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Joe Rogan Responds To Accusation He’s Spreading Dangerous Misinformation
Joe Rogan Responds To Accusation He’s Spreading Dangerous Misinformation

Joe Rogan has responded to the controversy over recent podcast episodes in which he has been accused of spreading dangerous misinformation regarding the pandemic.

Just over a month ago, 270 medicine and science experts signed an open letter, asking Spotify to remove a December episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, which featured Dr Robert Malone, an infectious diseases specialist (and vaccine sceptic), who, according to PolitiFact, was banned from Twitter for violating the platform’s COVID-19 misinformation policies.

As The Guardian reports, “Both men were criticised for promoting several baseless conspiracy theories, including the false claim that hospitals are financially incentivised to falsely diagnose deaths as having been caused by Covid-19.”

“The appearance [also] prompted calls for White House health adviser Dr Anthony Fauci to debate Malone on the show,” (The Guardian).

The controversy recently led musician Neil Young to accuse Rogan of selling “lies for money” and leave Spotify with an ultimatum: me or Joe. Spotify stuck with Rogan. Young promptly left. Young has been followed by a couple of other artists in leaving Spotify in protest (though no massive names like Beyoncé or Bieber have joined the boycott as of yet).

Rogan took to Instagram today, posting the following video to address the controversy.

“I wanted to make a video, first of all, because I think there are a lot of people who have a distorted perception of what I do, maybe based on soundbites or headlines of articles which are disparaging,” Rogan said.

“The podcast has been accused of spreading dangerous misinformation, specifically about two episodes,” Rogan added.

“One with Dr Peter A. McCullough and one with Dr Robert Malone. Dr Peter A. McCullough is a cardiologist and he is the most published physician in his field in history,” Rogan said.

Rogan continued: “Dr Robert Malone owns 9 patents on the creation of mRNA vaccine technology and is at least partially responsible for the creation of the technology that led to mRNA vaccines. Both these people are very highly credentialled, very highly intelligent, very accomplished people and they have an opinion that’s different from the mainstream narrative.”

Others (like Young) put it much less charitably, calling Rogan’s talking to these dissenters irresponsible at best, and profit-minded at worst.

Read more about Robert Malone and his background here.

“I wanted to hear what their opinion is, I had them on, those episodes were [then accused of]… having dangerous misinformation in them.”

Rogan continued: “The problem I have with the term misinformation, especially today, is that many of the things we thought of as misinformation just a short while ago are now accepted as fact.”

Rogan then listed a few claims that eight months ago, he says, would have seen you kicked off a social media platform for saying, which are now accepted by mainstream outlets like CNN as fact (like questioning the efficacy of cloth masks, or saying that you can still catch COVID and pass it on even if you are vaccinated).

While this is technically true (we are continually learning about COVID), many argue “it [still] doesn’t mean that people should be broadcasting non-peer-reviewed medical information on one of the world’s biggest podcasts.”

Joe Rogan mid podcast. Image Credit: Clickhole

The problem many people have with Rogan isn’t the fact that Rogan has controversial conversations, it’s that he doesn’t know if the experts he has on his show are right, and he then – his detractors would argue – takes very little accountability for having these conversations in front of millions of listeners.

As Junkee reported today: “Rogan himself even confirms that he doesn’t know if the experts he has on his show are right, and that he simply enjoys having conversations. It goes without saying that the issue isn’t Rogan’s desire to have conversations, it’s the fact that he takes very little accountability for having these conversations in front of millions of listeners.”

As Rogan said in today’s video: “I do not know if they’re right, I don’t know because I’m not a doctor and I’m not a scientist. I’m just a person who sits down and talks to people and has conversations with them.”

This accountability issue is something Rogan today said he is keen to improve.

Rogan thanked his critics, and said he wants to improve how he does controversial episodes, by adding a disclaimer and by immediately interviewing someone with the mainstream, expert-consensus-perspective, afterwards.

“One of the things Spotify wants to do is that at the beginning of these controversial podcasts, especially these ones about COVID is to put a disclaimer and say that you should speak to your physician and [warn people] ‘these people the opinions they express are contrary to the opinion of the consensus of experts,’ which I think is very important and I’m happy with that.”

