Salutations social ones,
Behold the new year and the virgin months laid out fresh before us! I would be amiss not to wish everyone a very happy new year, though I learnt that in polite society this is only said up until 7th January. Excuse my tardiness! As we launch into 2026, I'm delighted to continue to share this fortnightly 5 Bullet Friday with 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 writing: Welcome to the Land of Oz: an anti-speciesist review of Wicked: For Good - I penned this short article after going to see Part 2 of the Wicked film adaptation. In it, I ask whether there is a not a missed message (or opportunity) for an animal rights takeaway from this film, and if Oz doesn't eerily mirror our own society just a little too well...
2. What I'm right about: Dog food causing 1% of emissions - Not exactly 'right', but it has been a long-standing penchant of mine to rail against the pet industry. The incredible rise in the popularity of pets, like so much else in our consumer-driven world, comes with little consciousness of the associated environment impacts. We could add to this the moral impact too, where in the UK it is estimated that over 100 million livestock animals are killed to make pet food. How is it defensible to love our dogs so much, yet care so little for over sentient beings - not to mention our planet?
3. What I'm sharing: Veganism around the World - This new report from The Vegan Society looks at veganism in countries all around the world. It offers fascinating insights into what has caused veganism to surge in some countries versus others.
4. What I'm recommending: My 2025 Top Five Recommendations - Each year, I make what I call a 'Consumption List' - a page in my notebook where I record every single book, film, show and concert that I see. I give everything a quick star-rating too. Looking back on last year, here are some of those that got awarded 5 stars:
- Hurricane Season by Fernanda Melchor (book)
- How to Control Alcohol by Allen Carr (book)
- Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart (book)
- The music of Clara Peya (music)
- Stereophonic (musical)
5. What I'm getting ready for: Phone Free February - It's that time again! In just a couple of weeks, we'll be launching the 2026 edition of Phone Free February. Worried you're spending too long scrolling on your phone? Have those YouTube shorts got you hooked? Now in it's 3rd year, this is just the challenge you need to take some time out to reflect and renegotiate your relationship with your phone. Sign up here.
📣 Opportunities from me and my network
📵 Sign up for the 2026 edition of Phone Free February today
💚 Help out with the Gaza Food Project. We're looking for volunteers to get us up and running.
💻 Looking for a website hosting? Visit Circular Design, our non-profit web agency.
🥦 Become a Vegan Society Member for free if you’re under 26!
📖 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.
