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Jo Pybus

Jo Pybus

Jo Pybus is a freelance writer.

Leslie Wayne Quinn recorded his last will and testament on his phone, which proved good enough for a Queensland court.

I lost my dad three years ago. Then I discovered a super annoying extra stage of grief

As executor of my father’s will, I tried my best to navigate the insane bureaucracy and cost that dying incurs. But in the end, it defeated me.

  • Jo Pybus

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My love letter to ye olde postie … Will he mind if I email it?

Letter writers and coin collectors of the world unite! Our analogue days are numbered.

  • Jo Pybus
Elton John in 1976, when he reckoned ‘sorry’ was the hardest word.

Sorry, Elton, but ‘sorry’ seems to be the easiest word

Apologising for everything and nothing has crept into our vernacular like an audible placeholder, akin to “um” and “like”.

  • Jo Pybus

I’m an atheist, so am I a fraud when I say grace at Christmas?

What does Christianity teach us about Christmas? Quite a lot about love, actually.

  • Jo Pybus
Phishing expedition.

Qantas hackers or honest callers, you’re all phishy to me

Once I was a trusting customer. Now, I won’t engage until you’re proven innocent.

  • Jo Pybus
Do teller … these customers may be digitally connected but they’ll still queue for an old-fashioned bank teller.

Remember bank tellers? I found one and defeated faceless banking in a single day

I visited my local bank – masquerading as a coffee shop – and coaxed them into taking my money. Why did it feel like I’d pulled off a heist?

  • Jo Pybus
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Woke in fright.

Being called ‘woke’ used to be a compliment. Wasn’t it?

I recently experienced a flush of delight when it was suggested I was “virtue signalling” in one of my articles.

  • Jo Pybus
Truganini’s skeleton was eventually cremated in 1976 and scattered in the waters off Bruny Island.

Learning my own family history ended my indifference to Australia Day

How do I reconcile being a proud white Australian who benefited from the English taking this land with knowing what that meant for the people whose land they took?

  • Jo Pybus
Jo Pybus’ “jar of joy” for 2024.

I was surprised by what brought me joy in 2024. But I have the evidence

I created a “jar of joy” to record blissful experiences. The results were enlightening.

  • Jo Pybus
Once content with the thumbs-up “Like” emoji for people to acknowledge your message, they now have hearts and hugs.

Better to be liked than loved? It’s complicated - even with emojis

For me, my highest endorsement – whether you be family, friend or one of the people I follow online – is that I should like you. Love is riddled with trap doors.

  • Jo Pybus