Analogue pleasure, Digital Natives, Immigrants, the skills of indigenous people, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and the Jamaican poet James Berry

Joan Didion said “we share our stories to live”.  Beryl Cook celebrated people enjoying riotous fun.  Keen observation and the sharing of travel stories keeps those journeys and memories alive. With trips to Xanadu, Llareggub and the moon.

The mystery of E and F.  Distractions for power or profit and the cognitive surrender fuelled by sycophantic AI.   We don’t know what we’re missing.  

Comfortably anonymous, occupied or lonely. How different are we?

Recognising when we’ve had enough and reducing our waste - whether it’s puddings, public space, speed or energy

Solutions need problems to solve and the optimism of Norman.  Acknowledging the elephant in the garage and the cooling love affair with the car.

Peter Drucker said, “the best way to predict the future is to create it”.  Nevertheless, our interest in knowing the future and our fortunes remain as keen as ever.  What if we could travel in time, just once?  Would we? 

Terry Pratchett wrote “Why do you go away?  So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colours.  And the people there see you differently, too.  Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” (A Hat Full of Sky)

“Don’t only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets, for it and knowledge can raise men to the divine.” - Beethoven

We’re surrounded by secrets, awaiting discovery.  The efficiency of a thumbnail secret, ‘The Underground Railroad’ by Colson Whitehead, ‘Platform Souls’ by Nicholas Whittaker, and the Shetland Bus.

To Australia and back, for free?  The dangers of crate escapes and the impact of breaking barriers.