Terry Lloyd's Blog, page 8
June 9, 2024
Water Bills.
Among many household bills is the ever present one for water. It is rumoured and predicted that to add insult to injury, the water companies are considering an increase to their bills and a rise of considerable size. Amongst hikes of seventy and even over ninety percent in some areas, these increases in water bills are inconceivable to so many who are already struggling.
The water companies are not even functioning in multiple areas to an acceptable or satisfactory standard. Providing adequate service should be a given but on top of dumping raw sewage in our seas and rivers, polluting our waterways and mismanaging assets to the point of near bankruptcy, there is an anticipation of collectively harming the public’s purses. There seems little point in fining the major water companies, as it seems to have no effect on their actions.
The public pays the fine for the water company’s negligence and subsequently gets a worse service as there is alleged, less money to spend on important work.
The situation is totally out of control. There is no competition to pick another service provider.
Not only that but there is a lack of quality control as for many years important improvements to the system have not taken place. Southern Water, after dumping sewage, was fined 30 million pounds yet the CEO still took a five hundred thousand pound bonus.
Innovation is the road to implementing waste products in a viable way and as it happens there are several possibilities. One option is converting microbe activity into electricity. Another, is to convert solid waste into inert material, that can be utilised in useful ways.
The current situation with water service providers is an outrage. There are many green, clean possibilities for looking after such an important service and looking into careful consideration of waste material in a beneficial way. However, there can be many possibilities but if these are not commenced or overseen, then nothing positive can be achieved. The public are being let down by the regulation and standard of service in the water industry and I sincerely hope that drastic reform can start to repair and revolutionise this area for the future.
The water companies are not even functioning in multiple areas to an acceptable or satisfactory standard. Providing adequate service should be a given but on top of dumping raw sewage in our seas and rivers, polluting our waterways and mismanaging assets to the point of near bankruptcy, there is an anticipation of collectively harming the public’s purses. There seems little point in fining the major water companies, as it seems to have no effect on their actions.
The public pays the fine for the water company’s negligence and subsequently gets a worse service as there is alleged, less money to spend on important work.
The situation is totally out of control. There is no competition to pick another service provider.
Not only that but there is a lack of quality control as for many years important improvements to the system have not taken place. Southern Water, after dumping sewage, was fined 30 million pounds yet the CEO still took a five hundred thousand pound bonus.
Innovation is the road to implementing waste products in a viable way and as it happens there are several possibilities. One option is converting microbe activity into electricity. Another, is to convert solid waste into inert material, that can be utilised in useful ways.
The current situation with water service providers is an outrage. There are many green, clean possibilities for looking after such an important service and looking into careful consideration of waste material in a beneficial way. However, there can be many possibilities but if these are not commenced or overseen, then nothing positive can be achieved. The public are being let down by the regulation and standard of service in the water industry and I sincerely hope that drastic reform can start to repair and revolutionise this area for the future.
June 2, 2024
My Swimming Venture.
Learning how to swim for me was a saga of failure after failure and to claim mastery would be an overstatement. My first experience of submerging myself below the surface of the water was a surprise for me and also my father. He had been given the task of looking after me as a toddler and we had visited a neighbour's back garden where there had been a fully stocked fish pond. One minute I was standing on the edge and then I could vividly recall the sensation of the water in my eyes and up my nose as well as down my throat. My dad, to give him credit, acted swiftly and fished me out, excuse the pun.
My next attempt, many years later, was when I was about eight years old. That time it had been a gloriously sunny day and it happened to be that the river Thames was my dad’s choice of venue. In his earlier years, my dad had been an excellent swimmer. Unfortunately he had later suffered a major accident and could only give advice on what to physically do. My mother was a non swimmer and looked on as I gingerly entered the water. I remember the sensation of my feet sinking ankle deep into the ooze at the bottom of the river. After some failed attempts and swallowing the disgusting water, I subsequently much to my dad’s disappointment, exited the river. At that time I was confirmed in my belief that swimming was not for me.
Yet again I was a while later instructed by my dad to visit an open air swimming bath or pool. This time around, I took a bus ride and arrived at the swimming bath by myself. The weather had been freezing cold and apart from the lady attendant, the bath was deserted. I had a flash of inspiration and asked the attendant if she could swim and if so, could she advise me. I was crushed when she declared that she could not swim either. As I entered the cold water and started shivering, feelings of defeat took hold. It was after a few kicks while holding on to the rail at the side of the pool that I felt there was little chance of progressing further. I returned home once more without being any better of a swimmer.
