Cause & Effect - Lines on Maps

The boundaries of countries have been decided by a combination of historical claims, treaties, wars, colonization, and negotiations. These boundaries can be natural, like rivers or mountains, or artificial lines agreed upon by the nations involved. They are arbitrary & change over time. For example Hungary & Poland lost a lot of territory to Cezchoslovakia & Romania post WW2. Similarly, tribal Africa was remapped by European colonisers, primarily between the 1880s and 1914, with little regard for existing political structures or ethnic boundaries.

The area of Israel & Palestine at the time of Jesus was historically tribal, but was then under Roman rule. God had supposedly given the land of Canaan to the Jews. Scholars today use Canaan as a geopolitical entity corresponding to the modern states of Israel, the West Bank/Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon, and southern Syria.

 

Palestine was historically part of Canaan, then later included the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah. After the Roman conquest, it was known as Judaea, and was later renamed Syria Palaestina. 

So it is complicated. Both Israel & Palestine have a legitimate claim to the land. But the thing is that borders do not exist in the landscape in reality. They are created by people, usually men, with vested interests. They are fluid & change over time. Once we create borders we create conflict & the cycle of fighting for territory begins. It is a male thing. Generally women fight to defend people, not territory.

 

In microcosm we put boundaries around our houses - fences, walls & hedges. We are in effect saying this is mine, keep off unless I invite you in. Land ownership is at the root of class hierarchy, the aristocracy, the middle classes & the working class. Britain is probably still one of the most class ridden societies in the world, apart from India, which has the caste system.

 

The territorial dispute between Israel & Palestine has been ongoing for a very long time. Logic says that there needs to be a negotiated settlement about a 2 state solution. But attitudes on both sides are entrenched. Politics & religious zealotry has mired logical discussion in a morass. So a solution seems a long way off.

 

In the meantime Gaza is almost totally destroyed & the death & injury toll is unacceptable - at least 59,029 people killed and 142,135 wounded. Putin continues to be at war with Ukraine. There is civil war in Sudan, Ethiopia, Myanmar & the Sahel. The rest of the world seems unable to impose logic on anyone.

 

This does not simply affect the warring countries. The impact is worldwide. Peace is in everyone's interest. 

 

 

Denial

Denial - The refusal to acknowledge or accept the truth of something despite evidence to the contrary. It's a psychological defense mechanism where individuals unconsciously avoid confronting painful or uncomfortable realities. For example, refusing to admit to a personal problem like addiction or rejecting the reality of a traumatic event. Our brain is remarkable & can prevent unpleasant or anxiety-provoking thoughts and feelings from reaching conscious awareness. Sometimes denial can help us to process the initial shock of trauma or loss. While denial can give temporary relief, it can also be detrimental in the long run. 

Plausible Deniability -  Politicians & people in power use this to deny knowledge or responsibility for actions, even if they were involved or had knowledge, by creating ambiguity, (ergo lying), or using indirect language creating doubt. This allows them to distance themselves from potentially damaging consequences, while still benefiting from the action. I'm sure you can think of examples.

Denialism - A phenomenon that goes beyond individual denial. It is the rejection of established facts and evidence, often for ideological or political reasons, e.g. Holocaust denial. 

Individuals can be in denial about personal life experiences or macro events. I may not want to accept that I have a serious illness or have done something very wrong or harmful. I may be misled by spurious conspiracy theories about world events, the death of President Kennedy for example. There may be plenty of evidence supporting the truth & precious little supporting the conspiracy theorists, but my brain does not want to accept the truth. It is easier to believe something else for some reason. There may well be conspiracies going on in the world, but there is also a huge amount of misinformation & downright lies, often spread by social media. 

We live in an information age where access to facts & evidence is easy because of technology. But that access works both ways, we also have immediate access to post truth information designed to mislead. Some politicians & political parties rely on that to stay in power. There have been huge international corporations that have had a very questionable relationship with truth, the Sackler family & the OxyContin scandal for example. Or closer to home the Post Office scandal. 

More & more it is our responsibility to verify what we believe to be the truth. We have the tools. We should all use them.

