Our blog
A Borderline Problem
How would you feel if someone in a position to know told you that you were “emotionally unstable” or diagnosed you with a “borderline personality disorder (BPD)”? The first diagnosis might bring on a feeling of indignation … “How dare you! Who are you to judge me so?” while the second – if you’ve heard…
The Hazards Of Identity Politics
I was going to write something non-contentious for this blog but then I read about Labour leadership contender Rebecca Long Bailey’s aim to “stamp out” transphobia. Soon afterwards came the judge’s ruling on “hate speech” in which Mr Justice Julian Knowles warned Britain is heading towards an Orwellian society if it isn’t careful. His warning…
Outing The Online Outrage
A much-admired journalist has become the latest to be scalped via the Twitter vocalites. He said “ABC”, his follower interpreted this as “XYZ”, retweeted the post – with his own interpretation – and the flash mob formed. Within a very short time, the newscaster fell on his own sword (forgive the excessive metaphors, I seem…
Resolving The Resolutions
New year. New hopes. New resolutions. Most of us make them, even if we don’t declare them out loud. There’s something about a new collective start that brings this inner determination to do something afresh. I read the following in a newsletter from London-based Lidgates, organic butcher to the discerning. “Babylonians made promises to their…
Time To Travel Hopefully
So that’s it. It’s over. A general election – effectively a second referendum without actually naming the “R” word – and Brexit, whether we like it or not. I’m not going to talk about that last part; opinion is probably still sharply divided. What I am going to say is I’m glad a democratic decision…
Going Offline To Check Online Spending
We’re entering the year’s prime-time spending period with shops and online outlets doing their best to persuade us to buy anything and everything, whether we want it or not. There’s nothing new about this. We are part of a capitalist world that depends on people spending their hard-earned cash on items they may soon decide…
Breaking Bad … Habits
It’s recently been announced that the handling of mobile phones in cars is to be banned. The idea is that smart roadside cameras will be able to zone in to drivers who simply touch their phones and the drivers will be in for an instant fine – no excuses to be accepted. It would be…
It’s All About Trust
Discussions about “safe spaces” have become wider over the past two years or so. The pros and cons of what they are and whether or not they should be available have been taken up enthusiastically in the media. Young adults, from students upwards, talk about “not feeling safe” and the conversation continues. At the extreme…
