In today's Northern Advocate (07 August 2025) I was struck by these two articles. Different countries and all that, but still…

On Page 3 (after 2 pages of ads for fridges):

Census data shows an ongoing trend of increasing homelessness in New Zealand, with 4122 people living without shelter in 2013, 3624 people in 2018 and 4965 in 2023.

On Page 21, a confiscated superyacht:

The 106m Amadea has a helipad, pool, jacuzzi, gym, spa, beauty salon and eight staterooms that can accommodate 16 guests …

The yacht, … valued at more than US$300 million …

@cliffordbeshers I guess it’s natural and wise for us as humans to want a store of resources to see us through the lean times that may be ahead. The gross accumulation of wealth by a few at the expense of the many should surely be seen as a mental illness. If people who ‘hoard’ newspapers, cardboard boxes, lamps or whatever are regarded as ill, then so should those who hoard dollars, mansions, yachts…

@Miraz Yes! Only recently I made a similar point as to the madness of wealthy nations neglecting the health of their citizens at even greater cost than treating them.

@thisness Yesterday I was queuing at the supermarket checkout and my eye fell on an array of magazines whose covers proclaimed articles and photos about various royals and celebrities and what (scandalous) things they were doing and saying. Yawn. Imagine if instead those photos and articles were about the true ‘glamour’ in this world of groups and individuals who are building up the world with activities and programmes that restore the environment, assist people who need help, develop new ways of building that help people and the planet… And maybe the occasional ‘celebrity’ article as light relief.

@Miraz If only! I truly believe the world is held together from disintegrating into total madness by the billions of small, unrecognised acts of ordinary kindness and care that are carried out between individuals each and every day.

@thisness 💯