Re-evaluating Family Matters

I found myself reading a science news article on the BBC about dementia risks amongst people who spend their middle-aged years living alone, which, it seems, might be higher than if people spend those years living with a partner. In the bizarre way that things connect in my head, it took me over to something that a friend wrote on their blog ages ago about life for those neither alone nor in families.

Dan: It’ll look good on my C.V.

You know when you read something and thing “man I wish I could put it like that?”. Well, a friend posted this as a note on Facebook, and that’s exactly my reaction. Being between finishing and graduating probably puts him in a better position than myself. I don’t think its a uniquely York problem, and I think everyone, even non-students need to really stop and think about the issues he raises.

Feeding The Proud with Humble Soup

Food Not Bombs continues to be a very interesting experience in York. Far from feeding lots of homeless people (though Big Issue vendors are always thankful) we seem to be finding ourselves in a very different struggle: proving that there is such a thing as a free lunch, something that isn’t easy in a city where many residents seem to proud not to spend money on lunch.

Che Guevara is the Opiate of the Masses

Just a few years ago, his image was everywhere. These days, its still there, but its not “The T-Shirt” that everyone wears. But the film (or perhaps more accurately, films) that came out recently reminded me of an idea for a post I had a while back, and it goes like this….

Good and bad Church action to help Migrants

In the last 24hours a news story has broken concerning a vicar in East Sussex alleged to have carried out “sham marriages” to save asylum seekers from being returned. Last week I was in Copenhagen, where a church is giving sanctuary to about 80 asylum seekers. The two actions might have similar intentions, but I can’t help thinking the former is more damaging than anything else.

Generational Descent

Ours (by which I mean those under 30 now) is probably the first generation in a position to not just adjust our lifestyles to cut carbon emissions, but to make a choice never to cause certain emissions in the first place. I’ve been wondering recently about the ways in which young people could be encouraged to take advantage of this.

Michael Jackson: Society’s Problem?

It seems a little odd to get caught up in the celebrity hype of the moment, but I do think Michael Jackson’s passing requires a pause for thought. Much about the man can be said to be somehow special, different, or down right weird. But to be honest, much of it was downright tragic, and put the guy in a lose/lose situation.

Government seeks showdown with Unions over Israel

A friend pointed me to a press release on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (read, Foreign Ministry), in which the Foreign Secretary attempts to put Trade Unions in line on policy towards Israel. I find this problematic on several levels, not least, in that it shows what a Labour government will demand from Unions.

A few personal observations about women’s status

In a break from the excellent series of guest posts on gender issues that have appeared on this blog recently, I’m going to step in and put up some of my own thoughts on recent appearances of gender issues in the media, some positive and some negative.

The Importance of Memory

Being in Berlin, even if only briefly, has reminded me of the importance of ‘Memory’, one of the major Generalised Issues* that the British sadly fail to make enough of a deal about. Its also made me wonder whether all airports should be torn down or not.