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Transduction - leading transformation - Issue #51

Benjamin P Taylor
Benjamin P Taylor
@antlerboy
First ‘proper’ newsletter in two weeks as I was extremely ill last weekend (48 hours in bed with a bad stomach, including hallucinatory fever dreams about problematic consultancy projects that turned out to be just Category Theory - but I wasn’t really completely happy with that or confident - and now I will never know :-( )… and I shared my upcoming systems events instead.
(Note the Systems Change Alliance events have been postponed a month or so).
I also see an interesting connection now between my two most recent ‘big’ posts, below!
Content warning: US school shootings, Israeli forces shooting journalists, corrupt politicians, deontology.
sections
public | service | transformation
systems | complexity | cybernetics
tweets and tribulations
our own private hell
evil from all over the world
a much-needed interlude
brain relief
It’s… a lot. What do it all add up to? Why do I?
and - if you make it all the way to the end, the definition of consciousness and the meaning of life.

What is success and what is failure on LinkedIn? In business? In life?
What is success and what is failure on LinkedIn? In business? In life?
When I was at PwC, the practice I was in won a £139m project — and it was the beginning of the end for us. I got up early to write this, as usual, and cradled my coffee as I pored over my writing prompts. What would be a suitable follow-up to Monday’s very successful post on ‘the …
chosen-path.org
Do things fit into neat categories?
Do things fit into neat categories?
Is a Jaffa Cake a biscuit or a cake? Is a flapjack? Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable? Is a worker an employee, a ‘hidden employee’, or a freelancer? These are decisions we must make — or think we must — in management all the time. And more often than not, they limit creativity, innovation, and our …
chosen-path.org
More monkeys and bananas in organisation
More monkeys and bananas in organisation
Why do things carry on as they are in business? Why do we block innovation? And what can we do about it? I collect facetious trainer stories — the ones a cheerful slightly overweight trainer will tell with great relish as sources of insight… Take ten monkeys. Put them in a cage with a shiny metal slope.
chosen-path.org
Apportunity 2022 — the solutions platform
Apportunity 2022 — the solutions platform
What’s one question you would like this incredible lineup of thinkers and entrepreneurs to answer? Here’s a really exciting conference — one which is specifically about ‘finding solutions’ to pressing problems, using the power of innovation, entrepreneurship — and technology. Apportunity 2022 brings together the world’s most inspirational founders, global leaders, senior investors and rising stars to collaborate and share …
chosen-path.org
systems change, convening, practice, leadership, sustainability, chat… SIX systems events coming up presented or facilitated by Benjamin Taylor
systems change, convening, practice, leadership, sustainability, chat… SIX systems events coming up presented or facilitated by Benjamin Taylor
systems change, convening, practice, leadership, sustainability, chat… SIX systems events coming up presented or facilitated by Benjamin Taylor It me! I haven’t presented or run that many public events recently, and suddenly they all come at once. Here are six in the next couple of months — with info and booking links: “Later in the bar”Mon 23 May …
chosen-path.org
ParcelHero.com Reviews | Read Customer Service Reviews of www.parcelhero.com | 2 of 100
ParcelHero.com Reviews | Read Customer Service Reviews of www.parcelhero.com | 2 of 100
Parcelhero have already removed one of my reviews to hide their bad practice.
Within the last twelve months, Parcelhero shipped a printer I sold on ebay. They:
-charged me £68 excess on £48 ‘overweight’ delivery
-ignored my evidence that the package was not overweight
-sent me confidential responses meant for another customer
-destroyed the printer
-refused a refund
Good news though!
After my use of the Money Claims service online (small claims), leaving it to the absolute last minute, Parcelhero have refunded me in full.
It is worth the trouble, even though they make it as difficult as possible.
(However it’s now gone from the Money Claims Service to the County Court so instead of logging in and cancelling, I have to download a pdf!
And said pdf has to be completed in part by… (I kid you not) xxxxxx ing out the non-applicable bit on claimant/defendant :-)
I have to duplicate all the references the Money Claims Service sent to me onto the form.
And then snail mail it to the court!
(And, as I’m currently overseas, I have first to register for a PO Box, validate my email, validate my identity with passport and selfie, wait for validation, then pay for them to print and post…)
Good to see it’s not just the co-op bank who can handle an omnichannel shambles, good old HMCTS can do so too…)
www.trustpilot.com
public | service | transformation
Making Partnerships Work
By Emma Harewood. For more, follow this link to her LinkedIn post on Beyond Therapy. On 19th May Bluestar hosted ‘Beyond Therapy’, the first ever festival of activism for child sexual abuse in Bristol dedicated to re-imagining our society’s response to child sexual abuse through research, creativity and connection. Emma Harewood hosted a panel with […]
govtransformation.org
Transforming Public Procurement Green Paper – why it matters
In this blog for Tussell, Lloyd Johnson breaks down the Public Procurement Green Paper – what it is and why it matters. Read more about it here.
www.publicservicetransformation.org
Queen’s Speech: an ambitious plan hampered by omissions | Room 151
Queen’s Speech: an ambitious plan hampered by omissions | Room 151
Queen’s Speech: an ambitious plan hampered by omissions
www.room151.co.uk
MaccaS_Rants on Twitter: "Flag shaggers mad at Scousers booing the national anthem, apparently hate benefit scroungers.
MaccaS_Rants on Twitter: "Flag shaggers mad at Scousers booing the national anthem, apparently hate benefit scroungers.
