Category: Analysis

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Christopher Holliday, Senior Lecturer in Liberal Arts and Visual Cultures Education, Department of Interdisciplinary Humanities, King’s College London

Development of a new James Bond film is underway at Amazon Studios, with the creater of Peaky Blinders, Steven Knight, now attached to write the screenplay, which will be directed by Denis Villeneuve.

The pair have given little away about what to expect from Bond 26. Knight said he wanted to do something “the same but different”, while Villeneuve said he would “honour the tradition” of the franchise. But a look back at how the films have dealt with key elements of Bond shows that following tradition can mean going in many different ways.

Take Bond’s toolbag of gadgets, which have been a part of the James Bond movies since their debut in the 1960s. Over the decades, the films have both leaned into and shifted away from the allure of hi-tech gadgetry in ways that plot key turning points in the franchise.

These peaks and troughs reflect what’s going on in the wider world as well as factors such as the influence of other successful film franchises. So with AI on the minds of many right now, the new film could embrace contemporary themes of technology. But re-booting the franchise when a new lead actor is cast is also often associated with a grittier or “back to basics” approach.

The first few Bond films starring Sean Connery, including Dr No (1962), From Russia With Love, and Goldfinger (1964) feature a smattering of spy technology. But by You Only Live Twice (1967), producers had opted for a space capsule hijack narrative – reflecting the influence of the US-Soviet space race – and a villain’s lair in a hollowed-out volcano.

However, the next entry – On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969) centred largely on the emotional realism of Bond’s (George Lazenby) courtship and subsequent marriage to Tracy di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg). The lesser focus on technology coincided with a new Bond actor – a pattern to be frequently repeated later on in the franchise. But for other reasons, the shift in tone was, perhaps, to be expected.

Bond author Ian Fleming was writing On Her Majesty’s Secret Service at his holiday home – Goldeneye – in Jamaica, while Dr No was being filmed nearby. The book was published on April 1, 1963, the day From Russia With Love began filming (the film was released in October that year). The less gadget-focused approach of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service could be seen as a possible jab by Fleming at what he saw as the cinematic Bond’s growing overreliance on the latest tech.

Journeying back through the franchise, it is not hard to find instances where moments of technological excess are countered almost immediately by a more pared down, character-centred set of priorities.

After On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Connery returned for one further Eon Productions film, Diamonds Are Forever (1971), which, like You Only Live Twice, featured a space-themed narrative. Live And Let Die (1973), Roger Moore’s debut as Bond, is somewhat more down to Earth and was the first film not to feature Bond’s gadgetmaster Q (who is referred to as Major Boothroyd in Dr No).

But a growing reliance on technology can be seen during the 70s Moore films, culminating with Moonraker (1979) – which was heavily influenced by Star Wars (1977) – in which Bond goes into space.

Moore’s follow-up, For Your Eyes Only (1981), was – as that film’s director John Glen noted – a film that went “back to the grass roots of Bond.” The global economic recession that took place between 1980 and 1982 certainly helped support this shift in tone.

For Your Eyes Only had a lower budget than Moonraker, so the filmmakers had to act in a similar way to their leading character, who made innovative use in the film of his shoelaces to climb up a rope on a sheer rock face in Greece.

The last few Roger Moore films have examples of Bond’s complex connection to technology, such as the computer microchip narrative of Moore’s final film A View to a Kill. But the next film, The Living Daylights (1987), was a return to the grittier Bond of the novels – with a focus on classic spycraft. From an action-packed opening in Gibraltar, the narrative moves to Bratislava where Dalton helps a KGB General defect to the west.

When Dalton departed after Licence to Kill (1989), which shows the influence of big-budget 80s Hollywood action movies, the series’ return after a six-year hiatus brought Bond into the information age. The cyberterrorist narrative of GoldenEye (1995), Pierce Brosnan’s debut as Bond, is fully indebted to a broader curiosity surrounding emerging internet sub-cultures.

Brosnan’s final outing, Die Another Day (2002) featured an Aston Martin that could turn invisible, which critics and audiences dismissed as a series nadir. The post-9/11 climate of protector narratives in defence of national security featured an altogether grittier action cinema counting Jason Bourne as its most popular hero. Die Another Day’s invisible Aston Martin and the indelible image of a computer-generated Bond surfing amid digital icebergs did not quite align with this state of post-millennial geopolitics.

Enter Daniel Craig, and the franchise’s emphatic declaration that it was going to do things for real, per the title of a documentary on Craig’s debut Casino Royale (2006). This was a statement of intent, anchored not just to a reduction in computer-generated imagery (CGI) behind-the-scenes, but equally by a turn away from the kinds of excessive technological wizardry that defined earlier instalments.

