Latest news with #EmilyThomas
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Time of India
‘From spaceflights to ‘doom tourism', travel poses questions of philosophy — and power'
Emily Thomas Emily Thomas is Professor of Philosophy at Durham University . She tells Srijana Mitra Das at TE about the nature of travel: Emily Thomas is sitting in her living room, its windows giving a glimpse into the afternoon sunshine which, in an English summer, can't decide if, slipping between leafy filigree, it wants to sparkle like a diamond or gleam like green-tinted gold. Yet, as TE spoke with her, the philosopher's discussion was not about homelands but places far away. Could she describe her work on the philosophy of travel? She replies, 'At the core was a question — has philosophy ever had anything to do with travel? As I began research, I found philosophy and travel have had lots to do with each other. They have interacted in all kinds of ways throughout history.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Maps, the knowledge of where to go and why, are key to this interaction. How can we understand them philosophically? Thomas laughs, ' Maps are the most fascinating objects. They seem deceptively simple, a map of a city or part of a country might look like it's just telling you where the roads, buildings or hills are. But actually,' And here, her voice drops confidentially, 'So much decision-making went into what to represent on a map and how it is shown. Maps are not simple representations of the world, they are very complex depictions of what the map-maker desires to highlight. Often, the map-maker emphasises a society's power structures, that's why you see palaces, churches or temples on maps, not houses of individual people.' Is technology, with its ability to scope out every corner of Earth, altering old ways of map-making? 'Yes. Google Maps is probably the most popular online mapping service now. Again, what it does and doesn't flag says a lot about what its map-makers think is important or what they believe we consider important. So, they highlight tourist sites but not the houses of individual people. Also, unlike paper maps, online maps represent different parts of the world in exactly the same way, you can look up the United States, the United Kingdom or India and an online map will use the same colour schemes to represent all these diverse places. That gives the illusion that all these places are much more similar than they are, they put a kind of film over our perception of the world's complexity.' Some parts of the world are clearly different from others, though, marked by nature's most spectacular aspects. Has travel had links, both in philosophy and history, with ecology? Thomas nods emphatically. 'Yes. A lot of travel is about humans going into nature and experiencing unfamiliarity, bad weather or difficult terrain. How they navigate this embodies human approaches to nature. Throughout history, you can see how people's attitudes towards nature changed by reading their travel writing — for example, before the 17th century, many writers described mountains in negative terms like 'boils and warts upon Earth'. Then, in the late 17th century, poets, novelists and painters became enthralled by Isaac Newton's philosophy of space, where Newton expounded on space being connected to God. Suddenly, there grew this new conception of space as divine — travel writers began seeing mountains differently and started describing them as 'cathedrals to God'.' This also changed how many humans felt they could impact nature. As Thomas explains, 'In Western philosophy, people often saw nature as something they could do what they liked with, thinking God had created it for humans, around the 18th century, those attitudes began to change, partly due to the American transcendentalists. People like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry Theroux began conceiving of nature as divine in itself, perhaps even the embodiment of God, and not just something God made. So, many began thinking, 'Well, nature isn't something that's just useful — we must protect it as it's inherently beautiful.' That began what is today's ecology movement, where people see themselves as caretakers of nature, rather than its rulers.' What exactly is the rather disturbingly termed 'doom tourism', linked to nature, though? Thomas replies, 'It's the idea that many beautiful places on our planet, like the Arctic, Antarctic or coral reefs, are 'doomed', largely due to climate change. The thought is, 'Well, as they're perishing, we should rush to see them as quickly as we can.' The problem is people going to these places, taking planes and leaving large carbon footprints, contribute to environmental problems. This produces an ethical dilemma — is it alright to visit these 'doomed' places when the very act of going there will hasten their demise? Some philosophers think we should protect these places rather than hurry their end along.' Meanwhile, why is the interest in 'space tourism' rising — are people just bored of planet Earth? Thomas says, 'That could be one part — but what space tourism offers above many other forms of travel is exclusivity. Several people can claim to have visited the Arctic or Antarctica now — very few can say they've been to space.' Thomas pauses, thinks and then continues, 'I think another part is that we now have so much fiction, movies, documentaries and novels about what it's like to go into space. That's powered a very real human curiosity about this. Some people have also recounted how going into space can be transformative — when you're an astronaut looking down on Earth, it gives a very new perspective. It helps us realise how our planet is deeply beautiful, unique and actually unified and it should be protected. I personally would be quite curious about obtaining a perspective that seems very hard to get in any other way except literally leaving the planet and looking back on it.' The view of the traveller is thus central, but has the idea of modern travel been shaped largely by a white male gaze? Thomas smiles ironically and says, 'Oh, yes, certainly within the West. If you look at who wrote the most historical travel books, it's almost always white men. In Europe and North America , very few women wrote about travel and even fewer people of colour did so. That's not true of other places — China and Japan have an enormous history of travel writing, also by men but not white men. That viewpoint is important to remember. Travel is about unfamiliarity and otherness. But what is unfamiliar to one may not be so to another. That defines travel — and a lot of what happens at home.'
