Words of wisdom
True ignorance is not the absence of knowledge, but the refusal to acquire it. Karl Popper, quoted in The Times Believe those who seek the truth; doubt those who find it.” Andre Gide (The Week 21 March 2020)
Archive of entries posted by rhanrott
Air pollution
Air pollution from burning fossil fuels is responsible for more than 4m premature deaths around the world each year and costs the global economy about $8bn a day, according to a study from Greenpeace. Puts the effects of the virus into proportion somewhat. Separately, analysis by the World Wildlife Fund estimates that loss of nature …
Offer a compliment, or give the bad news first?
Question to agony aunt: “When giving negative feedback, is it better to start with the admonition and end with a compliment, or vice versa?”. (Gillian Peall, Macclesfield, Cheshire, UK) First answer: “Definitely give the compliment first. Knowing you have done something right may make the negative feedback more acceptable. Giving the bad news first can …
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The Shame of Child Poverty
The plight of impoverished children anywhere should evoke sympathy, exemplifying as it does the suffering of the innocent and defenseless. Poverty among children in a wealthy country like the United States, however, should provoke. shame and outrage as well. Unlike poor countries (sometimes run by leaders more interested in lining their pockets than anything else), …
Why Americans are dying young
IAmericans’ lives are getting shorter. A new study has shown that life expectancy in the US, which rose steadily over the past half-century, has now fallen for three years running. The downward trend is the result of an alarming hike in mortality rates among those between the ages of 25 and 64. Americans in the …