“These podcasts are very strange because they’re just conversations. Oftentimes, I have no idea what I’m going to talk about until I sit down and talk with people. That’s why some of my ideas are not that prepared or fleshed out because I’m literally having them in real-time – that’s also the appeal of the show.”

Rogan also said he would try to do better at being better prepared and having a better range of facts on hand when discussing controversial topics.

On the Neil Young ultimatum, Rogan said: “I’m very sorry that they feel that way. I’m a Neil Young fan.”

He then shares a Neil Young anecdote about when he used to work as a security guard at a place where Neil Young was playing.

In a statement released on Sunday, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek said: “To our very core, we believe that listening is everything. Pick almost any issue and you will find people and opinions on either side of it. Personally, there are plenty of individuals and views on Spotify that I disagree with strongly.”

“We know we have a critical role to play in supporting creator expression while balancing it with the safety of our users. In that role, it is important to me that we don’t take on the position of being content censor while also making sure that there are rules in place and consequences for those who violate them.”

“I trust our policies, the research and expertise that inform their development, and our aspiration to apply them in a way that allows for broad debate and discussion, within the lines. We take this seriously and will continue to partner with experts and invest heavily in our platform functionality and product capabilities for the benefit of creators and listeners alike. That doesn’t mean that we always get it right, but we are committed to learning, growing and evolving.”

Spotify also released new platform rules, which cover (the prohibition of) promoting violence and hate, as well as its policy towards “dangerous deceptive medical information.”

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The post Joe Rogan Responds To Accusation He’s Spreading Dangerous Misinformation appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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5 Seconds Everyone Missed During The Australian Open Men’s Final
5 Seconds Everyone Missed During The Australian Open Men’s Final

The 2022 Australian Open blew minds from start to finish. From Djokovic’s visa debacle to Barty’s watch choice or Nadal’s astonishing comeback, it was a feast of emotion – a lip smacking session that has been pored over to within an inch of its life by pundits, media, and social media users.

But if you were watching the men’s final at home (1.6 million metro viewers tuned in to watch, and ESPN said the broadcast “may be the most-watched” ESPN telecast ever in that time slot), there were a few seconds near a crucial break point that you probably missed. An interval which caused confusion and was deliberately cut from screens.

That break? The one where there was a pitch invader. Though camera people deliberately shifted focus to avoid giving the intruder any air time, photos have now emerged showing who the pitch invader was, and what they were trying to achieve.

According to Twitter user Tyson Whelan, whose profile indicates he is a journalist, the men’s final court invader was brandishing a sign which read “abolish refugee detention.”

Racquet Magazine’s Senior Editor Ben Rotherberg wrote in the heat of the moment (before knowing what the invader was protesting for): “Some bozo just jumped out of the stands onto the court (probably about three meters), got dragged out.”

Image via Twitter

He added: “The person was holding a banner, but jumped off the ledge onto the court before anyone near me had a chance to see what it said. Protesters during [The Australian Open] men’s finals are fairly common, but usually they don’t plummet without a plan like that.”

It has been reported that the protester looked to have injured themselves in the fall. While the incident occurred security rushed to surround Nadal and Medvedev, in case of further disruption.

There was no further disruption and the match continued. Nadal eventually completed a stunning comeback and won the tournament, making history in the process.

Many people were curious what the protest was about, while others said they thought interrupting a tennis final wasn’t the time to protest. In a similar vein, some applauded Channel 9 not for televising the protest, while others criticised their lack of coverage.

Others criticised those who were criticising the pitch invader.

This isn’t the first time protesters have jumped onto the court at the Australian Open. Two refugee activists were arrested for interrupting the second set of the Australian Open men’s final between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray in 2015. 

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The post Demonstrator Interrupts 2022 Australian Open Men’s Final appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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James Bond Actor Ben Whishaw ‘Unsatisfied’ With Q’s Sexuality Reveal
James Bond Actor Ben Whishaw ‘Unsatisfied’ With Q’s Sexuality Reveal

James Bond has come a long way. From previous versions of the franchise where the character is overwhelmingly sexist, the latest Bond films have started to tinker with the misogynistic mould (much to some fans’ relief, and other fans’ outrage).

