Category Archives: Social

Telling It Like It Is: Technology

Technology is increasingly manipulating our minds. What we think we want might not be what we actually need. And this is making us sick. So, what can we do about it? Take a look or listen to the podcast with my guest, Ian Douglas.

Imagining the future

In summer 2019, I was on panels discussing Decolonising Culture (Royal Academy) and Reimagining Britain (Queen Mary, University of London/ Wasafiri Magazine’s 35th anniversary). Many themes ran across both these experiences, foremost among them: Imagination can be a revolutionary act, and revolutions never end. Imagination and revolution are about words, voices, ideas, and actions; they’reContinue reading “Imagining the future”

The Moon Shines Bright

Sam Lee is a celebrated folk singer, collector, interpreter and revivalist of old folk songs. With ‘The Moon Shines Bright’, Sam borrows from the Gypsy and traveller tradition a song which asks us to stop and see what our increasingly standardised world is doing to us. On ‘The Moon Shines Bright’ Sam’s joined by ElizabethContinue reading “The Moon Shines Bright”

Indian Food

Authentic Indian and South Asian food in the UK is on the up. Reflecting the authentic flavours, techniques and regional differences of India is something younger chefs and entrepreneurs excel at, and are going all out for. Not before time. So much Indian food in Britain was junk, and outside our bigger cities, still is.Continue reading “Indian Food”

Developing Audiences

As someone who works in the Cultural Industry, I’m fascinated by the ongoing evolution of audiences: the way that some stick to what they know, detest change and just want to see their cultural and social type reflected while others feel freer to experiment, see new work which challenges them and respond to that, andContinue reading “Developing Audiences”

What’s in a recipe?

Ingredients, perhaps a dash of technique too, possibly even a sprinkle of inspiration or artistry? Yes, it’s all these and more. Each of the constituents tells a story, and it’s all the stories which together ‘make’ the recipe, adding flavour and richness to what you experience when you taste it. I cook when I’m stressedContinue reading “What’s in a recipe?”

We all need nourishment

The world’s gone mad. Everyone wants a piece of you, and you have little left to give. You feel like you’re holding everything, but that if you let go no one will be bothered enough to catch anything. Some days you wish you won an Oscar for the amazing acting job you’re doing, every minuteContinue reading “We all need nourishment”