The Digital Conversationalist

Distractions

#178 Weekend reads – it’s alright to be distracted sometimes

It’s Oscars week and that means lots of coverage to keep us all distracted from the serious stuff going on in the world. In my various social media communities, many of the activists are disparaging anyone paying attention to the silly stuff, and to them I say: pull your head in. I am paying attention to serious stuff ALL the time, and that means I will never apologize for looking at stupid stuff. I need it. It keeps me going.

One of the highlights, of course, was Ryan Gosling performing “I’m Just Ken” and here’s the video if you haven’t seen it. I thought it was terrific, so hope it gives you a smile.

Because, you know, things are serious out there. First up, some good news out of France as it passes the first step in limiting the ‘excesses’ of fast fashion. It could be seen as another attack on China, but honestly, we need the Chinese government all over this as well. It’s the only way to stop this horrible environmental catastrophe.

Our shipping industry is under massive strain for multiple reasons, and this is an important issue to understand, because it impacts all of us with higher prices and inflation. Check out this piece on the issue.

Phoenix, Arizona, reported 645 deaths in 2023 due to heat, and that’s 50% more than in 2022. Extreme heat is a massive issue in the Global South right now, and in this report, extreme heat could trigger the worst global financial crisis the world has ever seen. It’s not just on land, extreme heat is also impacting the ocean, with a massive bleaching event underway in the Great Barrier Reef, and we have reached our 365 day anniversary of record heat in our oceans.

From heat to excessive rain, the UK farms are under water and catastrophic reductions in crops are expected, with more rain on the way. I feel for the farmers.

As we know, extremes in all-weather events (plus supply chain issues) mean higher food prices and inflation, which has a huge impact on those living on the poverty line, so it’s important we understand what’s causing it, because an authoritarian leader promising to solve this challenge isn’t going to be able to do it. We need wisdom and integrity in our leaders today, that’s for sure.  

And we can’t even honour our fairytales, as 120,000 trees have been felled in a fairytale forest in Germany, to make way for wind farm – the irony of it all.

But don’t worry, the mega wealthy are doing their part. The latest “must-have” accessory for the ultra-rich is a luxury submarine, and as this report in Nature says: Why the world cannot afford the rich. Indeed, if we want to live within the nine planetary boundaries, luxury cannot be on the agenda, but equality must be!

Friends content and mine

Honouring three ladies in my network this week, all of whom I have great admiration for:

Susanna Hasenoehrl does a great job in this video talking about leadership and sustainability.

Natalie Turner offers some great advice on why women are critical to include in innovation – great read: Beyond the Barcode: How women’s insights can craft conscious innovation | LinkedIn

And Joanne Flinn, she’s had such an interesting life, and I really enjoyed this conversation on financial leadership and sustainability – check out the podcast: Crucial Conversations: Crafting Financial Fortitude and Green Strategies for the Next Generation on Apple Podcasts

I also launched my latest video: Part Two: We need a new middle class dream, section four – white goods. Have a listen and let’s address the scale issue – we are making too much stuff and we can’t continue.

Plenty more to read or watch, so do click through to the reads at the image below, and a reminder, this platform (elink.io) means the articles go back weeks, and potentially months as the year progresses. If you want to see the latest, it’s the first 100 or so added.

Weekend Reads

Please do let me know what caught your attention? Or share with me what has your attention now? There’s a lot going on, which means none of us can cover everything. Besides, it’s always great to get feedback so I know I’m delivering something of value.

Cheers

Andrea

All of my contact information is here.

Uncommon Courage, an invitation

Uncommon Courage is an invitation to be your courageous best self every day. It’s also an antidote to the overwhelm, fear, and rage rolling around the world. But it’s more than a book; it’s an invitation to join an inclusive community that wants to better understand humanities challenges – both global and personal – in order to take courageous action and create a better world for everyone. If Covid19 gave us the time and space to reflect, Uncommon Courage gives us the nudge we need to create lasting change.

You can buy it on AmazonApple BooksBarnes & Noble, Book DepositoryBooktopia, SmashwordsKobo, Gardners, Odilo, Indie Bound, BookShop by BookTrib and Scribd.

Better yet, order it from your local bookstore, so you can #SupportLocal.

You can read the reviews, including a new five-star review on Book Commentary, another five-star review on ReaderViews, a review on BookTrib, and three more on Booklife, another on Book Commentary and Blue Ink Reviews. I’m also collating reviews on my Website too. Have a look and grateful to everyone who has written or recorded one.

Come and join the conversation in my Facebook Group One Billion People with Uncommon Courage.

Listen in to the Uncommon Courage, the podcast on Apple, Spotify and everywhere podcasts are published.

The Know Show

Check out The Know Show. It’s a fortnightly wrap up of the news and we started again for 2024.

Climate Courage

A fortnightly conversation on issues that matter to you and I, focusing on the actions we can all take. I am yet to confirm the return date for this, but it’s coming. In the meantime, I’m doing a three-part series called: We need a new middle-class dream, and one billion people with Uncommon Courage!

18 Steps to an All-Star LinkedIn Profile 

Listed by Book Authority in the 100 Best LinkedIn Books of All Time and 22 Best New LinkedIn eBooks To Read In 2021 and 2022 categories. Grab it today if you want to take your professional presence to the next level! When it comes to LinkedIn, it really is time to ask — can you really afford not to have this book in the hands of every employee?

Are you a Social CEO? The Social CEO: How Social Media Can Make You A Stronger Leader. 

Want to claim your stage? Unleash Your Voice – Powerful Public Speaking for Every Woman 

Feedback

Have I done a great job for you? Can you write a reference on my LinkedIn profile or on my Google Business page? If not for me, why not write one for someone else who inspires you or has helped you? Join the #GivingEconomy.

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