Daniel Craig stated in 2015 that he wanted his Bond to be less sexist than previous Bonds and Lashana Lynch, who played Agent Nomi in the latest Bond film, No Time To Die, highly praised Fukunaga, Craig, and Bond producer Barbara Broccoli for ensuring the female characters were more than sexy side-characters for Bond to play with.

“Cary had big discussions with Barbara and Daniel about how to give the female characters equity… It was really important to empower the female characters as stand-alones. And I think that [Cary] kept that in mind throughout the whole shoot.”

And yet, while the latest James Bond films have made an effort to more accurately represent women onscreen, the franchise still has room for improvement in its representation of the LGBTQ+ community, actor Ben Whishaw recently suggested.

The only clear reference to a character within the entire James Bond franchise – a total of 25 films – being anything other than straight was in No Time To Die, and the reference is merely a passing comment. The character Q, head of the research and development division of the British Secret Service and essentially the man who gives Bond cool gadgets, is setting up a romantic dinner when Bond shows up unannounced. Q notes that his guest, who has not yet arrived, is a man.

Craig, Whishaw & Lynch in No Time To Die. Image Credit: MGM

Many fans saw this as a milestone for Bond films; it wasn’t a ridiculous dramatic reveal and Bond didn’t make any sort of homophobic reaction to the comment. But others saw it as a weak attempt to include diversity in the film, especially because we never see or hear anything about Q’s date again in the film. It’s arguably a throwaway comment that went nowhere and could easily be cut out of the film in more conservative countries.

The actor who has played Q in three of the latest Bond films alongside Craig, Ben Whishaw, told The Guardian he was “perhaps” unsatisfied with how Q’s sexuality wasn’t really explored on screen.

“I thought, ‘Are we doing this, and then doing nothing with it?’ I remember, perhaps, feeling that was unsatisfying.”

Whishaw did say that he didn’t think it was intentional for the fleeting comment to come across as though the film just had a box to check in terms of representation and decided to do the bare minimum.

“I don’t feel it was forced upon the studio. That was not my impression of how this came about. I think it came from a good place.”

“I accepted this was what was written. And I said the lines. And it is what it is.”

It’s also arguable that making Q’s sexuality an overwrought big ‘thing’ would be even weirder than keeping it subtle and natural. In 2022, a time when your sexuality really shouldn’t be a big deal, whatever way you swing, why would any character’s sexuality need a tokenistic burst of fanfare?

Whether or not Q’s love life continues to be subtle or explored in greater depth, we hope the witticisms (think: “I can do more damage on my laptop sitting in my pyjamas before my first cup of earl grey than you can do in a year in the field”) continue.

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The post James Bond Actor Ben Whishaw ‘Unsatisfied’ With Q’s Sexuality Reveal appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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Pickle Juice Is The ‘Superdrink’ You Never Knew You Needed
Pickle Juice Is The ‘Superdrink’ You Never Knew You Needed

Pickle juice is the new Powerade. That’s right: after watching the epic men’s Australian Open Tennis final yesterday, it seems half the country is sold on The Salty Stuff. Never mind that it didn’t help Medvedev escape the pickle he found himself in, the fact that he so persistently turned to pickle juice to avoid cramp had Twitter babbling about its benefits (and the term ‘pickle juice’ blowing up in Google).

A couple of hours into the dramatic final, world number #2 Medvedev started drinking small bottles of pickle juice in an effort to avoid cramp, as Nadal started to find his groove. Pickle juice, as the internet raced to discover last night, is a drink that is commonly consumed by athletes (across all sorts of codes) due to its ability to ward of muscle cramps.Healthline explains: “While it hasn’t been proven yet, researchers posit that pickle juice may help cramps by triggering muscular reflexes when the liquid contacts the back of the throat.”

“This reflex shuts down the misfiring of neurons in muscle all over the body, and ‘turns off’ the cramping feeling. It’s thought that it’s specifically the vinegar content in pickle juice that does this.”

