Good morning Friday friends,
The sun is pouring across the sky in Athens after several days in retirement behind the fast-paced rain clouds of Autumn. Back in this tricksy city that both delights and depresses me, I’m delighted to share 5 social tips, tit-bits, treats and talking points, all of which I’ve come across or re-discovered over the past 2 weeks! Please enjoy!
1. What I’m reading: Moral Ambition by Rutger Bregman – A good reading companion to Jacqueline Novogratz’s Manifesto for a Moral Revolution, Bregman came recommended by two of my closest friends. This book did not disappoint, concisely putting the case forward for centring far more ambition in our working lives. This book convincingly puts the case forward for why now is a critical moment of opportunity in global history (while avoiding the pitfalls of chronocentricism) and how all of us can challenge ourselves to work with more grounded, pragmatic idealism.
2. News story I’m following: Internet Blackout in Afghanistan – Barely reported on by the media, this week Afghanistan has suffered from a near-total connectivity blackout hitting internet and mobile networks. Allegedly part of the Taliban’s crackdown on ‘morality’ issues, this unforecast blackout has caused huge worry while reminding us how government’s nefarious manipulation of such technologies can wreck havoc and fear. As of yesterday, much connectivity was restored, thankfully.
3. What I’m escaping from: Alcohol – it feels almost too soon to claim it (though it’s not!), but with the incredible method of Allen Carr, I have taken the step to escape from ‘the alcohol trap’ and am delighted to be entirely rid of this poison! If you haven’t come across or used Allen Carr’s ‘Easyway’ Method for breaking addictions, I thoroughly recommend it, offering (and delivering on) a pain-free, effortless and permanent way to free yourself. If you do have experience with EasyWay, I would love to hear your take on it!
4. Tech transition I’m working on: Getting out of The Cloud – This episode from BBC’s ‘Rare Earth’ podcast is a brilliant overview to the environmental issues around data storage, AI and cloud computing. It’s helped prompt me to take some drastic action to stop overusing the Cloud (Google, Dropbox, OneDrive etc.). Getting digitally organised, dusting off my external hard-drive and radically reducing my GB storage on Google honestly feels pretty empowering. What’s odd is that I don’t quite remember when I normalised cloud storage for absolutely everything (or how I was tricked into it on the basis of ‘convenience’) but ‘taking back possession’ and not contributing to the
5. Feedback I’m soliciting: Reasons for eating meat/milk/eggs – As part of the very early stages of a small research project, I am gathering quick fire feedback from anyone who even occasionally eats eggs, milk, meat – focused on the reasons why you do so (i.e. ‘I eat eggs for the protein’). Feel free to hit reply or fill out this anonymous form: https://tally.so/r/nWx89j (and please share with anyone you can!).
📣 Opportunities from me and my network
🏳️🌈 Join us in Athens on Saturday 4th October for our poetry book launch. Tickets here!
💻 Looking for a website maintenance plan? Visit Circular Design, my non-profit web agency
🥦 Become a Vegan Society Member for free if you’re under 26!
📖 Don’t forget to order your copy of Remnants of War, Migration, Love by Taha Salim.
⭐️ Know someone critically-minded? I’d love to nominate them for Aspen Rising Leaders.
That’s it for this fortnight! As ever, please let me know your thoughts and feedback – and send anything you’d like me to include in upcoming editions this way.
