Sensemaking – More Than Logic

12 August 2023 Rob Watson 0

“There is not enough love and kindness in the world to permit us to give any of it away to imaginary beings.” Friedrich Nietzsche, Human, All Too Human: A Book for Free Spirits. At some point in the online conversations that I’ve been listening to recently about gender and identity, one of the speakers will […]

Avoiding Chaos and the Void

28 July 2023 Rob Watson 0

There is a great disruption in the fabric of socialmeaning. Established frames of reference and certainties are being disrupted, and previously affirmed assumptions are being displaced. We are used to science fiction stories racing against the clock to fix tears and ruptures that threaten the whole of reality. I never thought that I’d be one […]

Learning to Use AI Tools for Blogging

19 June 2023 Rob Watson 0

If you’re looking to take your blogging to the next level, then learning to use AI tools is the way to go! AI tools can help you create more engaging content, optimize your blog for search engines, and even automate some of your tasks. Get started today by clicking here to learn more about how […]

Uncovering the Power of Podcasting for Introverts – Exploring Authenticity and Connection

2 June 2023 Rob Watson 0

Today, the virtues of extroversion are often celebrated and introversion overlooked. Yet, introverts bring valuable perspectives to the table, including a knack for introspection, deep thinking, and authentic self-expression. Faced with the daunting task of sharing these qualities in a way that is not draining or overwhelming, introverts, like myself, frequently turn to podcasting as […]

Distraction Therapy 081 – Driving Around or Living a Meaningful Life

3 March 2023 Rob Watson 0

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreRyan and I got together at the recently extended Phoenix Cinema and Digital Arts Centre in Leicester, for a chat about what makes for a meaningful life. Ryan shared his experience of getting a car and […]

Distraction Therapy – What is a Meaningful Life?

23 February 2023 Rob Watson 0

Occasionally as we journey through life we reach a fork in the road presenting us with a choice. Do we go one way along the well-worn path, or do we head along the lesser-known route and see what we can discover? I feel I have reached one of those points of choice. I can either […]

Dying Myths of British Exceptionalism

20 January 2023 Rob Watson 0

“Government is a shared myth. When the myth dies the government dies” Leto II, God Emperor of Dune, Frank Herbert We live according to the myths and stories that we tell ourselves. During my lifetime, the dominant myth has been that the free market will solve all our problems, and that individualistic market economics will […]

Is the UK a Massive Ponzi Scheme? What Madoff Teaches Us

8 January 2023 Rob Watson 0

The Netflix series Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street is an excruciating examination of greed, hubris, denial and corruption on a grand scale. Joe Berlinger’s enthralling account of Bernie Madoff’s rise to power, and his spectacular fall that left a trail of destruction around the world, demonstrates how warped and broken speculative finance is. When […]

Brutal Birmingham?

21 December 2022 Rob Watson 0

Despite the much-needed redevelopment of Birmingham city centre, I still find visiting to be a brutal experience. I’m uncertain if it is the sheer volume of people crammed into a relatively small area, or if it is the design of the city which prioritised cars and industry rather than people. I can only relate my […]

Bordeaux – Civil City

28 November 2022 Rob Watson 0

I’ve just had a couple of very pleasant days in Bordeaux. The French city on the River Garonne is defined by its passion for wine, food and a cuisine-based culture that draws on the traditions established and prized in the region of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine. With many cafés and restaurants supporting locally grown and created produce, […]

A Rainy Day In Manchester

25 November 2022 Rob Watson 0

I’ve not been to Manchester for a few years, so I was intrigued to find out how much has changed since I last visited. I’m visiting overnight with my sister. The first obvious thing to notice is there has been a flurry of building that has changed the skyline, and there seems to be lots […]

Emergent Communities

22 November 2022 Rob Watson 0

I was reflecting the other evening on the journey I’ve been on, and which I can now say encompasses the better part of my life experiences. Given that I’m well into my middle-age, I’m both liberated from the pressure to find my place in the world, and pleased that I can start to apply some […]

Leicester Space Centre – Shock or Inspire?

16 November 2022 Rob Watson 0

Yesterday I visited the Leicester Space Centre for the first time. The outing was arranged as part of the Y-Heritage project, where a group of young people get to visit different arts and heritage places. Despite heavy rain for most of the day, it was good to be out and about. We started in the […]

Protest or Noise Pollution?

12 November 2022 Rob Watson 0

It’s my dream to live in a noise pollution-free neighbourhood. I’d like to be able to walk about without having my thoughts or conversations drowned out by traffic noise or extra-loud music spilling out from bars and cafés. It’s the reason I always wear noise-cancelling headphones when I’m wandering in a city. Unless there is […]