They’re gonna shit their undies when they find out the person the song is about scrounges £67 million a year in benefits and uses £12 million of it to pay off her nonce son’s victim.
twitter.com
Building a Bigger We: Insights from the ‘A Better Way’ Network
The ‘A Better Way’ network has brought together its participants to produce 36 remarkable essays which set out big ideas for bringing about change. How do we build a ‘bigger we’? Find out more here.
www.publicservicetransformation.org
Our Letter to Michael Gove, by Right Here: the Campaign for Community Power
Right Here: the campaign for community power have written an open letter to Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling up, on what the government can do to empower communities. Read it here. https://www.right-here.org/letter/
www.publicservicetransformation.org
A Movement That’s Quietly Reshaping Democracy For The Better | NOEMA
A Movement That’s Quietly Reshaping Democracy For The Better | NOEMA
Citizens’ assemblies can help us better address societal challenges, overcome polarization and strengthen trust.
www.noemamag.com
CRESR SHU on Twitter: "Thanks to our research, #socialprescribing has been rolled out by the NHS across England,
CRESR SHU on Twitter: "Thanks to our research, #socialprescribing has been rolled out by the NHS across England,
helping 900,000 people of the most vulnerable people in society access support from local voluntary organisations and community groups each year. https://bit.ly/38vhdP3
twitter.com
Transforming Public Procurement Green Paper - why it matters
Understand what the UK government’s proposed ‘Transforming Public Procurement’ green paper means for public sector procurement and suppliers.
www.tussell.com
One Croydon Alliance – a joined-up approach to health and wellbeing
This case study from E3M looks at locality based commissioning in Croydon. One Croydon Alliance is a partnership between the local NHS, Croydon Council and the VCSE (voluntary, community and social enterprise) sector. It seeks to offer a more coordinated approach to support, to help look after people’s physical and mental health and well-being. A […]
www.publicservicetransformation.org
Five Challenges of Evaluating place-based change, by New Local
How can we measure long-term change in an area? Lily O’Flynn of New Local shares tools and advice for evaluating place-based change. Check the article out here.
www.publicservicetransformation.org
Dr Shan Hussain 💙 on Twitter
Dr Shan Hussain 💙 on Twitter
Thread
As GPs, we absolutely do not show contempt to our patients. In fact, NHS data shows that we are consulting more patients than ever before, despite our staffing numbers being at a 9 year low
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Ian Makgill on Twitter: "The database state theory should become the staple theory of anyone seeking to understand delivering services in government.… https://t.co/dsfH512wZn"
Quote Tweet Robert Colvile @rcolvile · May 27
A very good example of my database state theory yesterday. There is a database of ‘people paying energy bills who we can quickly get money to’. There is no database of ‘homes paying energy bills that are non-rented second homes’.
twitter.com
Improvement Hub on Twitter: "@CPI @Iriss & @HIS have produced ‘Human Learning Systems-A practical guide for the curious’.
Improvement Hub on Twitter: "@CPI @Iriss & @HIS have produced ‘Human Learning Systems-A practical guide for the curious’.
Approach with active learning at core of how we plan & deliver services to help people live their best lives. Register for the launch event & get the guide https://bit.ly/3Gl2UZQ
twitter.com
Keeping mental health front and centre in the development of Integrated Care Boards | Centre for Mental Health
James Carter explores how the learning from mental health transformation approaches can shape the development of new Integrated Care Boards
www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk
Mark O'Neill on Twitter: "A really important thread. "Digital" is not a service. A service is a service.… "
Quote Tweet Pete Paphides @petepaphides · May 23
Do you know what old people often find stressful and upsetting? It’s car parks where you can only pay by using an app or a credit card. Quite a lot of old people don’t carry the latter (yes, really) and they have no idea what an app is. (1/9
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Fraser McMillan 🌐🥑 on Twitter: "Very cool and good policy idea
If your household doesn’t own a car you should get a free Railcard and discounted bus fares at any age.
twitter.com
🇺🇦Prof Colin TALBOT (aka RED TEAM)🇺🇦 on Twitter: "Govt in Whitehall no longer have a clue about how to run Britain's public administration system.
They use Council Tax when they could have used the benefits system? And conversely they set up a huge Test & Trace org centrally when they could have used local public health?
twitter.com
Sam Freedman on Twitter: "One of my missions in life is - whenever I version of this story appears - to tweet that the NHS spends less than half the OECD average on admin + management.…
Quote Tweet Sun Politics @SunPolitics · May 16
Sajid Javid told to overhaul NHS as number of fat cat managers DOUBLES https://thesun.co.uk/news/18590097/sajid-javid-nhs-managers/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_campaign=sunpoliticstwitter&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1652733105
twitter.com
Sally Lewis on Twitter: "Failure demand. Poor patient experience. This is what is going on all over the place.
We have to understand it better, stop constantly reassessing and actually do a therapeutic intervention. It’s not the professionals, it’s systemic failure. Charlotte is spot on (sadly)
Quote Tweet Charlotte Augst @CharlotteAugst · May 16
So my son had a bike accident and is largely fine but his wrist needs checking out. Call 111 who after endless menu options and discouraging messages (hang up and call later…) do an assessment.
twitter.com
Gary Porter on Twitter: "Cant really see any other way to make sure we help everyone get through the financial challenges facing us,
without uplifting benefit and pension payments and further tax reduction for low earners and maybe tax free overtime payments, that may help with labour shortage as well.
twitter.com
Dr Tammy Boyce on Twitter: "This is great news from ICS in Cheshire and Merseyside.
Dr Tammy Boyce on Twitter: "This is great news from ICS in Cheshire and Merseyside.
Incorporating the Marmot recommendations into their strategy. Inequalities will be addressed. #AllTogetherFairerCM
twitter.com
Building a Bigger We — A Better Way
Building a Bigger We draws on many years of network discussions.
It sets out big ideas for bringing about change.
And it brings these to life through 36 remarkable essays written by our members.  
www.betterway.network
Paul Hayes on Twitter: ""Progress on English #devolution is welcome,
but choosing street names or standing up for al fresco dining is nowhere near bold enough if #ukgov wants to fundamentally reshape the economic geography of the UK. “
twitter.com
Chris Dillow on Twitter: "Public choice theorists had a good point: regulatory capture is sometimes a thing.… "
Quote Tweet Martin Lewis @MartinSLewis · May 16
I’d like to formally apologise to the @ofgem staff for losing my rag in a background briefing just now and saying its changes are a “fucking disgrace that sells consumers down the river”. I should’ve behaved better. My ire’s institutional not individual, its was inappropriate…
twitter.com
A reality check on proposed social care reform
Clenton Farquharson, Chair of Think Local, Act Personal, assesses how proposed social care reform matches up to what matters to him as a disabled person and direct payment user. Check out his article here.