It hasn’t been proven beyond doubt though, with Healthline adding: “Still, more research is needed to prove if this is exactly how pickle juice works to prevent cramps. While there are no studies proving that pickle juice doesn’t work, or that it’s a placebo, more research supports that it does indeed work by this mechanism.”A study by The Cooper Institute states that: “Yes, there is research showing pickle juice shortens muscle cramp duration, but not because of its high electrolyte concentration.” The study also explains that it takes about 30 minutes for even small volumes (2/3 cup) of pickle juice to leave the stomach, which is why pickle juice, contrary to what you might assume, doesn’t prevent cramps by giving you more electrolytes (“hence, blood electrolyte levels would not increase quickly enough to explain cramp relief) but rather it’s about how it impacts your nervous system.

The Cooper Institute explains: “The acetic acid in pickle juice is ‘noxious tasting’ and proposed to chemically stimulate a reflex in the back of the throat. This reflex has been shown to decrease activity in the alpha motor neurons which causes muscle relaxation. You don’t even have to swallow the pickle juice to trigger the reflex, which can relieve cramps in less than 3-4 minutes.”RELATED: Making Sense Of The Wildest Men’s Tennis Fashion At The 2022 Australian OpenAccording to the Cleveland Clinic, there are other, more general, health benefits to drinking pickle juice. They claim it can help with blood sugar regulation, they say it’s a probiotic powerhouse, and they say it can also be a hangover cure.

As for how much pickle juice like Medvedev was drinking costs, Sportsbet.com.au suggested last night that $99 was the amount (perhaps in jest?). Enterprising Twitter users like @HedgeFund, however, found that the same looking bottle of pickle juice is available to be bought online for AU $3.25.Who knew. Maybe pickle juice could be just the drink you need the next time you’re in a pickle. What a prickly thought.Read Next

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How To Wear A Light Blue Suit
How To Wear A Light Blue Suit

You may be thinking we’ve gone completely mad but the light blue suit is one of those rare formal menswear looks that can be magnificent if done right. Get Jeff Daniel in Dumb & Dumber out of your head. And the same goes for Ben Stiller in Something About Mary.

In 2014 I purchased a made to measure suit from P Johnson tailors in Melbourne. Let’s just say I wore the suit a grand total of once. Why? I chose the wrong blue. It was such a statement that I could never bring myself to wear it again. – Luc Wiesman, D’Marge

To make a light blue suit work, think of a day at the races, a summer wedding, an awards ceremony or maybe just a cocktail event where you want to stand out.

The secret to owning the light blue suit look is the following:

  • Choose the right shade of light blue
  • Fit is everything
  • Subtle checks only – nothing over the top
  • Choose your occasion to wear the blue suit wisely
  • If in doubt, wear the jacket only

In This Story…

What Shirt To Wear With A Light Blue Suit

When it comes to pairing a shirt with a light blue suit we would normally ride on the safety and caution side, but that’s not always the case. A white shirt will always be suitable. A light blue or lilac coloured shirt will be too. If you’re more daring we would recommend hunting down a floral print or geometric patterned shirt. Ensure the suit colour and shirt are complimentary otherwise you will be attracting far too much attention for one man.

What Tie To Wear With A Light Blue Suit

Our advice for matching a tie with a light blue suit is much the same as a shirt. Keep it simple. Textured ties, small patterns and maybe some patterns if you’re keen. Here you must decide whether you want the suit and shirt to do the talking or the suit and tie – not all three screaming at once. If you can, avoid wearing a belt. It will only add more shit to the look that you don’t need.

What Shoes To Wear With A Light Blue Suit

Brown shoes will always be acceptable when you’re wearing a light blue suit. In some cases creme loafers may just work – just be careful not to look like Cousin Eddie from National Lampoon’s Vacation. A dark brown monk strap or brogue will work nicely so we recommend sticking to that. If you want a more casual look then sneakers are your answer here. If you must wear a belt, then matching it to your shoes is a simple piece of advice.

Light Blue Suits & Sneakers

If you’re ditching the tie then a pair of white or navy blue sneakers is a great choice to complete your more casual light blue suit look. Common Projects, Converse and even Stan Smiths are all acceptable. Just ensure they’re new or very clean. Dirty sneakers tell people you are the kind of person who leaves dishes in the basin for days. Eeew.