Eventually many years later I visited an indoor, heated swimming pool with my family and that time I tried a different approach. My wife advised me to simply float on my back. You can not believe how in a few moments not only could I float on my back but turn over and breast stroke across the swimming bath. The key was trusting that leaning back and pushing up with your legs while tensing your body straight, could accomplish the aim. In attempting to float, you can learn to swim. Once my fear of drowning was cured, I had confidence to enjoy the swimming pools and a longlife ambition was fulfilled.
My next attempt, many years later, was when I was about eight years old. That time it had been a gloriously sunny day and it happened to be that the river Thames was my dad’s choice of venue. In his earlier years, my dad had been an excellent swimmer. Unfortunately he had later suffered a major accident and could only give advice on what to physically do. My mother was a non swimmer and looked on as I gingerly entered the water. I remember the sensation of my feet sinking ankle deep into the ooze at the bottom of the river. After some failed attempts and swallowing the disgusting water, I subsequently much to my dad’s disappointment, exited the river. At that time I was confirmed in my belief that swimming was not for me.
Yet again I was a while later instructed by my dad to visit an open air swimming bath or pool. This time around, I took a bus ride and arrived at the swimming bath by myself. The weather had been freezing cold and apart from the lady attendant, the bath was deserted. I had a flash of inspiration and asked the attendant if she could swim and if so, could she advise me. I was crushed when she declared that she could not swim either. As I entered the cold water and started shivering, feelings of defeat took hold. It was after a few kicks while holding on to the rail at the side of the pool that I felt there was little chance of progressing further. I returned home once more without being any better of a swimmer.
Eventually many years later I visited an indoor, heated swimming pool with my family and that time I tried a different approach. My wife advised me to simply float on my back. You can not believe how in a few moments not only could I float on my back but turn over and breast stroke across the swimming bath. The key was trusting that leaning back and pushing up with your legs while tensing your body straight, could accomplish the aim. In attempting to float, you can learn to swim. Once my fear of drowning was cured, I had confidence to enjoy the swimming pools and a longlife ambition was fulfilled.
May 26, 2024
Politics Today.
Can there be a more strange situation being played out in the USA? Politics has become fraught with leaders and administrations seemingly at odds with the people. Instead of enabling unity and encouraging free speech, populations appear to have become increasingly dictated to by hypocritical governments. The current President has declared himself to be a Zionist and committed to backing Israel no matter what the scenario. As a statement from any leader that would and should be concerning, particularly as it implies political backing and immunity from impunity without any due diligence. While leaders are not devoid of a personal choice in religion or faith, prioritising and favouring one country’s aim and regime other than the one you are designated to lead, does become problematic.
There are serious questions over Joe Biden's mental and physical health. Former democratic presidents have strived to uphold a future for the Palestine people and encouraged a two state solution for Israel and Palestine. Instead of actively supporting this idea, the Biden administration has shocked and saddened vast swathes of the populations at home and abroad in many International countries, as they have repeatedly enabled crimes against the Palestinian people in Gaza thus forcing them to live and die in an apartheid situation. There seems to be a strong group of the American population and members of the administration that seek a permanent ceasefire and creating a safe homeland for both Palestine and Israel people. However, inconsistency in talk and action, thoughts and policy have meant that the future for the Democratic Party at the polls looks bleak with Joe Biden seemingly not listening to his more democratic advisers.
The former President Donald Trump is making news yet again with a focus on being at the forefront of a string of legal cases. There are claims that these cases are politically motivated. Trying to alter the course of an election and paying hush money is not what one might expect from a contender to become president yet again. However with the way Joe Biden is losing the support of many of the conventional voters and younger demographic, the prospect looks highly possible. The future for democracy in the USA looks very vulnerable as the Republican Party has all but in name been relabelled as the Trump Party.
In the UK, after a long stint in power the Conservatives might have reached the time to be firmly placed in the opposition. I hope they do a better job than the Labour Party has done, as the prospect of another morally exempt and indecisive political movement forming the next government is horrific.
You might sense I, like many other people, have no real, desirable option in political terms. I have not much faith in either party, I find it hard to know what Labour stands for, as the leadership in action is that of a dictatorship. Any views that do not match a narrow party line will get you thrown out. The leadership is arguably driven by far too many ambitions for power and there are videos of worrying policy switching, stating alarming claims and later denying it.