www.publicservicetransformation.org
Simon Bottery on Twitter: "Excellent @andrewbillen interview. Jaw dropping to see @Jeremy_Hunt say
Simon Bottery on Twitter: "Excellent @andrewbillen interview. Jaw dropping to see @Jeremy_Hunt say
austerity cuts to #socialcare went unnoticed until, as Health Sec, he spotted they were delaying hospital discharges. He was, of course, also in charge of social care at the time. https://thetimes.co.uk/article/ac8bcf24-d060-11ec-84ba-2054de44b21e?shareToken=48296d57cdbbc05ac6fc55aac393b52a
twitter.com
systems | complexity | cybernetics
Asymptotic burnout and homeostatic awakening: a possible solution to the Fermi paradox? | Wong and Bartlett (2022)
Asymptotic burnout and homeostatic awakening: a possible solution to the Fermi paradox?Michael L. Wong and Stuart BartlettPublished:04 May 2022 Asymptotic burnout and homeostatic awakening: a possible solution to the Fermi paradox? | Journal of The Royal Society Interface
stream.syscoi.com
Change Management – The Columbo Theory – Gene Bellinger
Change ManagementThe Columbo Theory Change Management – The Columbo Theory
stream.syscoi.com
Ludwig Wittgenstein's war on philosophy - UnHerd
Ludwig Wittgenstein's war on philosophy - UnHerd
He preferred the ‘rough ground’ of everyday existence
unherd.com
The origin and conservation of self‐consciousness: Reflections on four questions by Heinz von Foerster – Maturana (2005)
The origin and conservation of self‐consciousness: Reflections on four questions by Heinz von FoersterHumberto Maturana Romesín KybernetesISSN: 0368-492XArticle publication date: 1 January 200 The origin and conservation of self‐consciousness: Reflections on four questions by Heinz von Foerster | Emerald Insight Full text: https://www.univie.ac.at/constructivism/pub/hvf/papers/maturana05selfconsciousness.html
stream.syscoi.com
Systems convening, systems thinking, and systems practice with Ben Taylor | Q Community
Systems convening, systems thinking, and systems practice with Ben Taylor | Q Community
Systems thinking and complexity expert Ben Taylor will shed light on the increasingly popular practice of Systems Convening.
13 Jun 2022 12:30 – 13:30
Leading systems thinking expert Ben Taylor was part of the team that created the book ‘Systems Convening – a crucial form of leadership for the 21st century’. The book includes case studies with a range of Q community members who are Systems Conveners. ** Register for the Zoom here **
His session will probe the questions: what light do systems thinking and practice shed on Systems Convening? what can systems thinking and practice add? Ben runs the public service transformation consultancy Red Quadrant, and a not-for-profit social enterprise, the Public Service Transformation Academy and various other systems thinking initiatives.
q.health.org.uk
RSD11 Call for Contributions
RSD11 call for papers and presentations, workshops and gigamaps/exhibits. Challenge, extend, critique, diversify established working methods.
rsdsymposium.org
Ethan Mollick on Twitter: "I get that human biology is complicated (see the Roche biochemical pathway charts here: https://t.co/CjfYyPVqut)
Ethan Mollick on Twitter: "I get that human biology is complicated (see the Roche biochemical pathway charts here: https://t.co/CjfYyPVqut)
but every medical system in the world was so, so far off on even the basic stuff on how the human body and disease worked for so, so long.
twitter.com
Systemic Steering and Governance – Pino Villa
Systemic Steering and Governance Systemic Steering and Governance – A viable system is any system organized in such a way as to meet the demands of surviving in a changing environment
stream.syscoi.com
Graham Leicester 雷思达 on Twitter: "Join the IFF Community Hub
Graham Leicester 雷思达 on Twitter: "Join the IFF Community Hub
for anyone interested in Three Horizons, transformative innovation, 21st century competencies, practical hope, making a difference in the face of all that stands in the way of making a difference. Spread the word
twitter.com
The games we play: critical complexity improves machine learning
Originally posted on Complexity Digest: Abeba Birhane, David J. T. SumpterWhen mathematical modelling is applied to capture a complex system, multiple models are often created that characterize different aspects of that system. Often, a model at one level will produce a prediction which is contradictory at another level but both models are accepted because they…
stream.syscoi.com
Systems thinking for civil servants – GOV.UK
Clearly a lot of work has gone into this. No comment from me, for now. Guidance Systems thinking for civil servants
How to use systems thinking to drive improved outcomes in complex situations. From:Government Office for Science Published 24 May 2022 Systems thinking for civil servants – GOV.UK
stream.syscoi.com
Abeba Birhane on Twitter: "Conclusion: the open nature of complex systems means that they can never be captured by a single ‘objective’ model.
ML models might capture physical systems & perhaps biological systems, but it’s a dangerous illusion to think we can capture social systems in a single model.
twitter.com
Safer Complex Systems case study launch – Royal Academy of Engineering – 25 May 2022, 1pm UK time online
Safer Complex Systems case study launch25 May 2022, 1:00pm – 2:30pmONLINE – via ZoomAdd to CalendarPUBLIC EVENTRegister The Safer Complex Systems programme commissioned 18 Awardees to develop case studies that examine complex system successes and failures, in order to address a gap in materials available for engineering education and professional development relevant to achieving safer complex […]
stream.syscoi.com
Assessing assumptions about boundaries with critical systems heuristics – Werner Ulrich
Assessing assumptions about boundaries with critical systems heuristicsMay 24, 2022By Werner Ulrich Assessing assumptions about boundaries with critical systems heuristics – Integration and Implementation Insights
stream.syscoi.com
Recordings of events with prof. Gerald Midgley – and invitation to systems thinking stream at OR64, the operational research society conference
Sessions last week with the OR Society: Wednesday webinar: Systems Thinking into the Future: https://lnu.box.com/s/r58hhd4jys32j748462lwlen6nmw056t. Thursday seminar: Systemic Intervention: Multi-Agency, Stakeholder-Engaged System Change: https://lnu.box.com/s/syksvznhloqvpp9xy3vmf69gzajmecz2. And Operational Research (OR) Society 64th annual conference We also want to inform you and invite you to submit to the Operational Research (OR) Society annual conference physically at University of […]
stream.syscoi.com
Systemic Evaluation Design. A Workbook – Williams (2016)
Systemic Evaluation Design. A Workbook$0+Bob Williams Systemic Evaluation Design. A Workbook
stream.syscoi.com
Utrecht University Centre for Complex Systems Studies – Events Overview (May-Jun): Learn Complexity with Lunches & Ice Creams!
