Hello again, dear reader.
In case you're new here, I'm Alastair Johnston and you're receiving this newsletter because you subscribed over at my blog or via a link from Substack. I'm grateful for you giving me some of your time and attention and hope I always inform or entertain you here. If not, please feel free to unsubscribe, I won't be offended.
Here are the latest interesting things I’d love to share with you.
New on the blog
I’ve written a review on New Escapologist which is a blog and actual paper magazine. It’s ace (the magazine, not necessarily my review) and worth a read if you are interested in pushing back at wage-slavery. As well as the review, I’m also offering to send one luck reader a copy of the latest print edition, absolutely free. Read the blog entry for more details.
Other Interesting Things:
V.H.Belvadi’s Hello Page
Venkatram emailed me to say he had joined the fold of fellow Hello Page-ers. And as I always take a nosy look at people’s websites, I thought I’d share his site here, as it’s (a) beautifully put together and (b) has some really interesting writing. And he also keeps a blogroll, which is something I’ve not seen for a long while, but maybe needs resurrecting in the same vein as rss.
The British Pilgrimage Trust
Although I run to keep fit and for my mental health, I love walking. I would like to plan more proper walks with interesting destinations this year, so was grateful to find the British Pilgrimage Trust’s website which aims “to advance British pilgrimage as a form of cultural heritage, that promotes holistic well-being, for the public benefit.” One way it does this is by listing many routes across the UK to help you plan.
How Email Became Work
Anne Helen Peterson writes an excellent substack. Yes I’m that old that I remember when getting an email was an exciting thing. But I also have been pondering just how much of a burden it’s become in my day job. Although I prefer email for personal correspondence because what I do get is manageable in volume and of a higher quality of politeness and sincerity, in corporate circles it’s just so time consuming. And added to Teams messaging it becomes too big a part of my day. Some useful thoughts to ponder in this piece.
And finally a question…
I’m thinking of starting a new series of posts, potentially on a different newsletter, with a working title of “The Unmachined”. I’m curious as to the way that technology is moving away from being a tool that’s nice to have into something that is essential for us to live in modern society. Think cashless shops, that shut out the poor who don’t have a bank account. Think people being so hooked by mobile phones and social media that they get visibly anxious when separated from their phones. Think data tracking being used to try and manipulate how we think and act.
I’m not proposing that technology is wrong. But I am thinking about how technology and progress is not always either good, or inevitable. And anything that stops us being human, or hinders our humanity, needs to be looked at, challenged and maybe controlled, hacked or discarded.
It’s another evolution in my writing about my interest in living a good life, but with a focus on tech and society and what we can do to step back and rebel if necessary.
What do you think? Is this something that you’d be interested in reading about? If so, please get in touch and let me know your thoughts. It will help me decide whether to give this little project a bash.
That’s it for now.
Be kind and live well!
Comments? Insights? Join the discussion or email me.