The absence of Q from Craig’s debut Casino Royale (2006) for the first time since Live and Let Die appeared to confirm a more “back to basics” feel. When the character did finally appear in Craig’s third film Skyfall (2012), Q (now played by Ben Whishaw) remarks to Bond: “Were you expecting an exploding pen? We don’t really go in for that anymore.”

With another reboot on the way, the question now is whether the new film will draw inspiration from real-world technologies and push once more at the limits of technical innovation. Perhaps Villeneuve will exploit his science-fiction credentials finetuned in Arrival (2016), Blade Runner 2049 (2017) and his successful Dune films (2021-2024).

But given how contemporary cultural landscape is awash with the threat of AI, maybe the franchise does need to beat a hasty retreat from technology in order to stand out. Either way the filmakers will be able to argue they are sticking to tradition.

Christopher Holliday does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Will the new James Bond embrace hi-tech gadgets in an age of AI? The films have a complicated history with technology – https://theconversation.com/will-the-new-james-bond-embrace-hi-tech-gadgets-in-an-age-of-ai-the-films-have-a-complicated-history-with-technology-262447

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jenna Carr, Graduate Teaching Fellow and Sociology PhD Researcher, University of Liverpool

A decade ago, the National Crime Agency identified a new drug supply method. Before then, drug supply was predominantly between user-dealers – people supplying their social circles to fund their drug use, rather than for commercial gain.

In 2015, police outside of London identified a pattern of more frequent arrests of young people and vulnerable adults, implicated in drug supply outside of their local areas. They were also frequently suspected to be associated with members of criminal gangs. Thus, “county lines” was born.

The National Crime Agency used the term “county lines” to describe the phone or “deal” line used to organise the sale of drugs – mainly heroin and crack cocaine – from cities with oversaturated supplies, to rural, coastal areas with less supply.

The deal line was controlled by gang members based in the inner city area, such as London or Liverpool, known as “exporter” areas. The sale of drugs would be completed by a young or vulnerable person who had been exploited and sometimes trafficked out of their home areas to rural “importer” areas, such as north Wales and Cornwall. The crossing of local authority and police boundaries made county lines difficult to police, and to safeguard those who had been exploited.

County lines is notably violent. It involves gang violence, knife crime, drug misuse, sexual exploitation and modern-day slavery.

Ten years on, county lines as a supply model continues to evolve. A recent assessment by the National Police Chiefs’ Council found that the practice is becoming more localised, with fewer lines running between police force boundaries, and more running from one end of a force to the other end. It is also no longer limited to the supply of class A substances, with police reporting seizures of cannabis, cash and weapons.

Researchers are now suggesting that the term “county lines” itself is outdated, and instead should be replaced with a term that focuses more on the exploitation involved, rather than drug supply.

Who gets involved

County lines affects both children and vulnerable adults. The government has estimated 14,500 children to be at risk of child criminal exploitation, but this is likely to be an underestimation. Particular risk factors include being between 15 and 17 years old, experiences of neglect and abuse, economic vulnerability, school exclusion and frequent episodes of missing from home.

Cuckooing, where a gang will take over homes as a base for drug supply, largely affects vulnerable adults, rather than children.

One challenge in responding to county lines is that vulnerability can be difficult to recognise.
Victims and perpetrators of exploitation are often one and the same. Often, victims will be unwilling to cooperate with police, out of fear of legal consequences and repercussions from their exploiters.

Those who have been exploited into participating in county lines often do not accept that they are a victim – they may think they are profiting from their involvement, both financially and socially. The ongoing cost of living crisis draws young and vulnerable people into county lines as a response to poverty and lack of legitimate and financially viable opportunities.

Responding to county lines

My ongoing research looks at the development of county lines policy and responses to the problem over the last ten years. Responses to county lines have been mainly led by law enforcement, with coordinated police “crackdowns”. But research shows that high-profile police operations are largely symbolic, and have the effect of drawing vulnerable people into the criminal justice system, which creates further harm.

One important development has been the use of the Modern Slavery Act to prosecute county lines. The purpose of this is to offer a legal defence for someone who has been exploited into selling drugs. But research has shown, rather than acting as a safeguard and a defence, it acts as a “gateway into criminalisation”.

If someone crosses the boundary of being a victim to becoming a perpetrator of exploitation, they can also find themselves being subjected to punitive criminal justice responses under the Modern Slavery Act. This is especially true for black men and boys, who have historically been treated more harshly, for example through stop and search, in relation to drug crime.