CCSS Events Overview (May-June 2022) At the Centre for Complex Systems Studies (CCSS), we always believe in the added value of bringing different ideas and expertise together through various activities. With the possibility of meeting each other in person again, we would like to welcome you back to our CCSS and have scheduled the following on-site […]
stream.syscoi.com
An Introduction to Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
An Introduction to Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)NATALIYA SHEVCHENKODECEMBER 21, 2020 An Introduction to Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
stream.syscoi.com
CCSS Meeting #50: Complexity: Evolution and a Creative Universe, 18 May 12pm (Utrecht time, I think) – Prof. Peter Allen
CCSS Meeting #50:Complexity: Evolution and a Creative Universe On Thursday 19th May (12:00 – 13:00), we will host a hybrid lecture with Prof. Peter Allen (Cranfield University, UK). CCSS Meeting #50: Complexity: Evolution and a Creative Universe
stream.syscoi.com
The growing field of narrative change
I often get contacted by folks interested in learning more about, or working directly in, the growing field of narrative change. As a new(ish)* field it can be pretty daunting to know where to start, so I’ve compiled a list of places/people/orgs to check out.
twitter.com
Assessing assumptions about boundaries with critical systems heuristics – Integration and Implementation Insights
Assessing assumptions about boundaries with critical systems heuristics – Integration and Implementation Insights
By Werner Ulrich How can those participating in research effectively reflect on their own assumptions about where they set boundaries around: problems, solutions, measures of success, knowledge claims and other aspects of research? These aspects are inevitably partial in the dual sense of representing a part rather than the whole of the total universe of…
i2insights.org
Teacher Tom: When We Speak With Children As People
Reflections on teaching and learning from preschoolers
teachertomsblog.blogspot.com
NEW! Designing Resilient Regenerative Systems (MOOC) – Systemic Design Labs on EdX
Designing Resilient Regenerative Systems NEW! Designing Resilient Regenerative Systems (MOOC) – Systemic Design Labs
stream.syscoi.com
Requisite Variety and Its Implications for the Control of Complex Systems | Ashby (1958)
Requisite Variety and Its Implications for the Control of Complex SystemsW. AshbyPublished 1991MathematicsRecent work on the fundamental processes of regulation in biology (Ashby, 1956) has shown the importance of a certain quantitative relation called the law of requisite variety. After this relation had been found, we appreciated that it was related to a theorem in […]
stream.syscoi.com
How Embodied Is Cognition? | Hutto and McGivern (2015)
How Embodied Is Cognition?Daniel D. HuttoPatrick McGivern4564 Views6 Pages1 File ▾Cognitive Science,Philosophy of Mind,Embodied Cognition,Philosophy of Cognitive Science,EnactivismShow more ▾E is the letter, if not the word, in today’s sciences of mind. E adjectives proliferate. Nowadays it is hard to avoid claims that cognition – perceiving, imagining, decision-making, planning – is best understood in E terms of […]
stream.syscoi.com
tweets and tribulations
Omnichannel shambles: co-operative bank edition
My Twitter complain about having to work across multiple channels to get a banking dongle brings ‘customer services’ tweet inviting me to download pdf and email it…
twitter.com
our own private hell
So glad not to be in England for the Jubilee
So glad not to be in England for the Jubilee
There was a time when I thought it was a good idea to embrace the flag and patriotism. And the divide between the ‘cosmopolitan elite’ and ‘the ordinary person’ is a real problem. But charlatans took that moment of weakness (?), pride, and attempt at unity, and ran with it for separation, anger, and destruction.
twitter.com
Well, the responses to these right cheered me up this morning!… "
Quote Tweet Matthew Stadlen @MatthewStadlen · May 23
How will you be celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee?
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Benjamin P. Taylor on Twitter: "We need Tony Benn's 'five questions for people in power' at least as much as ever:
What power have you got?
Where did you get it from?
In whose interests do you use it?
To whom are you accountable?
How do we get rid of you?’
twitter.com
Henry Dyer on Twitter: 👀👀👀
Henry Dyer on Twitter: 👀👀👀
Boris Johnson deletes instruction to ministers in foreword to new Ministerial Code to “uphold the very highest standards of propriety”.
PM also makes odd reference to “my Ministers” — they are ministers of the Crown, not the PM
twitter.com
Josiah Mortimer on Twitter:
EXCLUSIVE: Boris Johnson broke City Hall rules by failing to transfer his emails as mayor to Greater London Authority officers when he left office - a move which has hampered the investigation into his affair with US entrepreneur Jennifer Arcuri
twitter.com
Channel 4 Press on Twitter corrects our Secretary for Culture, Media, and Sport
Clarification: A proposal was made, in response to a request from DCMS, showing how C4 could potentially raise a small amount of outside capital. C4 is in excellent financial health & does not want or need to raise outside capital to fund its future plans.
twitter.com
Adam Bienkov on Twitter
Adam Bienkov on Twitter
Aside from the substance, given the rule (still in the revised Ministerial Code) that the Attorney General’s advice (or even whether she has advised) is not made public - isn’t it a bit odd that she is now publicly giving legal advice to schools (whether they want it or not)? Quote Tweet
Adam Bienkov @AdamBienkov · May 28 The Attorney General here, encouraging schools to break the law and her own government’s guidance.
twitter.com
MI6 ROGUE  🇺🇦 on Twitter
MI6 ROGUE  🇺🇦 on Twitter
Leaked emails reveal a criminal plot by pro-Leave figures to sabotage @theresa_may May’s #Brexit deal, infiltrate government, spy on campaign #RejoinEU groups, and replace May with @BorisJohnson .
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Adam Bienkov on Twitter
Adam Bienkov on Twitter
Buried in Rishi Sunak’s windfall tax announcement is the fact that oil and gas companies will get a big tax cut if they extract more fossil fuels in the UK.
twitter.com
Lewis Goodall on Twitter: "Important new data from the Home Office shows -The biggest group of people crossing the Channel in the early part of 2022 were Afghans
one in four of all crossings. -Over 90% of Afghans last year were given asylum. -75% of asylum seekers were given asylum, highest since 1990.
twitter.com
"UK gave asylum to 98% of Syrians, 97% of Eritreans, 95% of Sudanese, 91% of Afghans and 88% of Iranians. 76% of claims from young men aged 18-29 were granted.
