wilcox depicted a bisected couch, one parent per half, both insisting 'Mummy and Daddy still love you very much'. Question being, are Mama Ley and Papa Littleproud going through a break-up, or merely a break? Either way, whether this new reunion lasts, the existentialism burns deep, fanned by those pesky Camus questions. 'I can't go on, I'll go on,' as Samuel Beckett said, a handy left-hand opener for Trinity College, and another writer besotted by existentialism. Macquarie Dictionary defines the ideology as 'a group of doctrines – some theistic, some atheistic – deriving from Kierkegaard, which stress the importance of existence, and of the freedom and responsibility of the finite mind.' Existential first emerged about 1693 as an adjective for existence. A century on, Soren Kierkegaard co-opted the ism to refute the divine logic that Georg Hegel fancied, where the rational is actual, and vice versa. Lort, thought Soren: Danish for bullshit. In his milestone work Either/Or, the philosopher writes, 'There are two possible situations – one can either do this or do that. My honest opinion, and my friendly advice is this: do it, or do not do it. You will regret both.' Loading Remind you of anyone – federally, I mean? Hence the e-word's rise. Existential now applies to politics, the arts, deconstruction cuisine, eco-anxiety, and anywhere you look. Last year Flinders University revealed how doomscrolling – surfing online between Gaza and La Nina – breeds existentialism. Reza Shebahang, the study's lead, claimed the custom has 'dire consequences on our mental health, leaving us feeling stress, anxiety, despair and questioning the meaning of life'. Smart machines and AI inroads only deepen the abyss. Pushed to existential extremes, we feel like adjuncts to this thing called life. Avatars. Daydreamers in the goalmouth. Or characters living life forwards so that we might understand what we're doing in hindsight, to paraphrase Kierkegaard. If it's any comfort to party leaders, doomscrollers and general AI alarmists, remember that 'the key to being happy isn't a search for meaning. It's to just keep yourself busy with unimportant nonsense, and eventually, you'll be dead'. Camus? Beckett? Try Mr Peanutbutter, the easygoing labrador from BoJack Horseman.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
This is fine: An existential guide to Australian politics
Albert Camus would have been a lousy goalkeeper. Think about it. The French-Algerian standing between the posts, his head in the clouds. Reports say the writer excelled for Algiers Racing Uni's First XI, but I have my doubts. Imagine relying on Albert as your last line of defence, the bloke spouting stuff like, 'The only real progress lies in learning to be wrong all alone'. Or: 'An intellectual is someone whose mind watches itself'. Wake up, Albie! The ball is coming! Tuberculosis intervened, sadly, the goalie trading gloves for philosophy, plus those olive-green novels – The Stranger, The Fall – that ask the big questions. Each title has been a staple of high school and Existentialism 101. Not that Camus used the term. Indeed he rejected the e-word, preferring instead to forge fables around the incomprehensibility of existence. As that's the central plank, that irksome query about why we're here, and what we should do about it. 'Man is the only creature who refuses to be what he is,' as Camus said. Which makes you wonder what we're meant to be. Precisely the conundrum heard in Canberra this month. Is it any wonder? How can a power bloc of two parties implode into a rabble, losing seats like musical chairs, going from Coalition to Noalition? Cartoonist Cathy Wilcox depicted a bisected couch, one parent per half, both insisting 'Mummy and Daddy still love you very much'. Question being, are Mama Ley and Papa Littleproud going through a break-up, or merely a break? Either way, whether this new reunion lasts, the existentialism burns deep, fanned by those pesky Camus questions. 'I can't go on, I'll go on,' as Samuel Beckett said, a handy left-hand opener for Trinity College, and another writer besotted by existentialism. Macquarie Dictionary defines the ideology as 'a group of doctrines – some theistic, some atheistic – deriving from Kierkegaard, which stress the importance of existence, and of the freedom and responsibility of the finite mind.' Existential first emerged about 1693 as an adjective for existence. A century on, Soren Kierkegaard co-opted the ism to refute the divine logic that Georg Hegel fancied, where the rational is actual, and vice versa. Lort, thought Soren: Danish for bullshit. In his milestone work Either/Or, the philosopher writes, 'There are two possible situations – one can either do this or do that. My honest opinion, and my friendly advice is this: do it, or do not do it. You will regret both.' Loading Remind you of anyone – federally, I mean? Hence the e-word's rise. Existential now applies to politics, the arts, deconstruction cuisine, eco-anxiety, and anywhere you look. Last year Flinders University revealed how doomscrolling – surfing online between Gaza and La Nina – breeds existentialism. Reza Shebahang, the study's lead, claimed the custom has 'dire consequences on our mental health, leaving us feeling stress, anxiety, despair and questioning the meaning of life'. Smart machines and AI inroads only deepen the abyss. Pushed to existential extremes, we feel like adjuncts to this thing called life. Avatars. Daydreamers in the goalmouth. Or characters living life forwards so that we might understand what we're doing in hindsight, to paraphrase Kierkegaard. If it's any comfort to party leaders, doomscrollers and general AI alarmists, remember that 'the key to being happy isn't a search for meaning. It's to just keep yourself busy with unimportant nonsense, and eventually, you'll be dead'. Camus? Beckett? Try Mr Peanutbutter, the easygoing labrador from BoJack Horseman.
