Although the general tendency is to think of stupidity as a defect or deficiency in the individual, what we perceive or regard as stupidity is often a matter of different priorities. Priorities that differ from our own or what we take to be the norm. Priorities which we may find quite incomprehensible. Priorities so skewed … Continue reading Viruses don’t negotiate
It often happens that a casual remark encountered on social media or in the news will trigger a fruitful train of thought. Commenting on the announcement of an easing of Covid restrictions (I prefer the term 'precautions'.) someone observed that the First Minister was "just following the science". It immediately struck me that despite being … Continue reading The forever strategy
Long before the coronavirus pandemic I had grown uncomfortable with the traditional handshake greeting. My discomfort only being aggravated by the fact that it was so difficult to avoid. And to forsake. The urge to shake hands on meeting friends and acquaintances or being introduced to new people is almost primal. It is close to … Continue reading Handshake no more
That's it! However it was for you, the holiday is over. Unless you celebrate Chinese New Year, of course. In which case you have February 1 to look forward to. I don't. Although it's always a delight to watch the Lantern Festival procession as it passes under the windows of our flat here in Perth. … Continue reading Back to the grind
I wonder if many - or any - of the politicians attending COP26 understand what the term 'homo fragilis' implies. I wonder if they appreciate what it portends. Literally, it means 'fragile man'. In the context of human survival it is intended to convey just how tenuous is humankind's grip on existence. We have grown … Continue reading Homo fragilis
As she set out her Programme for Government Nicola Sturgeon was at great pains to ensure that her get-out clause on the constitutional issue was not just placed on the public record but hammered into it. By my count the official transcript of her statement refers to 'Covid/pandemic' around twenty times while 'independence' and 'referendum' … Continue reading The ‘iferendum’!
I don't do faith. I may do trust. I may do confidence. But I don't do faith. I do confidence when the balance of evidence and reasoned argument and reasonable assumption is sufficient to persuade me that an individual, group or organisation will perform as claimed. I do trust when the balance of evidence and … Continue reading The curse of faith
Stupid is as stupid declines to do. Stupid is being aware of the most effective way to deal with a problem, but deciding to do something else instead. Stupid is knowing the solution but opting for something other than the solution because politics or economics or both dictate.
We already knew that the world was broken. We already knew that we broke it.
And what the hell does he mean by "this apocalypse"? There can be only one! You can't send it back because it doesn't come up to expectations raised by watching the movie '2012' eighteen times. "We were promised continents crumbling into the ocean and what do we get? A dry cough and a runny nose!".
Peter A Bell 