Are cow bells cruel?

Cow bells are as intrinsic to the Swiss landscape as mountain peaks and wooden houses with steep roofs. But how would you like to have a permanently attached bell clinking and clanking as you move? And why would cows be any different?

Of toilets and rubbish (mostly)

France, a land of great scenery, architecture, baking, and terrible toilets. Why does New Zealand think toilets and rubbish bins are essential to support tourism when France is full of tourists and deplete of public toilets?

Built beauty

Why do we think some buildings are particularly beautiful? And why do we think old buildings are beautiful? Especially given how uncomfortable many would be to live in?

Blind Leadership

Banksy’s new statue could be called ‘The Politician’, or could be called ‘Blinded by the cause’. Whatever the name, its an excellent ephemeral public sculpture.

Making Decisions

Life’s a series of decisions, influenced by other people’s decisions. Trump’s desire to sit on both sides of the fence at once have left the world, and us, wondering what to do next.

To Reply or Not to Reply…

Do messages always deserve a reply? Have we entered an age of overwhelm where replies are the exception? They are on the Warmshowers cycle hosting platform.

AI Assistance

AI can help in all sorts of ways – going to your meetings, fighting your wars. What sort of world might we be creating if humans are freed from these tasks?

Safe havens & self-reliance

When oil shortages loom it makes sense to want our country to be more self-reliant. It seems obvious our country should rapidly install solar power and wind turbines at scale. Or does it? What makes sense for a home may not make sense for a country.