Murder, hatred, inequality, war, greed, love, compassion, selflessness, peace, anxiety, depression, fear. When I pause from the day to day mania and busyness of my own life, the paradox of our human condition becomes stark. In fact thinking too much about the horror of what some humans wake up to and face each morning can… Continue reading The world won’t change till we do – by Anthony Landahl
Category: Social commentary
Share or Die: why collaborative consumption is the future – by Neal Gorenflo
R&R were contacted by the publishers of a new US book 'Share or Die'. Below is the Editor's Preface which is reproduced as a guest post with permission. About six months ago, a weather-beaten, middle-age man asked me for money on the platform of the Mountain View Caltrain station. I gave him three dollars. He thanked me,… Continue reading Share or Die: why collaborative consumption is the future – by Neal Gorenflo
The word ‘babysitting’ should be banned – by Tom Kuhrt (aged 8)
When both my parents go out in the evening another adult always comes over to look after us. But why is this called babysitting? Its a rubbish word. There are at least 3 big problems with the name ‘babysitter’: One, it scares little children. My friend Zac is only 4 and when someone came to… Continue reading The word ‘babysitting’ should be banned – by Tom Kuhrt (aged 8)
Maggie’s dead, but we need to quit living in the past…and quickly – by Kate Townshend
At around lunchtime today (Monday), Twitter and Facebook feeds across the country erupted into a sudden kaleidoscope of political activity. If yours was anything like mine, then you probably found your social media of choice spewing forth a mixture of staunchly defended Thatcherism versus a kind of pantomime glee that, Ding Dong, the wicked witch… Continue reading Maggie’s dead, but we need to quit living in the past…and quickly – by Kate Townshend
“Dad, you’re a nicer person without your iPhone”
It was just another busy Saturday in our house. Although I try to keep my weekends as clear as possible of work and spend time with my family, I always have my phone with me. This means that it can be hard to avoid seeing work emails on the weekend. And this particular Saturday morning… Continue reading “Dad, you’re a nicer person without your iPhone”
Infanticide…and other Christmas themes
This morning, I watched my five year old daughter make her acting debut in her school Nativity Play. It had everything to be expected – excitable shepherds, pretty Angels, proud parents and a clip-clopping Donkey. It was cute, fun and everyone had a good time. It's important to remember though that Nativity Plays, like Children's Bibles,… Continue reading Infanticide…and other Christmas themes
“Hard cases make bad law”: 3 principles for alcohol pricing
Photo by Ben Prater on Pexels.com The government has announced its plan to set a minimum price of 45p per unit for alcohol. This will mainly affect strong beer, cheap wine and spirit bottles, but not pubs. This is a big change and they’ll be a swirling vat of arguments over the next few weeks,… Continue reading “Hard cases make bad law”: 3 principles for alcohol pricing
Gaza, London, Streatham & the randomness of violence
Photo by Roy Reyna on Pexels.com After a meeting this Thursday, I got the underground from London Bridge station back to my office. As I walked onto the platform, a man spat on the ground just as I walked past. Instinctively I glanced up but I continued walking along the platform and a few yards… Continue reading Gaza, London, Streatham & the randomness of violence
Halloween: a time to confront our real fears (of young people)
Photo by Yaroslav Shuraev on Pexels.com We spent last week on holiday so we were out of London for Halloween for the first time in years. We were in a quiet village but we received a warning about what to expect from one of the locals: "You should expect to be busy, all the kids… Continue reading Halloween: a time to confront our real fears (of young people)
The Power of CBeebies
CBeebies the hugely successful channel aimed at 0-6 year olds, is ten this year. Although not directly a New Labour Project it still perfectly reflects the government’s cultural agenda of the time. Culture not economy At the height of the Blarite Years in the early 2000s a conservative commentator perceptively wrote that: ‘all the lefties… Continue reading The Power of CBeebies
Grace + Truth 