Opinion: It’s Pride Month – let's stop trying to "cure" sexuality
Why is the freedom to love still a political choice?. It’s Pride Month, so I want you to take a moment and picture this. You’re in a coffee shop, museum or sporting event — whatever pastime you enjoy, and then you encounter someone. The attraction to this person is immediate: the way they carry themselves, their smile, their looks, their intellect. Whatever the reason, the sparks are flying.
Read full storyIs being left-handed the last frontier of prejudice? Personal reflections from living in a right-handed world.
Living in a right-handed worldPhoto by Nick Fewings on Unsplash. You may wonder whether this is a serious piece or a bit of fun. Well, a bit of both, I guess. First things first — I am left-handed and proud of it! Add to this that I am left-footed, my dominant eye is my left one, and my political views are very to the left. In fact, in every way that matters, I am to the left!
Read full storyInterviewing from the other side of the desk
Interviewing from the other side of the deskPhoto by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels. Mine was having a cup of coffee when wearing a white shirt and thinking this was a good idea on a moving train. Yes, I spilt it down myself and had to endure the full interview, in Summer, without taking my jacket off. I don’t imagine it was a good look. And guess what? I didn’t get the job!
Read full storyWorking from home can raise mental health concerns
How to stay on top of your mental health in the “new normal”. 7 Tips to Beat The Working From Home BluesPhoto by Ave Calvar on Unsplash. Vaccines are being rolled out, pubs and restaurants are open again, you can attend sports events, all so long as you follow state guidelines for tackling the virus.
Read full story9/11 twenty years on - an $8 trillion bill and new chaos in Afghanistan
This was the title of the email alerting me to the unfolding of the most seismic event of my life until that point. Like millions of others, we assembled around the TV in the office to witness the horrific events taking place in Manhattan, appalled by an act of terrorism claiming almost 3,000 lives.
Read full storyGiving more than just your life to your country
Why you shouldn’t take your family stories at face value. The grave of Private John James Cutler at Canadian Cemetery №2 at Neuville-St. Vaast in FranceImage: Miles Etherton.
Read full storyThe Politics of Lying - do we just accept this as part of being in power?
The politics of lyingPhoto by Darren Halstead on Unsplash. A quick search of a Thesaurus and you find multiple words for a crime we’ve all committed to varying extents in our lives — lying!
Read full storyOpinion: Can men and women ever be friends?
Don't underestimate the mental health impact of "ghosting" or "being ghosted" Dealing with ghosting and its effect on your mental healthPhoto by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash. Let me tell you a true story.
Read full storyAre You An Internet Troll? Walking the line between “freedom of speech” and online abuse
Are You An Internet Troll? Walking the line between “freedom of speech” and online abusePhoto by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash. Whether intentioned, have you ever dished out some unpleasant behaviours from the safety of your keyboard or mobile phone?
Read full storyIf the Pandemic Was Preventable, Is This A Crime of Global Genocide?
If the Pandemic Was Preventable, Is This A Crime of Global Genocide?Photo by David Todd McCarty on Unsplash. Should we prosecute negligible governments over their COVID-19 handling?
Read full storyDo “celebrities” sacrifice their right to privacy?
Do “Celebrities” Sacrifice Their Right To Privacy? The battle over your mental health or your personal brandPhoto by Marija Zaric on Unsplash. What does this collection of people have in common?
Read full storyAll Aboard The Good Ship Doomsday — Final Destination: Extinction. Do you care we are killing our planet?
All Aboard The Good Ship Doomsday — Final Destination: Extinction. Do you care we are killing our planet?Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash. Be honest, did the recent report from The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) cross your radar? Did you read it or the reporting of its findings and predictions?
Read full storySocial media scheduling tools reviewed
Social media calendarPhoto by J Taubitz on Unsplash. A) Social media is important to my writing career and I wish I was better at it. B) Social media is a complete waste of time, I don’t why people bother with it.
Read full storyThe mental health of difficult families
What’s more important — their narcissism or your mental health?. Ask yourself this question. What is the lesser of these two evils?. The damaging behaviour of toxic narcissistic family members?
Read full storyTalking the Talk But Not Walking the Walk on Climate Change
Talking the talk but not walking the walk on climate changePhoto by Markus Spiske on Unsplash. Climate change remains a political football that wins votes, appeases the growing voices demanding strong responses and is seldom out of the news. You could almost think national governments and political blocks, such as the European Union, are getting their act together to stop this global catastrophe.
Read full storyThe rise of social media "woke-ness"
What do these social media hashtags have in common?. Not too difficult, I hope. They all mark a means to support social movements fighting injustice and inequality, a national focus on the pandemic crisis, or recognising the work of the UK’s National Health Service during COVID-19.
Read full storyThe Great Pacific Garbage Patch
How the world’s secret “eighth continent” is destroying our oceans and livelihoods. The Great Pacific Garbage PatchPhoto by Jeremy Zero on Unsplash. You might think the title above is the name of a 1970s Prog Rock band, a contemporary of Liquid Tension Experiment, The Pineapple Thief and Sleepytime Gorilla Museum [yes, I had to look them up, I’m not that much of a nerd!]
Read full storyDo you live in a democracy?
After DC protests, are your politicians representing you or themselves?. Do you live in a democracy?Photo by Samantha Sophia on Unsplash. Ten months after the Presidential election and cries from Trump and Republicans of electoral foul play, wrangling over voter laws show no sign of ending. In response to legislative proposals by Republican-led states to restrict voter access, Washington was last week the centre of large protests against these moves.
Read full storyThe Race To Space Or The Race To Pay Less Tax?
Party-time in the playground of billionaires and multinationals. What a ten days it’s been in the billionaires’ playground. Sir Richard Branson became the first “space tourist” by reaching the edge of space on 11 July, followed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ trip on 20 July. Elon Musk isn’t far behind having bought his own ticket to play at being an astronaut on Branson’s Virgin Atlantic rocket plane.
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