It’s become clear that county lines is an issue that criminal justice alone cannot respond to. Those who are at risk require safeguarding, not criminalisation. To this end, the government funds a specialist county lines victim support service that operates in the four main exporter locations.

But the availability of this support service only in exporter locations shows that the county lines response is a postcode lottery. Police forces in importer areas have fewer resources to dedicate to training officers to deal with complex county lines cases. A consistent national approach is still required.

What’s next?

The current government is planning to make child criminal exploitation and cuckooing specific criminal offences through new legislation. This has been celebrated as a success by child safety charities.

But should more criminalisation be the priority? Research shows that drug prohibition and punitive responses are ineffective at preventing young people and vulnerable adults becoming involved in county lines. The demand for drugs and structural issues such as poverty are fuelling county lines – policing alone cannot address this.

Instead of punitive legal responses, public health and addressing the demand for drugs should be priority. Investment is needed in support services and social care, which have been decimated by austerity cuts, to build a society where vulnerable people do not need to become involved in drug supply.

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Jenna Carr does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. What we’ve learned in ten years about county lines drug dealing – https://theconversation.com/what-weve-learned-in-ten-years-about-county-lines-drug-dealing-261438

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Mooyoung Han, Professor of Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University

Droughts and floods are becoming more frequent and more severe across the globe. The cause is often rain — either too little or too much. The monsoon regions of the world, where societies have weathered cycles of drought and deluge for thousands of years, hold essential lessons about rainwater monitoring and conservation.

In Korea, one such lesson dates back to the 15th century. In 1441, during the reign of King Sejong, Korea established the world’s first official rain gauge (cheugugi) — a cylindrical copper instrument — and also created a state-administered rain monitoring network.

This wasn’t just a technical invention; it was part of a wider policy. On September 3 of that year, according to the Annals of the Choson Dynasty (a Unesco Memory of the World record), local magistrates across the country were ordered to measure rainfall regularly and report it to the central government.

This system represented one of the earliest forms of climate data governance and set a precedent for valuing rain as a measurable, manageable and fairly governed resource — a public good to be shared and respected. It also reflected a philosophical tradition in Korea of respecting rain not as a curse, but as a gift — one that must be understood, welcomed and shared.

India too has a rich tradition of rainwater harvesting, spanning from the Vedic period and the Indus–Sarasvati Valley civilisation (3,000–1,500BC) to the 19th century. Throughout diverse ecological zones, Indian communities developed decentralised systems to capture and store rainwater. The archaeological site of Dholavira in Gujarat, for example, featured sophisticated reservoirs designed to collect monsoon runoff.

Historical records, including ancient inscriptions, temple documents and folk traditions, indicate that these systems were not only engineered but also governed, with established rules for sharing, maintaining and investing in water as a communal resource. In some regions of India, every third house had its own well. Although these practices declined during colonial rule, they are now being revived by local communities, government initiatives, and non-governmental organisations.

The revival of traditional wells is gaining momentum, particularly in urban areas facing water scarcity. For example in the city of Bengaluru in southern India, local communities and organisations are using age-old well-digging techniques to tap into shallow aquifers. These efforts are often supported by the state or central government, as well as specialists and organisations including the Biome Environmental Trust, Aga Khan Trust for Culture, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, and the Centre for Science and Environment.

India’s current prime minister has also launched a campaign called Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain as part of a nationwide effort to restore and promote community-led rainwater harvesting.

Reviving ancient wisdom

In Korea, there’s also been a resurgence of this ancient wisdom in modern contexts. Although urban initiatives like the Star City rainwater management system show promise, the movement towards reviving old practices like rainwater harvesting is still growing.

Meanwhile in Cambodia, the Rain School Initiative empowers students and teachers to manage rainwater for drinking and climate education. Rainwater is not just a technical solution — it is a cultural key to resilience. It offers autonomy, sustainability and hope.

That is why we propose to establish UN Rain Day on September 3, in recognition of Korea’s historical contribution and in celebration of global rain literacy. It is a symbolic date that reminds us how rain has shaped civilisations and how it can shape our future — if only we choose to listen to the wisdom of water.

Designating international days has proven effective in raising awareness and catalysing global action. For instance, World Water Day (March 22) has spurred international cooperation and policymaking on water issues since its establishment in 1993. World Toilet Day (November 19) has elevated the global conversation around sanitation and public health.

A UN Rain Day would spotlight rain as a vital yet often overlooked resource. This is something that’s especially crucial for climate adaptation in monsoon regions and beyond.

