Latest news with #WHAuden
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Legacy of Fire Island kept alive through stunning archive collection
The legacy of Fire Island is being celebrated by the Cherry Grove Archive Collection (CGAC) as it leaves a lasting impact through the preservation of queer archives. Fire Island, an iconic barrier island in New York, has long been known as a haven for LGBTQ+ people seeking community and fun, whether as a place to call home or for an exciting beach holiday. Its history and legacy as a queer paradise comes in part due to its location. Located south of Long Island and with cars banned to maintain the ecosystem, it can be difficult to reach; a train, a shuttle, and a ferry are required to arrive there. The remoteness aids in the creation of Fire Island as an LGBTQ+ haven with a rich and long history. Featuring drag events and parties, it is known as a place where the queer community could and can express themselves with pride. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cherry Grove Archives Collection (@cherrygrovearchives) Popular historic figures like WH Auden and Antoine de Paris frequented Fire Island. Even Dublin-born Oscar Wilde is believed to have stayed at the Perkinson Hotel in the island's Cherry Grove neighbourhood. Cherry Grove is one of two queer neighbourhoods of Fire Island, and its rich history continues to be preserved by the Cherry Grove Archives Collection. Although the organisation was officially founded by Harold Seeley more than 30 years ago, it was unofficially started in the 1940s when members of the community began documenting their experiences. The collection has grown due to Seeley's efforts, community contributions, and the hard work of volunteers who help further the mission of the Cherry Grove Archives Collection. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cherry Grove Archives Collection (@cherrygrovearchives) On the website, the group states, 'The CGAC is dedicated to the preservation of the social, political and cultural history of Cherry Grove, Fire Island, New York.' With queer history so often being overlooked, ignored, and forgotten, the mission of CGAC is to leave a lasting impact through the preservation of queer archival materials. The CGAC exercises this preservation through a collection of archival materials, mostly comprised of photographs. The organisation's website displays over 100 photographs in its collection highlights. These photos display materials that date back to the 1940s featuring LGBTQ+ people relaxing on the beach, posing with partners, and playing beach volleyball. There is also a book titled SAFE/HAVEN that features 77 pages of photos, ephemera, and audio clips from longtime residents of Cherry Grove. A second edition of the book is being released this year on July 26, 2025. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cherry Grove Archives Collection (@cherrygrovearchives) In addition, CGAC also has a collection of documentary shorts and feature films, along with a scripted dramatic short film, most of which are available on the website and Vimeo. These films include a documentary that tells the story of Harold Seeley and the collection. To further promote the archival materials, CGAC has an exhibition set up that can travel to be showcased to people interested in learning about the culture of Cherry Grove. There is also a digital version of the SAFE/HAVEN exhibition with photographs and audio available to scroll through and explore. Through the Cherry Grove Archives Collection, the exciting and precious legacy of Fire Island is kept alive and well in the memories and hearts of the LGBTQ+ community. Did you know that this Pride month you can support GCN by donating €1 when you shop online with PayPal? Simply select GCN at checkout or add us as your favourite charity* at this link to support Ireland's free LGBTQ+ media. *GCN is a trading name of National LGBT Federation CLG, a registered charity – Charity Number: 20034580. The post Legacy of Fire Island kept alive through stunning archive collection appeared first on GCN.
Bloomberg
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Trump's Birthday Parade Isn't a Harmless Military Spectacle
Perfection, of a kind, was what he was after, And the poetry he invented was easy to understand; He knew human folly like the back of his hand, And was greatly interested in armies and fleets; When he laughed, respectable senators burst with laughter, And when he cried the little children died in the streets. — W.H. Auden The last time I was a guest at Donald Trump's birthday party, it was a relatively tame affair in the Crystal Ballroom of one of his sprawling, financially troubled Atlantic City casinos, the Castle. It was 1990, Trump was turning 44, and a replica of a jet from his failing airline, the Trump Shuttle, adorned a stage beside reproductions of three sagging casinos he had also mismanaged.
The Independent
15-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Drinking hydrogen water helped me sleep better, but is a £299 bottle worth the investment?