Being a good leader requires more than being ruthless, or using slurs and accusations to remove any competitors who stand in the way. Colleagues should be supported and loyalty returned, not treated as friends one day and then politically stabbed in the back. A moral compass is important, as members of parties and the general public highlight significant issues that warrant careful judgement. Hijacking proposals from another political party and replacing it with a proposal featuring your party’s name won’t do, people demand more from their politicians and political leadership. In many countries today, youthful, energetic, moral speakers for the public are needed because politics matters and politicians should be held to high account.
There are serious questions over Joe Biden's mental and physical health. Former democratic presidents have strived to uphold a future for the Palestine people and encouraged a two state solution for Israel and Palestine. Instead of actively supporting this idea, the Biden administration has shocked and saddened vast swathes of the populations at home and abroad in many International countries, as they have repeatedly enabled crimes against the Palestinian people in Gaza thus forcing them to live and die in an apartheid situation. There seems to be a strong group of the American population and members of the administration that seek a permanent ceasefire and creating a safe homeland for both Palestine and Israel people. However, inconsistency in talk and action, thoughts and policy have meant that the future for the Democratic Party at the polls looks bleak with Joe Biden seemingly not listening to his more democratic advisers.
The former President Donald Trump is making news yet again with a focus on being at the forefront of a string of legal cases. There are claims that these cases are politically motivated. Trying to alter the course of an election and paying hush money is not what one might expect from a contender to become president yet again. However with the way Joe Biden is losing the support of many of the conventional voters and younger demographic, the prospect looks highly possible. The future for democracy in the USA looks very vulnerable as the Republican Party has all but in name been relabelled as the Trump Party.
In the UK, after a long stint in power the Conservatives might have reached the time to be firmly placed in the opposition. I hope they do a better job than the Labour Party has done, as the prospect of another morally exempt and indecisive political movement forming the next government is horrific.
You might sense I, like many other people, have no real, desirable option in political terms. I have not much faith in either party, I find it hard to know what Labour stands for, as the leadership in action is that of a dictatorship. Any views that do not match a narrow party line will get you thrown out. The leadership is arguably driven by far too many ambitions for power and there are videos of worrying policy switching, stating alarming claims and later denying it.
Being a good leader requires more than being ruthless, or using slurs and accusations to remove any competitors who stand in the way. Colleagues should be supported and loyalty returned, not treated as friends one day and then politically stabbed in the back. A moral compass is important, as members of parties and the general public highlight significant issues that warrant careful judgement. Hijacking proposals from another political party and replacing it with a proposal featuring your party’s name won’t do, people demand more from their politicians and political leadership. In many countries today, youthful, energetic, moral speakers for the public are needed because politics matters and politicians should be held to high account.
May 19, 2024
Helping Hand.
There are some amazing true accounts of help coming in moments of dire need. These examples even appear to transpass the divide of different species. Differing species in these moments that have gone on to provide supposed extraordinary feats of accomplishment and evidence that being a member of a different species does not stop a communication requesting help.
Such an occasion happened when on an otherwise ordinary trip out to sea, a scuba diver's attention was drawn to a trapped young dolphin on some rocks. He carefully freed the animal but was subsequently puzzled by the actions of the dolphin which swam in a circle around him. He watched as the freed dolphin kept appearing to catch his attention, the dolphin then swam in one direction and then returned to repeat its action. The scuba diver recognized that the dolphin’s repeated gesture was an invitation to follow, which he did. He followed the young dolphin but began to become a little concerned at the distance they were travelling. As he was starting to query where it was that they were going, it all became revealed. The dolphin showed the diver what the urgency was, as they came across a fishing boat, its net was bulging with trapped sea life. The diver knew it was a rather peterbing situation as fishing was not allowed in that area of water. It was a protected area and kept as a designated safe area for rare sea life. The boat had been in the act of poaching but trapped in the net was a mature female dolphin. The scuba diver acted quickly and cut the net to free the dolphin thus helping both adult and juvenile dolphins. He then reported what was happening to the police, who were able to catch the poachers.
Another notable event involved a lady sitting under trees in a wooded area. As she sat, a dog started coming towards her and barking, the lady could see no reason for the dog's behaviour. Confused, the lady watched aghast as the dog grasped her skirt and pulled her up from where she had been sitting and away from the spot. Before she could return to her former position to sit down again, a large loose bough of the tree came crashing down on the exact spot where she had been sitting. The size and way the bough had come down would have, if the dog had not alerted and averted it, most certainly caused serious injury to the person.