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The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. What the world can learn from Korea’s 15th-century rain gauge – https://theconversation.com/what-the-world-can-learn-from-koreas-15th-century-rain-gauge-261530

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Anna Kenyon, Senior Lecturer in Population Health, University of Lancashire

Every day, we’re faced with constant opportunities for stimulation. With 24/7 access to news feeds, emails and social media, many of us find ourselves scrolling endlessly, chasing our next hit of dopamine. But these habits are fuelling our stress – and our brains are begging for a break.

What our brains really need is some much needed time off from concentrating. By not consciously focusing on anything and allowing the mind to drift, this can reduce stress and improve cognitive sharpness.

This can often be easier said than done. But attention restoration theory (Art) can help you learn to give your brain space to drift. While this might sound like a fancy name for doing nothing, the theory is supported by neuroscience.

Attention restoration theory was first put forward by psychologists Rachel and Stephen Kaplan in 1989. They theorised that spending time in nature can help to restore focus and attention.

They proposed there are two distinct types of attention: directed attention and undirected attention. Directed attention refers to deliberate concentration – such as studying, navigating through a busy place or posting on social media. Basically, it’s any activity where our brain’s attention is being directed at a specific task.

Undirected attention is when we’re not consciously trying to focus on anything – instead allowing things to gently capture our attention without trying. Think listening to chirping birds or watching leaves gently rustling in the breeze. In these instances, your attention naturally drifts without having to force your focus.

Without time for undirected attention, it’s thought that we experience “attentional fatigue”. This can make it increasingly difficult to focus and concentrate, while distractions become more likely to grab our attention.

In the past, we encountered many situations in our daily lives that we might classify as “boring”. Moments such as waiting for the bus or standing in the supermarket queue. But these dull moments also gave our minds a chance to switch off.

Now, our smartphones give us the opportunity for constant entertainment. Being able to constantly expose ourselves to intense, gripping stimuli offers little mental space for our overworked brains to recover.

But attention restoration theory shows us how important it is to create space for moments that allow our brains to “reset”.

Restoring attention

The origins of Kaplan and Kaplan’s theory can actually be traced back to the 19th century. American psychologist William James was the first to formulate the concept of “voluntary attention” – attention that requires effort. James’ ideas were published against the backdrop of the broader cultural movement of Romanticism, which lauded nature.

Romantic ideas about the restorative power of nature have since been backed by research – with numerous studies showing links between time in nature and lower stress levels, better attention, improvements in mental health, mood and better cognitive function.

The restorative benefits of nature are backed by neuroscience, too. Neuroimaging has shown that activity in the amygdala – the part of the brain associated with stress and anxiety – was reduced when people were exposed to natural environments. But when exposed to urban environments, this activity was not reduced.

Numerous studies have also since backed up Kaplan and Kaplan’s theory that time in nature can help to restore attention and wellbeing. One systematic review of 42 studies found an association with exposure to natural environments and improvements in several aspects of cognitive performance – including attention.

A randomised controlled trial using neuroimaging of the brain found signs of lower stress levels in adults who took a 40-minute walk in a natural environment, compared to participants who walked in an urban environment. The authors concluded that the nature walk facilitated attention restoration.

Research has even shown that as little as ten minutes of undirected attention can result in a measurable uptick in performance on cognitive tests, as well as a reduction in attentional fatigue. Even simply walking on a treadmill while looking at a nature scene can produce this cognitive effect.

Time in nature

There are many ways you can put attention restoration theory to the test on your own. First, find any kind of green space – whether that’s your local park, a river you can sit beside or a forest trail you can hike along. Next, make sure you put your phone and any other distractions away.

Or, when you face boring moments during your day, instead of picking up your phone try seeing the pause as an opportunity to let your mind wander for a bit.

Each of us may find certain environments to be more naturally supportive in allowing us to switch off and disengage the mind. So if while trying to put attention restoration theory into practice you find your brain pulling you back to structured tasks (such as mentally planning your week), this may be sign you should go someplace where it’s easier for your mind to wander.

Whether you’re watching a ladybird crawl across your desk or visiting a vast expanse of nature, allow your attention to be undirected. It’s not laziness, it’s neurological maintenance.

Anna Kenyon has received research funding from the National Academy for Social Prescribing & Natural England, the University of Lancashire, West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership and the Institute for Citizenship, Society & Change. She is an Associate member of the Faculty of Public Health.

– ref. How letting your mind wander can reset your brain – https://theconversation.com/how-letting-your-mind-wander-can-reset-your-brain-259854

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Rachel Woods, Senior Lecturer in Physiology, University of Lincoln

From collagen powders to immunity gummies, supplements are everywhere – in our Instagram feeds, on supermarket shelves and filling our bathroom cabinets. Promising better sleep, glowing skin, sharper focus or even a longer life, they’re marketed as quick fixes for modern health woes.

