Kinda like the NBN. Amiright?

Last night I had a look at the readings on Institutions up on the blog. I found the one on the public broadcast service in The Netherlands to be a little lost on me, especially as I’ve been focussing so heavily on our PB4 research, which is really localised to Australian media institutions and the relationships and regulation that define them. Although I did find the reading on the uptake of the National Broadband Network (NBN) to be super interesting and relevant. Especially because it is something that truly affects us, as Australians (especially Australians studying media, huh!) And especially as it’s our generation who is going to have to deal with the repercussions if the Coalition do manage to pass the mixed method approach in which they/we will be relying heavily on very old infrastructure to make this approach work.

Am I missing the point here? Why are we, as a first world country, still debating about what internet speed or data allowance we should sign up to? No one else is doing that. And yes, maybe the initial stages of the NBN roll-out and building will take time and cost money, but doesn’t everything? Especially things that are built for reliability, longevity and INTERNET? The thing I’m using to write this blog, complete this degree, learn about ~anything~ and stay connected with family and friends. Shouldn’t we just suck it up and commit to building a country-wide internet service that isn’t a ‘patchwork job’ or a bandaid, that will inevitably leave us reeling and much poorer in the long run when it fails?

Brrrrrrr.

Enough on that. Today, Jules and I spent a considerable amount of time doing admin duties and rounding up our interviewees for PB4. Although we still can’t hold anything physical in our hands to prove we’re working on it, I am feeling mentally exhausted but also excited after a lot of emails were sent, phone calls made and questions asked. Finally! Next week we begin our filming and I’m really excited about some of the people we’re going to get a chance to talk to. So far we are definitely interviewing:

Jess Junor, general manager of RMITV

The owners of Classic Comics, a well-renowned comic store in Melbourne’s CBD

Mark O’Toole, screenwriter and producer whose most recent ventures include Spicks and Specks(ABC) and Black Comedy(ABC)

Also there are a few other interviews in the works..WISH US LUCK