Unfortunately when humans do not treat the environment in the best way, problems can arise and these issues can turn into wildlife emergencies. Humans can both cause and remedy difficulties and one of the ways urgent help is occasionally needed from people can be when animals come into contact with discarded rubbish or containers. Bottles, bags and other vessels can become trapped over the heads of different animals causing distress and damage. There are not that many organisations as such but certain animal charities not only answer call outs but take care of responding and rehabilitating many different kinds of animals. The animal charities that do help animals in any way have to respond to many issues and provide solutions to a huge array of human and environmental problems. It is an absolutely worthwhile pursuit but one that requires so much effort and help.
I find it so hard to understand how we as a species could ever even imagine inflicting gross cruelty to our fellow creatures. We should further our capacity to protect and help as there are so many examples of kindness being shown by different species to each other, dedication and even incredible acts of compassion that bridge the gap of division.
Such an occasion happened when on an otherwise ordinary trip out to sea, a scuba diver's attention was drawn to a trapped young dolphin on some rocks. He carefully freed the animal but was subsequently puzzled by the actions of the dolphin which swam in a circle around him. He watched as the freed dolphin kept appearing to catch his attention, the dolphin then swam in one direction and then returned to repeat its action. The scuba diver recognized that the dolphin’s repeated gesture was an invitation to follow, which he did. He followed the young dolphin but began to become a little concerned at the distance they were travelling. As he was starting to query where it was that they were going, it all became revealed. The dolphin showed the diver what the urgency was, as they came across a fishing boat, its net was bulging with trapped sea life. The diver knew it was a rather peterbing situation as fishing was not allowed in that area of water. It was a protected area and kept as a designated safe area for rare sea life. The boat had been in the act of poaching but trapped in the net was a mature female dolphin. The scuba diver acted quickly and cut the net to free the dolphin thus helping both adult and juvenile dolphins. He then reported what was happening to the police, who were able to catch the poachers.
Another notable event involved a lady sitting under trees in a wooded area. As she sat, a dog started coming towards her and barking, the lady could see no reason for the dog's behaviour. Confused, the lady watched aghast as the dog grasped her skirt and pulled her up from where she had been sitting and away from the spot. Before she could return to her former position to sit down again, a large loose bough of the tree came crashing down on the exact spot where she had been sitting. The size and way the bough had come down would have, if the dog had not alerted and averted it, most certainly caused serious injury to the person.
Unfortunately when humans do not treat the environment in the best way, problems can arise and these issues can turn into wildlife emergencies. Humans can both cause and remedy difficulties and one of the ways urgent help is occasionally needed from people can be when animals come into contact with discarded rubbish or containers. Bottles, bags and other vessels can become trapped over the heads of different animals causing distress and damage. There are not that many organisations as such but certain animal charities not only answer call outs but take care of responding and rehabilitating many different kinds of animals. The animal charities that do help animals in any way have to respond to many issues and provide solutions to a huge array of human and environmental problems. It is an absolutely worthwhile pursuit but one that requires so much effort and help.
I find it so hard to understand how we as a species could ever even imagine inflicting gross cruelty to our fellow creatures. We should further our capacity to protect and help as there are so many examples of kindness being shown by different species to each other, dedication and even incredible acts of compassion that bridge the gap of division.
May 12, 2024
Peace in Gaza.
Sometimes there are issues of such gravity that I find it impossible to keep silent. The Middle East, especially Gaza, has unfortunately become an everyday news item. Firstly, so as to make my thoughts clear, I condemn without hesitation the actions of Hamas on the 7th of October. Any murder and taking of hostages is of course abhorrent. While an event can be widely condemned, simultaneously it is also possible to acknowledge that the subsequent actions of response have turned into an absolute atrocity.
The scale of grotesque mutilation and murder of babies, young children and Palestinian civilians is wrong and can not be justified if carried out by the IDF or any military army. Cutting off water, aid, energy and food to the Palestine people can not be an accepted means of warfare.
There is a huge negative consequence as a result of the decisions coming from Israel’s government. If loss is responded with further violations of life and quality of life, then what can ever be achieved but more desire for vengeance. The prolonged situation is drastic, killing has become a mode of fueling more aggression and attacks have led to degradation of humanity. Lives are put at greater risk as malnutrition and disease is killing an awful lot of the population.
Israel is proud to claim to be one of the few democratic countries in the Middle East but it does not appear to be listening to the people. Lessons should be learnt from History. Given certain events from the past, Israel should not want to revisit terrible trauma and horrific ordeals of human exterminations on another civilian population. Legitimate policy should be about realistic aims for peace and ensuring the protection of human life on both sides, not self-led monopolies of political power and control. The focus should indeed be on recovery of lives, humanity and possibility.
