I think the Queen's death has been a watershed moment and a rare occasion that colonialism and its impacts have been in the global spotlight, so I actually think it's critical for people who consider themselves allies to be sharing the many thoughtful and important perspectives that challenge the dominant media narratives of the Queen’s legacy, however angry and uncomfortable they might make other people feel.
I’ve been really disappointed (though not entirely surprised) by the silence of most of my non-monarchist white friends and many prominent people in the public eye over the past week or so and I imagine that while some people might be taking quiet time to educate and inform themselves, I think many others are scared about upsetting or offending their pro-royal friends, starting arguments or losing followers. While most of the media is consumed with fawning and often absurdly over-the-top coverage of the Queen’s death, it is in no way too soon to be sharing alternative views, which many groups impacted by colonisation have been trying to draw attention to for decades, if not centuries.
I know that I’ve upset a lot of my friends with some of the things I’ve shared on social media this week, but to be honest, I don’t care – I do care about the friends who’ve been directly impacted by colonisation, however (which is an ongoing project and not just something we can look at from an historical perspective) and I know that for most of them, silence is complicity, so I would really urge people to use this time to get educated and then speak out.
Here are some of the articles I’ve come across this week that are well worth a read and share:
This Is a Britain that has lost its Queen - and the luxury of denial about its past | Afua Hirsch
In terms of people and accounts to follow to learn more about Indigenous perspectives on these and other issues (including the contentious issue of a Voice to Parliament), I would really recommend following:
Erfan Daliri shared an excellent post on the public outpouring of grief over the Queen's death on their FB page the other day (I can't work out how to share the post itself, but if you go to their page, you should be able to scroll down and find it):
Dear Friends, the First Nations Peoples of the stolen land that we all sought refuge on and built our comfortable lives upon are watching you today. It is not only land that can be colonised, but minds as well.
If you love the Queen, say a quiet prayer for her soul. There is no need to celebrate the life of someone who represents dispossession, disenfranchisement and stolen land, wealth and children to so many millions all over the world.
For those amongst my friends and followers who sought to gain favour among your colleagues and community by posting a commemorative post about the queen today, I ask you to reflect on why you did that.
Who did you think you were pleasing, and why is it so important to you to please lovers of the Queen? How is it that we have built our lives on Aboriginal land and some of us are so careless and disrespectful of the hearts and feelings of First Nations People who still are trying to recover from the impacts of colonisation?
Did you post when Aboriginal teenager Kumanjayi Walker was murdered by police officer Zachary Rolfe?
Did you post when Aishwarya Venkatachalam was pushed to suicide because of workplace racism?
Did you post when asylum seekers were locked into motels for almost a decade without hope or a chance to see their children grow?
Colonisation is something that happens to the brain as well as the land, and the images below represent the white supremacy that has ravaged our planet for 500 years now.
It's time to end racism and it starts by understanding why we don't celebrate colonisers and supporters of colonisation.
Creating a united, just and cohesive society takes more than empty words, feigned empathy followed by commemorating colonisers.
Building unity, working toward justice, advocating for equity and striving for peace and harmony mean we have to actually try to re-evaluate our own thinking, worldview and ways of being, and at least try to do better. It's about time that we recognise that peace requires unity, and unity first requires justice...
Some things need to be said in the midst of left-ish cliché spouting re Elizabeth II R's passing.
1. You *cannot* separate the queen as 'individual' from 'monarchy'. We have no access to the 'individual'. Our only understanding of her, our only lens through which to view her was and is the institution she represented very ably. Lauding that very ability and the 'duty' that we should apparently celebrate separately from the monarchy and the Crown makes no sense. I repeat: you have NO knowledge of her as a person, you cannot separate her from the institution ('whatever you think about the monarchy') and, frankly, I doubt she would wish you to. Her 'duty' was to embody the Crown. If you think she did it well, then it's UTTERLY INCOHERENT to separate her 'duty' and what the Crown does
2. No, you cannot 'mourn the queen but not her empire'. Again, this is someone who came to the throne when India was independent but most other British colonies were not. 1952 was the year of a BRUTAL counter-insurgency in Kenya where she received the news of her father's passing. You cannot, again, conveniently separate her from the horrific violence being enacted in the name of the British Crown even at the very moment she ascended the throne.
