Between them, Coca-Cola and the poet who wrote 'Twas the Night Before Christmas managed to pimp out the once-blameless Greco-Roman do-gooder into the notorious neo-liberal toy-monger, Santa Claus.
Here's a recidivist transgressor against society's mores if ever there was one. He clearly suffers elevated blood pressure and a dangerously high BMI, but has for decades refused to remediate either.
He travels by methane emitting reindeer, thus also exploiting an endangered species. His business model is blatant serial home invasion.
A mass-consumerist who primarily targets children, his North Pole labour practices were surely the blueprint for that modern industrial scourge, the sweat shop.
Modern children remain susceptible to Santa's enticements, even though they know it's not him who brings them presents. It's Amazon.
This story is from the January 2 - 12, 2024 edition of New Zealand Listener.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 2 - 12, 2024 edition of New Zealand Listener.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Spilt milk
Excess dietary calcium goes into toilets, not bones.
To the Max
The testosterone and torments of late adolescence are centre stage in this novel about finding your place in life.
A chemical killer
A new book outlines the life of a woman who may well have been New Zealand’s most prolific poisoner. What was it that led police to exhume the body of her husband from its watery grave?
Creating the WOW factor
Meg Williams, in charge of the biggest festival involving a bunch of people wearing wacky outfits, admits she's not very flamboyant in her own dressing.
Leaving it all on the park
After cancer treatment, Graeme Downes takes stock of a musical life leading The Verlaines and lecturing future generations of songwriters.
Wrong message
A UK journalist who came here to talk about Rwanda’s authoritarian regime found herself the victim of a social media hate campaign.
Busting a gut
IBD is escalating, seemingly thanks to the Western lifestyle, and New Zealand has one of the highest rates in the world.
The point of Peters
There's been much to admire about the NZ First leader's politics over the years, but where has it got him?
Don't call us ...
Finland's ingenuity galvanised the rapid global uptake of cellphones, so it's paradoxical the country's latest claim to fame should be the elevation of no-speakies to a new commercial opportunity.
He is here
In the week my brother died, there was a storm in the universe.
