Good morning 5 Bullet friends,
January and February have bounded past and we find ourselves already in March. Spring arrives reluctantly to Barcelona, with rain and clouds still prevailing. On that note, I recently recalled the term 'pathetic fallacy' from those erstwhile years of literary study. Perhaps the weather here is commenting on the sorry state of world affairs. Nevertheless, without further ado, I'm delighted to share this fortnightly selection of 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 studying: Farsi - The Persian language (farsi) has been one of my long-term passions and interests, stemming from my time in Greece. While I have little cause to speak and practice it, the unfolding events in Iran have brought me some of my favourite teachers and Farsi materials. If you're interested in learning some farsi (and, trust me, it's much easier than Arabic!), Layla's Chai & Conversation series is brilliant. For a drier yet more written methodology, I can also strongly recommend Easy Persian.
2. What I'm celebrating: Amsterdam bans meat advertising - Since plant-based diets produce 75% fewer emissions than ominvorous diets, it makes sense to take some pretty radical action to promote their adoption given the state of our planet's rapidly rising temperatures. That's why Amsterdam's new measures are to be warmly welcomed. We don't advertise tobacco as we know it harms our health. Why would we keep advertising something that poses an existential threat to our species?
3. What I'm mourning : 15 are killed off the coast of Chios - 'Not an accident', shows this reporting by Salomón as they expose the continuing barbarity of the so-called 'Hellenic coastguard' in the Aegean. It is a tragedy that 15 more lives have been lost as part of continuing European border violence - just some of the 600 lives unnecessarily lost in the Mediterranean since January 1st 2026. Having lived on Chios for many years, I know first-hand the callousness of the Greek authorities and the emotional shockwaves that this tragedy will have sent across refugee populations on the island and beyond.
4. What I'm offering: Free web hosting for charities - If you know a charity that needs free, top-grade web hosting, we're now offering 50 charities free hosting for a year at Diseño circular. Feel free to share my email (jacob@circulardesign.io) and we'd be very happy to help them reduce costs!
5. What I'm signing: The Gaza Food Security Pledge - As Israel once again closes all border crossings to Gaza, food security is again severely jeopardised. Add your name to our Food Security Pledge and co-sign along with Palestinian chefs, public figures such as GBBO winner Nadiya Hussein and leading NGOs. You can sign both as an individual, business and organisation!
📣 Opportunities from me and my network
💬 Know someone that might benefit from some Joyful Men Coaching? Get in touch with Hakay here.
💚 Donate to support community-led kitchens in Gaza via the Gaza Food Project. .
💻 Looking for a website hosting? Visit Diseño circular, nuestra agencia web sin ánimo de lucro.
🥦 Hazte miembro de la Vegan Society gratis si tienes menos de 26 años
📖 Order your copy of Restos de guerra, migración y amor por Taha Salim.
⭐️ ¿Conoce a alguien con espíritu crítico? Me encantaría nominarle para Aspen Rising Leaders.
Esto es todo por esta quincena. Como siempre, les ruego que me hagan llegar sus opiniones y comentarios, y que me envíen por este medio todo lo que deseen que incluya en próximas ediciones.