3. No, she didn't oversee a kindly decolonisation initiated by Britain any more than Britain should be known for abolition rather than enslavement. She was head of state as Britain was forced, colony by colony, to abandon the imperial project though not without tremendous violence in many places including Malaya, Kenya and Cyprus. (Ireland too, though differently). On the contrary, she embraced the face-saving fudge of the 'Commonwealth', made it her personal passion (to the extent that the Crown can be 'personal') and ensured her son would remain head of this bonkers organisation, full of postcolonial elites, kindly maternal and paternal figures respectively.
4. The enormous private wealth of her family and the enormous assets of the Crown cannot be separated from the projects of enslavement and colonisation. Period. Start an inquiry into how this wealth came to be and it will become apparent. Yes, both the Crown and individual monarchs have benefitted from enslavement and expropriation.
5. Please stop saying 'whatever you think about the monarchy' followed by vapid clichés about duty and grace. The monarchy represents the right of the wealthy and privileged, a small number, to rule. That said, those who announce themselves republicans should acknowledge that it is perfectly possibly, indeed currently normal, to have elected heads of state and heads of government while maintaining precisely as unequal and grotesque a system as any monarchy. Abolish monarchy by all means, but that is meaningless without abolishing billionaires and trillionares and the plutocracy that rules across the world, whether formally monarchist or not.
Love your stuff, Sarah and it always prompts a response that takes me days to formulate and therefore I never respond. For whatever reason this one seemed to flow right off the fingers. Here goes: If we can't say it now, it's coming in the near future, Social Media will be/is to mental illness what fast food and soda are to diabetes and obesity. In my humble opinion, we, the consumers must take control of the economics in this world. We cannot continue to let companies, politicians and the most powerful few dictate who and what we are has a human race. This also speaks to your comments about the Queen (RIP) and Jack River's post. If we demand better and stop putting money in "their" pockets (btw, I see my own guilt and it pains/motivates me) they will have to change but as long as we make our livings from anything that supports dog shit directly or indirectly or we continue to support "them" we are part of the problem. Consumers have all of the power but our uptight, anxious, convenience first society can't stop consuming crap because it's the only accessible solution to a complex and layered human predicament. We have to move away from self indulgence and start demanding better from our corporations and governments, but mostly from ourselves. Most people I know are fat and happy as you mentioned in previous posts, they do "their part" which is socially acceptable, but mostly talk, no one is willing to sacrifice anything for the cause, primarily the personal ego. Until the influential do so and lead the masses, we are where we are, posting "cool" and provocative stuff on SM and preaching from the pulpit. We have to dig deep and recognize just how conditioned and influenced we are by all of the nonsense (corporations, religions and governments, just to name a few) and begin to sacrificially help each other! I know, I am committing one of my own personal pet peeves and over simplifying a very complex problem but I am not offering an oversimplified solution. I am talking about reversing hundreds of years of conditioning, investigating ourselves at the deepest levels and being honest with what we find, it's okay, we all have stuff and we need to support each other in this instead of judging each other, competing against each other and acting like it's everyone else's fault. Be the change right? Rumi says, "I thought I was clever and would change the world, then I became wise and realized I would change myself." Self investigation and working together to find real solutions, it's available in ancient Philosophy and wisdom, and more and more science reveals both how little we know and more about what we do know but if it pays the bills or makes life, "more convenient" no one cares. We just keep the money train going at the expense of our souls. We are so focused on self and our personal brand, our personal "causes" and opinions we are too sensitive to have open and honest conversations. Manty will say it, love is the answer but none of us are willing to really love, unconditionally! Be honest, we only love when it "makes sense" for us or it's safe or there is a payoff of sorts. THAT'S NOT UNCONDITIONAL! I know, many of your readers are uncomfortable with this and therein lies the problem. We are too comfortable to love, really love each other, we are too comfortable to be uncomfortable!
The changes to the instagram algorithms are extremely worrying - the main issue for me is about a lack of transparency. If they've made changes, they should be required to communicate those changes to their users so that they/we can make informed choices about using the platform. Social media companies need to be regulated... like now... or like yesterday.
On a side note, what's the deal with digital IP? Is it not a thing? How can instagram continue to steal ideas from other SM platforms so easily?
