Every Monday we have a new video of a Speakers’ Corner character. This week it is:

Steve – highlights

(Double-click on the video to enlarge it; press ESC to reduce it.)

Steve is one of the longest serving speakers at Speaker’s Corner.

Rhonda – highlights.

Coy, like an  express train, Rhonda blitzed Speakers’ Corner. She quickly drew a crowd and kept it, spending half her time battling our flasher, Andrew, and the other half ‘gently’ suggesting that an Australian republic might be a good idea. We were  blown away by her warmth, and her voice. The words ‘feisty’ and ‘forceful’ are good words to describe Rhonda. (The words ‘shy and retiring’ aren’t.)  Rhonda Lee is a regular speaker at Melbourne’s Forum (Speakers’s Corner) and Melbourne is fortunate to have her.  It was a pleasure to have her here, and she  is welcome any time.

Tony, the car park attendant.

 When Tony isn’t speaking or heckling he works as a car park attendant for the Domain’s extensive open-air car park. A satisfied customer was impressed by Tony’s expertise and videoed him performing his duties. The customer then generously sent us this excerpt. (Note: The audio is unclear, so subtitles have been included.)

Here is a video from England’s Speaker’s Corner Trust, promoting Speakers’ Corners all over the world. Click here to be taken to their site, and watch actor Des Coleman encourage us to be a speaker.

a passer-by, Simon.

 Here’s a character who believes in cold fusion and energy too cheap to meter. Hear what he says.

a passer-by, Mark Jago.

 Mark gives an intriguing but plausible explanation of how the story of an ancient Egyptian god, Horus, came to be the story of Jesus. ‘The son of God’ is actually ‘The sun of God’, 3,500 years BC.

Helmut’s complaint.

 Last week a persistent heckler prodded Helmut into saying a few unsavoury words, and the police happened to be nearby. This week he dropped in to tell us what happened, and how he feels about it. (Two hints: 1. He’s not happy. 2. No lipreading.)

The English Speakers’ Corner, 1982

It’s time to look at a film of the English equivalent, albeit 30 years ago. (Filmed by Syd and Beryl Pearman. It’s in Youtube entitled, ‘The Best of Speakers’ Corner – London.) We Sydney speakers could learn from their speakers, and our hecklers could lift their game as well.

Andrew the exhibitionist. Video 1.

In this video Andrew takes umbrage with people complaining about flashers. He argues that they suffer discrimination and in a vague sort of way he makes a good point. A member of the public discusses the matter good-naturedly with him and she also makes a few good points. It’s refreshing to see such a controversial subject discussed seriously.

Andrew “I’ve flashed a lot of women.” Video 2.

Click here to hear a flasher’s side of the story. Andrew is the award winning author of ‘The Exhibitionist’ and other articles and today defends his flashing habit by turning the tables on us, accusing us of being sexually repressed conformists. Does he have a point? And in his entertaining style Andrew explains why he flashes and just how popular it is. ‘We have to put up with things we don’t like,’ he tells us in justification, ‘Things happen that you don’t ask for. That’s life.’ Watch him encounter a woman who has been flashed twice, and a beefy forthright American. The sparks fly in an entertaining tussle. Andrew is now a regular speaker at Speakers’ Corner, but only appears from 4.20pm. until about 5.30pm.

Andrew the exhibitionist. Video 3.

Enter the world of the flasher and discover what makes a flasher tick. Or visit his site, http://haveubeenflashed.com/ . His award winning book about the subject is available on Amazon.

Steve Maxwell

Steve gets onto the subject of Nimbin, a town once famed for its psychedelic tribal culture. He then starts asking personal questions. Click here to hear him speak.

Isaac Newton was no scientist!

Helmut and Isaac have both read the writings of the ancients, but Helmut has learnt from them.

The dog is more intelligent.

 Helmut explains his philosophy on dealing with hecklers.

Helmut’s thoughts on smoking.

People who believe smoking is bad for you are brainwashed, says Helmut. (And while he explains this he ‘steals’ a lighter.)

Helmut and the ill-mannered louts.

 Is Helmut a human being? Tony the lout is indignant at the very suggestion.  Helmut has to deal with him and another lout. Both need to learn some manners, apparently.

Isaac Newton created atheism.

 People are brainwashed with Newtonian Classical Mechanics, says Helmut.

Helmut pounces.

Helmut pounces on a Heckler.

Helmut discusses the Nature of God.

It is agreed that God doesn’t have a long beard, but can Helmut deal with two hecklers at the same time?

Isaac Newton, the ignoramus. 

A heckler ‘admits‘ that Helmut knows more than Sir Isaac Newton ever did.

Helmut and the Theory of Everything.

Helmut tackles the big questions.

Isaac Newton’s theory is crap.

How did Isaac Newton distinguish between red and blue? Who cares, because Newton’s ideas are 300 years out of date.

Helmut and the Fashionista.

Tony the heckler questions Helmut on his sartorial choices, and then reveals the exotic nature of his own tie.

Helmut and the bolshevik.

