Criminalising nitrous oxide users is no laughing matter if it distracts from more serious drug problems
In England and Wales, it is not illegal to possess nitrous oxide – but that could soon change. The UK’s home secretary, Priti Patel, has asked her scientific advisers to review the evidence on the harm associated with its use.... More…
What are (sociology) books for?
Rumours of the death of the book may be exaggerated, but its persistence remains a puzzle. Who and what are academic books for, now that information is largely accessible at the press of a button? Reviewing the three books shortlisted... More…
Learning to Live With the COVID Virus and Extreme Inequality
Used over a year ago by right-wing commentator John Redwood to denote a new modus vivendi for global capitalism, ‘learning to live with the virus’ has been an idée fixe of the Johnson government for the last few months. Its... More…
Forget the spin – new English NHS bill is all about cutting our right to healthcare
Far from reversing the disastrous 2012 reforms, this new NHS bill makes it even easier to axe and privatise services – that’s the real COVID ‘recovery plan’ We all know the NHS has a huge backlog. As things stand, it... More…
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What we have seen (‘freedom day’* special) Optimistic? Perranporth Beach – quiet evening For some ‘freedom day’ was freedom to get pinged (like half the UK) Freedom to drink beer Or not ‘Freedom day’ Jaws meme via Twitter What we... More…
Quarantine diary
Ahead of the annual pilgrimage to our country of birth, my family and I have to undertake a new set of rituals. The country formerly known as Great Britain has (belatedly) introduced a set of requirements to keep the COVID-19... More…
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Anti-COVID propaganda sticker on sign outside primary school. Text reads “According to the government, the vaccine doesn’t prevent transmission of the virus, but vaccine passports will. Ever get the feeling you’re being played?” We’re confused – hands free hand sanitiser that... More…
Time and again? Temporality & public health
One thing that has struck me during the days and months since 23rd March 2020 has been how time has simultaneously slowed down and sped up. Or, more specifically, the passage of time has both sped up and slowed down.... More…
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What we have seen Someone is now worried! Another ‘scamdemic’ warning targeting dogs! Empty shops of the High Street, post-COVID Green transport Apparently… glad someone tried to remove it! What we are watching/listening to Vaccine: The Human Story – A... More…
Why policy makers and scientists are always wrong about obesity
A recent article that we wrote raises a number of important questions about obesity. Why do policy attempts to control obesity fail? Why do scientists ask the wrong questions about obesity? Why does searching for single causes of the so-called... More…
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