In October 2007 the company Easy Being Green went bankrupt after exploiting a loophole in government legislation that allowed them to hand out energy efficient light bulbs and in turn claim carbon credits on their usage. In 2006 alone, EBG had generated and sold over 3 million NSW Greenhouse Abatement Certificates (proof of carbon credits) at an average price of $14.50 each. When it was revealed most of the light bulbs they were handing out were not being installed the company’s business plan imploded and all staff were made redundant. With companies exploiting environmental concerns to make profit the public is losing faith in the government, and even in itself to bring about change.

Today we look at the 60’s and remember it as a time that nurtured the values and ideals of free thinking, radicalism and activism in reaction to unpopular government agendas. I only hope that in 2050 we don’t look back in regret. . . read more

By Max Skilbeck-Porter

In my living room with the light down low, i am enjoying Amy Winhouse's record "Back to Black". To many around the world, this would not be much of an event; she was one of the most recognised figures in popular culture and with her untimely demise came obituaries in just about any publication at the news stand.

But for me it is strange, before her death i had barely acknowledged her existence.

Little did i know of her incredible emotional and lyrical depth to her work; it truly does stand up to many of the greats that have come before her, people like Patti Smith and Janis Joplin, she had that sort of magic.

Besides her obvious afflictions, she was an artist with true talent. I suppose if her death taught me anything it's that sometimes the mainstream does get it right, and obstinately blinkering it can block you off from some great stuff.

From here on in I'll be paying a little more attention to the hair dressers radio, and i'll be enjoying Amy, and maybe even more; time will tell.

R.I.P.

Does the catch word of the "mainstream" ever blind you to seeing great art? Do tragedies like the death of Amy Winehouse ever lead you to reconsider a body of work that you hadn't given any attention? Tell us and remember...Disqus!

By Sean Maguire

For Australians, the question of who we are is a topic that comes up constantly.

The answers are often difficult to come by.

Our image seems stuck on our famous flora and fauna, a part of us we can't really claim credit for creating.

The 2011 Ipsos Mackay Report, Being Australian seems to agree with our confusion as Australians struggle to define an identity which is solely ours.

Yet interestingly for countries that have a supposedly strong identity like the UK, U.S, Mexico and France any attempt to pigeon hole them gets an angry response.

The UK isn't the monarchy, bulldogs, stiff upper lips or eel pies
The U.S isn't guns, the founding fathers, Surfin' USA or Hollywood
Mexico isn't tacos, moustaches, violence or cocaine
France isn't arrogance, cheese, wine or the Eiffel tower

Every country is a multifaceted space where identities clash and no one represents every aspect of a country's clichéd self image.

It's time Australia stopped worrying about who we are and started worrying about what we can do.

What do you think about Australia's national identity? Is there something that binds us all together? Is it important if there isn't anything? Tell us and remember....Disqus!