The bit on IG was enlightening. When I use it, I don’t scroll but go to specific accounts. This was in part to combat the increase in “recommended for you” which has become relentless. I hadn’t noticed the other changes, I think because of navigating it this way. That search page is dangerous though... I always tell myself I’m not going to click on anything. Sometimes I’m successful. I do feel for those who’ve become reliant on social for all or part of their living. I am so tired of constantly being sold to though. I really am leaning more toward apps like substack where I just come on for specific postings...without all the addictive strategies. I’d rather pay for my content and intentionally choose what that is. Surveillance capitalism is such a terrifying and problematic thing. I haven’t heard of WeAre8. Alternatives to Meta are tempting and feel vital.
Reading the call centre part I was like, "yes, this is me, every time!" Such a distressing experience for all involved. I even get supremely irritated where I have to go through a bazillion stages of press X for Y or "in a few words what is the reason for your call to day?" before I even get to the human. And then you start telling someone the whole story, only to be told you've come through to the wrong department and have to start from scratch elsewhere. Or how some places like Tickettek just want you to use the chat or form function and there is no phone number for an actual human. Gah! It highlights to me the problem with these massive corporations which have just gotten so big, you can't do business human to human anymore. Is this the world we want?
So, I just read the call centre part and need to comment again... I worked at call centres for over 10yrs, I could say a lot, but I'll just share 1 (long) thought...
Outsourcing and a focus on call scripts are a major problem. Not because the staff in the Philippines or India (or another Australian company) aren't as good as those in house, but because companies are more likely to focus on strict call scripts & adherence to process when calls are outsourced. In my experience, companies that use in house call centres are more likely to allow/ train the staff to have more free following conversation & make decisions in the best interest of the customer (it isn't fool proof, but I've noticed a change in that last few years in companies like CGU). Why? probably because the outsourcing model is cost based model. They set their own internal KPIs, they manage call drop outs in house, and getting through as many calls as possible is how they make their money (yes, they might have some other customer experience KPIs in there, but if you hang up on the customer, they won't get through to the post call survey will they?!?)
Oh the call centres make me sad.! I’m always as kind and patient as I can muster and it’s usually overly appreciated by the receiver… but the effing HANGUPS!
I KNEW it happened on purpose to get us to forget about it!! The system is not there to support or help US. It’s to keep us down. That’s what I think! xx
I have noticed this too! I am a Pilates teacher and it has had a huge negative impact on my business just as the economy is taking a turn and I really needed the "boost" that IG did provide in the old day. AS you say they can do what they want.... But so can I and use other platforms.
Hi Sarah, completely off topic but I’m just going back listening to earlier episodes and wondered if there’s anywhere someone can direct me to any discussions pertaining to specific episodes?
I’m so profoundly moved by Timothy Morton and it really chimes with what I have been feeling and also much Indigenous Knowledge thinking (which I’ve been exploring lately). I’d love to hear what others felt about the episode.
As someone who has been on the receiving end of these types of calls, the callers can often be quite nasty. I understand most people feel their problems deserve special treatment & fault is never theirs. Today there just isn't common courtesy given, just expected.
Thanks for calling the call centre thing out (pun not intended). I have often felt like I’m being played and often find myself weighing up the - can I be bothered vs damn them it’s my money- thing but when you take a deeper look ... again thank you. My wife is a lot like yourself and will NOT let it go.
Re Queenie it’s gone from mournfest to yawnfest. I’m so done. If I was a First Nations person I imagine I’d be livid.
Yes I am not sure I understand the we r 8 platform. Is it to sell our own business..get paid to watch ads..connect more intimately..I'm already feeling a zombie at times...
Anyway I was a latecomer to s
All social media apps...late to fb. Etc
One of the last to join out of all my real life friends...
Finally got the hang of insta and use it more for a storage of own pics and stay in contact w mates and some like minded
I do have a published book to sell but again I am a crap marketer
But yes it's all disappearing..
The queens death is on overkill. Not sure of my own take.
Am impressed she was a motor mechanic at 19 before the war and appears to have a mind of her own. Apparently she was only queen after her father, the king broke protocol back in the day and she wasn't actually born into royalty per say..
But am so with you re the first nations impact and the fact there won't be a treaty nor any chance of a Republic given liberal or labour have governance, in our beautiful internally divided Australia
And a 2 week parliamentary lay off. What an excuse for them to have a break! Like they need it.
Whilst there IS a COST of living crisis and a RENTAL crisis ( which I am unfortunately involved in :(:( ) this seems deplorable and we are not a nation for helping one another and our mates anymore..
