Social media companies live by strange standards

When science showed lead in petrol was causing damage to children’s growing brains, mothers and fathers worked to have it banned (“Why destructive power of social media must be reined in”, April 23). Curbing the corrosive effects of social media is not only about enforcing take-down orders but must extend to their other deleterious aspects: people hiding behind aliases and posting hurtful and abusive material, and algorithms that foster dangerous personal behaviour. Parents, let your voices be heard. Peter Lino, Lennox Head

It is time for all social media companies to be held responsible for everything they publish in the same way newspapers and the broadcast media companies are. Lindsay Foyle, Stanmore

While Musk’s X is able and willing to censor and take down videos, documentaries and posts that are not supportive of the governments in Turkey and India, of course, it continues to ignore Australia’s polite threats unless implemented by the law. Big social media platforms understand the power of large markets and, hence, do not want to get on the wrong side of governments that are not shy of banning them. Maybe, they do not see Australia’s small population as a big loss and do need legal coercion to understand what “censorship” is and what is responsible editing of content. After all, how can showing unfettered, violent, and, in some cases, pornographic content be free speech?Manbir Singh Kohli, Pemulwuy

X, rather than allowing freedom of speech, does apparently engage in propaganda and censorship. Being an international political scientist I was active on Twitter for years, always complying to their rules as far as I could tell, always courteous in my commentary. After Elon Musk took control, I was told my account had been hacked and was under temporary suspension. Unwittingly I attempted to open a new account to obviate the problem. My account was then permanently suspended, regardless of my appeals. After a year, I appealed again to be told that I had broken their rules on multiple occasions, which I knew was untrue, and could not appeal again as no reply would be forthcoming. Two scenarios were my only conclusion. Firstly, I had indeed been hacked and the hacker could have broken their rules repeatedly. The second, however, seems more likely. I had critiqued the US military role in the Ukraine war, repeatedly calling for a political resolve to this war. Sadly, I am now under no illusions about the impact of propaganda and censorship today. It is not just an issue pertaining to the Russians. Laurelle Atkinson, St Helens (Tas)

Will someone kindly tell Elon Musk that Australia has a Constitution but no First Amendment? We are glad to have regulations which curb the endless splattering of violent scenes across the nation’s screens. Sonia Lee, Dudley

If the variable X is usually used to represent an unknown value, and solving for X means finding that value, what is Musk on about? If people are using X, they do so blithely or blindly, not aware of the consequences or just don’t care. Thus desist. Stephen Wilson, Kangaroo Valley

To enforce the restrictions that Musk/X simply ignores, may I (as an oldie) suggest that the federal government makes use of our army of computer-literate 11 and 12-year-old grandchildren. Give them a high-powered government computer with instructions to sort Musk out or close him down. I can see his look of terror from here. Ted Richards, Batemans Bay

For centuries people have been fighting for freedom of speech. Then, the internet was invented. How’s that working for you? Brian Reid, The Ponds

Painful memory of being at the theatre with a baby

Your article describing Trish Faranda’s humiliating forced exit from a live comedy performance immediately took me back to a similarly difficult moment for me as a young father when I attempted, also with extreme nervousness, to take my six-month-old daughter into a film event for science fiction fans (“Barker delivers baby controversy”, April 23). I didn’t last long: the smallest sounds from her secured immediate, burning attention from others present, their heads whipping round to fix me with hostile gaze. Their unspoken message was abundantly clear, though my baby was actually quite settled. I tried to convince myself I had every right to be there, but any pleasure I hoped to gain from attending had evaporated anyway, so I left. Oddly, though overjoyed (and always overjoyed) to be a father out with his children, I experienced an acute sense of loss that day, and I have never forgotten it. It was 23 years ago. Brett Butterfield, Guildford West

Delightful as babies are, they are very distracting and don’t belong in a theatre. Could I suggest that theatres follow the example of some churches: provide an audio-fitted room with a large window to view the stage for people who might like to attend the theatre with a baby or small child in tow? The baby’s attendants and the other patrons could then enjoy the performance without disturbing each other. Heather Johnson, West Pennant Hills

There’s an episode for almost every situation in life. The Arj Barker and the heckling baby dilemma reminded me of a Seinfeld episode: Barker should take note.

