A Surprise Worth Waiting For!

Bob Dylan has won the Nobel Prize for literature, how cool is that? The committee took their time and speculation about a surprise was bubbling under the surface. Bob Dylan is as much poet as songwriter, he more or less created an entirely new genre singlehandedly in both fields and now it seems it's not just his fans who are aware of it. Brilliant, well done to Bob and to the Nobel committee. Brilliant.

Malcolm Snook sailor, writer, blogger.

Inspired and Inspiring

David Thouless, Duncan Haldane and Michael Kosterlitz will share the Nobel prize for physics, for work on exotic states of matte. Brilliant, not just them, but the whole thing. I believe the decision was based on the beauty of the maths, which is lovely in itself, but the benefits of the discoveries are mind blowing too.

When I was a school, a very long time ago, we were asked to draw pictures to show what the world would be like in the twenty first century. Most of us drew flying cars and the like, but cars still have four wheels, pneumatic tyres and most of them still have an internal combustion engine. The world really moved on in two areas, most obviously in terms of information technology; most information is available at the push of a button and a few clicks on a mouse, which was simply a cute looking pest back then.

The other area where we've made huge progress is in materials, steel that won't rust, carbon fibre, well, fibreglass before that, kevlar and much more. However, these three guys have moved things forward hugely, to use correctly an oft misused term, they've made a quantum leap. Who would have thought there were more states of matter than gas, liquid and solid? Who'd have thought electricity could flow with no resistance at all?

Brilliant, for them and for all of us, very well done guys.

Malcolm Snook

An Opportunity To Celebrate

The new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture opens this weekend. Against a backdrop of racial tension, trigger happy police, protests and violence something good is actually happening on the hallowed ground of America's capital, a stones throw from the Lincoln memorial.

The museum tells the story of slavery, war, emancipation, a history which must and I believe never will be forgotten. It also tells of the great achievements and dignity of African Americans. African Americans have risen to the highest offices of the state, but they have also made a cultural and sporting contribution which cannot be overstated.

In sport, music, dance, literature, art and much more African Americans have overachieved against huge odds. Problems remain; racism, fascism and prejudice must be fought, but this weekend lets celebrate with all Americans the recognition of Black America's struggle and its spiritually uplifting success.

Malcolm Snook Author And Blogger 

He's My Brother, He Ain't Heavy (Obviously!)

Jonny Brownlee was so nearly world series champion, but with yards to go to the finish he collapsed, the sight of his brother Alastair picking him up and helping him across the line so he could finish second was almost inexplicably moving. I'd like to think a brother could, would do nothing else, but in a world where winning seems to have become everything, maybe it was some small surprise to see an athlete do the right thing; actually it puts one in mind of the spirit engendered by the Paralympics more than anything else. A little bit of a lift for the soul.

Malcolm Snook

Setting An Example In A Dark Place

The White Helmets in Syria are working to save lives and help people, no matter their beliefs or what 'side' they belong to. Jo Cox nominated them for the Noble Peace Prize and it seems others are getting behind the call. Thank goodness, as much as I like Obama, giving him a Nobel Peace Prize in the hope he'd do some good was an error, these are exactly the sort of people the prize should go to. People putting their own lives on the line to help others and working for a peaceful world by EXAMPLE not words. Inspiration in a dark place.

Promote peace.

Inspiration from those who struggle most

It's not just the incredible record breaking medal haul of Paralympics GB as impressive as it is, it's the joy and the refreshingly frank interviews from real people who've struggled against adversity and come out on top, it's the humanity, the sportsmanship, the international camaraderie, the real people, whatever the nationality. When Europe and the Middle East are in crisis, when the USA is divided down the middle and continues its love affair with guns, mass shootings and racism, when there's so much going wrong in our world Paralympians are an utter joy and an inspiration.

Malcolm Snook

Dion And Gobi

Dion Leonard is an extreme marathon runner, hats off to him for that. On a run across the Gobi desert, of all places, he was joined by a small dog which he befriended and shared his water and food with. The bond grew, the little dog was named Gobi and Mr Leonard decided to bring her back to the UK.

He had to go on ahead and the little dog escaped her carers in China to look for him and promptly disappeared. Not to be beaten Mr Leonard flew back to China and managed to find his lost companion. Now she will be quarantined at this end of the journey.

When there's so much bad news around this is an uplifting story with a happy ending.

Malcolm Snook