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The Forum > Article Comments > Avoiding the wedding of the century > Comments

Avoiding the wedding of the century : Comments

By David Rowe, published 29/4/2011

The royal wedding will be a tripartite celebration of the types of global media spectacle, but will the ending be happy?

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I have suggested to my wife that there is an AFL match on television about the same time (Carlton v Geelong, I think..) so why don't we watch that? But I backed off when threatened with divorce. My daughter says she's indifferent but I suspect she'll also be in front of the teev.

As I'm barred from watching the game, I'll glance at the wedding. I'll give the pre-match discussions a miss but probably stop playing computer games long enough to see the match highlights (the procession; exchange of vows). Even my son may glance at it.

While a sympathise with David Rowe's stance on the issue, its too much of a spectacle. You just can't help but take a look. Suggestions that the happy couple should have made a quick trip to the registry and then had sangers and beer at the pub afterwards, just isn't going to cut it for the billions who will be watching..
Posted by Curmudgeon, Friday, 29 April 2011 11:35:55 AM
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You might have got away with it if you had really cared, Curmudgeon.

>>I have suggested to my wife that there is an AFL match on television about the same time (Carlton v Geelong, I think..)<<

Carlton are playing the Sydney Swans, at the SCG - I'll be there, it should be a cracker.

It's a pretty crummy article, though. The media are doing what the media knows best - giving the poor saps what they want, and raking in the revenue in doing so.

We have a choice. Watch/don't watch. Even you do, despite your wife's threats. But I suspect you may have been sucked in yourself, however reluctant you may be to admit it.

>>...probably stop playing computer games long enough to see the match highlights (the procession; exchange of vows)<<

What on earth for? What do you hope to see?
Posted by Pericles, Friday, 29 April 2011 12:08:52 PM
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Pericles - all good points, although I don't support either Carlton or the Swans (the Pies don't play until Sunday arvo), I should at least keep playing computer games. Invade Russia as Germany - do something a real man would do.. My wife also doesn't insist that I watch it, as I just clutter up the living room and make irreverent comments. But, wimpy me, I'll glance at the highlights. You're right, I've been brainwashed.
Posted by Curmudgeon, Friday, 29 April 2011 1:43:00 PM
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>>...the Pies don't play until Sunday arvo<<

Pies and Doggies. Should be a big win. Hope your wife will let you go to the G after ruining your Friday evening.

As a recent immigrant, I came late to the game, but I'll never forget my introduction. Collingwood vs Fitzroy at Vic Park, last of the home and aways, Pies needed a win to get the next weekend off. It was raining. They lost. Been a fan ever since.

Enjoy your evening.
Posted by Pericles, Friday, 29 April 2011 2:23:21 PM
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Getting married in the UK is an achievement in itself, and the couple should be congratulated on this, and all hope is that they set a good example for others.

In the UK, more than 50% of children are being born outside of marriage.

A feminist's ideal, but the UK also has one of the worst rates of child poverty in the industrial world, with about 30% of children now living in poverty.
Posted by vanna, Friday, 29 April 2011 3:49:51 PM
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"feminist's ideal, but the UK also has one of the worst rates of child poverty in the industrial world, with about 30% of children now living in poverty.......lol.....its normal for them:) go check their history....The dark ages/black-death times etc...

With the USA and UK standards are anything to go by, we wont be far off the mark.

Avoiding the wedding of the century! Easy! Just dont pay it any attention. Its just another religious money spinner....

The secular world/independent republican of Australia sounds just fine to me.

Only when the Queens dies of course:)

LEAP
Posted by Quantumleap, Friday, 29 April 2011 4:53:53 PM
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I,m pissed, it's interfearing with the live telecast of the footy. Go the broncos!

Surely the wedding can be on fox, so those who wish to watch it can and those who don't wish to can go about their usual friday night.

The ABC or even SBS may have been an alternative, only they obviously decided it was not worth it.

