Engaged Reading Time - Issue #84
Hello, there,
It’s summer holiday time in the northern hemisphere, and for the first time in a couple of years, I've actually been on holiday. We've been camping in a coastal valley with no WiFi and the merest sniff of 3G connection (if you climb part the way up a hill, and balance on a gate).
It was bliss.
I've been reading actual books and magazines while I've been away. And it felt good. A much-needed reminder of how stressful our always-on, constant distraction culture is.
But I'm back, and catching up on what I missed while I was away (and before I went away, if I'm honest). Here's a first selection of things I found interesting.
I hope you will, too.
Climate Crisis
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I am thinking of replacing my electric car with a petrol car and have some questions.
This is a neat reversal of the normal arguments against an electric car, written from the perspective of someone driving one, but contemplating a switch to petrol…
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/revue/items/images/010/259/395/web/file-20210722-15-wsb1hb.jpg?1627314503)
Monks Wood Wilderness: 60 years ago, scientists let a farm field rewild – here's what happened
There's been much talk of rewilding over the last few years — even on The Archers — so it's useful and interesting to read about how a long-term rewilding project worked out.
Post-pandemic working
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Do Chance Meetings at the Office Boost Innovation? There’s No Evidence of It.
Random encounters create innovation is one of the defining myths of the workplace. It's been a decade since I last worked in an office full time, but I never saw any evidence of this. And now this NYT piece effectively drives a hole in one of the arguments that many are making for a full-time return to the office.
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/revue/items/images/010/089/083/web/Newport-WFNH.jpg?1626170676)
What if Remote Work Didn’t Mean Working from Home?
I've been “working from home” for nearly a decade. And that often means working from a coffee shop, from a train, from a client's office, from a nature reserve… Hybrid working models could involve more creative places to work.
Politics
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The ejection of a Member of Parliament for pointing out the lies of the Prime Minister is a practical example of the function-failure of the UK constitution
David Allen Green has been doing a fine job of highlighting the problems with the British system, especially when we have people in power who are ill-disposed to play by the unwritten rules.
Children's Culture
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/revue/items/images/010/351/460/web/snow-white-and-classic-disney-princesses.jpg?1627904359)
Classic Disney Princess Trope Isn't Damaging to Children, Study Finds
Surprise: a recent study suggests that Disney princess culture actually has a positive impact on the attitudes of young children. (The more recent crop of “Princesses” are better models, though. Moana is an excellent film.)
Peppa Pig, a Pandemic Favorite, Has American Children Acting British
My daughters have out-grown Peppa Pig, but I found it a surprisingly agreeable watch. Many of the later episode are clearly written with a nod and a wink towards the adults watching. Interesting to see the culture infection going this way across the Atlantic…
(Hey, Duggee is better, though.)
Me
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/revue/items/images/010/351/917/web/9EEAD7D8-4226-4E87-A560-1197B4E82299.jpeg?1627907207)
Twitter Social Distancing
Oh, and if you're wondering why I've been absent from Twitter, this is why…