From the editor: Postcards to the edge

The road to Hell is paved with good intentions, and sometimes it feels like that road has become something of a dual carriage motorway. Most of us ‘mean well’. I certainly try to. And lately I’ve been trying to do a little bit more, rather than chastising myself for not having found the time to do lots.

Years ago, in an effort to address this, I took to sending what I called ‘postcards’. Just like those holiday missives, these are short communications that simply say: I’m thinking of you. A Facebook poke, a text message with a picture of some graffiti that resonates, or even an actual physical postcard. I get that everyone else is busy too, so this way I’m touching base without making too many demands on their time or an answer. (Yes, I’m thinking about you, parents of small children who tell me your dream of being able to have time again to have a shower on your own). I’m a background presence.

This is pretty much what Facebook and Twitter have been like for a lot of people. With friends and families scattered across cities, countries and the world that you can just ‘keep an eye on’. Which was why the #metoo movement was so effective last week, showing in one huge dark descending storm cloud across female (and some male) statuses the scale of harassment and sexual assaults. Let it rain in changes into our world view and actions – please, let it rain.

Who knows what will happen next, but we are most definitely in the middle of a historical and political maelstrom, neatly highlighted by political activist and comedian Mark Thomas’ (interview p5) new show of educated speculation.

I have now made plans to walk on the beach with a loved one. And that’s one step more than a postcard.

Victoria Nangle
editorial@thelatest.co.uk