Irish Times
14-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
‘Purposefully complicated': What young tenants think of new rental rules
Fear, worry and powerlessness are words repeated by young renters as they digest the announcement this week of an overhaul of Ireland's rental market. Emily Thomas (26) from Kildare rents a one-bedroom apartment in Rathmines, Dublin , with her boyfriend. 'We're both paying over €1,000 each for that,' says Ms Thomas. 'It's a great location and we feel very lucky to have it but it is quite a financial strain.' She feels that the new rental reforms are 'purposefully complicated' and an ineffective way of tackling the housing crisis. READ MORE The reforms will see a new system of rent controls cover the entire country, including the almost a fifth of renters who live outside the existing rent pressure zones (RPZ), with rent increases capped at 2 per cent. Rent controls for new apartment blocks, however, will be tied to inflation even when this exceeds 2 per cent as part of efforts to encourage construction. For Ms Thomas, who works in media production, the removal of RPZs for new builds is a 'worrying' prospect. 'In previous places that I've lived, obviously the RPZs aren't perfect, but they did provide a certain level of security when I was struggling for rent.' Expressing a degree of pessimism that is shared by other young tenants, she adds: 'I don't see myself owning a home any time soon. I know I'll be back and forth between my parents' house and renting.' Neasa Nic Corcráin (21), a Trinity College Dublin (TCD) student from Co Wexford, is subletting a room in a friend's family home in Castleknock, Dublin, for €1,000 a month. 'I was looking at other possible sublets and they would be €1,500 a month,' she says. She is searching for somewhere else to rent by September. Last summer, she had to turn down job opportunities in Dublin due to the city's rental market. In what she describes as 'a loop of evil', Nic Corcráin feels this has come at a personal cost. 'I can't get these cool opportunities that enable me to further my career because I can't afford to live in Dublin, and if I can't further my career I can't earn enough to afford to live here.' Looking at the rental reforms, she says her main feeling is 'fear'. 'From my understanding it gives them [landlords] more incentive to be able to kick people out. 'I'm very worried about how I'm going to deal this coming academic year. I'm on three scholarships and am still kind of struggling to afford stuff.' Mairéad Hanlon (23), from Leitrim, works in the property sector. Having attended University College Cork, she is now living in Dublin for the first time and is currently subletting in Clontarf. She is looking for a more secure place to lease long term with her boyfriend. 'I was shocked to see how few bedrooms are available here online even in comparison to Cork,' she says. 'The majority on offer are twin or bunk beds, with nine or more to house and [landlords are] still looking for €700 or €800 a month. 'My concern now is that while the State is in a housing emergency and everywhere is in need of rent caps, diluting it will scare current smaller landlords of older buildings out of the market as they feel squeezed.' She believes the new changes may cause landlords to offer shorter leases to tenants, making their situations more precarious. 'There has to be strong protections in place to protect tenants to ensure the spirit of the reform is achieved, and landlords cannot look to other ways to inspire a tenant to leave.' [ Rent changes: How will tenants be impacted by the plans for Ireland's rental market? Opens in new window ] Aoife Munday (23), also from Leitrim, is working in law. Having also recently moved to Dublin, she rents 'a standard box single bedroom' in Churchtown for €562 per month. Aoife Munday said the latest changes 'will probably leave more people staying in their current accommodation' 'Most of the places I viewed on Daft were out of my budget and I could only find somewhere reasonable through a friend of a friend. 'I live in a rent pressure zone and that's probably the main reason why my rent is quite cheap.' She said the latest changes are 'concerning for renting in the future,' adding that 'it will probably leave more people staying in their current accommodation'. The Government says the reforms will offer new protections for renters, highlighting that 'no-fault evictions' will be prohibited for tenants whose landlords own four or more properties. Smaller landlords will still be able to evict tenants in limited circumstances, however, such as a close family member needing the property or if they are in financial difficulty. Anna Winifred is sceptical about such reassurances. She said the reforms would particularly affect young people as they more frequently find themselves in precarious housing situations and often enter new tenancies year on year. 'I can't imagine landlords won't take advantage of this,' she said. Ms Winifred pays about €600 a month for a room in Fairview, north Dublin. She sees herself as fortunate to be paying under €750, which she says is the lower end of what her peers pay, although her house is 'in dire condition'. She doesn't believe the Government is truly prioritising renters' rights. 'All of these reforms are in the hope of incentivising investors to build more new-build accommodation, yet there's no guarantee that will happen, and it puts people at risk of higher rents,' she says. Annemarie O'Connor, a recent graduate of modern languages at TCD, has been renting in Dublin since 2021. She feels that she is 'lucky to have' a landlord registered with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) and is paying €560 a month for an en-suite room in Drumcondra. What keeps her 'comfortable and reassured' is that 'I know legally landlords aren't allowed to raise the rent by more than 2 per cent a year', she says. While she sees herself staying in Ireland 'long term', she feels 'abandoned by my government'. Describing the latest announcement as 'another dig at Irish youth', she wonders if she, like others in her demographic, will ever be able to afford a home in Ireland. 'Will I have to share a cleaning rota with other housemates for my whole life?'