All of these figures cast further debt on the Home Sec’s assertion that 70% of channel crossings are economic migrants.“
And, since we left the EU, acceptance rates are way up as we can no longer claim that people did not claim asylum in a previous EU country.
twitter.com
Home Office staff worry they may be asked to act illegally in ‘culture of fear’ | Immigration and asylum | The Guardian
After 10 years of hostile environment, critics say immigration crackdown has had devastating human cost
www.theguardian.com
Another Angry Voice on Twitter: "Some of those lovely politicians willing to debase themselves for corrupt arms dealers:… https://t.co/EgN2h3mkXc"
🔴Lisa Nandy
🔴Margaret Beckett
🔴Wes Streeting
🟠Layla Moran
🔵Ben Wallace
🔵Tom Tugendhat
🔵Jeremy Hunt
🔵Sajid Javid
🔵Mark Harper
🔵Antony Higginbotham
Quote Tweet Cllr Benali Hamdache @greenbenali · May 20
I am writing to invite you to join our upcoming event on ‘The New Statesman Politics LIVE’ sponsored by BAE Systems *BAE Systems*? Are you having a laugh @NewStatesman? A hard pass.
twitter.com
Benjamin P. Taylor on Twitter: "<sigh> Imagine trying to do business in this world‽
Benjamin P. Taylor on Twitter: "<sigh> Imagine trying to do business in this world‽
Structural problems remain with IR35, says Public Accounts Committee
twitter.com
David__Osland on Twitter: "Two years ago, Sunak provided unlimited £20 subsidies for middle-class couples' restaurant bills.
This morning on the Today Programme, there was earnest debate over whether kids on free school meals should get one potato or two.
twitter.com
Absurd tax rules must be scrapped before HMRC claims any more victims
Absurd tax rules must be scrapped before HMRC claims any more victims
Tax hacks: presenter Kaye Adams has been caught in an increasingly expensive legal merry-go-round
www.telegraph.co.uk
Mark O'Neill on Twitter: "It’s only Thursday morning and so far this week we have had...
…a number of very senior civil servants severely criticised in official reports on Afghanistan and Whitehall lockdown “parties” and there is absolutely no sign of anyone taking responsibility let alone resigning.
twitter.com
BBC Newsnight on Twitter: "He's not fit to lead our great country"
Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Ed Davey, gives @nicholaswatt his assessment of Boris Johnson following the Sue Gray report
twitter.com
Damning new Partygate photo of No10 leaving do where staff were told 'the bar's open!' - Mirror Online
Damning new Partygate photo of No10 leaving do where staff were told 'the bar's open!' - Mirror Online
The event, which sources said was attended by 30 to 40 staff, is not believed to have been investigated by Sue Gray in her Partygate probe or by the Metropolitan Police.
www.mirror.co.uk
NHS Million 💙 on Twitter: "Prof Van Tam showing the backbone that we have desperately needed to see over the past week
NHS Million 💙 on Twitter: "Prof Van Tam showing the backbone that we have desperately needed to see over the past week
“In my opinion the rules are clear and they have always been clear…they are for the benefit of all…and they apply to all” Please RT if you agree with him
twitter.com
‘She has been horribly isolated’: friends say Sue Gray was deliberately ostracised while investigating Partygate | Gray report | The Guardian
The senior civil servant was given little support in her massive task, but the result could be crucial in determining Boris Johnson’s fate
www.theguardian.com
Chris Bryant on Twitter: "They knew. They absolutely knew. And the PM knew.… "
Quote Tweet Matt Chorley @MattChorley · May 25
The wine on the wall. The vomit. The fight. The early morning exits. All good colour from Sue Gray. But the most damning parts of the report is that they knew that what they were doing was wrong. Dodging cameras, leaving by back doors, changing invites. THEY KNEW
twitter.com
Mirror Politics on Twitter: "The Met Police have concluded their investigation into No.10 with a total of 126 referrals for fines.
This is every time Boris Johnson has previously denied Partygate and insisted the “guidance was followed.”
twitter.com
Adam Bienkov on Twitter: "This would be an excellent point were it not for the fact that the PM did break the law and did lie about it.… "
Quote Tweet Daniel Hannan @DanielJHannan · May 19
If you have spent the past three months claiming that the PM repeatedly lied, broke the law etc, today might be a good day to keep quiet.
twitter.com
Adam Wagner on Twitter
I think the outcome of the Met investigation is that the Prime Minister attended 6 illegal gatherings but attended 5 of them legally
Adam Wagner @AdamWagner1 · May 19 Replying to @AdamWagner1
The weirdness of the inconsistency is that the regulations did not really allow for different individuals to attend a gathering for different purposes. They were drafted so that *the gathering* had to be (e.g.) reasonably necessary for work This from the Nov 21 lockdown regs
twitter.com
Boris Johnson 'Asked Sue Gray Not To Publish Partygate Report' | HuffPost UK Politics
Report suggests PM told civil servant “it’s all out there” already.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
TonyM on Twitter: "… "
TonyM on Twitter: "… "
@GOVUK hi there, can a Christmas party be held in a workplace at the end of a working day with staff members only? We’re struggling to find advice.
twitter.com
Tristan Kirk on Twitter: "The owner of an Old Kent Road restaurant was prosecuted & fined £1760 over a Nov '20 'leaving do'
Tristan Kirk on Twitter: "The owner of an Old Kent Road restaurant was prosecuted & fined £1760 over a Nov '20 'leaving do'
“The only reason I did it was for a member of staff”, he told the police The owner appears to have been in his office while others partied, but he was held responsible
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Jonathan Powell on Twitter: "Thread on Sue Gray report.
Sometimes they clear people and nothing happens. Sometimes they find wrongdoing and someone resigns or is sacked. This one is unusual.1/5
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Hannah White on Twitter: "👀 Chair of @CommonsLiaison @bernardjenkin has taken the very unusual step of writing to @CommonsLeader
…to express concern about government failures to meet its duty to account to select committees…
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David Higham on Twitter: "That’s quite the interview with Peter Hennessy in the FT.
