1. The ‘social media’ responsibility
2. The art-y corner
   1. Nice collection
   2. Birds in Wetlands
   3. A bit of Jurassic
   4. Athena
3. Outings in September
   1. Stiff Upper Lip Jeeves (Theatre/Comedy)
   2. Don’t kill my Vibe (Nish Kumar) at the Ox Playhouse (Stand up comedy)
   3. Lee at Vue Cinemas (Biopic/Historical)
4. Bibliophile
   1. The Cloisters by Katy Hays (Gothic/Horror)
   2. James by Percival Everett (Satire/History)
   3. The Trees by Percival Everett (Crime/Satire/Horror)
5. Wrapping up (literally!)

The ‘social media’ responsibility

As the saying goes, with power comes responsibility. However, social media channels often lack responsibility from the platform itself, creating a dangerous power dynamic. It’s crucial to consider the impact of what we post on such a public platform, where many followers may take your word as fact. While everyone is entitled to their opinions, it’s vital to express them clearly as opinions and not facts. For instance, someone may doubt the effectiveness of vaccines, which is their opinion, but claiming that vaccines will cause widespread epileptic seizures presents a certainty that exceeds mere opinion.

We have the incredible power to share our opinions, and it’s just as important for viewers to actively engage in checking the facts. While not everything that glitters is gold, the majority of what’s shared on social media can be verified, and many messages found on signboards, the sides of red buses, or at political rallies hold valuable opinions, regardless of the source. Reliable information is often sourced from trustworthy organisations (e.g., the Office of National Statistics, World Economic Forum) among other places. So, in essence, do your research because critical thinking is essential! And let’s celebrate the vital Freedom of Information Act!

And then there’s AI. AI, short for artificial intelligence, is crucial in shaping our future. Before diving into complex terminology, it’s vital to understand Predictive AI. This technology uses historical data to predict future trends. For example, if you often buy kitchen equipment, your ads will likely reflect that preference. This personalisation comes from analysing your consumption patterns. However, if your history includes harmful biases or hate, the content you see will align with that. A human brain can learn and grow, but AI can’t change unless its data sources do. If historical data predominantly shows males in societal roles, predictive AI may wrongly assume males are more competent than females. But is that the truth? I think not. If your views contribute to this bias, are you not partly responsible too?

In recent times, since the acquisition of former Twitter, now X, we’ve witnessed a disturbing surge in hate speech and misogyny on the platform (article linked). This has empowered individuals who revel in spreading animosity and have made it a focal point of their popularity. Governments seem powerless in this scenario due to the lack of regulation and oversight for social media. However, as enlightened and educated individuals, we hold the power to boycott such platforms. It is our usage that sustains these platforms, so let’s put an end to the propagation of hatred, if nothing else.

The art-y corner

Nice collection

The gorgeous town of Villefranche sur Mer, nestled near the sandy beach and serene blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, is the final jewel in this collection (red church front). In my August newsletter, I showcased some of the illustrations based on my summer travel to Nice. It was an experimental endeavour to use pro markers and fine liner pens for this last one, and I am delighted that it has turned out so well.

Birds in Wetlands

John Milton’s epic Paradise Lost beautifully compares Satan to a bird in the Garden of Eden, portraying him as a powerful cormorant.

Thence up he flew, and on the Tree of Life
The middle tree and highest there that grew,
Sat like a cormorant; yet not true life

Cormorants exude a captivating prehistoric look, adorned with a long, sinuous neck, and bare yellow skin around the face, all culminating in a mesmerising pure emerald eye. If birds could convey emotion, a cormorant would epitomise wisdom and a world-weary perspective, as if it has gazed upon the world and embraced its complexity with unwavering intensity.

A captivating creature of our wetlands, the coot graces our park lakes, ponds, and rivers with its stunning presence. With its unconventional lobed toes, the coot exudes a unique grace, setting it apart from the typical webbed feet of ducks. Beneath its charming exterior, this excellent swimmer and diver conceals an aggressive and territorial nature, making it a captivating enigma of the avian world.

Never mind the glitz and glamour of Strictly Come Dancing; if you want to witness a truly enchanting display of fancy footwork, make your way to a nearby lake or reservoir and behold the wild dance of the great crested grebes. Their early spring courtship is a mesmerising spectacle of ‘mewing’ calls, synchronised swimming, elegant preening, and the magnificent fanning out of their feathery ruffs.

A bit of Jurassic

Towards the end of the summer holidays, we embarked on an exhilarating trip to Lyme Regis, a treasure trove of wonders, most notably the stunning Jurassic Coast. This time, fortune smiled upon us as the tides aligned perfectly, allowing us to dive into the thrilling adventure of fossil hunting along the picturesque shores. We unearthed countless fossils that now enrich our ever-growing household collection, igniting a spark of inspiration within me to create these vibrant dinosaur designs, celebrating the iconic species that fascinate us all! And if you’re wondering what is the chick doing in all this? Well chickens are a well known successor of dinosaurs especially the T-rex.