A female heckler at Jerry Seinfeld’s stand-up started to boo and hiss to show her disapproval during his repertoire, which targeted the differences between men and women. Later in the show, Seinfeld turns up at the heckler’s place of employment and starts booing and hissing as she sits at her desk. She says, “OK, I’m trying to work here!” to which he replies, “Now you know how I feel!” Christopher Woodley, Vaucluse

This controversy reminds me of the occasion in the 1960s when Bishop Fulton Sheen, at St Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, observed a mother leaving with her baby and remarked, “It is OK, madam. The child is not disturbing me.” The mother replied, “No. But you are disturbing him.” George Rupesinghe, Belmore

I certainly hope no one brings a “gurgling and giggling” infant to any live performance I attend. It’s bad enough enduring the irritations of phone screens glowing in the dark, chattering whispers and under-seat bag rummaging while the show’s on. And it’s not at all about kids, breastfeeding, or parenthood. I come to see and hear the on-stage performance, not to indulge the “look what I’ve got” self-importance of others or people’s bad-mannered indifference to the distractions they cause.

Turn it off, leave it at home, stay quiet and let everyone enjoy the show they paid for. Adrian Connelly, Springwood

Anzac Day our real day of remembrance

Anzac Day is near and the article on the Kokoda track brought me to an emotional moment (“How the Kokoda Track will place Anthony Albanese in history”, April 23). I have always been a bit ambivalent about Anzac Day, as it was always far removed from my generation. War has never attracted me, however on reading about individuals in Papua New Guinea I became emotional. Just sitting there on my own, reading about our men in direct defence of our country, for the first time ever, brought me to realise how close we were to subservience to another nation. We are so lucky as a nation, we have no threats, wealth to burn, weather which is mostly wonderful and mostly a peaceful lifestyle. This Anzac Day I will think of those men on the Kokoda Trail, their tough, never-say-die attitude and bravery, and I will thank my lucky stars that I will never be required to be in their shoes. Michael Kemp, Oyster Bay

Remarkably, we must recognise that Anzac Day has become so popular during recent decades that it eclipses Australia Day as the national commemorative event. Anzac Day lacks the controversy surrounding January 26 and it unites people around a shared narrative concerning the nation’s coming of age.
We ceremoniously highlight Australia Day by granting Order of Australia awards to a handful of people, and we hold citizenship events involving only a tiny fraction of the nation. But Anzac Day brims with profound ceremony involving multitudes of Australians who are impelled to participate.
However, if I were a gambler, I’d forget two-up and invest on whether anyone can say correctly the words abbreviated by the ANZAC acronym. Lest we forget. David D’Lima, Sturt (SA)

Sydney Water delusions

I strongly dispute Sydney Water’s claim that its infrastructure can cope with additional housing growth, at least in our neck of the woods (“Sydney Water denies strain of more housing on system”, April 23). Sewer mains frequently overflow into our creeks and bushland after heavy rain, and the corporation has no plans to upgrade the pipelines. James Deli, Oatley

Two weeks ago, a leak began in the supply from the mains to my property. It was reported promptly but the water board did not attend for five days. And this was after further phone calls. They came not to fix the leak but to turn the mains off then organise for a private contractor to fix. Eight days later I am still waiting for the fix.

