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Jul 11·edited Jul 11Liked by Alia Parker

The Marn-Grook/AFL evolution has a parallel in North America, where the Indigenous game Baggataway eventually evolved into the modern game of Lacrosse.

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Thanks for sharing that David. That's really interesting, and it makes a lot of sense. It's such a unique sport.

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Two great topics here, Alia. The roles of poetry/song, dance, rhythm and reference to natural features in codifying knowledge before (and alongside) literacy are endlessly fascinating to me, and still as potent today as they ever were, I think. In a world where so much knowledge is externalised to digital devices, we desperately need ways to re-internalise knowledge (and literature in its widest sense), or we risk losing aspects of our human identity and our relationship with our world.

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Yes, we really don't need to remember much these days with our phones ever present. I suppose that's where music and songs remain so important. Most people know a few songs to keep that part of the brain active.

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You’re welcome. I’m just so fascinated of how, a lot of times a journalist can retain so much information in their mind.

“follow it down the rabbit hole until I find wonderland.”

That was hilarious! Hahaha

All the best to your success, Alia, in anything you do.

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Ahh, that made me smile. Thank you Ruben. You too! Keep being amazed by the amazing, and life will always be interesting :)

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These are such captivating subjects. Regarding the songlines, which are a really bizzare and mesmerizing concept to even grasp. The descriptions are gorgeous, the songline concept is so surreal, it even sounds like music and land joining like a frequency. A gigantic example of what makes Australia itself look like a monument, at least that’s how I see it. A sort of land artefact connected to the stars. It even makes you wonder how advanced the ancient generations of Aborigines were.

The Marn-Grook sport part of the essay was quite interesting as well. Quite a history class I might add.

The Australia Map drawing you made is remarkable, you should try to sell it, I would buy it. It has kind of like a science-fiction touch to it, I really liked it.

Are you or were you a professor? You’re really well versed on so many subjects.

Have you thought of publishing your essays on a book? Your writing really sounds like material that can take a part in big changes in the history books, that by the looks of the overflow of information right now it seems it will change, like everything.

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Thanks Ruben, that's kind of you to say. Haha, no, I've never been a professor, but I have a couple of university degrees and an inquisitive mind. Perhaps that's why I became a journalist. When something interests me, I follow it down the rabbit hole until I find wonderland.

Perhaps I will write a book one day. It's part of why I am here on Substack, playing around with my thoughts and words. But the time isn't here yet... my children are still small and need me to be with them and not in my head. When they start school, I'll have more time to work on something then.

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Wow, that's so fascinating about the songlines. Beautiful write-up. And thanks for the shoutout, Alia.

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Thanks Michael. Yes, it is pretty amazing to think you could navigate this entire country from the sound and words stored in your head.

You're welcome. I've spent a bit of time in outback pubs and could picture your story perfectly 😆

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I’m so fascinated I’m speechless😃

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Thanks Alan. A little something for you to add to your Jewel beetles and Finding Nemo factoids 🙂

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