Another noticing. When one long term partner dies ie prince Phillip, there seems to be a more rapid decline in the health of the remaining partner..
They were clearly in love an worked as a team
You could visibly see their joy underneath th stiff upper lip of royal protocol
Just shows we do actually work better in partnership and a LOVE can and does prolong life
I see the rapid decline in widows around me and even in my own mother since losing her beloved 4 years ago. Makes me so sad. Wish he was here. So she was more ok. And more relaxed..
Love really IS everything
And to be able to share that with another. The highs lows struggles and joy
The real queen was steph Gilmore winning a world record 8 world titles
Now that is worth celebrating
Sorry off topic. But sports and icons and anything worth celebrating I grasp during these times.
Hi Sarah,
I think the Queen's death has been a watershed moment and a rare occasion that colonialism and its impacts have been in the global spotlight, so I actually think it's critical for people who consider themselves allies to be sharing the many thoughtful and important perspectives that challenge the dominant media narratives of the Queen’s legacy, however angry and uncomfortable they might make other people feel.
I’ve been really disappointed (though not entirely surprised) by the silence of most of my non-monarchist white friends and many prominent people in the public eye over the past week or so and I imagine that while some people might be taking quiet time to educate and inform themselves, I think many others are scared about upsetting or offending their pro-royal friends, starting arguments or losing followers. While most of the media is consumed with fawning and often absurdly over-the-top coverage of the Queen’s death, it is in no way too soon to be sharing alternative views, which many groups impacted by colonisation have been trying to draw attention to for decades, if not centuries.
I know that I’ve upset a lot of my friends with some of the things I’ve shared on social media this week, but to be honest, I don’t care – I do care about the friends who’ve been directly impacted by colonisation, however (which is an ongoing project and not just something we can look at from an historical perspective) and I know that for most of them, silence is complicity, so I would really urge people to use this time to get educated and then speak out.
Here are some of the articles I’ve come across this week that are well worth a read and share:
This Is a Britain that has lost its Queen - and the luxury of denial about its past | Afua Hirsch
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/sep/13/queen-reign-death-elizabeth-ii-uk-minorities-british-empire
Don’t ask me to give the Queen a minute’s silence, ask me for the truth about British colonialism | Lidia Thorpe
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/sep/14/dont-ask-me-to-give-the-queen-a-minutes-silence-ask-me-for-my-truth-about-british-colonialism
Queen Elizabeth Is Dead, But Her Bloody Legacy Lives On
https://truthout.org/articles/queen-elizabeth-is-dead-but-the-bloody-legacy-of-colonialism-lives-on/
Amid Tributes to Queen Elizabeth, Deadly Legacy of British Colonialism Cannot Be Ignored
https://www.democracynow.org/2022/9/9/uk_queen_elizabeth_ii_dies_96
Govt slammed for declaring Day of Mourning after ignoring similar First Nations calls for years | SBS
https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/govt-slammed-for-declaring-day-of-mourning-after-ignoring-similar-first-nations-calls-for-years/fw0jfuirf
And a couple of links pointing out the undeniable links between colonialism, capitalism and the climate crisis:
Yes, Colonialism Caused Climate Change, IPCC Reports
https://atmos.earth/ipcc-report-colonialism-climate-change/
Queen Elizabeth’s passing doesn’t erase the crown’s most enduring legacy: climate change
https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/Queen-Elizabeth-climate-change-17436936.php
This is a great 13 min TEDx talk to share with anyone who is new to the concept of decolonisation:
Decolonisation Is For Everyone: TEDx talk by Nikki Sanchez
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP9x1NnCWNY
In terms of people and accounts to follow to learn more about Indigenous perspectives on these and other issues (including the contentious issue of a Voice to Parliament), I would really recommend following:
IndigenousX
https://indigenousx.com.au
Blackfulla Revolution
https://www.facebook.com/ourcountryourchoice
Black Anarchist
https://www.facebook.com/blakAnarchist
Decolonize Myself: A First Nations Perspective
https://www.facebook.com/decolonizemyself/
The Decolonial Atlas
https://www.facebook.com/decolonialatlas/
Rise Indigenous
https://www.instagram.com/riseindigenous/
A Growing Culture
https://www.instagram.com/agrowingculture/
Senator Lidia Thorpe
https://www.facebook.com/SenatorThorpe
Jamie Graham-Blair
https://www.instagram.com/muka_nita/
And I also highly recommend that people take some time to listen to the excellent Frontier War Stories podcast series, hosted by Boe Spearim:
https://boespearim.podbean.com
Erfan Daliri shared an excellent post on the public outpouring of grief over the Queen's death on their FB page the other day (I can't work out how to share the post itself, but if you go to their page, you should be able to scroll down and find it):
https://www.facebook.com/mr.erfan.daliri
This is the text:
Dear Friends, the First Nations Peoples of the stolen land that we all sought refuge on and built our comfortable lives upon are watching you today. It is not only land that can be colonised, but minds as well.
