Photo by Donald Tong on Pexels.com One of the best things about the Olympics was the regular positivity it bought to every day conversations. I first realised quite how far this had filtered through the nation’s psyche when I read the comments after this Charlie Brooker article in the Guardian. The space ‘below the line’… Continue reading Our Olympic positivity can last – but we’re going to need practice
Category: Social commentary
Neither sycophancy nor cynicism: Danny Boyle & the right kind of patriotism
I love sport and have always enjoyed the Olympics but I have never watched an Opening Ceremony until last night. I guess I have never understood what the point of it all is. But last night, I was blown away by the power and pride generated by Danny Boyle's crazy cocktail of comedy, history, dance… Continue reading Neither sycophancy nor cynicism: Danny Boyle & the right kind of patriotism
That figures: what the census numbers feel like
The first figures from the England and Wales census (pdf file) were released today and here's a quick look at how they back up (or not) the changes that we've felt since 2001. 1. The North is getting emptier The overwhelming majority of local authority areas significantly grew in population – the mean average being… Continue reading That figures: what the census numbers feel like
Who will be the fathers?
Photo by Casey Allen on Pexels.com This story was told at my church a few weeks ago: “Elephant herds are formed of an intrictate social web of the extended family. Two or three generations of parents and cousins all play their part – it really does take a whole herd to raise an elephant child.… Continue reading Who will be the fathers?
Seven months on: what were the reasons behind the August riots?
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com One of the key investigations into the causes of the Summer riots is due to publish it's findings tomorrow. The report of The Riots, Communities and Victims Panel is important as its remit was to give a voice to the communities and victims directly affected by the August riots. As ever, those closest to the… Continue reading Seven months on: what were the reasons behind the August riots?
Hustle’s bubble: The Myth of Redemptive Finance
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com The final ever series of Hustle starring Adrian Lester airs tonight and after discovering it just over a year ago I'll be tuning in. Hustle is a BBC drama in which a gang of successful, high living and smart mainly twenty somethings use their considerable skills to con successful, high… Continue reading Hustle’s bubble: The Myth of Redemptive Finance
“Beer is the cause and solution to all of life’s problems” *
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels.com This is a guest post by my mate Mikey Walker, a Primary school teacher in Leeds, on his recent 70 days 'sans lager'... Sometimes I think Homer Simpson* wasn’t far off with his dystopian conclusion of beer’s place in society. I say this as my 2nd ever “beer fast”… Continue reading “Beer is the cause and solution to all of life’s problems” *
4 winners from the Rugby World Cup
It was the Kiwi’s 4th choice fly half Stephen Donald who stroked the winning kick in the Rugby World Cup Final. So in his honour here are 4 winners from this year’s tournament. 1. Referees The Welsh will forever remember the decision in the semi final to send off Sam Warberton, but the standard of… Continue reading 4 winners from the Rugby World Cup
Taken over by The Fear: the spiritual roots of the riots
Many of the people I have spoken to in recent days, whether religious or not, acknowledge that there is something spiritual about the destructive chaos that we have seen unleashed. The meaninglessness of the riots speak of problems with deeper roots than just material need: an underlying lostness in our culture around issues of identity and relationships. This culture is brilliantly… Continue reading Taken over by The Fear: the spiritual roots of the riots
The unpredicted tinderbox: 3 factors which fuelled the riots
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com It’s very difficult talking about the reasons for riots during or immediately after they have happened. People who blame things like poverty, racism, alienation, or the classic ‘there is nothing for the kids to do around here’ sound like they are giving easy excuses for terrible behaviour. Most people are… Continue reading The unpredicted tinderbox: 3 factors which fuelled the riots
Grace + Truth 