'Thousands have lived without love, not one without water,' said W. H. Auden. Though water is life's most essential and vital resource, the majority of Brits drink less than a litre of water a day – far below the recommended daily dose. Our chronic dehydration is a problem because water is vital for the health of every single cell, tissue and organ in our bodies. It regulates our body temperature, aids our digestive system, helps our kidneys clear out toxins and waste, lubricates and cushions joints, and can even help you lose weight. In countries where tap water is safe to drink, drinking enough water is considered one of the easiest and cheapest ways to stay healthy. Sure, you can splurge on pricey water from health shops, or add electrolytes, but just glugging eight glasses a day right from the tap is enough to keep us healthy and hydrated. Given how fundamental hydration is to health, it's no surprise that wellness trends often centre around enhancing the way we consume it. WaterTok gave us a fascination with Stanley Cups and AirUp bottles and now, hydrogen water bottles have entered the scene. When I heard about the hydrogen water bottle phenomenon I was intrigued but sceptical. Ranging in price from £25 to £300, these water bottles infuse regular water with added hydrogen molecules that supposedly offer wellbeing benefits. What is hydrogen water? Devotees claim drinking hydrogen water can do everything from help with blood sugar control and weight management to reduced cholesterol and inflammation. It's also said to help with seasonal allergies, fatigue, skin health and athletic performance thanks to its antioxidant properties. Though sceptics have pointed out that hydrogen, being a gas, may not remain in water long enough to deliver actual benefits. Some health experts also maintain that our bodies already have built-in antioxidant systems that work efficiently enough on their own. On TikTok, where hydrogen water is much-discussed, there are two very clear camps: on one side, those professing hydrogen water has changed their lives (and, suspiciously, sometimes offering discount codes for viewers), and those rolling their eyes, calling the trend a scam and marvelling that people pay good money for 'a bottle that makes water into water'. One of the biggest proponents for hydrogen water is Gary Brecka, a biologist and biohacker. On his podcast The Ultimate Human, Brecka waxes lyrical about the unique benefits of hydrogen water. Brecka says that science shows it's, 'the best water you can put in your body'. But given that water is the most abundant substance on the planet, and its health benefits are already practically endless, do we really need to try to 'hack' it? Julia Etman, a nutritionist at Healf, says that the core benefit of hydrogenised water that's been observed in studies is antioxidant support but there isn't a great deal of data to support far-reaching health claims. 'While research is ongoing, early findings suggest hydrogen-enriched water could help counter oxidative stress – one of the key contributors to cellular ageing and fatigue. It's also being explored for its potential role in supporting overall cellular and metabolic health.' 'Molecular hydrogen is one of the smallest and most bioavailable molecules in nature,' she explains. 'It can slip into cells, where it may help neutralise harmful free radicals – the kind produced by poor sleep, stress, or intense physical activity. What sets it apart is its selective antioxidant action, meaning it only targets the bad free radicals, leaving the beneficial ones to do their job. "Preliminary research suggests that by reducing oxidative stress, hydrogen water may support better nutrient absorption and contribute to a balanced gut microbiome, further enhancing overall wellbeing. Some people report improvements in energy, recovery, and inflammation.' While Julia says that 'scepticism is always valid' and that there's no "one-size-fits-all approach to wellbeing', she points to a growing body of research – more than 1,300 studies globally – which examine the effects of molecular hydrogen, including in water form. 'While some early studies suggest potential benefits for inflammation, metabolism, athletic recovery, and even mood, the science is still developing,' Julia adds. 'Most studies are small-scale or preliminary, and more robust, long-term human trials are needed. The results are encouraging, but not yet conclusive.' The jury seemed to be out on the effects so I decided to order the Echo Water Flask at an eye-watering £299 to test them for myself.
The Independent
12-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
I tried a £299 hydrogen water bottle - but is it worth the price?
