![My great admirer](https://cdn.magzter.com/1472106876/1712705420/articles/E78TJ6Nox1712732049004/MY-GREAT-ADMIRER.jpg)
it's been a busy month, so today I'm writing about something "easy". In other words, something I've just been teaching.
That lecture started with my favourite painting by surrealist Salvador Dalí, Metamorphosis of Narcissus, which was produced when he was painting subjects in ways that could be interpreted ambiguously. In this case, we have two shapes in the foreground. One is a hand emerging from the ground holding an egg from which a white flower is emerging. Next to it is a kneeling figure, engrossed in their reflection in a pond. Each mirrors the other.
This is Narcissus taking root and becoming a flower, after so much time admiring his reflection.
The classical story, rather than the painting, lends its name to a category of personality disorder, narcissism. Pathological self love. And all of us know someone like this.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 13-19, 2024 من New Zealand Listener.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 13-19, 2024 من New Zealand Listener.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
![Ewes know it](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13970/1746480/-hEIPnZu21719916123303/EWES-KNOW-IT.jpg)
Ewes know it
'It has been my life's work,\" I announced grandly and quite possibly pompously the other day to Greg, no other audience being available, \"to advocate for the advancement of sheep.\" He pointed out that this was patently untrue. If it was true, he said annoyingly, although quite possibly reasonably, I'd have started my life's work a bit earlier, given that I had taken up this selfless work only seven years ago, the length of time we have been at Lush Places.
![A moral panic](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13970/1746480/DtpZYTk5R1719915986534/A-MORAL-PANIC.jpg)
A moral panic
America's top doctor wants smoking-style warning labels for social media platforms.
![Give and take](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13970/1746480/nDnf2HtPH1719915864246/GIVE-AND-TAKE.jpg)
Give and take
We're likely to reciprocate if someone's nice to us unexpectedly.
![Culture club](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13970/1746480/I7xXPlCeX1719915513405/CULTURE-CLUB.jpg)
Culture club
Whether you make yoghurt at home with your own starter or buy a commercial brand, the health benefits remain roughly the same.
![Now for the news](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13970/1746480/JdsvfRGI-1719915342669/NOW-FOR-THE-NEWS.jpg)
Now for the news
How will Stuff's take on broadcast news match up to its polished predecessor?
![Time to rewind](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13970/1746480/7E_XSMUMn1719915178146/TIME-TO-REWIND.jpg)
Time to rewind
A leaner NZ International Film Festival programme still offers promising local debuts and some art cinema classics.
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Come dancing
Albums from Anna Coddington and Peggy Gou are smart and sassy. Bonny Light Horseman leans on heartache.
![Calling on the muse](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13970/1746480/QuXqJroNy1719914762274/CALLING-ON-THE-MUSE.jpg)
Calling on the muse
Kiwi journalist Garth Cartwright recalls his audience with the late Françoise Hardy in Paris.
![Artist of high standing](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13970/1746480/_R34EwYxP1719914444319/ARTIST-OF-HIGH-STANDING.jpg)
Artist of high standing
Waiheke Island sculptor Anton Forde talks about creating the largest contemporary pou installation of his career.
!['You were salvation'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13970/1746480/0oWNU7jfL1719914205198/YOU-WERE-SALVATION.jpg)
'You were salvation'
A repurposed supply vessel provides a lifeline to migrants who risk their lives to cross the Mediterranean in a desperate bid for a new life.