It has been claimed that Israel is a democracy and yet despite cries of anguish for peace, attempts to raise questions of human rights and appeals for a better way forward, in a contrast it is sadly one of the last countries to appear to practise an Apartheid as generations are wiped out and Jewish settlers take over property. Land formerly owned by Palestinians is being stained by anything other than peace.
Brutality has no part in a potential resolution and I do believe there is a solution to the conflict. It is not favoured by current Israel leadership because of obvious arguable risks to their continued position of political immunity and power. However, increasingly it has been acknowledged that Palestine should be designated as an independent state and autonomy. This would give Israel far better security as there would be no logical reason for Hamas to continue.
Sadly, major players in this war seem to be furthering the conflict by supplying arms and support that does not meet with the sentiment of their own populations. I was surprised to learn that a democratically elected government in the UK had decided to back Israel unconditionally. This does not appear to be either morally ethical or politically wise. Signed agreements between these countries for mutual gain in these matters does raise important questions. Far greater moral responsibility should hold particular leaders to account. Political leaders of any country need to be fit for that responsible role and promote unity not hatred and division.
The scale of grotesque mutilation and murder of babies, young children and Palestinian civilians is wrong and can not be justified if carried out by the IDF or any military army. Cutting off water, aid, energy and food to the Palestine people can not be an accepted means of warfare.
There is a huge negative consequence as a result of the decisions coming from Israel’s government. If loss is responded with further violations of life and quality of life, then what can ever be achieved but more desire for vengeance. The prolonged situation is drastic, killing has become a mode of fueling more aggression and attacks have led to degradation of humanity. Lives are put at greater risk as malnutrition and disease is killing an awful lot of the population.
Israel is proud to claim to be one of the few democratic countries in the Middle East but it does not appear to be listening to the people. Lessons should be learnt from History. Given certain events from the past, Israel should not want to revisit terrible trauma and horrific ordeals of human exterminations on another civilian population. Legitimate policy should be about realistic aims for peace and ensuring the protection of human life on both sides, not self-led monopolies of political power and control. The focus should indeed be on recovery of lives, humanity and possibility.
It has been claimed that Israel is a democracy and yet despite cries of anguish for peace, attempts to raise questions of human rights and appeals for a better way forward, in a contrast it is sadly one of the last countries to appear to practise an Apartheid as generations are wiped out and Jewish settlers take over property. Land formerly owned by Palestinians is being stained by anything other than peace.
Brutality has no part in a potential resolution and I do believe there is a solution to the conflict. It is not favoured by current Israel leadership because of obvious arguable risks to their continued position of political immunity and power. However, increasingly it has been acknowledged that Palestine should be designated as an independent state and autonomy. This would give Israel far better security as there would be no logical reason for Hamas to continue.
Sadly, major players in this war seem to be furthering the conflict by supplying arms and support that does not meet with the sentiment of their own populations. I was surprised to learn that a democratically elected government in the UK had decided to back Israel unconditionally. This does not appear to be either morally ethical or politically wise. Signed agreements between these countries for mutual gain in these matters does raise important questions. Far greater moral responsibility should hold particular leaders to account. Political leaders of any country need to be fit for that responsible role and promote unity not hatred and division.
May 5, 2024
Surprising Events.
There are some events in history that are spectacular, for not just the event itself, but the life changing results that it has brought about. The asteroid that is believed to have struck the Earth some sixty six million years ago near the coast of Mexico did two major things. First, the catastrophic impact is thought to have destroyed most of the large forms of life, such as the dinosaurs and secondly, it is suggested that it increased the opportunity for mammals in time to thrive and multiply.
Another momentous occurrence happened in the last of the Ice Ages. Back at that time early homo sapiens populated Africa but due to the rigours of the climate and a need to find food, there was a continuous migration into Asia and the Far East.
There have been numerous ice ages, some caused by continental drift and others by meteor strikes. At one time, there were competing hominids and as many as six distinct types. Previous to this, something remarkable is claimed to have happened to early hominids. There was an enormous increase in the brain size.
Of course when mentioning major events, the event of life itself should be noted. This is an event which is believed to have occurred 3,7 billion years ago, in the form of microscopic organisms. The earliest life was in the form of single celled bacteria. Things really got interesting with the first multicellular life that evolved about six hundred million years ago. This radically changed the direction and scope of living beings.
Today, there are examples of cells' ability to survive and function in our own bodies, ones that were not part of the original body. These of course are the mitochondria that have their own DNA.
There is a huge spectrum of living organisms that can live closely with a host thus sharing a mutual benefit. Unfortunately there are some unwelcome guests who can also outstay their welcome.
