Known as the ‘Matthew effect‘ in honour of the Gospel of Matthew from whence it comes, the principle of those who have much being the recipients of more, has been embedded in society since the times of the Bible, and probably before. The Matthew effect is very much in force in the New Zealand propertyContinue reading “To those that have, more shall be given”
Tag Archives: coronavirus
Perspectives & inspiration
As usual, when life is feeling a bit scratchy around the edges, it is amazing how a bike ride can put things into perspective. I reckon that world peace could be massively advanced by people finding ‘their’ activity and engaging in it. There is an incredible sense of ‘rightness’ when one manoeuvres the bike throughContinue reading “Perspectives & inspiration”
Lands of hope and stories
I admit it, I am a storage junkie. I love getting matching storage containers in different sizes and then optimising which item goes in which container. Yes, our spices are all in identical labelled jars in a drawer, so you can see the labels on the lids, and yes they are in alphabetical order. Also,Continue reading “Lands of hope and stories”
The paradox of predictions
Everyone, including me, was dusting off their crystal balls this week as the American election moved to its zenith. The continuous commentary regarding what might happen and what is happening, and around that loop again, gets somewhat tiresome. It makes me want to say, “Forget about it, just go to sleep and wake up inContinue reading “The paradox of predictions”
Waka or sieve?
The JumbliesThey went to sea in a Sieve, they did, In a Sieve they went to sea: In spite of all their friends could say, On a winter’s morn, on a stormy day, In a Sieve they went to sea! And when the Sieve turned round and round, And every one cried, “You’ll all beContinue reading “Waka or sieve?”
Who are us?
Jacinda Ardern’s quote “They are us”, spoken in the aftermath of the Christchurch mosque attacks, was voted the Massey University quote of the year for 2019. Ardern has reiterated the same sentiments many times since, including in reference to the COVID ‘Team of 5 Million’ fighting the virus together, and in her election night speech,Continue reading “Who are us?”
Taking stock
Yesterday (September 22) was another happy day in New Zealand, as the majority of the country returned to Alert Level 1 conditions, with Auckland to drop back from Level 2.5 to Level 2 at midnight tonight. As usual, some health professionals think the reduction in Alert Levels has come too soon, while some business peopleContinue reading “Taking stock”
Things I don’t understand
Of the many things that I don’t understand, the vast majority relate to human nature. I have questions like, why don’t people act in their own best interests? That’s a rather big question, let’s step in down a level. Why do people want to go on aeroplane flights to nowhere? There is, apparently, a growingContinue reading “Things I don’t understand”
Elections & Fantasy Literature
When I was a child I really loved fairy stories. I read every single one that was in the library and was excited when a new book arrived. I moved on to fantasy literature, of which fairy stories (as short tales which include magic and magical beings) are a subset. I read the Narnia seriesContinue reading “Elections & Fantasy Literature”
When in doubt, garden
There is something incredibly cathartic about the acts of planting and caring for plants. For me, it was a seminal moment when we put the first plants in at our ‘city’ house in Christchurch recently. Planting embodies hope because it implies a belief in a future into which the plants will grow. It is aContinue reading “When in doubt, garden”