The 1960s and 70s were a time of political and social upheaval in Britain. Under the governments of Harold Wilson, it seemed that power was edging ever closer to the people, but at the same time, radical politics was racing on further to the left. When I was a student at Oxford in the late […]
The Terrible Eye of Crow Read More »
Why are Union Jacks and the Cross of St George being flown on bridges and roundabouts? Are some people flying the flag to signal support for white supremacy? Why do a majority of voters think foreign immigration is the single most important political issue? And why do a majority of British voters think (wrongly) that
Flying the Flag for White Supremacy? Read More »
“The tygers of wrath are wiser than the horses of instruction…” “Sooner murder an infant in its cradle/ Than nurse unacted desires…” What are we to make of the visionary artist William Blake (1757-1827) and his Marriage of Heaven and Hell? How we loved him in the 1960s and 70s, when he seemed to validate
Heaven and Hell of William Blake Read More »
What do we make of the primitive religions described in The Golden Bough in the 21st Century? It’s an amazing work of late Victorian anthropology examining ancient myths and fertility rituals all over the world. And it shows how some of them were the roots that became part of Judaism and Christianity. All these rituals
Primitive Religion in the Golden Bough Read More »
The home page of the campaign group Tax Justice UK makes 10 proposals which they claim could raise £60 billion a year to improve Britain’s public services. They are worth a good look. Would they work? Or would all the multi-millionaires and wealth creators quit Britain? Would Donald Trump punish us for forcing extractive US
Taxing the high fliers Read More »
The Master and His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World is a book published in 2009 by the polymath psychiatrist and philosopher Dr Iain McGilchrist. When I heard him describe his concept of thinking with the heart and mind together, it inspired to set up the justbeautyportal blogsite. I think
Thinking with Heart and Mind Together Read More »
We all of us have a philosophy, whether we know it or not. It’s the way we face life, dour or hopeful, cynical or romantic. It’s our raft of preconceptions – and this excellent book explores where these ideas come from. My own life philosophy takes in nature, science, art, finding a balance between cleverness
Magnificent Rebels by Andrea Wulf Read More »
The Labour Government has had some success with the NHS since taking power in 2024 and, it seems, funding 5 million extra health appointments. But valid questions remain over the structure of this core element of Britain’s welfare state. Here are the bullet points of our debate: 1: A proposal that the NHS and Social
Is the NHS Fit for Purpose? A seminar led by a retired NHS consultant Read More »
Published in 1990, this book of psychiatry sold six million copies. Mine was bought this year for £1.50 from a second-hand store, and it has changed my understanding of life. For the better, I think! I was concerned with the question of where do we find love – for our friends and family and others
THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED by M Scott Peck Read More »
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