Enchanting Singapore: a new travel guide from David Bowden

Enchanting Singapore, one of several books in Southeast Asia’s bestselling travel pictorial series, has just been updated and republished for its fourth edition. This 80-page, hardcover book has numerous photographs of Singapore’s main tourist attractions and sites to make it the perfect gift or souvenir of this Asian island nation. First published in 2012 by John Beaufoy (UK), it has been fully updated with the latest information, statistics and attractions by Asian-based writer, David Bowden.

Should we worry about Global Warming - and what can we do?

#globalwarming 

Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of the Earth. Many people believe that this is only a myth and that it isn’t really happening. However, we can barely see or feel any change such as in the temperature because there is only a very minor difference. An increase in average temperature of around 1.5 degrees Celsius is all it takes for global warming to occur. By analysing   glacier sizes over time, amount of carbon dioxide in ice sheets, coral reefs and tree rings, scientists can find out a lot about the history of Earth’s climate and what it was like compared to today to get an idea of where Earth is heading towards in the future.

Palestinean civilian death toll in Gaza soon to surpass Battle of Britain

Palestinean civilians are being killed at twice the rate of British civilians during the Battle of Britain and The Blitz.

In an interesting, if gruesome historical comparison, the civilian death toll among Palestinian residents of Gaza will soon surpass that of British civilians during the Battle of Britain.

What's happening here? Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s …

 

A super scenario welcomes the viewer as they make sense of this impromptu street shot. Superman strikes a strong confident shape within the frame as he clearly directs a tourist – only the tightly gripped wad of cash in his hand betraying his mortal existence. No matter which way it’s dressed up, the simple act of manners and helping someone out is wonderful to see in any street scene. A humorous, well-timed and engaging picture. Bravo

See more: https://www.life-framer.com/humans-2023

STARTED OUT JUST DRINKING BEER - THE Mental As Anything STORY

 A superbly researched and written account of one of Australia’s most popular bands, with unfettered access to all the key players, and a defacto social history of a time when living in Sydney was cheap and fun. 

The Mentals went from the top of a pool table to the top of the charts. Enjoy the untold stories behind Aussie classics like: Live It Up, Too Many Times, If You Leave Me Can I Come  Too?, Berserk Warriors, Egypt, The Nips are Getting Bigger, and a whole lot more.  

“In fact, the Mentals had more charting singles than any other Aussie band in the 80s and 90s,” says author, Stuart Lloyd. “26 in all, compared to INXS’ 17.”

Plus, tales from the road as told by Greedy, Martin, Bird, Pete & Reg — and a star-studded cast including Colin Hay, Richard Gottehrer, Mark Opitz, Ross Wilson and Wreckless Eric —  in this access-all-areas official biography. 

“It’s an official biography, but that doesn’t mean it’s been sandpapered and varnished into some sort of saccharine version of the truth,” says Lloyd. “I told them upfront it had to be warts and all, or not at all, and to their credit, they have signed off on the good the bad and the ugly of the band’s 43-year journey … including the acrimonious wrongful dismissal court case in 2004, an on-stage death at Australian Made 1987, a punch-up between Greedy and Bird that put the drummer in hospital while touring New York, a payola scandal which affected Live It Up, and so on. But overall it’s a celebration of one of Oz Rock’s hardest-working most prolific and creative bands. A great summer read, I’d say.”

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“Love it!!! Brought up lots of memories. Thoroughly enjoyable.” —KIRK PENGILLY, INXS

“This book gives us a big gulp of one of Australia’s most uniquely talented and popular bands.”—ANTHONY (TONY) FIELD, The Cockroaches, The Wiggles.

“An extraordinary and horrific portrait of five butchers who were country-killed specialists, shot through with black humour and near-naked burlesque attire.’— H.G. NELSON, comedian and broadcaster

“Stuart Lloyd captures the alchemy that saw Australian bands flourish from the arid plains of our suburban lives. I loved the Mentals and I love this book.” —DAVE WARNER, author, Countdown: The Wonder Years, and 25 Years of Mushroom Records

“Takes us behind the showbiz curtain. A deep-dive beyond the colourful personalities and the larrikin-esque cheerfulness of a uniquely Australian band who have been the soundtrack of our lives for decades. Had me glued to each page.” —JANE GAZZO, music journalist and broadcaster

Stuart Lloyd has interviewed the likes of Paul Kelly, Bic Runga and REM, on songwriting, and his travel and music features have appeared in publications such as Variety (US), The  Australian, Sydney Morning Herald, and Songsmith. This is his 19th non-fiction book. The  Telegraph (UK) described him as ‘The Perfect Storyteller!’ 

What are these men doing? Is it the end of the world?

 

Just what exactly is going on here?

A scene from the latest Zombie apocalypse movie? No, it's actually a sculpture from Isaac Cordal, a famous Belgian-based, Spanish Galician sculptor and photographer whose work revolves around the urban environment. 

This scene forms part of one of his better-known installations entitled Follow The Leaders from ten years ago. The work has travelled around the world and has been seen in Colombia, France, Germany and his home town in Belgium. It also takes other forms and representations.

He describes it as "a critical reflection on our inertia as a social mass. Representing a social stereotype associated with power compound businessmen who run the global social spectrum."

Fancy talk, but the message is clear: While the elite talk and plot, the world crumbles.

For more, visit his fascinating website: Cement Eclipses

Confirmation Bias: Why people fall for stupid shit

 

Confirmation bias is a cognitive bias that refers to the tendency of individuals to favour information that confirms their preexisting beliefs or values while ignoring or discounting information that contradicts those beliefs or values. In other words, people often seek out, interpret, and remember information in a way that supports their existing viewpoints or expectations, and they tend to dismiss or downplay information that challenges those viewpoints.