The Sun
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Rocketman star Taron Egerton ‘splits with Marvel star girlfriend' in secret and is already back on dating apps
ROCKETMAN star Taron Egerton has "split with his Marvel star girlfriend" in secret. The Hollywood hunk, 35, starting dating stunning Chloe Bennet, but now he's reportedly single again and back on dating apps. 5 5 5 The couple started secretly dating last summer before going public in December. At the time a source told The Sun: 'Taron has had a turbulent few years but things are much better with Chloe in the picture. 'They met in the US and went on a string of dates here before deciding to take a trip to the UK together." But it now appears that Taron and Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. star Chloe have decided to go their separate ways. It comes after Taron has reportedly signed back up to celebrity dating app Raya, according to the Daily Mail. The outlet claims to have spotted his profile reappear back online, hinting that he is a single man again. The Sun has approached Taron's representatives for a comment. THE EX FILES Taron first started using star dating app Raya in 2022. It came about after he split from his director girlfriend of six years, Emily Thomas. The pair were seen as a Hollywood power couple, before their shock break-up. At the time, friends said their hectic work schedules meant they struggled to see each other and their relationship had become strained. A source said at the time: 'Taron and Emily have both been really busy for the past year and it put a lot of pressure on their relationship. 'They have separated and it hasn't been easy for either of them. He is taking some time for himself now but he is open to meeting someone else soon. 'He has been putting himself out there on Raya in the hopes he can ease himself back into dating.' Meanwhile, Chloe previously dated boxer and YouTube star Logan Paul. However, before Tom she was seeing Riverdale actor Charles Melton but they split up at the end of 2023.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Assembly candidates invited to find out more
Aspiring politicians in Jersey are being invited to find out more about becoming an assembly member with a year to go until the general election. Jersey will elect a new States Assembly - the island's parliament - on 7 June 2026. - the island's official guide to the election - is holding a special event on 24 June so prospective candidates can meet current politicians, learn about the process and see inside the States Chamber. Emily Thomas, campaign manager, said: "The one-year-to-go mark is an important milestone for anyone who is keen to step up and make a difference in our community." She said the organisation was "already starting to hear from people" looking for advice on standing. "Assembly is a job like no other so it's essential that new candidates can access insights and guidance from people who have experience of Jersey's political system," she said. Plan to Stand is a free-to-attend event and will take place between 18:00 and 20:30 BST at the States Building. It will involve a panel discussion and Q&A session with Connétables Andy Jehan and Kevin Lewis, and Deputies Catherine Curtis and Helen Miles. Jersey holds elections every four years with the next political term ending in 2030. More news stories for Jersey Listen to the latest news for Jersey Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to Event aims to support aspiring election candidates Jersey's next general election to move to a Sunday Jersey voters could be automatically registered Vote JE
BBC News
07-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Assembly candidates invited to find out more
Aspiring politicians in Jersey are being invited to find out more about becoming an assembly member with a year to go until the general will elect a new States Assembly - the island's parliament - on 7 June - the island's official guide to the election - is holding a special event on 24 June so prospective candidates can meet current politicians, learn about the process and see inside the States Thomas, campaign manager, said: "The one-year-to-go mark is an important milestone for anyone who is keen to step up and make a difference in our community." She said the organisation was "already starting to hear from people" looking for advice on standing."Assembly is a job like no other so it's essential that new candidates can access insights and guidance from people who have experience of Jersey's political system," she to Stand is a free-to-attend event and will take place between 18:00 and 20:30 BST at the States will involve a panel discussion and Q&A session with Connétables Andy Jehan and Kevin Lewis, and Deputies Catherine Curtis and Helen Miles. Jersey holds elections every four years with the next political term ending in 2030.