Light Blue Blazer & Pants Combination

Lastly, if there’s just too much light blue that a man can stand, then you may want to separate your suit. In this instance you want to make sure your blazer is well tailored to your body shape. Both single breasted and double breasted jackets will work nicely. On the bottom you want to pair the jacket with navy, bone or white trousers. Black trousers tend to be too heavy so avoid those. Bight colours such as yellow and reds will look ridiculous so avoid that too. Dress it down with a t-shirt or an open collar shirt then complete the look with a scarf or pocket square.

There you have it. If you’re in need of a new light blue suit then we recommend trying ASOS or Mr Porter. Keep in mind that light blue suits are most often available in Summer.

The post How To Wear A Light Blue Suit appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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‘What A Match!’ Roger Federer Congratulates Rafael Nadal In Most Classy Way Possible
‘What A Match!’ Roger Federer Congratulates Rafael Nadal In Most Classy Way Possible

Rafael Nadal has made tennis history. The 35-year-old Spaniard came back from two sets down in the 2022 Australian Open men’s singles final last night to defeat Russian Daniil Medvedev in a gruelling five-set, five-and-a-half-hour match.The win has edged Nadal ahead of fierce rivals Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer to a grand total of 21 Grand Slam men’s singles titles – an all-time record. It’s truly a momentous occasion… But the only thing more impressive (well, almost more impressive) than Nadal’s win has been Federer’s extremely classy reaction to it.The 40-year-old Swiss champ was quick to celebrate Nadal on Instagram, penning a lengthy and generous congratulations.“What a match! To my friend and great rival… Heartfelt congratulations on becoming the first man to win 21 Grand Slam singles titles. A few months ago we were joking about both being on crutches. Amazing. Never underestimate a great champion.”“Your incredible work ethic, dedication and fighting spirit are an inspiration to me and countless others around the world. I am proud to share this era with you and honoured to play a role in pushing you to achieve more, as you have done for me for the past 18 years. I am sure you have more achievements ahead but for now enjoy this one!”RELATED: Lewis Hamilton’s Class Act In The Face Of Agonising DefeatThat point about “both being on crutches” is particularly salient. Both Nadal and Federer (but particularly Federer) have both faced criticism in recent years that they’re getting a bit too old, and both have struggled through serious injuries over the last twelve months. Nadal’s triumph in Melbourne yesterday suggests there’s still plenty of game in him yet – which should also buoy Federer.Nadal’s other big rival, Novak Djokovic – who was conspicuously absent from the 2022 Australian Open thanks to his whole visa debacle – also graciously celebrated Nadal’s landmark victory with an Instagram post.

The ‘Big Three’ of men’s tennis – Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer – together in New York in 2013. Image: AFP
“There has been some outstanding tennis played at this year’s Australian Open and the finals were exceptional… Congratulations to Rafael Nadal for 21st GS. Amazing achievement. Always impressive fighting spirit that prevailed another time. Enhorabuena [Spanish for ‘congratulations’],” the Serbian posted.Federer and Djokovic’s absence at the Aus Open was keenly felt, so it’ll be interesting to see the ‘Big Three’ at a Grand Slam tournament together now that Nadal’s on top. The next Grand Slam on the calendar is the French Open on the 22nd of May – traditionally one of Nadal’s strongest tournaments (there’s a reason they call him the ‘King of Clay’).Federer has expressed hopes to make a return to the tour in 2022, but question marks still remain around his overall recovery. As for Djokovic, the only thing stopping him from competing at Roland Garros is his vaccination status…Read Next

The post Roger Federer Congratulates Rafael Nadal In Most Classy Way Possible appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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You’ve Been Bench Pressing All Wrong. Here’s How To Do It Properly
You’ve Been Bench Pressing All Wrong. Here’s How To Do It Properly

The bench press is one of the quintessential chest exercises for anyone to perform. A movement that can be used to build muscle not only in the pectoral muscles in the chest but also muscles in your arms and shoulders, it’s no wonder the bench press is busted out on any international chest day.

While there are variations of the bench press, such as the incline bench press, decline bench press or even swapping the barbell for a pair of dumbbells, they will all go to waste if you don’t perform them with the correct form. While we’ve previously discussed the topic of bench press form, such as putting an arch in your back and ensuring your wrists are in the correct position, we haven’t touched on the subject of range of motion.