So far, if life is possible then nature has shown that it will do its best to survive. From meteors to life itself, there are always events with surprising consequences. Furthering thoughts and theories can be major assets in improving how science interprets those events and influences our education about them.
Another momentous occurrence happened in the last of the Ice Ages. Back at that time early homo sapiens populated Africa but due to the rigours of the climate and a need to find food, there was a continuous migration into Asia and the Far East.
There have been numerous ice ages, some caused by continental drift and others by meteor strikes. At one time, there were competing hominids and as many as six distinct types. Previous to this, something remarkable is claimed to have happened to early hominids. There was an enormous increase in the brain size.
Of course when mentioning major events, the event of life itself should be noted. This is an event which is believed to have occurred 3,7 billion years ago, in the form of microscopic organisms. The earliest life was in the form of single celled bacteria. Things really got interesting with the first multicellular life that evolved about six hundred million years ago. This radically changed the direction and scope of living beings.
Today, there are examples of cells' ability to survive and function in our own bodies, ones that were not part of the original body. These of course are the mitochondria that have their own DNA.
There is a huge spectrum of living organisms that can live closely with a host thus sharing a mutual benefit. Unfortunately there are some unwelcome guests who can also outstay their welcome.
So far, if life is possible then nature has shown that it will do its best to survive. From meteors to life itself, there are always events with surprising consequences. Furthering thoughts and theories can be major assets in improving how science interprets those events and influences our education about them.
April 28, 2024
Writing Poetry.
Some years in the past I had the good fortune to see on a talent tv competition, the delightful Pam Ayres. She in my opinion, is a gifted poet writer. Her work is expressed in everyday language and can be easily relatable. Usually her poetry has a humorous theme and that can help to infuse laughter into otherwise very complex themes. She has a rich repertoire of domestic in depth contemplation of everyday situations. It can make you think and cry with emotion.
It was from my school days that I recall being given the task to learn a poem that I could then recite in front of the class. Did I choose a poem that I particularly liked? No, I began to search for the shortest one I could find. The reason being I lacked confidence that I would be able to recall a long one. I now realise choosing Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee from Alice in Wonderland written by Lewis Carroll was a rather hasty choice. Although not a bad poem, my quick length-based selection had in fact robbed me of the chance to thoroughly explore other delights from the world of poetry.
Poetry can unite. It is a way to convey thoughts, feelings and ideas. As an expression it can be the best way of coping with, accepting or educating on certain topics. Access to reading poetry can portray how vastly it can enlighten. Helping to inform, startle or even inspire can be amongst many of the actions encompassing an array of formats and subjects it can include.
It can just take a little bit of time, often simply by selecting favourite poems and looking at the construction of them, ideas can come to mind. Reader or writer and sometimes both, when poetry is involved, creativity can flow.
Poetry is an arena where no matter your ability, one can explore untold potential to create for yourself in words, all kinds of images and situations. That achievement can be rewarding for yourself and others. It can be carefully constructed or quickly noted down, born of experience, response or simply words from your heart. Poetry can provoke, make and provide new insights and highlight what matters most.
It was from my school days that I recall being given the task to learn a poem that I could then recite in front of the class. Did I choose a poem that I particularly liked? No, I began to search for the shortest one I could find. The reason being I lacked confidence that I would be able to recall a long one. I now realise choosing Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee from Alice in Wonderland written by Lewis Carroll was a rather hasty choice. Although not a bad poem, my quick length-based selection had in fact robbed me of the chance to thoroughly explore other delights from the world of poetry.
Poetry can unite. It is a way to convey thoughts, feelings and ideas. As an expression it can be the best way of coping with, accepting or educating on certain topics. Access to reading poetry can portray how vastly it can enlighten. Helping to inform, startle or even inspire can be amongst many of the actions encompassing an array of formats and subjects it can include.
It can just take a little bit of time, often simply by selecting favourite poems and looking at the construction of them, ideas can come to mind. Reader or writer and sometimes both, when poetry is involved, creativity can flow.
Poetry is an arena where no matter your ability, one can explore untold potential to create for yourself in words, all kinds of images and situations. That achievement can be rewarding for yourself and others. It can be carefully constructed or quickly noted down, born of experience, response or simply words from your heart. Poetry can provoke, make and provide new insights and highlight what matters most.
April 21, 2024
Truthful Press.
The press is undeniably a powerful tool. It is a resource that many rely on and use for news updates, information and the latest announcements. However, how the facts are conveyed via the press and media, can be extremely influential.
