You don’t have to believe in God to be spiritual. People who produce great art, wonderful music, sensational ballet, memorable opera are all spiritual in their own way. So are those who breed beautiful animals, who cultivate lovely plants and who put together sensational shows like the Chelsea Flower Show. Anyone who takes pride in…
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It was recently suggested that civilisation has been going downhill since 1940. I was eight years old then and remember my father returning from seven years at sea and providing the epitome of civilisation – sailing in a small yacht on the River Mersey on Sundays after Mass. The clouds of war were gathering but…
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HMS Thetis, then a new design of submarine, sank on her trials in the River Mersey shortly after she left the dock in Liverpool, eighty years ago on 01 June 1939. There were 103 people on board including two Captains – one the operational Captain of the ship and the other a submariner Observer Captain,…
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I am indebted to Robin Tomlin for the idea for this Daily Paradox. The contents are exclusively the Daily Paradox’s responsibility. I have been a big critic of Theresa May and I don’t withdraw a single word of my criticism. But Theresa May has been Prime Minister of Britain, has battled tirelessly for what she…
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There has always been bad ethical behaviour. It used, more honestly, to be called sin, but we don’t use that kind of simple, direct word any more. It is too straightforward – rude, even. Fraud, insider trading, bribery, lies in resumes, fake news, sexual intrusion, environmental rape, all these are widely practiced even though we…
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As the £ sinks to unprecedented low levels, the warning signs for Britain are going up – apparently everywhere except in Britain. Reports from London say ‘eat, drink and be merry’ doesn’t go half way to describing the attitude to Brexit and a potential no-deal departure. ‘Just quit’ is the mood, ‘and get it over…
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We hear a lot about the importance of an organisation’s Culture. Culture is the environment in which things grow. It is the soil or nutrients that feed an organism enabling it to be cultivated. Whether home, business, military establishment or hospital, culture will determine the success of the structure it is supporting. As a farmer…
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I am indebted to Susan-Jane Baiden for the topic and for many examples of poor customer service. Thank you, S-J. Susan-Jane did NOT give me the example in Paragraph 3 below. I am also indebted to my wife and business partner, Eliza Quek, for her stalwart thinking on the subject. When did you last make…
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My last-but-one Daily Paradox, The Curse of Brexit, brought many cries of anguish and agreement. They, like me, felt Britain was at the bottom of the trough with nothing but a precipice to jump into. So it may be encouraging that I see a light at the end of the tunnel. It’s way ahead yet,…
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How much love a child needs is difficult to judge. Some children need more, some less. A child who has received little attention and love at home is extremely vulnerable in the world. S/he will seek the missing affection wherever they can find it. Wild vultures can smell carcass from miles away. Human vultures detect…
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