Fear whipped up by ambitious politicians peddlers of fantastical lies

In 1678, a handful of perjurers claimed that the Catholics of England planned to assassinate the King Charles II. Men like the “ Reverend Doctor” Titus Oates and “Captain” William Bedloe parlayed their fantastical tales of Irish ruffians, medical poisoners, and silver bullets into public adulation and government pensions. Their political allies used the fabricated plot as a tool to undermine the ministry of Thomas Lord Danby and replace him themselves. The result was the trial and execution of over a dozen innocent Catholics and the imprisonment of many more, some of whom died in custody. Victor Stater reveals the … Continue reading Fear whipped up by ambitious politicians peddlers of fantastical lies

Demystifying tribal instincts

Tribal unlocks the deepest secrets of our psychology to give us the tools to manage our misunderstood superpower. Renowned Columbia professor and acclaimed cultural psychologist Michel Morris argues our tribal instincts are humanity’s secret weapon. Our is the only species that lives in tribes: groups glued together by their distinctive cultures that can grow to a scale far beyond clans and bands. According to Morris our psychology is wired by evolution in three distinctive ways. First, the peer instinct to confirm to what most people do, second, the hero instinct to give the group and emulate the most respected, and … Continue reading Demystifying tribal instincts

Elizabeth Nunez who explored the legacy of colonialism dies aged 80

Elizabeth Nunez (80), a Trinidad-born writer whose novels explored the legacy of colonialism and the immigrant’s longing for home – while making fun a American academia and New York City’s publishing world – died of a stroke on Friday at her home in Brooklyn. Elizabeth Ann Nunez was born on Feb 18 1944, in Port of Spain, the capital city of Trinidad and Tobago, one of 11 chidren of Una Magdalena (Arneaud) Nunez and Waldo Everette Nunez. Her father was a Junior officer in the ministry of labor: who late become the commissioner of labor, and then an executive at … Continue reading Elizabeth Nunez who explored the legacy of colonialism dies aged 80

Where care is in the age of sexual equality

Over the past 60 years family life has changed dramatically with greater choice and autonomy, especially for women and a more equal domestic sphere have brought great gains for human freedom. David Goodhart, argues there have been losses and unintended consequences too – in family instability, children’s declining mental health, and ever-rising demands on the welfare state and social care system. Sharp falling birth rates also present major challenges. Especially in the bottom half of the income spectrum, the costs are now too high. The Care Dilemma argues that we need a new policy settlement that supports gender equality while … Continue reading Where care is in the age of sexual equality

Chinese transformation

Want to know how an impoverished and terrorised China experienced radical political changes in the long 1970s  and how ordinary people broke free from the beliefs that had shaped their lives during Mao’s Cultural Revolution. When Mao Zedong died in spring 1977, the new culture commissar busied himself publishing the fifth volume of the late Chairman’s selected writings. The paper that had been waiting in storage for this moment had gone mouldy, there was not enough electricity to run the printing presses, the typographers work at a snail’s pace, terrified that any misprints would result in death. The episode ois … Continue reading Chinese transformation

Indian Titan Ratan Naval Tata died aged 86

Indian Tycoon Ratan Tata has died aged 86, at Mumbai hospital. He led the conglomerate Tata Group, for more than two decades. Tata one of India’s most internationally recognised business leaders with annual revenues in excess of $100bn ( £76.5 bn). Current chairman of Tata Sons Natarajan Chandrasekaran  added “ On behalf of the entire Tata family, I extend out deepest condolences to his loved ones. His legacy will continue to inspire us as we strive to uphold the principles he so passionately championed”. During his tenure as Chairman of Tata Group, the conglomerate made several high-profile acquisitions, including the … Continue reading Indian Titan Ratan Naval Tata died aged 86

Human tragedy of slavery & Slaveship’s fight for Emancipation

The Predator of the Seas is the dramatic biography of a slaveship turned freedom-fighter – which brings new insights into Britain’s involvement in the end of the trade in enslaved people. HMS Black Joe, ex-slaver turned scourge of the transatlantic trade, is the story of the slave ship sent on a moral crusade. The Brazilian slave ship Henriqueta had no cause for alarm when it spotted the British frigate Sybille early on September 6, 1827, just off the West coast of Africa. Sybille was a sluggish 44-gun warship nearing the end of her lifespan, while Henriqueta was a sleek Baltimore … Continue reading Human tragedy of slavery & Slaveship’s fight for Emancipation

BERYL COOK: A PRIVATE VIEW Finborough Theatre Earls Court.

Fresh from The Edinburgh Festival – BERYL COOK: A PRIVATE VIEW Finborough Theatre Earls Court. http://www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk– “Probably the most influential fringe theatre in the world” (Time Out). 1 Oct to 26 Oct. Please see times and prices on the website.WHEN ART AND ACTING MEET AND SHAKE HANDS Written performed and painted by KARA WILSON Wife of renowned actor Tom Conti and writer and performer in several plays, Kara Wilson does a show involving painting a Beryl Cook piece of artwork which can be bought at a later date by admirers. The title of the artwork done live on stage is … Continue reading BERYL COOK: A PRIVATE VIEW Finborough Theatre Earls Court.

Concept of leisure fraught with class tension

The Bookshop is a history of British Institution in crisis with rich historical vignettes and surprising wares.As spaces where local life and culture unfolds, our high streets can be playgrounds of personal indulgence and community spirit or sites of contentious debate and politicking. Peeping through the windows of tailors, tearooms and grocers, we explore everything from the toyshops of yesteryears where curiosities were sold for adults not children to the birth of brands we shop at today. Three-Hundred- years of shopping which takes in sex, snobbery, and moral panics. Josiah Wedgwood has a vision for china, and even better to … Continue reading Concept of leisure fraught with class tension

Concept of leisure fraught with class tension

The Bookshop is a history of British Institution in crisis with rich historical vignettes and surprising wares.As spaces where local life and culture unfolds, our high streets can be playgrounds of personal indulgence and community spirit or sites of contentious debate and politicking. Peeping through the windows of tailors, tearooms and grocers, we explore everything from the toyshops of yesteryears where curiosities were sold for adults not children to the birth of brands we shop at today. Three-Hundred- years of shopping which takes in sex, snobbery, and moral panics. Josiah Wedgwood has a vision for china, and even better to … Continue reading Concept of leisure fraught with class tension