Interesting to note the 500+ police officers. I woner who pays that bill!
Posted by rehctub, Friday, 29 April 2011 8:16:27 PM
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The peasants lining the streets cheering and carrying on, one does wonder why they do it, when it is all boiled down these people are the same as the peasants, they do the same oblutions only with a Royal tag, they are extremely wealthy, we only have to go back to Zar-ist Russia when they with their diamond studded chairs paraded in front of the millions of peasants who were there waving and cheering the same, but we know what happened to them in the end, down the well all shot up, the peasants fortunately woke up in the end.
We are conned in paper talk of the money being given to charities but think of the millions that could have been given to the poor of the world rather than all the glitz of a Hollywood movie for the chosen few. Britain may be raking in millions from the peasants who are now buying all of the junk of this hyped up wedding. When will we ever learn, or do we feel these are "God's" chosen people to reign over all of us peasants, I don't think so.

Ojnab
Posted by Ojnab, Friday, 29 April 2011 8:19:38 PM
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To be OBTUSE is an ignorance like some members:) and law, could be the wedding of the year:) Dont test. Human active in its nature sence, is something marriage should avoid at all costs:)

One day at a time, will be the answer.

You don't want to flip an egg, when you want it sunny side up:)

LEA
Posted by Quantumleap, Friday, 29 April 2011 8:48:12 PM
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If you have women in your family, you don't have a snowball's chance in hell of avoiding the wedding.
Posted by Shadow Minister, Saturday, 30 April 2011 6:38:57 AM
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The author is so thoroughly disinterested in the wedding - Apart from the fact that, as a Professor of Cultural Research, he makes a living out of being interested in such events albeit in a disinterested kind of way and writing articles about it.
Posted by Atman, Saturday, 30 April 2011 1:50:11 PM
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My interest lay purely in curiosity as to whether I could determine via the observation of facial expressions, eyes and body language, if both William and Kate genuinely love each other David.

I picked up a few bits and pieces through body language that were interesting.

I also realised by the end of the wedding ceremony a couple of things despite not being a mind reader.

Kate has identified, believes and upholds the positive values/work/roles that the Royal Family have attached themselves to for generations, and is a serious determined and motivated young woman, in continuing work and raising the integrity and profile of the Royal Family for future generations, while adding to the line.

In all probability, more than William.

One of the expressions caught on camera which I believe had nought to do with Kate's wedding vows and William.
Posted by weareunique, Sunday, 1 May 2011 1:31:33 AM
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Ojnab, the Royal Family may be billionaires, yet they do not publicise their generosity (during the Queen's reign) via ongoing donations to organisations and people around the world. The Royal Family have been the backbone of England and greatly contributed to their economy via wealth and employment in addition to numerous other positives.

Despite the social and marriage issues, this high profile central historical organisation has benefited millions of people globally for centuries and in particular the Poms.

For many who have met and known the Queen and the late Queen Mother, both were role models for some validated reasons.

It would be beneficial if the Queen agreed to an hour's interview regarding her role and work undertaken over the past 40 years of her life.
Posted by weareunique, Sunday, 1 May 2011 1:52:11 AM
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I would agree with weareunique.

The Queen is an icon. There has never been a war amongst commonwealth nations, and I think a lot of this is because of the Queen's influence.

As for culture, the UK currently has the lowest rate of marriage in its history, and the social ramifications of that have been immense, now culminating in an estimated 30% of children in the UK living near or below the poverty line.

Hopefully this marriage may encourage others to get married.

But none of this has been mentioned by the author.

The author seems to overlook this despite writing “So somebody has to do the dirty job of pointing out that all that pageantry is pushing copious amounts of important news and debate out of the public arena.”

I think university academics are becoming more bigoted and narrow minded in time.
Posted by vanna, Sunday, 1 May 2011 7:16:38 AM
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'I'm told that there's a wedding in England today' - so a Professor of Cultural Research (!) pretends not to know about a much hyped cultural event. Says it all about his carping article really. Why drivel on about an event you despise? I'd love to know if a serious academic has looked at the costs and benefits of the royal family to the UK economy. I have a feeling they are worth every penny in brand recognition and tourist income. Pity the broadcasts were so poor compared to the Charles and Diana one, and the ceremony and bride and groom were so wooden, compared to Frederick and Mary. Perhaps Professor Rowe could write an article about the way milliners can take the mickey out of the upper crust by getting them to stick ridiculous things on their heads - now that's cultural research begging to be undertaken.
Posted by Candide, Sunday, 1 May 2011 7:27:50 AM
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Candide,
I would agree with that too.