David Higham on Twitter: "That’s quite the interview with Peter Hennessy in the FT.
Britain is suffering from the economic malaise of the late 1970s and the political malaise of the mid 1990s, with a political class limited in outlook. He’s also a *bit* angry
twitter.com
Raw sewage in rivers to go unchecked | News | The Times
Raw sewage in rivers to go unchecked | News | The Times
The volume of raw sewage being dumped into rivers will remain hidden after the government rejected a recommendation by MPs that water companies should be requir
www.thetimes.co.uk
Stanley Johnson ‘delighted’ after gaining French citizenship | Boris Johnson | The Guardian
‘Magnifique’, responds prime minister to news his father’s application has been successful
www.theguardian.com
The New Statesman on Twitter: "UK growth has been hit by "Brexit"
The New Statesman on Twitter: "UK growth has been hit by "Brexit"
…with trade down 12 per cent since 2019, more than twice as much as the next-lowest G7 economy.
twitter.com
Mike Galsworthy 🇺🇦 on Twitter
Mike Galsworthy 🇺🇦 on Twitter
This is what a broken political system looks like.
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Sam Freedman on Twitter: "We have the completely ridiculous claim from the Mail that the Rwanda policy is working because "up to 10" people have asked to return home. (600 arrived last weekend alone).
Quote Tweet Sam Freedman @Samfr · May 21
“Up to ten migrants have asked to be returned home” might be the most desperate thing I’ve ever read on a newspaper front page.
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Richard Murphy on Twitter: "Give or take the odd pound or two the Bank of England admitted yesterday that "Brexit" is costing the UK about £1,650 million a week.
That’s about £1,280 a year for everyone, babies included, in the UK. Some “Brexit” ‘bonus’, isn’t it? What could you do with that?
twitter.com
Paul Langley on Twitter: "So it's just a coincidence that UK corporate profits were at their highest level ever in the first quarter of 2022?
Only supply and demand driving inflation apparently, not price gouging Quote Tweet Jonathan Portes @jdportes · May 18
What’s driving inflation? Very interesting breakdown from the Bank of England:
twitter.com
Disaster charity drafted in to rescue lorry drivers stuck in post-"Brexit" queues - Mirror Online
Disaster charity drafted in to rescue lorry drivers stuck in post-"Brexit" queues - Mirror Online
RE:ACT Disaster Response has agreed a £180,000 six-month contract with Kent County Council to ease stuck truckers’ nightmare waits to board ferries and Eurotunnel shuttles
www.mirror.co.uk
ALASTAIR CAMPBELL on Twitter: "The day after @nadhimzahawi tells us how proud we should be of our private schools
we learn he has been advised some crumbling State schools are a threat to life. Priorities and values all wrong.“
twitter.com
Stephen Kinnock on Twitter: "There are growing security concerns about the Conservative Party taking £millions from donors with links to the Kremlin.
Stephen Kinnock on Twitter: "There are growing security concerns about the Conservative Party taking £millions from donors with links to the Kremlin.
Sheleg, 2019-21 Tory *Treasurer*, was reported to the National Crime Agency by Barclays Bank. In 2019 @BrandonLewis threatened me with lawfare for asking Qs:
twitter.com
evil from all over the world
The faces from China’s Uyghur detention camps
The faces from China’s Uyghur detention camps
Thousands of photographs from the heart of China’s highly secretive system of mass incarceration in Xinjiang, as well as a shoot-to-kill policy for those who try to escape, are among a huge cache of data hacked from police computer servers in the region.
www.bbc.co.uk
KB #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 on Twitter
KB #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 on Twitter
Each suitcase belonged to a family, each suitcase was someone’s life…
Suitcases of people sent to concentration camps. It looks like a monument to the crime of humanity.
Poland, Gdańsk, World War II Museum.
twitter.com
Benjamin P. Taylor on Twitter: "Another Russian war crime: cluster bombs
Ah, cluster bombs are a war crime? Have NATO been told? Has the International War Crimes Tribunal?
Nato cluster bombs ‘kill 15’ in hospital and crowded market
twitter.com
'They were shooting directly at the journalists': New evidence suggests Shireen Abu Akleh was killed in targeted attack by Israeli forces
'They were shooting directly at the journalists': New evidence suggests Shireen Abu Akleh was killed in targeted attack by Israeli forces
Witness testimony and videos obtained by CNN reveal how the veteran Palestinian-American journalist was shot dead in a targeted attack in the West Bank, while she was covering an Israeli raid with a group of other reporters.
edition.cnn.com
Seth Goldman on Twitter: "Today’s announcement by Coca-Cola that they will be discontinuing @HonestTea is a gut punch
Seth Goldman on Twitter: "Today’s announcement by Coca-Cola that they will be discontinuing @HonestTea is a gut punch
gut punch to all the sweat, tears, and incredible passion that went into building our beloved brand. (1/11)
twitter.com
mattparlmer 🪐🌷 on Twitter: "… "
mattparlmer 🪐🌷 on Twitter: "… "
Sir, there is an active trolley situation.
twitter.com
philip lewis on Twitter
philip lewis on Twitter
Someone heckled Ted Cruz while he was eating at a restaurant last night
“19 children died! That’s on your hands! Ted Cruz, that’s on your hands!”
twitter.com
Ted Cruz has enforced more rules on dildos than assault rifles | indy100
Ted Cruz has enforced more rules on dildos than assault rifles | indy100
In Texas, it is illegal to own more than six dildos, but you can carry a gun in public with no training on how to use it and people can’t make it make sense.
www.indy100.com
Indivisible Houston on Twitter
BREAKING: Several hours after the #NRAconvention, Indivisible Houston board member
@TheBenjaminHdz challenged Ted Cruz to support background checks & other reform measures during a dinner break.
See the full clip.
TedCruzHasBloodOnHisHands #TedCruzChildMassacre
twitter.com
Yaneer Bar-Yam on Twitter: "More economic losses from shortsighted policies.… "
More economic losses from shortsighted policies.