This is the water board which says it is up to the task of servicing the Government’s ambitious new building program. Clare Perry, North Epping

Dutton misses the mark

Your editorial on Peter Dutton’s divisive nuclear policy hits the nail right on the head (“Coalition division over energy puts heat on Dutton”, April 23). A policy which very much appears “driven by an ideological opposition to renewables” by its very nature lacks substance. But Dutton’s clumsy attempt to throw a spanner into the works of Labor’s renewables projects has missed its mark and instead caused division within the Coalition’s own ranks. The opposition can bicker among themselves about Dutton’s highly impractical proposal until the cows come home. Meanwhile, let’s get on with the job of transitioning to cheap, clean energy. Anne O’Hara, Wanniassa (ACT)

If we can’t work out what to do with the small amount of nuclear waste that Lucas Heights generates from the production of medical isotopes, what makes Dutton think we can deal with the radioactive waste generated from nuclear power stations? Maine Norberg, Croydon

Trump holds the cards

Anyone hoping for a conviction of Donald Trump has to take into account that he and his legal team will take their case to the Supreme Court where Trump has ensured a conservative majority (“Will a mountain of evidence be enough to convict Trump?”, April 23). As a convict, Trump won’t be able to vote but he can still run for president and be elected – and then pardon himself.

It is to be hoped that the madness tormenting the US is reined in by his loss at the election, though this will doubtless lead to some violence and further legal woes. The only way some sort of order can come out of this chaos is that the American people give the Democrats all three houses. Another thing would really help the US: the demise of the Fox News network. David Ashton, Katoomba

Surplus helps no-one

Budget surpluses are often taken as a positive when assessing a government’s competence (“GST rip-off means ‘nice to have’ projects will go on hold”, April 23). We tend to relate it to our own situation and conclude that it’s better to have a substantial bank balance than debts. Budget surpluses may play well to voters, but they could inhibit governments from providing necessary services. All large corporations run an overdraft; governments are no different. Ian Adair, Hunters Hill

Sharing is believing

I have a sneaking suspicion that if two blokes suggested job sharing, it might be taken a bit more seriously and legal impediments just might be modernised (Letters, April 23). Adrianne Hannan, Bowral

Labor’s lost opportunity

Your correspondent is spot on (Letters, April 23). My second preference won’t go to Labor in 2025, given its abject failure to immediately inject serious funds into public schools and the ABC, followed closely by its irrational adherence to Scott Morrison’s AUKUS. Labor has blown its opportunity to make a lasting difference.

Peter Dutton won’t be so foolish. Once in power, following a ritual victory speech about feeling humble and to govern for all, it will be Abbott-like, rapid fire promise-breaking with defunding of the public service, public education, health, the Ombudsman, the auditor-general and the ABC, to name but a few.

Well-educated and well-informed young voters may not cop the likes of the current Coalition, but we won’t get to see them due to Labor’s failed legacy. Howard Charles, Annandale

Olyroos found wanting

In your article about the performance of the Olyroos you write that Australian teams don’t know how to play possession football or what to do with it (“Excuses aside, Doha debacle reflects wider malady in men’s game”, April 23).
Teams such as Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory certainly know how to play possession football and Melbourne have climbed the table. A lack of players is not the problem either. Stephen Goundry, Coffs Harbour

Unchristian

A man with a large tattoo of the face of Jesus on his torso covers his face while stomping on a police car as a young child looks on (“Police target tattooed man over riots in Wakeley after stabbing”, April 23). Where do you begin to comment on that? Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown

Older donors denied

I am 80 years old, I can run 100 metres in 16 seconds, can swim 10 lengths of the local pool and have just finished my third book and occasionally get a letter published in the SMH. Why can’t I give blood? (“Call for blood donations after stocks ran low after Bondi stabbing”, smh.com.au, April 22). Brian McKeown, Long Jetty

A Sirius loss

I don’t doubt that the Sirius building is a beautiful example of Brutalist architecture, but it also stands as a symbol of a society that has lost its way (“Sirius evolves to tell brand-new chapter”, April 23). Governments are supposed to care for the vulnerable and provide a safety net for those who are struggling. Sirius was a visionary idea that has been sold to the highest bidder. What was once social housing has become an investment for the wealthy. Judith Reynolds, Leura

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