Around the web the last couple of weeks

Some of the articles that I found provocative, really got me thinking or inspired me from the last couple of weeks:

Film

Brilliant – 11 Film Posters Improved By Mark Kermode’s Scathing Reviews

Ferguson

Two helpful pieces from Vox relaying transcripts of what happened- with some commentary.

Officer Darren Wilson’s story is unbelievable. Literally.

Michael Brown spent his last day with his friend Dorian Johnson. Here’s what Johnson saw.

Darren Wilson, perfect and sweet vs. the big black demonic super monster

Development

Stop Trying to Save the World – Big ideas are destroying international development

Must read on development and for anyone who supports development charities.

Cities

The Guardian has been doing some great articles on cities over the last few weeks. The first is inspiring.

The Liverpool locals who took control of their long-neglected streets

If women built cities, what would our urban landscape look like?

How to build a fairer city

Not forgetting the poo bus…

All aboard the Number Two bus that runs on human poop

Quotes

Genuine hope is not blind optimism. It is hope with open eyes, which sees the suffering and yet believes in the future.

— Juergen Moltmann (@moltmannjuergen) November 25, 2014

How can I lead people into the quiet place beside the still waters if I am in perpetual motion?

— Eugene Peterson (@PetersonDaily) November 27, 2014

What about you? Top articles?

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Around the web this week

A few things that have got me thinking and musing this week.

Justice and phones

What’s your phone got to do with a war?

Via Robin Peake

One of a few helpful pieces from Tearfund Rhythms on phones and conflict minerals. One of the reasons why I bought a Fairphone – topic of a future blog!

 

Football

Breaking news: Fifa say Hell will host 2026 World Cup

Via Gary Lineker

Great piece from the Telegraph on the farce that is FIFA.

 

Politics

Experiments show this is the best way to win campaigns. But is anyone actually doing it?

Via Tom Baker

From the US – What is the most effective form of political campaigning and why is it not used as it should be? I resonated with this in terms of my likelihood to vote for candidates I have the opportunity to engage with on the doorstep.

Thank heavens for Justin Welby

Via Pete Greig

How Lambeth Palace is worth listening to again and Justin Welby’s taking on of Wonga and payday loan companies by providing an alternative.

Sweden’s Prostitution Solution: Why Hasn’t Anyone Tried This Before?

How the Swedes have tackled traficking with incredible results.

 

Young people, riots and character

The New Politics of Character

Via Robin Peake

The results of a study into young people participating in riots in London revealed that the key factor was not lack of money or lack of morality but lack of character. What follows is an interesting discussion on defining and developing character in young people.

Cities

For the sake of our cities, it’s time to make town planning cool again

On the need for visionary planner more passionate about flourishing than bowing to the whims of developers.

Leadership, change and church

“The Top Ten Reasons This will Never Work”: On Leading Change in the Church

Via David Fitch

Despite my not being a fan of numbered lists there is some helpful stuff in here on  leading change in churches and some of the many objections…

A quote

Reading is a gift, but only if the words are taken into the soul – eaten, chewed, gnawed, received in unhurried delight.

— Eugene Peterson (@PetersonDaily) November 13, 2014

And finally a couple of tunes for the weekend…

Leonard Cohen – Did I Ever Love You?

And Springsteen from Dublin back in 2006 – When the Saints Go Marching In