Helmut gives Tony a new nickname: ‘Tony Stutter’, and then explores Tony’s past support of communism. The discussion concludes with each man concerned for the other’s mental health. They even take the trouble to recommend possible solutions.

You’ll find these regulars at Speakers’ Corner every Sunday afternoon, from 2pm until 5pm.

Steve Maxwell

Steve  is a historian and a rationalist. To discover what Steve talks about at Speakers’ Corner, click here. He also holds an open forum at his bookshop, 58 Regent Street, CHIPPENDALE, every Sunday from 6.30pm until 8pm. Everyone is welcome. You have fifteen minutes to speak and answer questions on any subject you wish.

From his book, ‘Soapbox Oratory‘ Steve writes: ‘In a modern city, there must be a place where strangers can meet and discuss the issues of the day without fear of persecution; where the right to retain one’s individuality is allowed.‘

Helmut – highlights

Helmut once beat Arnold Schwartzenegger in a body building contest. He knows a lot about metaphysics, (more than Arnold Schwartzenegger), and is happy to explain why Isaac Newton was an ignoramus. But his battles with hecklers are fun, and here are a few highlights.

Andrew, the exhibitionist – highlights.

 

Andrew is probably the only flasher in the world prepared to stand up and talk about it, and support it. He is also an entertaining speaker. Good reasons to come to Speakers’ Corner. Have a look at a few of his highlights.
Visit his site, http://haveubeenflashed.com/ . His award winning book about the subject is available on Amazon.

Mirko

Mirko has created a phonetic alphabet to be used world-wide, and it’s better than Esperento. He has solved the problem of perpetual motion and has diagrams explaining how to get free unlimited energy from hydropower. Mirko knows how to think outside the square. Have a look at his website.

Ray

 Ray is passionate about spreading the word of God. He takes the task seriously but he isn’t confronting. He is a gentle man willing to answer your questions.

Mr Bashful

 Among other things, Mr Bashful talks about New Age scams, happiness myths, and why we should burn the Mona Lisa. In this clip he talks about the Meaning of Life.

 George.

 Jovo (George) is a charismatic man, which may explain why he is also known as ‘Rasputin’ and ‘The Wild Man of Serbia’. He is envied by monks, yogis and gurus throughout the word for his ability to tap into a stream of consciousness and verbalise it.

Warren

 Warren loves to bring to our attention problems which have escaped our notice. He then generously provides a solution to those problems.
In this excerpt he talks about the demise of an important Masai custom, due to our interference, and explains that they have now become prey to the lions, and that we in the civilised world have become spineless.

Tony. (Heckler and speaker.)

 Tony speaks on a multitude of topics, and can do so all at the same time. In this except Tony makes unflattering comments about religious believers. A heckler agrees.

Kevin (Occasional speaker.)

 Kevin speaks out against forced medication with psychotropic drugs.

Hil (Occasional speaker)

 When Hil leaves the farm at Taree to visit Sydney, watch out! Everyone is in his sights!

Speakers’ Corner.

 Ahh! What better way to spend a warm, sunny Sunday afternoon than to be in the Domain, listening to and arguing with the soapbox speakers at Speakers’ Corner! Take a quick stroll now.

Peter (Heckler)

Peter teaches chemistry in a TAFE college, so loves to discuss science at the Domain. He particularly loves discussing it with Helmut.

Arthur (Heckler)

 Arthur is not what you call the shy type, and is generous with his opinion. I caught him searching for disciples.

Michael (Heckler)

 Michael is an expert in ancient civilisations and in asking awkward questions.

David (heckler).

David is dead against any view supporting the existence of ghosts, telepathy, UFO’s, psychics, and any other new-age rubbish you might try to foist upon him, but when it comes to religion he is fervently agnostic. He leaves no stone unturned in his search for the truth.

John (Placid heckler.)

Philosopher, skeptic, atheist, and all around good guy, John makes his way to Speakers’ Corner just often enough to get a mention here.

Jack (Quiet observer)

After Jack finishes watching a classic film in the NSW Art Gallery on a Sunday afternoon, (they’re free, and they begin at 2pm), he pops over the road into the Domain and has a chat with the speakers and hecklers. But he’s not sure why.

Ian. (Quiet observer)

Ian is a retired puppet master and devout Christian. He rarely speaks, and when he does it’s quietly. He enjoys giving loads of affection to the Speakers’ Corner dog. The dog enjoys it too.

Eric (Quiet observer.)

Eric humbly explains why he comes to Speakers’ Corner.

Max (Quiet observer)

Max brings a subdued and gentlemanly presence to the Domain (And boy, do we need it!) His main interest appears to be in the speakers who talk about science. In this clip he explains why he enjoys coming to the Domain.

The Speakers’ Corner dog.

The Speakers’ Corner dog receives so much affection from the speakers, the hecklers, and from passers-by, that she just loves coming to Speakers’ Corner every Sunday.

This column is for videos of you!
 Step into history. Stand on the Ladder of Knowledge and tell us what you think.
(With your permission you will be filmed, and appear here.)

Michael

Heckler Michael chose to say a few words about religious believers who don’t know the history behind their faith.