Why not write about a ceremony where people wear black coats and a black board on their heads so as to receive a piece of paper.

Why not just give them a piece of paper?

And why not write about an institution that publicises itself as having “a blend of neo-gothic sandstone history complete with gargoyles, cloisters and courtyards”
http://sydney.edu.au/future_students/why_sydney.shtml

Why not just have buildings?

The author has been totally selective, hypocritical and narrow minded in their article.

Not a good role model for students, but an example of how unreliable and untrustworthy academics in so-called Australian universities have become.
Posted by vanna, Sunday, 1 May 2011 9:14:04 AM
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Candide,

"Perhaps Professor Rowe could write an article about the way milliners can take the mickey out of the upper crust by getting them to stick ridiculous things on their heads.".....hee hee! Very good comment.

- and isn't it interesting that in our culture it's the women who get to wear them (maybe an opportunity for vanna to expand upon)
Posted by Poirot, Sunday, 1 May 2011 9:29:53 AM
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Poriot,
If you want a model for an organisation that attempts to “unite its members: democracy, freedom, peace, the rule of law and opportunity for all”, then such a model exists.

It is the Commonwealth of Nations, headed by the Queen, with no war every occurring between member states.

If you want a model for a system that raises children with a minimal of poverty, abuse and neglect, then that model exists, and it is called marriage.

http://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/10/us/studies-find-big-benefits-in-marriage.html

The author doesn't mention any of this, but like so many academics in our so-called universities, the author attempts to attack the British empire, and also attack marriage.

The concept that universities in this country open people’s minds has no basis in reality.

They are highly bigoted and narrow minded organisations that purposely hide information if it doesn't suit their Marxist and feminist bias, while also attempting to extract as much money from the taxpayer as possible.
Posted by vanna, Sunday, 1 May 2011 10:47:19 AM
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I am proud to say I completely avoided the entire spectacle.
I decided to refrain from the television entirely (figuring most channels would not resist but to revert back to it), and the time was well spent.
Nothing more for me to add really.
Posted by King Hazza, Sunday, 1 May 2011 4:06:45 PM
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But will the ending be happy.
What a dumb question. Just what are you insinuating?
Can anyone be sure of a happy ending?

Even the happiest marriages that have survived many years of blissful life cannot be "happy". Age takes a heavy toll by way of failing health or even failing standard of living.

It surprises me that you have to put the question. Does it come out of a cynical disposition?

socratease
Posted by socratease, Sunday, 1 May 2011 7:43:46 PM
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Thanks for taking the time to read and comment on this opinion piece. Just a few small responses from the author:
I once, in fact, published an op ed in The Sydney Morning Herald deconstructing the University Graduation Ceremony.
The 'teaser' that goes with the article title on the front page of On Line Opinion is composed by the Editor, not me. I think it's fair enough in that the question of a happy ending clearly has nothing to do with (the) marriage as such, but is a slightly ironic reference to the wider issues I raise about the politics of monarchism and republicanism.
Some responses display a lack of civility that is dispiritingly common in the context of online fora. I'm all for robust debate, but find it's a good rule of thumb to ask first whether the comments could also be made when identified and in person without embarrassment or undue hostility.
Posted by David Rowe, Sunday, 1 May 2011 10:13:42 PM
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Just another PR exercise on behalf of the British aristocracy and a bit of entertainment for the masses.

I managed to avoid it too, just like not watching the Logies - which has some degree of similarity.

Nevertheless I wish them both well and hope they make a better go of it than most of their immediate family.
Posted by wobbles, Monday, 2 May 2011 2:21:05 AM
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David Rowe,
Deconstruction is very easy. It can take many weeks to build a house, and a few hours to pull it down.

Socialist and feminist theory isn't any good at actually building anything.

It is certainly hoped that there is a happy ending for the couple, as so many relationships in the UK and elsewhere are now ending so tragically, and resulting in so much poverty and trauma for children involved. More often than not, these relationships do not involve marriage.

Something you would know about, but didn’t mention.

Anyone who believes they will receive a broad education in a university in this country is just dreaming.
Posted by vanna, Monday, 2 May 2011 6:55:43 AM
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