Fortunately, Dr Joel Seedman, a fitness trainer with a PhD in kinesiology and owner of Advanced Human Performance, has weighed in on the correct range of motion for the bench press.

Taking to Instagram, Dr Seedman says the optimal range of motion when performing the bench press is 90 degrees. But what exactly does that mean? Essentially, Dr Seedman says you shouldn’t be lowering the bar all the way down to your chest – the eccentric part of the movement – but instead, lower it down until your elbows are at a 90-degree angle.

He adds, “science confirms 90 degrees is optimal for strength, muscle hypertrophy and joint health,” and “unless you’re a competitive powerlifter, it’s best to NOT touch the bar to your chest on bench press variations.”

“If we examine research regarding structural physiology, biomechanics & neuromuscular physiology, all signs point to 90-deg as being optimal under high forces.”

“Besides saving the joints, 90-deg is superior not only in terms of therapeutic benefit but also for functional strength & size, as well as power & proprioception. This is true not only of bench presses but squats, hinges, pulls, deadlifts, lunges & presses. Additionally, 90-deg optimises mobility.”

“Limiting ROM (range of motion) to 90-deg actually promotes increased mobility & ROM for when you actually need it. In contrast, performing movements in excess of 90-deg is often the very thing that ends up limiting mobility & flexibility as exaggerated positions gradually produce chronic inflammation over time & inflammation is the very thing that limits mobility.”

In his video example with Kevin Minter, NFL athlete and special teams captain for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dr Seedman places some resistance bands around the barbell to assist with finding the correct 90-degree angle. It’s a simple yet effective technique to help ensure you’re getting the maximum benefit from your bench press, which will see your chest grow in size.

How To Bench Press

So, taking on Dr Seedman’s advice, how do you bench press? Follow these simple steps and you’ll be on to a winner.

  • Lie flat on a bench and position yourself so that your eyes are directly under the barbell
  • Grip the bar with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. The barbell will likely have grooves to indicate where best to place your hands. 
  • Keeping your shoulder blades locked down and a slight arch in your back, remove the bar from the holder and slowly lower it down to your chest. Ensure the bar falls in line with your nipples. Following Dr Seedman’s advice, only lower until your elbows are at 90 degrees. Inhale as you lower the bar. 
  • Pushing your feet into the ground and your body into the bench, exhale as your push the bar back up until it’s back over your eyeline. You don’t need to lock your elbows out at the top. 
  • Repeat these steps for the desired number of repetitions. A recommendation would be 8-10 reps for 3-4 sets.

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The post How To Bench Press Properly To Avoid Injury & Maximise Gains appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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Ash Barty Cinches First Australian Open Title Wearing New Signature Rado Watch
Ash Barty Cinches First Australian Open Title Wearing New Signature Rado Watch

She’s only gone and bloody done it! Ash Barty, just minutes ago, was crowned the Australian Open Women’s Singles Champion for 2022. The 25-year-old World No. 1 is the first Aussie woman to win her local Grand Slam in 44 years, winning 6-3 7-6 against the United States’ Danielle Collins.It’s an absolutely huge win for both Barty and the country, who has really rallied behind our local champ. As we speak, Barty is chatting with the media in front of a score of fans, knocking back a frosty Corona to celebrate. What a legend.Barty was characteristically classy when receiving the the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup, graciously thanking the fans, organisers and her team for her momentous victory. Also exceptionally classy was the brand-new Rado signature watch model on her wrist: a technical yet elegant timepiece that’s emblematic of her character as both an athlete and role model.