Lauren does not recite ‘Bloody Shakespeare’

 Lauren brings to life social activist Elizabeth Stanton‘s fiery and inspiring address of 1861. Given that it was a speech written by Elizabeth to promote the cause of Womanhood, it is ironic that the speech was heckled by Angela, a woman obsessive about the subject.  (Angela appears at the bottom of this post.) Had Angela actually listened, she might have remained silent.
Then again, probably not.
It is astonishing that two of Speakers’ Corner’s hecklers, Tony and Angela, don’t let even first-timers perform without interruption. Honestly, they’d heckle a dying man’s last words. Indeed, if there was a gasp from a corpse in a coffin, they’d heckle that too.

Rupert

Expert orator Rupert gave lucky listeners a taste of how orators did it in the 1940s. In a few stirring words we discover the ideals of the Australian Labor Party from the point of view of Australia’s 16th Prime Minister, Ben Chifley. Compare Chifley’s speech with today’s parliamentary speeches, and with today’s eight second sound bites, and see what you think.

Joanne Lin, from China.

A Chinese tourist gave Speakers’ Corner a go. Well done! We don’t know what she said, but it sounds charming.

Timothy.
 (And Tony strikes again).

An astonishing talk by a talented young man. Timothy speaks about Stickman, that universal figure drawn when a pencil is shoved into a young hand. Stickman is the precursor to all forms of Art, explains Timothy, and if it weren’t for Stickman we wouldn’t have the art of Da Vinci and Picasso.
And he’s probably right.
Now, would the resident pest of Speakers’ Corner, Tony (a stickman himself), heckle a 12 year old boy? You betcha. Without fully understanding Timothy’s point, Tony gets stuck into the lad, demanding ‘Where’s your evidence?! Where’s your evidence!’
Sigh.

Philip Feinstein of Smokenders

Philip Feinstein spoke about his ‘Smokenders’ program, which is designed to help people give up smoking. Listen to him by clicking here. He explained why people have trouble giving up smoking, and he suggested novel solutions. For example, he reckons that once a person has decided to give up smoking  they should consciously smoke for another five weeks! It is refreshing and provocative views like this which are at the heart of Speakers’ Corner. Thank you, Philip Feinstein!

Laurence

In the old days politics was a common subject at Speakers’ Corner, and generated a lot of emotion. Nowadays it rarely gets a mention, but today Laurence has a few unkind words to say about the two current main political parties.

Diana

Diana is visiting Sydney and felt the need to thank all those who helped make it possible. One gains the impression she is practising for when the day she will be accepting an Academy Award.

Karen

In 1878 legislation was passed allowing free speech in the Domain. So, for example, if you stood on the ground and criticised Queen Victoria you were committing an offence, but if you stood on a box and criticised her, you weren’t committing an offence. Therefore, if someone wanted to officially declare a controversial point of view, they did so at Speakers’ Corner, on a box. And today Karen made an official declaration to her daughter, in just nine words.
Mind you, her daughter didn’t take her mother’s declaration too seriously.

Clarence.

Wanted: Someone to take on Tony!

When Clarence stepped onto the Ladder of Knowledge Tony the heckler quickly directed the young man towards his own pet interest: criticising religion. Clarence displayed no interest in the subject but that didn’t stop relentless Tony. Clarence quite rightly ignored Tony’s persistent questions, but being unable to speak under the barrage, understandably gave up trying to speak. To his credit, Clarence kept his cool and his patience, and left the Ladder of Knowledge still in good spirits.
(The good news: Clarence left a message on this blog to say he might try to speak again sometime, and adds, ‘Say hello to Tony for me!‘.)

But jeepers, is there someone out there who can put Tony in his place?

Chris

Chris was another passer-by who chose to give it a go by advocating the legalisation of gay marriage. Unfortunately, heckler Tony was within earshot. Although Chris’s points were well received by an appreciative audience, Tony’s interruptions were as welcome as the proverbial fart in a space suit. Mind you, Tony agreed with homosexual marriage provided it remains platonic. (For goodness sake.) From there his arguments went downhill. But thankfully, Chris presented a thoughtful view.

At times the banter did sound like a tree full of cockatoos, but Chris kept the discussion upbeat, interesting, and good-natured with his patience and persistence. His compassionate view won the audience, and when he concluded he received a round of applause.

The search is now on for a way to throw Tony back into the twentieth century.

(Warning: if you wish to avoid being offended by a heckler’s unenlightened view, avoid this video.)

Superman

Superman had just saved the planet from almost certain destruction, and to celebrate he  said a few words on the Ladder of Knowledge. He gives a novel but plausible reason why there is so much injustice and inequity in the world, and suggests a solution. With aplomb he deals with the hecklers daring to interrupt him.

(As you know, Superman is indestructible. Bullets just bounce off him. Why then, does he duck when a gun is thrown at him?)

Rui Cao

Rui discussed the nature of Art, and obligingly answered questions from the interested public. She was a popular speaker with some fresh ideas.

John

John requires evidence before he believes anything. But what evidence does he require, precisely?  John explains why he is an agnostic.

Angela

Angela gave it a go by talking about men and domestic violence.