Category Archives: Current Affairs
Where The Wild Things Are
After Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant’s Reactor 4 exploded on 26th April 1986, the surrounding area impacted by the radiation fallout (known as the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, or CEZ) was evacuated.
Read more...When Science Fiction Becomes Science Fact
Who remembers Michael Crichton’s 1969 novel ‘The Andromeda Strain’, about the outbreak of a deadly extraterrestrial microorganism that degrades plastic? Or the first episode of Doomwatch, a BBC sci-fi series that aired in the 70s, which revolved around a plastic dissolving microbe and was aptly named ‘The Plastic Eaters’?
Read more...Dōmo arigatō, Mr. Roboto (Thank you very much, Mr Robot)
In 1983, a Chinese fast-food restaurant in California hired two disco-blasting robotic waiters, much to the amusement of the locals. Tanbo R-1 and Tanbo R-2 didn’t last long though; despite being able to serve food and tell jokes, they were prone to drop things and got confused easily. Humans were rehired, natural order was restored.
Read more...The Pursuit of Happiness
In the fourth World Happiness Report, released in March, the levels of happiness of people across the world have been rated by considering factors such as trust, healthy years of life expectancy and perceived freedom to make life choices.
Read more...Crufts 2016
A white Westie called Geordie Girl has picked up the prestigious Best in Show title at this year’s Crufts.
Read more...Jumbo ride for elephants
What is it about elephants that makes us humans love them so much? I don’t think I have ever met a person who doesn’t adore these gentle giants.
Read more...Discombobulated by the bobbing heads
I am discombobulated about the rise of the now ubiquitous garden trampoline. When did this springing mania take over in the lives of our young people?
Read more...Protective of my plastic bags
Have you, like me, become extremely and almost embarrassingly protective over your plastic bags?
Read more...The wonky carrot fights back
Recently there’s been a lot of press surrounding the size, shape and appearance of various food items…
Read more...Hello March, goodbye Cocoa
Another month brings with it another reason to cut out something ‘naughty’ from our lives. With dry January not yet a distant memory we are now being encouraged to give up another guilty pleasure.
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