If you love the Queen, say a quiet prayer for her soul. There is no need to celebrate the life of someone who represents dispossession, disenfranchisement and stolen land, wealth and children to so many millions all over the world.
For those amongst my friends and followers who sought to gain favour among your colleagues and community by posting a commemorative post about the queen today, I ask you to reflect on why you did that.
Who did you think you were pleasing, and why is it so important to you to please lovers of the Queen? How is it that we have built our lives on Aboriginal land and some of us are so careless and disrespectful of the hearts and feelings of First Nations People who still are trying to recover from the impacts of colonisation?
Did you post when Aboriginal teenager Kumanjayi Walker was murdered by police officer Zachary Rolfe?
Did you post when Aishwarya Venkatachalam was pushed to suicide because of workplace racism?
Did you post when asylum seekers were locked into motels for almost a decade without hope or a chance to see their children grow?
Colonisation is something that happens to the brain as well as the land, and the images below represent the white supremacy that has ravaged our planet for 500 years now.
It's time to end racism and it starts by understanding why we don't celebrate colonisers and supporters of colonisation.
Creating a united, just and cohesive society takes more than empty words, feigned empathy followed by commemorating colonisers.
Building unity, working toward justice, advocating for equity and striving for peace and harmony mean we have to actually try to re-evaluate our own thinking, worldview and ways of being, and at least try to do better. It's about time that we recognise that peace requires unity, and unity first requires justice...
This FB post by by Priyamvada Gopal is also excellent (https://www.facebook.com/priyamvada.gopal)
Some things need to be said in the midst of left-ish cliché spouting re Elizabeth II R's passing.
1. You *cannot* separate the queen as 'individual' from 'monarchy'. We have no access to the 'individual'. Our only understanding of her, our only lens through which to view her was and is the institution she represented very ably. Lauding that very ability and the 'duty' that we should apparently celebrate separately from the monarchy and the Crown makes no sense. I repeat: you have NO knowledge of her as a person, you cannot separate her from the institution ('whatever you think about the monarchy') and, frankly, I doubt she would wish you to. Her 'duty' was to embody the Crown. If you think she did it well, then it's UTTERLY INCOHERENT to separate her 'duty' and what the Crown does
2. No, you cannot 'mourn the queen but not her empire'. Again, this is someone who came to the throne when India was independent but most other British colonies were not. 1952 was the year of a BRUTAL counter-insurgency in Kenya where she received the news of her father's passing. You cannot, again, conveniently separate her from the horrific violence being enacted in the name of the British Crown even at the very moment she ascended the throne.
3. No, she didn't oversee a kindly decolonisation initiated by Britain any more than Britain should be known for abolition rather than enslavement. She was head of state as Britain was forced, colony by colony, to abandon the imperial project though not without tremendous violence in many places including Malaya, Kenya and Cyprus. (Ireland too, though differently). On the contrary, she embraced the face-saving fudge of the 'Commonwealth', made it her personal passion (to the extent that the Crown can be 'personal') and ensured her son would remain head of this bonkers organisation, full of postcolonial elites, kindly maternal and paternal figures respectively.
4. The enormous private wealth of her family and the enormous assets of the Crown cannot be separated from the projects of enslavement and colonisation. Period. Start an inquiry into how this wealth came to be and it will become apparent. Yes, both the Crown and individual monarchs have benefitted from enslavement and expropriation.