Athena

Outings in September

Stiff Upper Lip Jeeves (Theatre/Comedy)

This gig may have sadly ended, but oh, what a riot it was! Picture this: a stage play set in the courtyard of St Paul’s Church in Covent Garden, featuring a hilarious 4-person show by the Tethered Wits theatre company. Step into the whimsical world of Bertie Wooster, a charming young man with a knack for landing himself in the most ludicrous predicaments. Aside from remembering to bring a blanket for the later hours, it was a jolly good time in Covent Garden!

Don’t kill my Vibe (Nish Kumar) at the Ox Playhouse (Stand up comedy)

Nish Kumar, master of political satire and former host of The Mash Report (now Late Night Mash), is touring the UK’s major towns. If you enjoy sharp-witted comedy that critiques our democracy and the 14-year Tory reign, Nish is your guy. I grabbed the last ticket for an unmissable night filled with his humorous takes on parliament, elections, Rwanda, Gaza, and eccentric millionaires. Check out his tour dates for this rollercoaster 1-man show packed with 2 hours of comedic gold!

Lee at Vue Cinemas (Biopic/Historical)

Kate Winslet delivers a stunning performance as Lee Miller, the wartime photographer during the Second World War. The narrative follows her journey from model to photographer, as she and Andy Samberg’s David E. Scherman document key events like the London Blitz and the liberation of Paris. Their compelling images reveal the true horrors of the Nazis, especially the concentration camps at Buchenwald and Dachau. It’s disheartening to see such powerful stories marginalized by some media segments. Yet, for those wanting to awaken their inner diva, this film offers a glimmer of hope and the inspiration to persevere.

Bibliophile

The Cloisters by Katy Hays (Gothic/Horror)

Katy Hays’s debut novel delves into the mesmerising world of tarot, weaving together themes of obsession, academic rivalry, and Renaissance sorcery. At the heart of the narrative is Ann Stilwell, a young graduate from Washington State captivated by the enigmatic allure of the Renaissance era and its opulent displays of authority. Venturing into the evocative setting of the Met Cloisters in upper Manhattan, a museum akin to a treasure trove, Ann and her colleague Rachel find themselves under the magnetic influence of the charismatic Patrick Roland. Embrace the mystery, delve into the pages, and prepare to be spellbound—even if you approach the world of Tarot with skepticism.

James by Percival Everett (Satire/History)

If there’s only one book you read this year, then this is the one! It’s a brilliantly clever, satirical, and poignant retelling of the Mark Twain classic, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Percival Everett, a giant of contemporary English literature, has truly gifted the world with this book, where the primary voice belongs to the slave Jim, who accidentally becomes a companion to Huck Finn.

Within its 300-odd pages, this book encapsulates the perils of Jim’s life as a slave, his growing frustration and anger towards the white slave owners, and his conflicted affection and son-like love for Huckleberry Finn. It serves as a poignant reminder of the inhumanity of the past and urges us to strive for progress rather than regress to primitive ways when making choices as responsible citizens and electing leaders.

The Trees by Percival Everett (Crime/Satire/Horror)

Everett’s, The Trees, takes place in Money, Mississippi, exploring the lives of a dysfunctional white family – Granny C, her son Wheat Bryant, and her nephew, Junior Junior. The discovery of Wheat’s lifeless body alongside a young Black man, followed by the disappearance of the latter, triggers a chilling chain of events. This unsettling pattern repeats with Junior Junior, intensifying the narrative into a bone-chilling horror story. The haunting tale serves as a tangible reminder of America’s deeply ingrained societal scars. Notably, Money, Mississippi holds a grim place in history as the site of the 1955 lynching of 14-year-old Emmett Till, shockingly linked to Granny C. Everett’s unflinching storytelling exposes uncomfortable societal truths, laying bare the harsh realities through his merciless portrayal of white society.

Wrapping up (literally!)

September holds a special place in our hearts. It marks the end of summer, when the air begins to cool and a sense of anticipation fills the atmosphere. As a new school year commences, our household embraces the opportunity to dedicate September to a takeaway-free month, a conscious effort to counterbalance the indulgence of the summer holidays. The anticipation of crackling wood fires, steaming hot soups, leisurely strolls and the joy of gathering pine cones, immersing myself in countless books, and embracing cozy layers to ward off the chill fills me with a warm feeling.

And this season in India is the season of festivals, a time that fills my heart with longing. The lingering scent of coal takes me back to the captivating dhunuchi naach, where dancers hold open earthen pots filled with burning coconut husks, and the aroma of burnt sugar brings back memories of gurer payesh, the sweet rice pudding made with jaggery. Despite the distance, I celebrate by preparing traditional Bengal dishes and recreating the flavours my parents lovingly cooked during these joyous months.