 

Or we will be lambs to the slaughter - possibly literally. 

Famine - Genocide - Ethnic Cleansing - You Decide

Famine - The most severe kind of hunger crisis. Extreme widespread scarcity of food. Not enough food for a great number of people, causing illness and death - children and adults within a certain area dying of hunger on a daily basis. Famine is preventable and, therefore, a choice. 

 

Genocide - coined in 1944 genos, meaning race or tribe, and the Latin suffix cide, meaning killing. Systematic murder, targeted actions aimed at the destruction of particular groups of people. An international crime. 

Ethnic Cleansing - coined after the 1990’s conflict in the former Yugoslavia. Not yet recognized as an independent crime under international law, why? Possibly because there is no precise definition of the concept or the exact acts to be qualified as ethnic cleansing. Interim report S/25274 defined as "… rendering an area ethnically homogeneous by using force or intimidation to remove persons of given groups from the area." In report S/1994/674 the same Commission described ethnic cleansing as “… a purposeful policy designed by one ethnic or religious group to remove by violent and terror-inspiring means the civilian population of another ethnic or religious group from certain geographic areas.” The Comission of Experts stated that coercive practices used to remove the civilian population can include: murder, torture, arbitrary arrest and detention, extrajudicial executions, rape and sexual assaults, severe physical injury to civilians, confinement of civilian population in ghetto areas, forcible removal, displacement and deportation of civilian population, deliberate military attacks or threats of attacks on civilians and civilian areas, use of civilians as human shields, destruction of property, robbery of personal property, attacks on hospitals, medical personnel, and locations with the Red Cross/Red Crescent emblem, among others.

https://www.un.org/en/genocide-prevention/definition

I simply can't see that any of this does not apply to what the Israeli government & IDF are doing in Gaza & the West Bank. Please note, I have not said Israeli's or Jews, because I do not believe that what is being done is in the name of all Israeli's or Jews. There is dissent against the way this war has been fought. There are moderate people who are standing up against the actions of an extreme right wing section of the Israeli population. 

What I do not understand or condone is that the international community seems to, yet again, be watching on the sidelines, as it did in Jugoslavia. What is the point of international law if it isn't enforced? What is the point of the United Nations if it allows veto's by vested interests & bad actors to stand in the way of justice? 

Can't Stand the Heat

We have quite a few sayings about heat - "if you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen", "the heat of the moment", "the white heat of technology", "as hot as hell".....  We have a very mixed relationship to heat, sun & heatwaves. Some love it. I actually dread it because, like many elderly people, I find it really difficult to cope with. I have to virtually shutdown & stay in the coolest room in my house which is North facing. 

We are now experiencing the third successive heatwave this summer in the UK. We have amber heat alerts with temperatures in the 30's & 3 areas now have hosepipe bans. The highest temperature so far was 34.7 degrees. According to RoSPA “Heat is no longer just a holiday perk, it’s a growing public health risk".

If you have pre-existing health conditions heat exacerbates the symptoms. Conditions like heart disease, respiratory problems, kidney issues, and diabetes can be worsened, leading to a higher risk of complications and even death.The body's attempt to cool down during heat exposure puts extra strain on the heart, potentially leading to chest pain, heart attack, or even heart failure in individuals with pre-existing heart conditions. Hot weather can worsen breathing difficulties & reduce oxygen intake. Heat and dehydration can strain the kidneys, potentially leading to acute kidney injury, especially in individuals with existing kidney problems. Some medications, such as diuretics, beta-blockers, and drugs for mental health, can interfere with the body's ability to regulate temperature and maintain proper fluid balance, making people more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses.

People like me with chronic health conditions need to take extra precautions during heatwaves, such as staying hydrated, avoiding strenuous activity, and seeking shade or air-conditioned environments. Actually I find there is no choice, because I simply do not have the capacity to do anything even slightly energetic. So the ironing remains unironed, the plants aren't watered, the bed is never made & the washing up sits and looks mockingly at me.