Business Upturn
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
Is ‘The Acolyte' returning for season 2? Everything we know so far
By Aman Shukla Published on May 24, 2025, 19:30 IST Last updated May 24, 2025, 14:33 IST The Acolyte, a bold addition to the Star Wars universe, took fans by storm with its High Republic setting, intricate mystery-thriller narrative, and fresh characters. After its first season premiered on Disney+ on June 4, 2024, fans have been eagerly asking: Will there be a Season 2 of The Acolyte? With mixed reviews, a passionate fanbase, and significant narrative threads left open, the future of the series is a hot topic. Here's everything we know so far about The Acolyte Season 2. Has The Acolyte Season 2 Been Confirmed? As of May 24, 2025, Lucasfilm has officially cancelled The Acolyte Season 2, with no plans to continue the series on Disney+. This decision was reported by multiple outlets, including Deadline and Variety, in August 2024, just over a month after the Season 1 finale. However, there have been glimmers of hope for fans. In September 2024, Manny Jacinto, who played the fan-favorite character Qimir (The Stranger), expressed optimism about fighting for a second season during an appearance at DragonCon. This sparked speculation, with Forbes reporting a 'glimmer of hope' for the series' revival. Despite this, no official reversal of the cancellation has been announced, and the show's future remains uncertain. Who Would Return for The Acolyte Season 2? If Season 2 were to happen, key cast members likely to return include: Amandla Stenberg as Osha and Mae Manny Jacinto as Qimir/The Stranger Rebecca Henderson as Vernestra Rwoh David Harewood as Senator Rayencourt Lee Jung-jae as Master Sol (potentially in flashbacks, given his character's fate) New characters or legacy figures like Yoda could also appear, depending on the story's direction. Potential Release Date for The Acolyte Season 2 If The Acolyte were to be revived, a release would likely not occur before 2026, given production timelines for Star Wars series. Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Billy Joel Cancels All Concerts Due to Brain Disorder
Billy Joel, January 2024 () Earlier this year, Billy Joel postponed numerous concerts due to a then-unspecified medical condition. The musician and his team have now canceled those shows and revealed that Joel was recently diagnosed with a brain disorder called normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). 'This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance,' Joel's team stated. 'Under his doctor's instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period.' See the full statement and the affected tour dates below. Joel performed two shows in February before postponing, and now canceling, his tour dates. All tickets for the canceled shows will be automatically refunded. *The Stranger* Each Sunday, Pitchfork takes an in-depth look at a significant album from the past, and any record not in our archives is eligible. Today we revisit Billy Joel's greatest album, a sublimely crafted breakthrough that finds the meeting ground of the romantic and the mundane. Billy Joel: Billy Joel has announced that he will be cancelling all scheduled concerts following a recent diagnosis of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH). This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance. Under his doctor's instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period. Billy is thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing his health. He is grateful for the support from fans during this time and looks forward to the day when he can once again take the stage. 