As a nutritionist, I’m often asked whether supplements are worth the money – and the answer is: it depends. Based on online claims, you might think they can cure almost anything.

While some supplements do have a valuable role in certain circumstances, they are often misunderstood and frequently oversold. Yet many people are unaware of the risks, the limitations and the marketing tricks behind the labels.

Here are five things I wish more people knew before buying supplements.

1. Start with food, not supplements

If you can get a nutrient from your diet, that is almost always the better option. The UK’s Food Standards Agency defines a food supplement as a product “intended to correct nutritional deficiencies, maintain an adequate intake of certain nutrients, or support specific physiological functions”. In other words, supplements are there to support your diet, not replace real foods.

Whole foods offer much more than isolated nutrients. For example, oily fish like salmon provides not just omega-3 fats, but also protein, vitamin D, selenium and other beneficial compounds. These interact in ways we don’t fully understand, and their combined effect is difficult, if not impossible, to replicate in supplement form.

Scientists have tried to isolate the “active ingredients” in fruit and vegetables to recreate their benefits in pills, but without success. The advantages seem to come from the complete food, not one compound.

That said, there are circumstances where supplements are necessary. For instance, folic acid is recommended before and during pregnancy to reduce the risk of neural tube defects in the foetus. Vitamin D is advised during winter months when sunlight is limited. People following a vegan diet may need vitamin B12, since it is mostly found in animal products.

2. You might not realise you’re taking too much

It is far easier to take too much of a supplement than it is to overdo it with food. In the short term, this might lead to side effects such as nausea or diarrhoea. But long-term overuse can have serious consequences.

Many people take supplements for years without knowing whether they need them or how much is too much. Fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K are stored in the body rather than excreted. Too much vitamin D, for example, can lead to a build-up of calcium, which may damage the kidneys and heart, as well as weakening bones. High doses of vitamin A can cause liver damage, birth defects in pregnancy, and decreased bone density.

Even water-soluble vitamins can cause problems, with long-term overuse of vitamin B6 being linked to nerve damage.

Since most people don’t regularly check their blood nutrient levels, they often don’t realise something is wrong until symptoms appear.

3. Don’t trust social media advice

Spend a few minutes online and you will probably see supplements promoted as “immune-boosting”, “natural”, or “detoxifying”. These words can sound convincing, but they have no scientific definition. They are marketing terms.

The Food Standards Agency is clear that supplements “are not medicinal products” and “cannot exert a pharmacological, immunological or metabolic action”. Yet many online claims suggest otherwise. This kind of marketing, sometimes called “healthwashing”, gives the impression that supplements have powers they do not. Supplements are not subject to the same testing and regulation as medicines. This means they can be poorly formulated, wrongly dosed, or mislabelled.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has rules about how health claims can be made, including on social media. But enforcement is difficult, especially with influencer marketing and affiliate schemes. Multi-level marketing (MLM) schemes add further complexity. Sellers, often with no medical or scientific training, promote products using personal anecdotes rather than evidence. While the ASA provides specific guidance on how MLM sellers can advertise supplements, these rules are frequently ignored, are rarely enforced and often slip through regulatory gaps, meaning there are some truly astonishing claims being made.

4. The supplement industry is more about sales than science

The global supplement market is worth over £100 billion. Like any major industry, its goal is growth and profit. This influences how products are developed and marketed.
If a supplement truly worked, it would be recommended by doctors, not influencers.

Some supplements are supported by evidence, but they tend to be the less eye-catching ones, such as iron or vitamin D. Many others are advertised with claims that stretch far beyond what the research shows and are often promoted by people with no formal training in nutrition or healthcare.

5. Some supplements aren’t safe for everyone

Being available over the counter does not mean a supplement is safe. Even products labelled as “natural” can interact with medicines or cause harm.

St John’s Wort, sometimes used for low mood, can have dangerous side effects if taken alongside some antidepressants, birth control and blood pressure medications. Vitamin K can interfere with blood thinners like warfarin. High-dose iron can cause digestive problems and affect how some antibiotics are absorbed.

Many supplements haven’t been tested for safety in pregnant people. Others, like high-dose vitamin A, are known to be harmful in pregnancy and can pass through breast milk. If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or managing a health condition, speak to a pharmacist, GP or dietitian before starting a new supplement.

Supplements can support health when there is a specific need, but they are not a cure-all. Before spending money on a product with big promises, ask yourself: do I really need this, or would I be better off spending the money on nutritious food?

Rachel Woods does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Five things I wish people knew about supplements – by a nutritionist – https://theconversation.com/five-things-i-wish-people-knew-about-supplements-by-a-nutritionist-262099