But I don't mind that. It will all get done eventually. What I mind is the enforced inactivity. The constant discomfort. 

But I am fortunate because I can & do swim, which is a temporary respite & makes sure I do get some exercise. I have family living nearby & friends who keep in touch. So many people are struggling with the results of climate change who aren't as lucky. 

The Climate Emergency needs to be taken far more seriously by everyone. We can see the evidence clearly, not least in the wildfire statistics. 

https://gwis.jrc.ec.europa.eu/apps/gwis_current_situation/index.html

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0m9gm3jwljo 

Heat is a killer, in more ways than one. 

 

Homelessness

My husband & I started married life in a rented council terraced property in Bracknell. When our daughter was born we had enough money for a deposit on a semi detached house & could just about afford the mortgage. It was a financial stretch & there were weeks when we had egg & chips several times for supper.

Over our life together we moved up the property ladder as we both had professional jobs & our salaries increased. We ended up in a valuable property & mortgage free. We both worked hard, but we were so lucky.

Homelessness in the UK is a blight on all of us. We are a relatively wealthy nation, yet we seem to tolerate this epidemic. In March 2025, an estimated 3,438 people were sleeping rough on a single night in England. This represents a 2% increase since December 2024 and an 11% increase compared to the same period last year. There are other forms of homelessness, such as those in temporary accommodation, which brings the total number of homeless people to at least 354,000.  

Poverty, unemployment, lack of affordable housing, relationship breakdown and systemic barriers in welfare support are understood to be significant systemic primary drivers of rough sleeping. These underlying causes can often be exacerbated by personal vulnerabilities like poor health or substance use.

Poverty can arise from low wages, unemployment, and the rising cost of living, making it impossible for some to afford basic necessities like housing. Low-income individuals and families can't find suitable, secure & affordable accommodation to rent or buy. Eviction from private rentals, often due to rising costs or 'no-fault' evictions, is a major trigger for homelessness. Cuts to welfare benefits and inadequate support systems can leave vulnerable individuals with limited resources to meet their basic needs and prevent homelessness. Family or relationship conflicts, domestic violence, and the loss of a support network can lead to sudden homelessness. Mental health problems and substance abuse can significantly impair an individual's ability to manage daily life, maintain employment, and secure housing. Young people leaving the care system often lack the necessary support network to transition to independent living, making them vulnerable. Individuals leaving prison may face challenges finding housing and employment.

https://www.crisis.org.uk/ending-homelessness/about-homelessness/causes-of-homelessness/ 

It isn't a simple problem to solve. We need more affordable social housing. Charities like the Salvation Army have innovative projects like "Nap Pads" https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/homelessness/nap-pads

 

Rough sleeping will be decriminalised next year under government plans to scrap the 200-year-old Vagrancy Act which outlaws rough sleeping in England and Wales. Given all the drivers of homelessness & rough sleeping I think this should have happened ages ago. 

There are undoubtedly people on the streets who cause a nuisance due to associated behaviours like begging, street drinking & anti social actions, which can negatively impact communities. But I have seen anti social behaviours by non rough sleepers too, far too often. People can be needlessly confrontational & aggressive, rude & abusive, in public. Dealing with bad behaviour is very difficult & it is all too common. I have had intimidating neighbours I actually thought were capable of violence.

We should also consider the many people living in unacceptable, mainly rented, housing. In 2022-23, approximately 3.5 million households (14%) in England lived in homes that failed to meet the Decent Homes Standard, according to the Gov.uk website. This includes 2.1 million households (9%) with at least one Category 1 hazard and 1.0 million households (4%) with damp.

Human beings are such a mixed bunch. We need to learn what to tolerate & what to confront. We also probably need a dose of empathy & understanding for the many people less fortunate than we are. I do worry about the knee jerk, very right wing, political responses to problems like this because we are in dire financial straits as a country because of poor previous political decision making. 

As humans we need to learn to care for people. Homelessness isn't a "lifestyle choice". We shouldn't just pass by on the other side of the road like the Priest & the Levite in the story of the Good Samaritan. 

