-
2020 Birding Highlights
Quite predictably, birding in 2020 was considerably inhibited. Which is not to say that there wasn’t a lot of interesting birds in the UK – there most definitely was. They just managed to get a little more peace and quiet in 2020. Which, let’s be honest, they probably benefitted from hugely! Despite what few outings…
-
Inclusivism isn’t Inclusive Enough!
Inclusivity is still being lauded but, I’m sorry, it just doesn’t cut the mustard. That is, unless we radically redefine it. It was all well and good to introduce political inclusivism as a new-age stepping stone to a happier tomorrow in the post-war era but in reality there was no chance of that happening. Multiculturalism,…
-
Hitched
Interdependence. This is my new favourite word. It’s an extremely pertinent term. A fundamental characteristic of our increasingly globalised economy and culture. It’s something that many reactionaries reject as they deride the Black Lives Matter movement and legendise undeserving colonialist figures, squabble over the ostensibly unique characteristics of ‘Britishness’, or procrastinate on climate change; but…
-
Right Now They Might Just Listen
If we pander to notions that we shouldn’t sound the climate emergency alarm during inconvenient times or in perceivably inappropriate spaces – whether it be now, during the global Covid-19 epidemic, or in any other public time and space – then we neglect to act with the urgency that the issue of climate change so…
-
2019 Birding Highlights
For me, going out and exploring is absolutely essential. Getting lost provides me with an escapism incomparable to anything else. It enables me to pause, mull and re-calibrate, helps me to reflect and re-connect with myself and permits me occasionally to witness the natural world as independent of humanity. When I get lost enough, sometimes…
-
Ernest & Noble
I am exceptionally delighted to finally announce that my very first printed publication, Ernest & Noble, is now available to purchase online on paperback or as an eBook for the small price of £3.49 or £2.49 respectively. Blurb In an age when ideological divides are ceaselessly widening, A.C. Stark attempts to elicit the importance of…
-
When Governments Lie Citizens Fly
When it comes to climate change the Government lies to us, but we also lie to ourselves. Again and again we are told by the honourable conservative political elite that the UK is a world leader in the fight against climate change. Many of us clearly realise that this neat slogan is often furtively utilised…
-
A critical examination of the duty to promote and protect Fundamental British Values (FBV) in education.
Rationale The promotion of British values in schools is a rather contentious issue, not least because teachers are legally obligated to promote and protect ‘fundamental British values’ (FBVs) (DfE,2014,p.5). I witnessed this in practice, whilst working as a Learning Support Assistant, where a Year 7 English class was explicitly taught about Britishness as an independent…
-
The Overpopulation Myth
Just because Thanos erased half of all life in order to bring balance to the universe it doesn’t mean that everyone who is concerned about overpopulation is also an eco-fascist beset on subjugation and murder. It is quite probable that they’re simply anxious about the climate and ecological breakdown and see overpopulation as a legitimate…
-
First, Rebel Against Yourself.
In Owen Jones’ recent interview video with Extinction Rebellion, Roger Hallam criticises the political ‘left’ as having been perpetually dishonest about what economic action is required to mitigate the climate breakdown and what cultural changes this will necessitate. He contends that the ‘left’ have become so embroiled, so entrenched in the (conceptually politically right-wing) neoliberal…
A.C. Stark
Rebel against yourself…
A.C. Stark 