Navigating the ever-shifting sands of modernity
There's a lot going on out there and it can be hard to keep up.
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Although at the time of writing I got a call from the media for an interview later today, this week marks a step-down in activity for me. I’m not alone, with the Director-General at the Ministry of Health announcing his resignation, along with other top officials. I expect more to come.
It’s probably not part of what has been called The Great Resignation.
More about whether that’s a real thing or not here from Paul Krugman of the New York Times.
It’s more likely to be part of a Great Re-assessment or Realignment. I’m wondering, are you going through something similar?
There are times that we need to step back from being exposed to constant stress. Maybe we want to get off the treadmill and explore different opportunities. Or just to spend time lying fallow. Whatever the reason, take your time - not only with the decision to leave (get feedback and wise metors involved if you can), but with what you decide to do next.
On with the newsletter - paid subscribers will be able to access the complete edition below the payfold.
“We’re approaching the most dangerous point in human history”
The one and only time I got to hear Noam Chomsky speak in person was back when I was a PhD student in Cardiff, Wales. As a psychologist, I knew of his work on language from my undergraduate days. But I had become far more interested in his political work, and his influence on me in that realm was far greater. He is now 93 years old. In this interview with New Statesman Magazine he explains why he thinks that the nexus of the climate catastrophe that threatens to engulf us along with the threat of nuclear war means that we are now close to the most dangerous point in human history.
“Buy less stuff.” Great, but how?
In this time of responsible consumerism, we are trying to improve our behaviour concerning how we impact the environment, but also trying to spend less. Because inflation. So, how can we actually curb our compulsion to consume? Find some great tips here.
Returning Ukrainians?
Despite the risks involved, a growing number of families, have decided that facing danger at home is better than life as a refugee. They have become convinced the war could last for years.
Confused about Cryptocurrency?
It’s easy to feel like cryptocurrency and NFTs are dominating your news and social feeds so much that you either feel like you’re missing out, or that they must be on to something even if your gut tells you that this feels like a pyramid scheme with serious environmental consequences. If that sounds like you, or even if you just want to understand this better, then Ezra' Klein’s show this week will help.
You always have the option of saying nothing
People deserve a say, but before they get it, they ought to consider whether theirs is the voice that matters.
It’s so very easy to speak more than we listen. More here.
Engagement in the arts really does reduce anti-social behaviour in Teens
“Past research has shown that getting involved in the arts can have a big impact on teenagers’ mental health and wellbeing.
“Our study adds to evidence about the wide-ranging benefits that arts and culture can have for young people, demonstrating a positive link between the arts and a lower prevalence of antisocial behavior.” - Dr. Daisy Fancourt
Check out a report about the research and a link to the original paper here.
Our ability to empathise changes as we get older
Does our ability to empathise with others peak in middle age and then start to wane? That’s been a theory for a while but new work seems to indicate that while people aged over 65 aren’t quite as good at “cognitive empathy” (working out what someone is likely to be feeling), they are just as good at “feeling with” others.
“I may be older but I’m still feeling it”
I talk about these concepts in my book, Finding Calm, but you can read more about this new work here.
The 2022 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards
Do you miss the internet of the 90s?
Web 1.0 was tremendous, though likely to give you colour-clash headaches. You can still see some of these websites around if you look really hard. But do you have a hankering to make one of your own. Don’t worry, I’ve got you.
What I’m Watching
I can totally recommend Life & Beth on Disney+
Get through the first two episodes which are so-so - it gets so much better. At points, it feels quite Wes Anderson-esque. More and more so as the series progresses.
Thanks for being a paid subscriber - I really appreciate it.
Have a great weekend (when it comes).
Navigating the ever-shifting sands of modernity
I have been thinking a lot about the Great Resignation. From my experience, people are leaving for more money for sure, but that is just one factor. The main one I have seen is that people have decided that they the culture of the company no longer aligns with where they want to be in life.
While things might have been 'fine' in non-pandemic times, they are now less tolerant of, and resilient to, corporate BS, certain executive behaviours, and internal politics. As a former colleague used to say to me, life's too short.
Many staff know better than management the health (in the broadest sense) of the company, and like the proverbial rats once the ship has foundered near land they know when it's time to get out.
It would be interesting to know if there are companies or sectors where people have not been resigning.