Images: AFP / Rado
The Rado HyperChrome Ash Barty II (ref. R32027962) is, as the name implies, is the second Barty signature model Rado has released. A 36mm three-handed quartz model, it’s fashioned out of Rado’s signature polished plasma high-tech ceramic: a unique bio-compatible material that features a dark, metallic sheen.RELATED: Rado’s Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Is The Perfect Watch For The OutdoorsThe high-tech ceramic contrasts brilliantly with the watch’s blue mother-of-pearl dial, which features three jubilé diamonds at 12 o’clock, rhodium-coloured dauphine hands and applied indexes, a date window at 3 o’clock and a moving rhodium-coloured tennis ball centred in the lower half at 6 o’clock.It’s both very sporty and very dressy at once – the perfect watch for trophy lifting, we’d say. Strictly limited to 996 numbered pieces (Ash was born in 1996), the champion’s watch retails for AU$3,675.
Barty pops off as she celebrates her victory over Collins at Melbourne Park. Image: AFP
Barty’s partnership with Rado isn’t just purely horological in 2022, either. Barty and Rado have teamed up with Australian artist Ashvin Harrison to create a one-off piece of art that’ll be auctioned off in support of the well-regarded children’s charity, the Make-A-Wish Foundation.The artwork, a homage to Barty’s legendary Wimbledon 2021 win made in part by Barty hitting the canvas with paint-laden tennis balls, will be auctioned off by Rado along with the tennis balls and racquet used in its creation as well as a limited edition Rado HyperChrome Ash Barty timepiece. All proceeds will be donated to Make-A-Wish Australia to help grant wishes for children with critical illness.To find out more about this artwork and its auction, which ends on the 31st of January, head to its auction page here.Read Next

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The One Place Australian Blokes Can’t Seem To Escape COVID
The One Place Australian Blokes Can’t Seem To Escape COVID

There’s one place Australian blokes don’t seem to be able to escape COVID – at least that was our experience a couple of weeks ago. That place? Bunnings Warehouse. 

Having checked in four times in one week, we soon recieved four seperate COVID-19 case alerts. One for each visit. It was the usual alert: if you feel symptoms, go get a test. But because the definition of a close contact has now been changed (you now have to have spent 4 hours or more in a residential setting with someone to be deemed a close contact), there was nothing we were required to do, as we felt fine. 

In light of this, we took to Instagram to see what our followers thought about NSW’s QR code system.

Left: COVID check in alerts. Right: Instagram poll conducted by DMARGE.

86% of our Instagram followers who responded to the survey answered “Yes, it’s everywhere,” saying checking into places was becoming pointless.

Not everyone agrees with this, however. 14% of people said checking in was still neccessary. There are a couple of reasons for this. The one offered by NSW Dominic Perrottet is a bit flimsy (he basically says the measure will stay in place until at least the end of February, as psychological reassurance, having said: “People feel confident checking in, and our job as government is to instil confidence in our people”). 

Another reason could be because it, if used correctly, still helps vulnerable people look after themselves a little more effectively, as one Londoner on Twitter pointed out last year (in the case of England) last year. 

The problem seems to be that many people seem to have already decided for themselves that it’s pointless and given up.

Others are still checking in, but grudgingly. 

Others are asking how it can be pointless, if we’re still getting alerts. 

As The Daily Mail reported yesterday, journalist and radio presenter Ben Fordham recently slammed the utility of QR codes in NSW, saying they are useless if NSW is no longer tracing contacts.

“The host said that if health officials were still tracing the movements of Covid cases, it would be a ‘different story’ and there would be an obvious purpose to retaining them,” The Daily Mail reported.

“Premier Dominic Perrottet has defended his decision to keep the Covid measure,  saying keeping the codes was mainly for psychological reassurance,” The Daily Mail added.

Professor Catherine Bennett from Deakin University told the Herald: “If it’s a memory prompt for where you have been or something that will make you more alert to symptoms, that’s a good thing, but the virus is moving so quickly that by the time you get the ‘ping’ you’ve passed it on,’ she told the Herald. 

Professor Bennett said the alerts should only be mandated in high risk (for COVID) places like hairdressers and nightclubs. 

On a similar note, on Twitter, journalist Steve Price recently asked his followers if they were ready to get back to normal, or if they still wanted restrictions.

Some didn’t see the harm in keeping some restrictions like masks which one user pointed out “we’ve done… in Asia for many years.” Others said they were done with the inconvenience and that it was time to try to get back to normal.

A huge number of users, however, said they were keen to continue following the rules, pointing out they are there “for a reason” and suggesting it would be selfish to stop following them.

They also pointed out that COVID is still much more serious than a flu.

Earlier this week, the NSW premier announced a bunch of restrictions that were due to ease on Thursday would be extended until at least February the 28th. 

These measures include a one-person per two-square-metre capacity limit in cafes, bars and restaurants, mask-wearing in indoor spaces and a ban on singing and dancing with exemptions for schools, weddings and performers.

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