'Thousands have lived without love, not one without water,' said W. H. Auden. Though water is life's most essential and vital resource, the majority of Brits drink less than a litre of water a day – far below the recommended daily dose. Our chronic dehydration is a problem because water is vital for the health of every single cell, tissue and organ in our bodies. It regulates our body temperature, aids our digestive system, helps our kidneys clear out toxins and waste, lubricates and cushions joints, and can even help you lose weight. In countries where tap water is safe to drink, drinking enough water is considered one of the easiest and cheapest ways to stay healthy. Sure, you can splurge on pricey water from health shops, or add electrolytes, but just glugging eight glasses a day right from the tap is enough to keep us healthy and hydrated. Given how fundamental hydration is to health, it's no surprise that wellness trends often centre around enhancing the way we consume it. WaterTok gave us a fascination with Stanley Cups and AirUp bottles and now, hydrogen water bottles have entered the scene. When I heard about the hydrogen water bottle phenomenon I was intrigued but sceptical. Ranging in price from £25 to £300, these water bottles infuse regular water with added hydrogen molecules that supposedly offer wellbeing benefits. What is hydrogen water? Devotees claim drinking hydrogen water can do everything from help with blood sugar control and weight management to reduced cholesterol and inflammation. It's also said to help with seasonal allergies, fatigue, skin health and athletic performance thanks to its antioxidant properties. Though sceptics have pointed out that hydrogen, being a gas, may not remain in water long enough to deliver actual benefits. Some health experts also maintain that our bodies already have built-in antioxidant systems that work efficiently enough on their own. On TikTok, where hydrogen water is much-discussed, there are two very clear camps: on one side, those professing hydrogen water has changed their lives (and, suspiciously, sometimes offering discount codes for viewers), and those rolling their eyes, calling the trend a scam and marvelling that people pay good money for 'a bottle that makes water into water'. One of the biggest proponents for hydrogen water is Gary Brecka, a biologist and biohacker. On his podcast The Ultimate Human, Brecka waxes lyrical about the unique benefits of hydrogen water. Brecka says that science shows it's, 'the best water you can put in your body'. But given that water is the most abundant substance on the planet, and its health benefits are already practically endless, do we really need to try to 'hack' it? Julia Etman, a nutritionist at Healf, says that the core benefit of hydrogenised water that's been observed in studies is antioxidant support but there isn't a great deal of data to support far-reaching health claims. 'While research is ongoing, early findings suggest hydrogen-enriched water could help counter oxidative stress – one of the key contributors to cellular ageing and fatigue. It's also being explored for its potential role in supporting overall cellular and metabolic health.' 'Molecular hydrogen is one of the smallest and most bioavailable molecules in nature,' she explains. 'It can slip into cells, where it may help neutralise harmful free radicals – the kind produced by poor sleep, stress, or intense physical activity. What sets it apart is its selective antioxidant action, meaning it only targets the bad free radicals, leaving the beneficial ones to do their job. "Preliminary research suggests that by reducing oxidative stress, hydrogen water may support better nutrient absorption and contribute to a balanced gut microbiome, further enhancing overall wellbeing. Some people report improvements in energy, recovery, and inflammation.' While Julia says that 'scepticism is always valid' and that there's no "one-size-fits-all approach to wellbeing', she points to a growing body of research – more than 1,300 studies globally – which examine the effects of molecular hydrogen, including in water form. 'While some early studies suggest potential benefits for inflammation, metabolism, athletic recovery, and even mood, the science is still developing,' Julia adds. 'Most studies are small-scale or preliminary, and more robust, long-term human trials are needed. The results are encouraging, but not yet conclusive.' The jury seemed to be out on the effects so I decided to order the Echo Water Flask at an eye-watering £299 to test them for myself.
