Photo by Jeswin Thomas on Pexels.com "In modern culture, it almost seems like silence is extinct. We have given noise our consent to fill every moment of life. And it’s not just sonic noise, but even the mental noise that comes from constant entertainment. Through our smartphones, our tablets and our laptops, we always have access… Continue reading We need more silence in our lives
Category: Social commentary
Beach-body ready or not, the real winners are the advertising industry
Photo by Nathan Cowley on Pexels.com Protein World’s ‘Are you Beach Body Ready?’ adverts have created a massive row. In among the countless adverts that commuters are pummeled by, these posters immediately struck me as unusually crass and objectionable. So I was not that surprised to see the furore that has developed this week in response.… Continue reading Beach-body ready or not, the real winners are the advertising industry
Making the world a better place, one commuter at a time
Anyone who commutes into central London can bear testimony to the daily struggle it brings. Packed trains, late cancellations and staff specially trained to make announcements as confusing as possible all contribute to the challenges. My no.1 gripe is passengers who can't be bothered to move further up into the train which means that others can't even get on. Grrrr... This daily… Continue reading Making the world a better place, one commuter at a time
‘I fully sympathise with Stephen Fry’ – by Alan Jonas
Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com In early February, Stephen Fry was in the news, and all over the internet, for declaring if there was a God, he would be “utterly, utterly evil.” Fry was reacting to a question from Irish TV presenter, Gay Byrne: “What would you say if you came face-to-face with God?” Stephen… Continue reading ‘I fully sympathise with Stephen Fry’ – by Alan Jonas
How do you solve a problem like Jeremy Clarkson? A positive proposal to the BBC – by Jonathan Chilvers
Dear Tony Hall, Director General of the BBC, So next week you have got to decide what you’re going to do about Jeremy Clarkson. On the one hand, you want him to continue heading up one of the BBC’s most successful shows which is loved (and hated) the world over and raking in millions of pounds each… Continue reading How do you solve a problem like Jeremy Clarkson? A positive proposal to the BBC – by Jonathan Chilvers
How to help someone with an eating disorder – by Emily Norris
Photo by NEOSiAM 2024+ on Pexels.com Today is 'Time to Talk' day, where people are asked to take 5 minutes out of your day to talk about...(bring on the scary taboo topic)..MENTAL ILLNESS. I haven't told many people this, but I was officially diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa seven years ago. I was confused, ashamed and therefore… Continue reading How to help someone with an eating disorder – by Emily Norris
Remembering the holocaust means fighting anti-semitism today – by Alan Bolchover
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com This week marks the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp. Many of my Jewish friends are sharing their own family experiences of the holocaust. Nearly all of us have them. Before the Second World War, my grandfather Elio lived in a village called Lubcz in Belorussia,… Continue reading Remembering the holocaust means fighting anti-semitism today – by Alan Bolchover
Why are churches ‘the best social melting pots in modern Britain’?
Love Streatham's Family Fun Day Today, the Daily Telegraph reports on the findings of research by the Social Integration Commission about the places where people from different backgrounds meet and mix with each other. The article, with the headline 'Churches are the best social melting pots in modern Britain', states: ‘Overall, it found that churches and other places of worship are more successful… Continue reading Why are churches ‘the best social melting pots in modern Britain’?
I don’t Vow To Thee My Country: the difference between patriotism and nationalism
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com This week a lot of people will sing the hymn ‘I Vow to Thee my Country’ at Remembrance services. The hymn, which combines the words of a poem by British Diplomat Sir Cecil Spring-Rice with a beautiful tune by Gustav Holst, is enormously popular. And having been sung at both… Continue reading I don’t Vow To Thee My Country: the difference between patriotism and nationalism
Inequality is bad for EVERYBODY: its time to close the gap
Every day I am struck by the incredible inequality on display in the West End of London. I get off the bus outside Selfridge’s and see the £5,000+ designer handbags in the windows. I walk through Marylebone past the exclusive clubs and restaurants such as the Chiltern Firehouse with security guards and paparazzi outside. Every few minutes, Ferraris,… Continue reading Inequality is bad for EVERYBODY: its time to close the gap