Arguably when certain public media distorts facts for various reasons, or are even accused of doing so, this can have detrimental repercussions. The relationship that a person has with any media outlet can be vital and even the repetition of an allegation of falsehoods can be a very dangerous practice.
The public needs to know the facts and while opinion might be involved inadvertently, subjectivity should for the most part allow for objectivity in the foreground. The public deserves news that is not presented or even tinged with propaganda. Crisis can come from scaremongering or scapegoating. Wars are escalated by lies and governments shouting wolf.
Democracy should be strengthened by the endeavour of a truthful press and in a strong opposition that can, if required, hold the government to account and objectively ask for them to justify its position. In the UK the media has a wide variety of modes but specific outlets have been for a while questioned on integrity and matters of suspected bias. An audience does not need inadequate standards of reporting, particularly at a time when pointing out misrepresentations could lead to international conflict.
The aim is for a truthful press, and regardless of preference for style, how the facts are reported matters. Stating an incorrect timeline or failing to mention an event can distort the public's judgement of instigation and responsibility. Any deliberate strategy should not be employed by a truthful press, a ploy that is often used by politicians in order to support a particular view and justify further actions. How the facts are shown and known has somewhat altered recently and the development of different types of news outlets has made awareness of information far more accessible and fast.
Choosing how to consume the truth has become an option and a responsibility for individuals. Fact checking has meant that the public no longer accepts everything they are being told as easily and can find out where it is best to obtain their news. Members of the public can have their say more openly and plights of injustice or manipulations of the facts can be highlighted. Even press and media outlets have a new kind of accountability to meet. It is a responsibility to discover the news and handle it wisely. The onset of technology and application of this downloading of facts has led to a new type of audience. Not happy to simply accept, if something does not sound or appear right, the general public can call out deception and make their views known.
Statements about ethics, policy or not wanting to make public important legal advice over crucial events can cause controversy. It is vital that people can depend on a truthful press. The public can keep a check on the validity of any important claim, and there is a way to verify it. A lie if repeated enough will masquerade as the truth and needs to be stopped by challenging it as soon as possible.
Arguably when certain public media distorts facts for various reasons, or are even accused of doing so, this can have detrimental repercussions. The relationship that a person has with any media outlet can be vital and even the repetition of an allegation of falsehoods can be a very dangerous practice.
The public needs to know the facts and while opinion might be involved inadvertently, subjectivity should for the most part allow for objectivity in the foreground. The public deserves news that is not presented or even tinged with propaganda. Crisis can come from scaremongering or scapegoating. Wars are escalated by lies and governments shouting wolf.
Democracy should be strengthened by the endeavour of a truthful press and in a strong opposition that can, if required, hold the government to account and objectively ask for them to justify its position. In the UK the media has a wide variety of modes but specific outlets have been for a while questioned on integrity and matters of suspected bias. An audience does not need inadequate standards of reporting, particularly at a time when pointing out misrepresentations could lead to international conflict.
The aim is for a truthful press, and regardless of preference for style, how the facts are reported matters. Stating an incorrect timeline or failing to mention an event can distort the public's judgement of instigation and responsibility. Any deliberate strategy should not be employed by a truthful press, a ploy that is often used by politicians in order to support a particular view and justify further actions. How the facts are shown and known has somewhat altered recently and the development of different types of news outlets has made awareness of information far more accessible and fast.
Choosing how to consume the truth has become an option and a responsibility for individuals. Fact checking has meant that the public no longer accepts everything they are being told as easily and can find out where it is best to obtain their news. Members of the public can have their say more openly and plights of injustice or manipulations of the facts can be highlighted. Even press and media outlets have a new kind of accountability to meet. It is a responsibility to discover the news and handle it wisely. The onset of technology and application of this downloading of facts has led to a new type of audience. Not happy to simply accept, if something does not sound or appear right, the general public can call out deception and make their views known.
Statements about ethics, policy or not wanting to make public important legal advice over crucial events can cause controversy. It is vital that people can depend on a truthful press. The public can keep a check on the validity of any important claim, and there is a way to verify it. A lie if repeated enough will masquerade as the truth and needs to be stopped by challenging it as soon as possible.
April 14, 2024
Hormones.
So much of our lives are influenced by ever present hormones. Hormones are messengers that interact with our body and mind. If you take for example, that time when someone experiences something new with heightened pleasure, maybe dancing or cooking. We then might feel an urge or enthusiasm to repeat the experience or in some cases continue past the time when it would be prudent to stop. This happens because of dopamine, the same hormone that affects many smokers. I have noticed the body always seems to have a counteracting property and in this case it is serotonin. This hormone is active when calm and in deep rest.
