Arts
Education
Diary
A View From (The Shed By) The Greenhouse; The Great Betrayal(s)
My loyal reader may remember an article I published, funnily enough, in May 2022 when I wrote about my encounter with a fellow in Bath and my resultant (and still current) flirtation with herbalism. I [more…]
Arts
Early Spring is pleasant in Hong Kong
Early Spring is pleasing in Hong Kong – twenty or so degrees, varying humidity and breeze, but pleasant. The Hong Kong flower show starts today (14 March). An indication of a growing season rather different [more…]
20th Century
Economics
The Case Against Fordism
It’s hard to imagine where we would be today in terms of economic progress, industrial production capacity and labour dynamics if Henry Ford never existed. The revolutionary system he pioneered in the early 20th century, [more…]
Authoritarianism
Harambee! Harambee Tena!
The first ever fundraiser in Kenya took place in December 1928. It has been 96 years but we still say, Harambee!!! October 1, 2024 The year is 1926. Kenya is under colonial rule. Natives in [more…]
19th Century
Postcard from Birmingham, Part Six
In recent weeks we have allowed ourselves to be distracted by summer riots, 1980s football matches and pop concerts, the Falkland Islands and even the delivery of mail to the South Pole at Christmas. Puffins [more…]
Arts
The Origins of Terms and Phrases
There are terms and phrases which remain in use today, despite the fact they were coined many years or many centuries ago. In some cases it is quite remarkable that they have survived and stand [more…]
Democracy
OTF: Working Towards a Stable Society
Introduction One thing no other politician seems to be doing is looking at the whole as to what is required for a stable society. Having done so, it is then possible to work backwards and [more…]