Engaged Reading Time - Issue #84

Adam Tinworth

Aug 23, 2021 — 4 min read

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

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…

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.

This is an award-winning short film. Just watch it. You'll see why.

Post-pandemic working

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.

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

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

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.)