Irish Times
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Brace yourself as the world's leaders make a holy show of themselves at the Pope's funeral
Who is that person the mighty are coming to bury in Rome tomorrow? Is it for the man who preached against burning fossil fuels that the great and the good are flying in their intercontinental jets to pay their last respects? Are the would-be colonisers and land-grabbers gathering to praise the peace-lover who Zoom-called Catholics under siege in Gaza at 7pm every night ? What part of a man who chose to live more humbly than his predecessors will be reflected in the pomp and circumstance of his funeral? WH Auden wrote in the poem he entitled In Memory of WB Yeats that 'the words of a dead man are modified in the guts of the living'. Pope Francis tried to guard against such modification by requesting that he be laid to rest in just one coffin instead of the traditional three papal coffins made of elm, cypress and lead, and that he be buried with dignity 'like any Christian'. But he could not prevent his death from turning into a spectacle of the sort of privilege and hypocrisy he deprecated. Nor could he stop his spirit being banished before he is even buried. Journalists have swooped en masse upon the Eternal City to record every swing of a thurible, every state ruler's facial expression at tomorrow's funeral. They will not be disappointed for there will be VIPs galore willing, in the immortal words of Verona Murphy, to 'make a holy show' of themselves, literally. Topping the list of elites will be the twice-divorced and thrice-married sexual assailant Donald Trump , who wants to conquer Greenland, Gaza and Canada; is ordering mass deportations from the US; and is attempting to crush universities, the judiciary and truth in the news. Rather than suggesting he stay away, the Holy See's gatekeepers will accord him and his entourage a red-carpet welcome. The last time this hawker of his own-branded bible famously sat in a church, he demanded an apology from the Episcopalian bishop Mariann Budde for pleading from the pulpit that mercy be shown to immigrants, gays, lesbians and transgender people. Trump need not brace himself for any mouthy woman bishop tomorrow. READ MORE Whole battalions of dignitaries from countries with booming weapons industries will assemble in St Peter's Square, watched over by the Swiss Guards and the gendarmerie of Vatican City. Fighter jets will patrol the sky. Anti-drone weapons will be at the ready. Up to 170 foreign delegations are expected. Ireland, alone, is to be represented by President Michael D Higgins and Sabina along with the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste. How many starving children could be fed for the price of that security bill? What these days in Rome demonstrate is that, no matter who becomes the Pope, the institution will outlive and out-rule him Don't expect any civic leaders who actually practise what Francis preached to be given top-priority seats. Will Trump, Macron, Merz and Starmer shove down the line to make space for Mary Robinson and Greta Thunberg, dogged campaigners to save this planet that the Pope called 'our common home'? Will the Red Crescent or Unrwa or Médecins Sans Frontières, who risk and sometimes give their lives to save others, fill the front rows? And what of the migrants in camps like Lampedusa, the Italian island he chose for the first visit of his papacy 'to reawaken our consciences and recall our responsibilities'? Will the princes of the Church bow to them? The devout among the globe's 1.4 billion Catholics and those cradle Catholics and non-Catholics who have been inspired by Francis's message of humanity are entitled to share in a fitting farewell to him, but the funeral dignity he wished for already looks in jeopardy. There has been no time to declutter the Vatican's ostentatious wealth before the obsequies for a man who derided consumerism as a 'plague' and a 'cancer'. The stallholders will, as usual, make hay flogging their souvenir holy water fonts, keyrings and canvas bags. The tour guides will guide. The hotels will burst at the seams. The restaurant queues will be out the door. The sightseers were unavoidable on Wednesday as they lofted their smartphones to scavenge pictures of the dead pope in his open coffin during the procession to St Peter's Basilica. Why on earth would anybody want such a macabre picture other than as proof of the brag that 'I was there'? [ Pope Francis's death silences a voice for the voiceless Opens in new window ] Since his death on Easter Monday the posthumous eulogies to Francis have incessantly mentioned his commitment to 'equality', but the procession of cardinals that preceded his remains for his removal to the basilica affirmed that the Church's concept of equality does not apply equally. There is no starker reminder to the female of the species of our lesser standing than a pope's funeral. Other than the head-to-toe-clad nuns on the sidelines and a thin sprinkling of women among the dignitaries – EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni, to name two – the men-only club will be out in force. Even Francis 'the reformer' could not assail that bastion. The perniciousness of that discrimination and how it propagates unconscious bias beyond the church has been evident in the speculation about which man will succeed him, and the occasional lament that there has never been an Irish pope. Lads, may I point out that there has never been a woman pope, or cardinal, or bishop or priest? Ireland accounts for just 0.06 per cent of the world's 8.2 billion people. Females account for half of them. [ When Pope Francis met abuse survivors in Ireland: 'He drew a picture of a toilet. Anything that goes into that is caca' Opens in new window ] What these days in Rome demonstrate is that, no matter who becomes the Pope, the institution will outlive and out-rule him. Pope Francis began working on his autobiography, Hope, in 2019 with the intention that it would not be published until after his death. He changed his mind and brought its publication forward when he saw how the world's ruling ethics were rapidly going to hell in a handcart. True to its name, the book gives its reader some hope; exactly what is needed in our time of wars, pestilence, climate damage, atrocious poverty and Maga madness. The biggest loss the world has to mourn this weekend is not that of the titular head of an organised religion but that of a voice of decency. Jorge Mario Bergoglio, may you rest in peace.
