When I first heard that the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said it will ban adverts that promote gender stereotypes that are likely to cause harm, or serious or widespread offence, I thought here we go, political correctness has gone mad. The more I think about it, however, the more I support their approach. According to … Continue reading Advertising stereotypes
The river Coquet
For some time now I have been thinking about a book I want to write. Fiction rather than non this time. It involves canoeing up the river Wansbeck, the river that runs through my hometown. I have the plot laid out and have even written it down but can’t find a way into the story. … Continue reading The river Coquet
Telegraph
I am continuing my foray into the world of the printed media in an attempt to spread my understanding of other people’s opinions and support the work of paid journalism. I’m not sure if I am making any difference but then again we all have to do our own bit. This time I lurched to … Continue reading Telegraph
Time to fight back
It’s time to fight back. Our data is being used to profit from us, influence us and even trick us. The question is what can we do about it? Well, we already have a lot of power under the law. We can demand from companies to treat our data in accordance with General Data Protection … Continue reading Time to fight back
A storm in a measuring cup
In all my years on Twitter, I have never been involved in such a storm. Yes, I have had spats over politics, who hasn’t? Most of the time these have been short yet intense, usually resulting in people getting abusive and giving up. I try never to be abusive or rude on Twitter. In my … Continue reading A storm in a measuring cup
Immortality
I thought I’d blogged about this before. I’ve mentioned living forever and why we die but not the fact that I have met someone who is determined to be one of the first people who will be immortal. I won’t name names just in case it doesn’t come true but you have to admire his … Continue reading Immortality
For the love of it
A couple of weeks ago my daughter bought me a present. Actually it was a combined birthday and Father’s Day gift. It was a Google Home Mini. She knew that I hadn't got one and so she kept the receipt just in case it was not up my street. But I’ve kept it and it's … Continue reading For the love of it
A self made-up man
I am such a person. Everything I am is a narrative I tell myself. All of the good bits I scrub and polish until they shine while all of the bad bits are overlooked or put in a draw never to see the light of day again. I nurture this persona through the things I … Continue reading A self made-up man
Happy Birthday GDPR
GDPR is a year old. How cute, I remember when we were all excited about it arriving, getting everything ready and all the fuss that was made. Now it’s had its first birthday and it is really starting to grow up. Since its delivery, GDPR has quite rightly been all over the news. Big fines … Continue reading Happy Birthday GDPR
Damn those Romans
You can’t beat buying pot plants for instant gardening. If it’s colour you want them simply pop off to your local garden centre, buy something in bloom and take it home with you. Once it has gone over and lost its appeal the you can simply remove it and replace it. At this time of … Continue reading Damn those Romans