'I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding,' said Billy Joel. Billy Joel: 04-26 Milwaukee, WI - American Family Field * 07-05 Pittsburgh, PA - Acrisure Stadium # 07-18 Bronx, New York - Yankee Stadium # 08-08 East Rutherford, NJ - MetLife Stadium 08-21 Queens, NY - Citi Field * 09-05 Washington, D.C. - Nationals Park 09-20 Cincinnati, OH - Paycor Stadium # 10-04 Santa Clara, CA - Levi's Stadium ^ 10-18 New Orleans, LA - Caesars Superdome ^ 11-01 Hollywood, FL - Hard Rock Live 11-15 Detroit, MI - Ford Field ^ 03-14 Toronto, Ontario - Rogers Centre 04-10 Syracuse, NY - JMA Wireless Dome * 05-22 Salt Lake City, UT - Rice-Eccles Stadium * 06-06 Edinburgh, Scotland - Scottish Gas Murrayfield 06-20 Liverpool, England - Anfield 07-03 Charlotte, NC - Bank of America Stadium * * with Sting # with Rod Stewart ^ with Stevie Nicks Originally Appeared on Pitchfork
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Billy Joel Diagnosed with Brain Disorder, Cancels All Upcoming Tour Dates
The post Billy Joel Diagnosed with Brain Disorder, Cancels All Upcoming Tour Dates appeared first on Consequence. Billy Joel has revealed that he has been diagnosed with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH), a brain disorder that causes fluid to accumulate in the brain's ventricles, leading to issues with hearing, vision, and balance. The condition has been 'exacerbated' by recent live performances, and as a result, the 76-year-old musician has been forced to cancel all upcoming concerts scheduled through 2026. 'Under his doctor's instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period. He is grateful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing his health,' according to a statement released on Friday. In his own words, Joel added, 'I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding.' Joel most recently performed in February, during which he notably fell on his back while attempting to throw his microphone to a stagehand. In March, he postponed four months' worth of tour dates for what was then described as an undisclosed medical condition requiring surgery. The symptoms of NPH are reversible if caught early enough. The condition impacts 0.3% of adults between the age of 70 and 80 years old, with the primary symptoms being cognitive difficulties, trouble walking, and urinary incontinence, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Those diagnosed with the disorder may undergo surgery to implant a device that drains excess fluid. Editor's Note: Listen to The Opus: Billy Joel, our podcast unpacking the legacy of his breakthrough album The Stranger. Listen to episode on here, and find other episodes here. Billy Joel 2025-2026 Tour Dates: 07/05 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Acrisure Stadium ^ 07/18 – Bronx, NY @ Yankee Stadium ^ 08/08 – East Rutherford, NJ @ MetLife Stadium # 08/21 – Queens, NY @ Citi Field * 09/05 – Washington, DC @ Nationals Park * 09/20 – Cincinnati, OH @ Paycor Stadium ^ 10/04 – Santa Clara, CA @ Levi's Stadium # 10/18 – New Orleans, LA @ Caesars Superdome # 11/01 – Hollywood, FL @ Hard Rock Live 11/15 – Detroit, MI @ Ford Field # 03/16/2026 – Toronto, ON @ Rogers Centre 04/10 – Syracuse, NY @ JMA Wireless Dome * 05/22 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Rice-Eccles Stadium * 06/06 – Edinburgh, UK @ Scottish Gas Murrayfield 06/20 – Liverpool, UK @ Anfield 07/03 – Charlotte, NC @ Bank of America Stadium * TBD – Milwaukee, WI @ American Family Field * * = w/ Sting # = w/ Stevie Nicks ^ = w/ Rod Stewart Popular Posts Holy Shit, You Have to See Footage from System of a Down's Concert in Brazil Bruce Springsteen Gives Trump the Middle Finger with Another Defiant Concert Guns N' Roses Share Video of Axl Rose Repeatedly Falling Onstage: Watch The 30 Best Action Movie Stars of All Time, Ranked Trump Warns Springsteen: "He Ought to Keep His Mouth Shut Until He's Back Into the Country" Neil Young to Trump: "I'm Not Scared of You. Neither Are the Rest of Us" Subscribe to Consequence's email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox.
