FEAST OR FAMINE

The Business section of The Telegraph published an article on 29 March 2016 with the headline: ‘A ‘perfect storm’ is brewing ove the most important part of the UK economy.’ What does a ‘perfect storm’ mean? How can a storm be perfect? Oxford Dictionaries defines ‘perfect storm’ as ‘a particularly violent storm arising from a rare combination of adverse meteorological factors’ or ‘an especially bad situation caused by a combination of unfavourable circumstances.’ Collins Dictionaries defines ‘perfect storm’ as ‘a combination of events which are not individually dangerous, but occurring together produce a disastrous outcome.’ Either way, meteorologically or otherwise, it sounds bad. The key word in the definitions is ‘combination’ – a combination of events that, when taken together, produce a disaster. The article commences with the sentence: ‘a ‘’perfect storm’’ of fears over the state of the world economy, Britain’s place in the EU, and market volatility is gat...

Thomas the Tank Engine will have 14 new friends in an effort to globalise his social network. Reverend Wilbert Awdry (1911-1997) created Thomas the Tank Engine in 1945 in a series of British children’s books called The Railway Series for his son Christopher. He wrote 26 books in the series, which were made into a television program in 1984. In 2003 the title Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends was shortened to Thomas and Friends. Mattel, a toy company, bought the enterprise in 2012. Mattel is introducing 14 new foreign characters from India, Brazil, China, and Mexico. While some see this move as important for Thomas to have a range of friendships, some worry about cultural stereotyping. Raul the Tank Engine from Brazil is a male engine described as ‘feisty, strong, and agile’ while Yong Bao the Tank Engine from China, a male engine, is ‘driven to achieve.’ Ashima the Tank Engine, a female engine, is ‘happy to help out’ while Carlos of Mexico, a male engine is ‘proud’ and ...

The Economist documented the measurements of all stars portraying Batman over 50 years showing the change in his physique (28 March 2016). But does size matter? Is bigger better? Data collected from Moviepilot - and the size test – show that Adam West, the first Batman, was closest in measurements specified in the comic books. The first Batman comic was published in 1939, stating that Batman’s physique was 6’2’’ (1.88m) tall and 210 pounds (95kg). Adam West played Batman in the television series from 1966-1968 and was identical in height to the comic book hero at 6’2’’ (1.88m) and 200 pounds (90kg). The most variance comes in the shape of Michael Keaton, who portrayed Batman in the movie from 1989-1992, at 5’10’’ (1.78m) and 159 pounds (72 kg) – the shortest and lightest. Val Kilmer, Batman in 1995, was 6’ (1.83m) and 205 pounds (92kg) and Christian Bale (Batman from 2005-20012) was 6’ (1.83m) and 181 pounds (82kg) – both a reasonable closeness. George Clooney, Batman i...

MARTINA NICOLLS Website Martinasblogs Publications Facebook Paris Website Animal Website Flower Website SUBSCRIBE TO MARTINA NICOLLS FOR NEWS AND UPDATES      MARTINA NICOLLS  is an international aid and development consultant, and the  author   of:  The Paris Residences of James Joyce   (2020), Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom (2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).