5. Please stop saying 'whatever you think about the monarchy' followed by vapid clichés about duty and grace. The monarchy represents the right of the wealthy and privileged, a small number, to rule. That said, those who announce themselves republicans should acknowledge that it is perfectly possibly, indeed currently normal, to have elected heads of state and heads of government while maintaining precisely as unequal and grotesque a system as any monarchy. Abolish monarchy by all means, but that is meaningless without abolishing billionaires and trillionares and the plutocracy that rules across the world, whether formally monarchist or not.
Love your stuff, Sarah and it always prompts a response that takes me days to formulate and therefore I never respond. For whatever reason this one seemed to flow right off the fingers. Here goes: If we can't say it now, it's coming in the near future, Social Media will be/is to mental illness what fast food and soda are to diabetes and obesity. In my humble opinion, we, the consumers must take control of the economics in this world. We cannot continue to let companies, politicians and the most powerful few dictate who and what we are has a human race. This also speaks to your comments about the Queen (RIP) and Jack River's post. If we demand better and stop putting money in "their" pockets (btw, I see my own guilt and it pains/motivates me) they will have to change but as long as we make our livings from anything that supports dog shit directly or indirectly or we continue to support "them" we are part of the problem. Consumers have all of the power but our uptight, anxious, convenience first society can't stop consuming crap because it's the only accessible solution to a complex and layered human predicament. We have to move away from self indulgence and start demanding better from our corporations and governments, but mostly from ourselves. Most people I know are fat and happy as you mentioned in previous posts, they do "their part" which is socially acceptable, but mostly talk, no one is willing to sacrifice anything for the cause, primarily the personal ego. Until the influential do so and lead the masses, we are where we are, posting "cool" and provocative stuff on SM and preaching from the pulpit. We have to dig deep and recognize just how conditioned and influenced we are by all of the nonsense (corporations, religions and governments, just to name a few) and begin to sacrificially help each other! I know, I am committing one of my own personal pet peeves and over simplifying a very complex problem but I am not offering an oversimplified solution. I am talking about reversing hundreds of years of conditioning, investigating ourselves at the deepest levels and being honest with what we find, it's okay, we all have stuff and we need to support each other in this instead of judging each other, competing against each other and acting like it's everyone else's fault. Be the change right? Rumi says, "I thought I was clever and would change the world, then I became wise and realized I would change myself." Self investigation and working together to find real solutions, it's available in ancient Philosophy and wisdom, and more and more science reveals both how little we know and more about what we do know but if it pays the bills or makes life, "more convenient" no one cares. We just keep the money train going at the expense of our souls. We are so focused on self and our personal brand, our personal "causes" and opinions we are too sensitive to have open and honest conversations. Manty will say it, love is the answer but none of us are willing to really love, unconditionally! Be honest, we only love when it "makes sense" for us or it's safe or there is a payoff of sorts. THAT'S NOT UNCONDITIONAL! I know, many of your readers are uncomfortable with this and therein lies the problem. We are too comfortable to love, really love each other, we are too comfortable to be uncomfortable!
The changes to the instagram algorithms are extremely worrying - the main issue for me is about a lack of transparency. If they've made changes, they should be required to communicate those changes to their users so that they/we can make informed choices about using the platform. Social media companies need to be regulated... like now... or like yesterday.
On a side note, what's the deal with digital IP? Is it not a thing? How can instagram continue to steal ideas from other SM platforms so easily?
The bit on IG was enlightening. When I use it, I don’t scroll but go to specific accounts. This was in part to combat the increase in “recommended for you” which has become relentless. I hadn’t noticed the other changes, I think because of navigating it this way. That search page is dangerous though... I always tell myself I’m not going to click on anything. Sometimes I’m successful. I do feel for those who’ve become reliant on social for all or part of their living. I am so tired of constantly being sold to though. I really am leaning more toward apps like substack where I just come on for specific postings...without all the addictive strategies. I’d rather pay for my content and intentionally choose what that is. Surveillance capitalism is such a terrifying and problematic thing. I haven’t heard of WeAre8. Alternatives to Meta are tempting and feel vital.
Reading the call centre part I was like, "yes, this is me, every time!" Such a distressing experience for all involved. I even get supremely irritated where I have to go through a bazillion stages of press X for Y or "in a few words what is the reason for your call to day?" before I even get to the human. And then you start telling someone the whole story, only to be told you've come through to the wrong department and have to start from scratch elsewhere. Or how some places like Tickettek just want you to use the chat or form function and there is no phone number for an actual human. Gah! It highlights to me the problem with these massive corporations which have just gotten so big, you can't do business human to human anymore. Is this the world we want?
