'Dear Marc," writes David. "Are you the Marc Wilson who wrote the recent column about mental health for the Listener?" My spidey-sense, attuned to criticism after decades of anonymous student evaluations, suggests I may have offended a reader. That and the email subject line: "Despicable". I respond to the leader of the Act Party [David Seymour] that, yes I am that Marc Wilson, inquiring if he's unhappy with my reference in my August 5 column to contested 2015 reports that he told distressed folks to harden up. "Yes, and you've just confirmed everything I've suspected. Again, the subject line says it all," he replies. No signature this time. You can't win 'em all.
Tim, on the other hand, writes to say he liked the column, offering a brilliant tip for brain health: standing on one foot while brushing your teeth. It sounds a small thing, particularly to 20- and 30-somethings, but pulling on a sock standing on one leg shouldn't be taken for granted. Line up average folk aged 10, 20, 30 and so on to 80 and ask them to stand on one leg for as long as they can and it's like watching dominoes.
This story is from the September 23-29 2023 edition of New Zealand Listener.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 23-29 2023 edition of New Zealand Listener.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
