I think you've nailed it, Ibbit.

>>We have great scientists, great inventors - black box, orbital engine, medical vacines and antibiotics and so on -, great artists, great muscians (classical I mean, and largely ignored)<<

Which is all very well and good, except that none of them plays cricket.

They probably don't tweet much, either.

Now, if Simone Young were to put on a Western Bulldogs guernsey...

*Now, if Simone Young were to put on a Western Bulldogs guernsey...*

The media is purely about numbers, Pericles. How would Simone
compete with a Jennifer Hawkins or a Paris Hilton, if they did the
same?

Look at the tens of thousands of teeny boppers, screaming for
Justin Beaver! Its all about bums on seats.

IMHO, if the tourism commission were serious about improving tourism
in Australia, they would spend some serious money on biological
control of the Australian bushfly. Tourists only have to head into
the outback once, most will never go back, invaded by flies up their
noses. That is what they will tell their friends too.

Even most Australians, head for the refuge of cities, once nearly eaten alive by too friendly Australian bushlflies.

Yet the problem could be solved, with just a bit of money and a bit
of good science. Nobody seems to care. Its easier just to plug
Australia on the Oprah network.