The 26th Blah Blah Blah Festival (aka COP26)

Those who care about the climate act; those who care about blah blah blah will all be in Glasgow

The 26th Blah Blah Blah Festival (aka COP26)The Cop26 climate summit starts in Glasgow, UK, on October 31, and countries must deliver tougher pledges to cut emissions to keep the goal of 1.5C within reach. According to the UN, carbon emissions will rise by 16 per cent by 2030, rather than fall by half as governments previously agreed to in Paris at…

The future is not a straight line from the past

The march of technology is inevitable, but the way its proceeds are distributed is a matter of choice. Here are some options

The future is not a straight line from the pastThe RSA (Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) has been exploring the future of work. Like many organizations, it begins with the assumption that some 35 to 40 per cent of jobs will be directly impacted by artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, 3D printing, blockchain, stem cells and other technologies.…

Four steps to a better economic future

Rather than pursue a "future" based on past practices, governments should be working towards a future based on equity, well-being and sound environmental management

Four steps to a better economic future“The power of creating a better future is contained in the present moment: you create a good future by creating a good present.” – Eckhart Tolle Emerging conditions mean we’re likely to face a large global recession in the next two to three years. Part of the reason is the significant and substantial growth of…

The meaning is sometimes lost in translation

The tradition of mangling English in restaurants, hotels and public places continues

The meaning is sometimes lost in translationPARIS - Gerard Hoffnung was a raconteur and wit on the BBC in the 1950's. His speech to the Oxford Union, available on iTunes, is a classic piece of period of humour - a must listen to recording. Amongst the gems on that CD is a selection of letters received after inquiring about hotel accommodation…

Our tips for planning your vacation to France

Planning a vacation in France can be a daunting task, but here are some short cuts which can help

Our tips for planning your vacation to FrancePlanning a vacation in France can be a daunting task, but there are some short cuts which can help. First, understand France as a group of very different provinces. For example, the Riviera is a very different kind of place from the Luberon which is again different from Normandy. Read about the regions and link…