Quote Tweet Nicolas Smit @PPEtoheros · May 27
.@DrEricDing @AbraarKaran @LauraMiers Delta’s shortsightedness to pressure the USG into lifting mask mandates on planes has quickly backfired. They’ll soon have to ask the government to force infected workers back to work in order to fix their problem. https://cnn.com/travel/amp/delta-air-lines-cuts-summer-schedule/index.html
twitter.com
much-needed interlude
Benjamin P. Taylor on Twitter: Victoria, Victoria
I heard The Fall - Victoria https://bit.ly/3sYraLZ before I heard The Kinks - Victoria https://bit.ly/3MJ7CmL and they are both gorgeous creations, unsimplistic anthems to ‘what it is to be British’, and stomping, headbanging, musical singalongs
twitter.com
Benjamin P. Taylor on Twitter: "The Short, Brilliant Life of Jeff Buckley
Once I Was https://bit.ly/3legpB4
Jeff Buckley live at St. Ann’s Church ‘91
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Benjamin P. Taylor on Twitter: "Tim Buckley - Dolphins (Remastered)
and - is there a better two song album opening? Strange Feelin’ https://bit.ly/3yJEBmK Buzzin’ Fly
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brain relief
PVFFIN on Twitter: "The Ancient Greek temple was born out of wood, before stone.
PVFFIN on Twitter: "The Ancient Greek temple was born out of wood, before stone.
When translated into stone, redundant functional elements which were aesthetically beautiful were kept. The fluting of columns, for instance.
twitter.com
Cochranereturns on Twitter: "Fascinating thread on how old political boundaries seem to be reflected in recent electoral results.… "
Fascinating thread on how old political boundaries seem to be reflected in recent electoral results.
twitter.com
How Wittgenstein might ‘solve’ both philosophy and quantum physics | Aeon Essays
How Wittgenstein might ‘solve’ both philosophy and quantum physics | Aeon Essays
Metaphysical debates in quantum physics don’t get at ‘truth’ – they’re nothing but a form of ritual, activity and culture
aeon.co
Ivo Velitchkov on Twitter: ""My proofs seemed more like arguments than irrefutable calculations.
Ivo Velitchkov on Twitter: ""My proofs seemed more like arguments than irrefutable calculations.
Each rested on self-evident axioms that, while apparently true, seemed to be based on little more than consensus among mathematicians.“
twitter.com
Teacher Tom: A Method Of Learning, Not Teaching
Teacher Tom: A Method Of Learning, Not Teaching
Reflections on teaching and learning from preschoolers
teachertomsblog.blogspot.com
Liminality
The concept of ‘liminality,’ as developed and introduced into anthropological discourse by Victor Turner in the 1960s and 1970s, derives from the work of Arnold van Gennep, a French ethnologist and folklorist. From: International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences, 2001
www.sciencedirect.com
Liminality - Wikipedia
Liminality - Wikipedia
In anthropology, liminality (from the Latin word līmen, meaning “a threshold”)[1] is the quality of ambiguity or disorientation that occurs in the middle stage of a rite of passage, when participants no longer hold their pre-ritual status but have not yet begun the transition to the status they will hold when the rite is complete.[2] During a rite’s liminal stage, participants “stand at the threshold”[3] between their previous way of structuring their identity, time, or community, and a new way (which completing the rite establishes).
The concept of liminality was first developed in the early twentieth century by folklorist Arnold van Gennep and later taken up by Victor Turner.[4] More recently, usage of the term has broadened to describe political and cultural change as well as rites.[5][6] During liminal periods of all kinds, social hierarchies may be reversed or temporarily dissolved, continuity of tradition may become uncertain, and future outcomes once taken for granted may be thrown into doubt.[7] The dissolution of order during liminality creates a fluid, malleable situation that enables new institutions and customs to become established.[8] The term has also passed into popular usage and has been expanded to include liminoid experiences that are more relevant to post-industrial society.[9]
en.wikipedia.org
Matthew McCormack on Twitter: "On my bike ride this morning
Matthew McCormack on Twitter: "On my bike ride this morning
saw a delivery robot lost in the woods… “
twitter.com
May the mirror decide – Swell & Cut
I’m aware of Christopher Alexander’s work—especially given his recent death—though I’ve yet to have a compelling reason to explore it. His The Nature of Order series most interests me, in part due to vain curiosity and in part because of the deliberate humanity embedded within it. Thus, it was a happy circumstance that led to…
swellandcut.com
Do the Baltimore Orioles eat jelly with ants in it?
Do the Baltimore Orioles eat jelly with ants in it?
The Baltimore Orioles Effect https://bit.ly/38v1sI2 cc @meaningness : the future is ‘in the cells of the eggplant’ ad nauseum, but more dangerous
twitter.com
Jessica Flack on Twitter: "I was reminded today after watching a video of an orca reconciliation of one of my all time favorite photographs.
Jessica Flack on Twitter: "I was reminded today after watching a video of an orca reconciliation of one of my all time favorite photographs.
It shows a male chimpanzee inviting another male to reconcile after a fight. A few minutes later the invitation was accepted. Photograph by Frans de Waal.
twitter.com
Kitten 💖🐈 on Twitter: "Y'all were so worried about paperclip maximizers that you slept on the real threat
Legibility maximizers Being Seen by indexers has overridden every other imperative
twitter.com
Norway, the Once and Future Georgist Kingdom – SLIME MOLD TIME MOLD
Norway, the Once and Future Georgist Kingdom – SLIME MOLD TIME MOLD
(Image CC BY-NC 2.0 by Christopher Michel) In which guest blogger Lars Doucet provides a translation of the article “Den nye oljen” [The new oil] by Anne Margrethe Brigham and Jonathon W. Moses. Translator’s Preface Hi, my name’s Lars Doucet and I’ll be your guest blogger today here at SLIME MOLD TIME MOLD. Today is the 17th of…
slimemoldtimemold.com
Anthony Painter on Twitter: "By the way, the great resignation is real.