So, I just read the call centre part and need to comment again... I worked at call centres for over 10yrs, I could say a lot, but I'll just share 1 (long) thought...
Outsourcing and a focus on call scripts are a major problem. Not because the staff in the Philippines or India (or another Australian company) aren't as good as those in house, but because companies are more likely to focus on strict call scripts & adherence to process when calls are outsourced. In my experience, companies that use in house call centres are more likely to allow/ train the staff to have more free following conversation & make decisions in the best interest of the customer (it isn't fool proof, but I've noticed a change in that last few years in companies like CGU). Why? probably because the outsourcing model is cost based model. They set their own internal KPIs, they manage call drop outs in house, and getting through as many calls as possible is how they make their money (yes, they might have some other customer experience KPIs in there, but if you hang up on the customer, they won't get through to the post call survey will they?!?)
Oh the call centres make me sad.! I’m always as kind and patient as I can muster and it’s usually overly appreciated by the receiver… but the effing HANGUPS!
I KNEW it happened on purpose to get us to forget about it!! The system is not there to support or help US. It’s to keep us down. That’s what I think! xx
Hi Sarah,
I have noticed this too! I am a Pilates teacher and it has had a huge negative impact on my business just as the economy is taking a turn and I really needed the "boost" that IG did provide in the old day. AS you say they can do what they want.... But so can I and use other platforms.
Might interest you
https://karramba.se
Worth a read https://unselfing.social/?mc_cid=c7465f7a9d&mc_eid=c01c4dfc19
Hi Sarah, completely off topic but I’m just going back listening to earlier episodes and wondered if there’s anywhere someone can direct me to any discussions pertaining to specific episodes?
I’m so profoundly moved by Timothy Morton and it really chimes with what I have been feeling and also much Indigenous Knowledge thinking (which I’ve been exploring lately). I’d love to hear what others felt about the episode.
As someone who has been on the receiving end of these types of calls, the callers can often be quite nasty. I understand most people feel their problems deserve special treatment & fault is never theirs. Today there just isn't common courtesy given, just expected.
Thanks for calling the call centre thing out (pun not intended). I have often felt like I’m being played and often find myself weighing up the - can I be bothered vs damn them it’s my money- thing but when you take a deeper look ... again thank you. My wife is a lot like yourself and will NOT let it go.
Re Queenie it’s gone from mournfest to yawnfest. I’m so done. If I was a First Nations person I imagine I’d be livid.
Hi sarah
Yes I am not sure I understand the we r 8 platform. Is it to sell our own business..get paid to watch ads..connect more intimately..I'm already feeling a zombie at times...
Anyway I was a latecomer to s
All social media apps...late to fb. Etc
One of the last to join out of all my real life friends...
Finally got the hang of insta and use it more for a storage of own pics and stay in contact w mates and some like minded
I do have a published book to sell but again I am a crap marketer
But yes it's all disappearing..
The queens death is on overkill. Not sure of my own take.
Am impressed she was a motor mechanic at 19 before the war and appears to have a mind of her own. Apparently she was only queen after her father, the king broke protocol back in the day and she wasn't actually born into royalty per say..
But am so with you re the first nations impact and the fact there won't be a treaty nor any chance of a Republic given liberal or labour have governance, in our beautiful internally divided Australia
And a 2 week parliamentary lay off. What an excuse for them to have a break! Like they need it.
Whilst there IS a COST of living crisis and a RENTAL crisis ( which I am unfortunately involved in :(:( ) this seems deplorable and we are not a nation for helping one another and our mates anymore..
Another noticing. When one long term partner dies ie prince Phillip, there seems to be a more rapid decline in the health of the remaining partner..
They were clearly in love an worked as a team
You could visibly see their joy underneath th stiff upper lip of royal protocol
Just shows we do actually work better in partnership and a LOVE can and does prolong life
I see the rapid decline in widows around me and even in my own mother since losing her beloved 4 years ago. Makes me so sad. Wish he was here. So she was more ok. And more relaxed..
Love really IS everything
And to be able to share that with another. The highs lows struggles and joy
The real queen was steph Gilmore winning a world record 8 world titles
Now that is worth celebrating
Sorry off topic. But sports and icons and anything worth celebrating I grasp during these times.
With love sarah
Thanks anna x