 

Life & Tennis

I learned to play games at grammar school - netball, hockey & my favourite, tennis. I can't remember when I started watching Wimbledon, but I do clearly remember the Rosewall / Laver era in the 60s & 70s. I really got bored knowing that Laver was going to win almost every time. I also remember the beginning of the open era in 1968. I have been lucky to watch decades of tennis in which the game has changed in every way possible, not always for the better in my opinion. I got very fed up when the hard serving, baseline, game came in & there was very little nuance or skill. Just blasting your opponent off the court - Not engaging to watch. 

Watching tennis has taught me that there is far more to sport than physical fitness. Tennis is a game of the mind, psychology is really important. Personality matters. Not as some sort of icon, but in the sense of how you win. You do need to be competetive, but you also need to respect your opponent.

Among other good matches I've watched this week, the Cilic / Draper game has stood out. It was wonderful to see Cilic triumph over the difficulties he has had for a couple of years. You had to admire such skill & determination. 

Life is a game of tennis in many ways, full of challenges & opportunities. You have to be able to adapt to the unexpected. You have to persevere & fight back in adversity. You aren't necessarily in control. If you make mistakes & fail - and you will, you have to be resilient & learn from every experience. Moving forward with enthusiasm is more positive than looking back to the past with regret.

I'm not a fan of the change in rules that allows coaching from the box during a match which started last year. The point of tennis for me, especially singles, is that its a test for each player to show what they are capable of on their own. I'm also always disappointed when players, usually when they are losing, take a very long "comfort break" in order to upset their opponents rhythm. I remember the eras of skill & personality. The current trend to fist bump at every point won & look to the box for approval sets my teeth on edge. Watching good players who just get on with the game, like Fritz & Alcaraz is so much more in the spirit of sportsmanship. 

What is important, in tennis & in life, is how you win. Not to win at all costs. 

 

Bodies - Love them or hate them?

I recently watched "Good Luck to you Leo Grande" starring Emma Thompson.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13352968/

It was a brave movie for a woman of a certain age to make. Especially the final scene where she literally bares all. It made me think about body image & sexual mores. 

A large proportion of adults are either overweight or obese in the UK, and the issue disproportionately affects those in more deprived areas. Obesity is associated with a range of health problems, including increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer, which places a substantial burden on the NHS and the wider economy, with rising costs for treatments and care. Obesity rates are also high among children, with a notable disparity between children from more and less developed areas.

I am not suggesting that Emma Thompson is obese or has any form of body dismorphia. 

At the other end of the scale the prevalence of anorexia (trying to control your weight by not eating enough food, exercising too much, or doing both), bulimia (losing control over how much you eat and then taking drastic action to not put on weight) & binge eating disorder (eating large portions of food until you feel uncomfortably full) seems to also be high. At least 1.25 million people in the UK are living with an eating disorder. That's more than 1 in 50 people – but the real number could be even higher.

Cosmetic plastic surgery & enhancement procedures seem to be on the rise in the UK to address perceived flaws or insecurities. The portrayal of "perfect" bodies and faces by influencers and celebrities on platforms like Instagram and TikTok can create pressure on young people to pursue cosmetic enhancements to achieve similar looks. Reality TV shows featuring individuals who have undergone cosmetic procedures contribute to normalizing and even glamorizing surgery, making it seem like a readily attainable option. The negative impact of unrealistic beauty standards perpetuated by media and social media is really worrying & the "treatments" can be risky. Especially as the sector isn't well regulated.

It is normal to have a wide variety of human body shapes. To my mind it shouldn't be normal to put a huge strain on your body & organs because of excessive weight or extreme thinness. I sometimes look at faces, buttocks & breasts of some women who have had fillers & feel that we have gone too far in our manipulation of what we look like. While it is good to make the best of what nature gave us, we should feel comfortable in our own bodies. Who are we trying to please, ourselves or others?

There are people who really need the help of clever surgeons, children who are born with cleft palates for example. Most of us really don't. We should be able to understand that what we look like does not determine who we are. We need to value ourselves enough to be confident & not abuse the bodies we have.