Tempting as it to dismiss it as media myth. ONS today: “job-to-job moves also increased to a record high of 994,000, driven by resignations rather than dismissals,”
twitter.com
Joe McReynolds on Twitter: "In Tokyo, if you have a two story house in a residential neighborhood, *by right*
you can put a restaurant/bar/boutique/workshop inside the ground floor of your house! Gives the backstreets a totally different feel to walking through a US neighborhood with nothing but residences.
twitter.com
Deconstructing Konstrakta: the Artist must be analysed
Deconstructing Konstrakta: the Artist must be analysed
A look at Konstrakta, the Serbian pop phenomenon and unlikely Eurovision contender, through the medium of the YouTube reaction video. 
seestage.org
Benjamin P. Taylor on Twitter: "Are there podcasts from other countries
which have the intellectual depth, range, interest, and fun of @amitvarma ‘s the seen and the unseen?
twitter.com
All the Best Things About Europe with None of the Genocide
All the Best Things About Europe with None of the Genocide
The Eurovision song contest is epic chaos and probably also the only honest democracy that’s ever existed.
lauriepenny.substack.com
Lisa Beth Older on Twitter: "“When I am finishing a picture, I hold some God-made object up to it
Lisa Beth Older on Twitter: "“When I am finishing a picture, I hold some God-made object up to it
– a rock, a flower, the branch of a tree or my hand – as a final test. If the painting stands up beside a thing man cannot make, the painting is authentic. If a clash between the two, it’s bad art.” Marc Chagall
twitter.com
Benjamin P. Taylor on Twitter: "Who was the old roue British gent who, at a (‘straight’) wedding was quoted
as saying something like ‘delightful couple. I’ve had them both, y'know’?
twitter.com
Benjamin P. Taylor on Twitter: "I have a strong Radio 4 memory of someone with that very particular Radio 4 American reading voice
reading a poem ending ‘Throw the food onto the floor, it’s what the floor is for’… any clues as to the poem?
twitter.com
Is the world’s oldest tree growing in a ravine in Chile? | Science | AAAS
Conifer is more than 5000 years old, scientist estimates. But some experts are skeptical
www.science.org
Charlotte Jakab-Hall 💙 RN on Twitter: "People don’t know true discomfort
Charlotte Jakab-Hall 💙 RN on Twitter: "People don’t know true discomfort
until they have been placed in a breakout room with other people who also have not been playing any attention. #BoycottBreakoutRooms
twitter.com
Carlos E. Perez on Twitter: "So mind-boggling that the main discovery in research is a specific incantation...
(i.e. “Let’s think step by step”). Does anyone not recognize how insane this appears?!
twitter.com
Benjamin P. Taylor on Twitter: "And on that note, I'm fascinated by the connection between 'let's take this a step at the time'
and Douglas Adams’ ‘yes, but what is the question?’ The man really was insightful.
Quote Tweet Merzmensch Kosmopol @Merzmensch · 23h
I’ve got it. The first Prompt Designer was God. And God was the Prompt. John 1: 1 In the beginning was the Word,(A) and the Word was with God,(B) and the Word was God.© #dalle2
twitter.com
Melissa Graeber on Twitter: "“vibes are off,” NASA confirms… "
“vibes are off,” NASA confirms
Quote Tweet The Independent @Independent · May 20
‘Something weird’ is going on with our universe, Nasa says https://independent.co.uk/tech/hubble-space-telescope-nasa-universe-b2083376.html?utm_content=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Main&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1653022471
twitter.com
Benjamin P. Taylor on Twitter: "This picture brought a smile to my face… "
Quote Tweet Floella Benjamin @FloellaBenjamin · May 24
Johnny Ball was my first co-presenter on #Playschool 46 years ago and it was lovely catching up with him at #RHSChelsea Flower Show yesterday
twitter.com
Jay Hulme on Twitter: "I went on retreat to a mansion in the middle of the Welsh countryside.
Jay Hulme on Twitter: "I went on retreat to a mansion in the middle of the Welsh countryside.
To the west, the mountains of Snowdonia. To the North, the open sea. The nights I spent there contained some of the most beautiful sunsets of my life, but there’s one I want to tell you about in particular…
twitter.com
Sam Bowman 🇺🇦 on Twitter: "I really recommend keeping a list of tasks you need to do to stay on top of your work.
After you’ve completed one, just refer to the list and you’ll see a menu of other things you can move on to. It’s been a huge productivity hack for me.
twitter.com
Jason Stanley on Twitter: "Titus Kaphar took a painting that used to be on the wall of Yale’s Corporation room,
Jason Stanley on Twitter: "Titus Kaphar took a painting that used to be on the wall of Yale’s Corporation room,
showing Eliyu Yale with two other wealthy white men, with an enslaved Black child in the background, and repainted it, crumpling it up and highlighting one part. It’s called “Enough about You”
twitter.com
Perpetua Hughes on Twitter: "36-year-old male flight attendant with macular lesions on his face and arms.
Perpetua Hughes on Twitter: "36-year-old male flight attendant with macular lesions on his face and arms.
The patient has been flying in and out of Africa for months, god knows who he’s come into contact with on those flights! Food importers, researchers…
twitter.com
Benjamin P. Taylor on Twitter
Benjamin P. Taylor on Twitter
the new leopards ate my face
twitter.com
Consciousness and the meaning of life
From @aphercotropist , an actual definition of consciousness (and amounts of it!)
Level of Consciousness - Clinical Methods - NCBI Bookshelf https://bit.ly/3wGhreb
Situated, trainable, testable, practical.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Level of Consciousness The normal state of consciousness comprises either the state of wakefulness, awareness, or alertness in which most human beings function while not asleep or one of the recognized stages of normal…
Benjamin P. Taylor @antlerboy · May 19
Reminds me of dialogue I love from ‘another girl, another planet’ - ‘after the body dies, the ears and brain can still here for a few seconds. So Jim hired a Tibetan Lama to shout into his ear in those last moments’ ‘What did the lama shout?’ ‘You’re dead, Jim!’
I may not have all those details correct, but I’ve got the gist.
Hmm though, I am on a train with crap wifi so my thoughts are disrupted - perhaps the story I meant to tell was the audience member earnestly asking the lama ‘what is the meaning of life?’
Confusion, muttering between lama and interpreter… ‘Please ask again’ ‘What is the meaning of life’ The lama speaks. ‘Ah’ says the interpreter. ‘Life is the time between birth and death.
twitter.com
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Benjamin P Taylor
Benjamin P Taylor @antlerboy

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