The opposite situation is when under stress, such as being stuck in traffic and late for an appointment. Released cortisol in a person has the effect of preparing the body immediately for flight or fight. There are times when just recalling past stressful occasions could continually trigger cortisol. Too much cortisol can leave you feeling tired and stressed.
Another interesting hormone is oxytocin which is activated by close social activities such as touching or hugging, social interaction is a proven way of promoting this hormone and dare I say it, possibly staying younger for longer.
Exercise is an important part of staying healthy, especially safely done energetic bursts of fitness regimes that will release endorphins. During that kind of activity one may not notice pain so much, so it can be wise to take breaks and wind down afterwards.
Being aware of what is going on in our thoughts and body gives us a chance to actively balance dopamine and serotonin in a beneficial way. After all, the odd burst of endorphins and oxytocin are all part of life's joys and they can contribute to an ultimate wellbeing.
The opposite situation is when under stress, such as being stuck in traffic and late for an appointment. Released cortisol in a person has the effect of preparing the body immediately for flight or fight. There are times when just recalling past stressful occasions could continually trigger cortisol. Too much cortisol can leave you feeling tired and stressed.
Another interesting hormone is oxytocin which is activated by close social activities such as touching or hugging, social interaction is a proven way of promoting this hormone and dare I say it, possibly staying younger for longer.
Exercise is an important part of staying healthy, especially safely done energetic bursts of fitness regimes that will release endorphins. During that kind of activity one may not notice pain so much, so it can be wise to take breaks and wind down afterwards.
Being aware of what is going on in our thoughts and body gives us a chance to actively balance dopamine and serotonin in a beneficial way. After all, the odd burst of endorphins and oxytocin are all part of life's joys and they can contribute to an ultimate wellbeing.
April 7, 2024
Global Warming Issues.
It is never too late to talk about life threatening circumstances such as the ever present danger of global warming. For instance, some things in life that are not just bizarre but blow your mind are the ridiculous actions of a worldwide meeting to discuss global warming. The outcome of the meeting was to agree to a reduction of the urgency to reduce the carbon footprint.
How ridiculous is it that the action of so many delegates travelling in carbon burning vehicles to a country, when they all could have held a virtual internet meeting, without polluting the atmosphere.
I thought the idea of a meeting was to share ideas that would make a worthwhile difference to global warming. It is ironic that so often democracy appears to be a dismal failure when it comes to setting goals. Usually getting everyone to agree equates to making amendments that might diminish the priority aims.
Just because there is a target set in the future, it is not an excuse to open a new coal mine and
increase oil production off the coast of the Gaza strip. Every increase in carbon production will have a worldwide negative result making it far harder to reduce the carbon footprint.
For some countries the effects of global warming are already costing lives and disruption to their daily lives. The delegates celebrating an agreement does little for those that are suffering. What could help is action, not simply words. Leading by example requires positive ideas and implementing different ways of achieving a collective aim.
Global warming needs scientific thinking and practical innovation. Vision for the long term future can include conventional application and certain out of the box strategy thoughts. Large and smaller ideas can be implemented and while what works best for certain countries, it needs to be accepted that different kinds of environmental improvement might in alternative places have a better result. Switching from negative to positive can be a good way of ensuring that people recognise the problem differently, being competitive can inspire countries to do better and still help each other’s unified requirement.
How ridiculous is it that the action of so many delegates travelling in carbon burning vehicles to a country, when they all could have held a virtual internet meeting, without polluting the atmosphere.
I thought the idea of a meeting was to share ideas that would make a worthwhile difference to global warming. It is ironic that so often democracy appears to be a dismal failure when it comes to setting goals. Usually getting everyone to agree equates to making amendments that might diminish the priority aims.
Just because there is a target set in the future, it is not an excuse to open a new coal mine and
increase oil production off the coast of the Gaza strip. Every increase in carbon production will have a worldwide negative result making it far harder to reduce the carbon footprint.
For some countries the effects of global warming are already costing lives and disruption to their daily lives. The delegates celebrating an agreement does little for those that are suffering. What could help is action, not simply words. Leading by example requires positive ideas and implementing different ways of achieving a collective aim.
Global warming needs scientific thinking and practical innovation. Vision for the long term future can include conventional application and certain out of the box strategy thoughts. Large and smaller ideas can be implemented and while what works best for certain countries, it needs to be accepted that different kinds of environmental improvement might in alternative places have a better result. Switching from negative to positive can be a good way of ensuring that people recognise the problem differently, being competitive can inspire countries to do better and still help each other’s unified requirement.
