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We actively monitor change covering more than 150 key elements of life.

A Mundane Comedy is Dom Kelleher's new book. Extracts will appear on this site and across social media from late 2021. Please get in touch with any questions or thoughts.

The 52:52:52 project, launching both on this site and on Twitter in late 2021 will help you address 52 issues with 52 responses over 52 weeks.

Halcyon Inspired

On Legacy

Submitted by Halcyon Inspired on 1 October 2020
Christopher Hitchens

 

In the last months of his life, a physically weakened Christopher Hitchens travelled to the Texas Freethought Convention and while there, an eight-year-old girl asked Hitchens what books she should consider reading. Intrigued, Hitchens spent 15 minutes chatting with the youngster and sketching out a reading list (below). His last words to her? "Lots of love...remember the love bit..."

What's Changing? - Meaning

Submitted by Halcyon Inspired on 15 August 2020
Meaning

 

To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never. In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony - William Henry Channing

 

Please see below selected recent meaning-related change.

 

See also:

On Sport

Submitted by Halcyon Inspired on 1 July 2020
Ivan Fernandez Anaya

 

To understand what sport is - perhaps, should be - consider the story of Spanish runner Ivan Fernandez Anaya, who still receives attention for a race he lost back in December 2012. 

El Pais explained how Anaya was in second place, some distance behind race leader Abel Mutai. As they entered the finishing straight, he saw the Kenyan mistakenly pull up about 10 metres before the finish, thinking he'd already crossed the line. Anaya quickly caught up with him, but instead of exploiting Mutai's mistake to speed past and claim victory, he stayed behind and, using gestures, guided the Kenyan to the line and let him cross first.

Talking Change - Animals

Submitted by Halcyon Inspired on 1 May 2020
Animals

 

As long as man continues to be the ruthless destroyer of lower living beings he will never know health or peace. For as long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other - Pythagoras

Animal rights will end up with votes for oysters - Bertrand Russell

As we talked of freedom and justice one day for all, we sat down to steaks. I am eating misery, I thought, as I took the first bite. And spit it out - Alice Walker

I am conscious that meat eating is not in accordance with the finer feelings, and I abstain from it whenever I can - Dr. Albert Schweitzer -1952 Nobel Peace Prize recipient

I don't eat anything with a face - Linda McCartney

I have no doubt that it is a part of the destiny of the human race, in its gradual improvement, to leave off eating animals - Henry David Thoreau

On Podcasts

Submitted by Halcyon Inspired on 1 November 2018
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I have listened to and would recommend the following podcasts (2015-2018 recommendations to follow):

 

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