The power of reading

    I listened to the podcats in which a writer - AL Kennedy - explained why reading influences us in such a positive way. She stated that reading can be seen as a solution to the problems we struggle with, such as loneliness, misunderstading of other people and even depression. Reading a book has many advantages, some of which I've never heard about. Kennedy said that reading develops our critical thinking and makes us more aware of other people's feeling and ideas they might have. It also helps us to become the people we want to be, the best versions of ourselves. What's more, reading has a very good influence on the relationships we bulid in the "real world" with our friends or family.
    Since reading is probably one of my favourite activities, apart from singing in the shower and sleeping, I found this podcats very thought provoking and interesting.I strongly agree with the Kennedy's attitude towards reading, because in my opinion it makes us more sensitive and empathetic. Having seen thousands of different lifes, views and types of people through the book's pages I think we are much "richer" from the people who never voluntarily read.
    
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVtHh0sn_1k

Loneliness

   Since Theresa May appointed the Minister for Loneliness and intends to, as she said "reduce the stigma around mental ilness", there has been a lot of discussions and controversies around that topic. I read two different articles, each one presenting a different point of view and I listened to a very short BBC podcast which introduces "Loneliness Experiment". 
   The first article ( https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jan/09/we-will-reduce-stigma-mental-illness-theresa-may  ) is focused on what Theresa May's intentions and plans are surrounding the issue of loneliness and mental health problems in general. May pointed out that there is still a stigma around mental ilness which people don't really experience with physical ilness. She also made it clear that she didn't want to solve this problem "only" by giving money but more importantly she wants to improve mental health services at schools (starting from secondary) and workplaces. As the result of the measures taken by the government there will definately be more awareness of this problem and more people will be educated in this matter and will be able to give proper and immediate help to the people suffering from mental ilnesses.
   The second article (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/09/opinion/sunday/loneliness-health.html?module=ArrowsNav&contentCollection=Opinion&action=keypress&region=FixedLeft&pgtype=article ) presents a different opinion on this topic. The author thinks that if we call loneliness a Health Epidemic we will cause panick over this issue and we won't be able to deal with it properly. The author doesn't deny that it  is a serious matter but it isn't something new or shocking because, as the statistics show, feeling of loneliness haven't changed that much among the American or British societies through the years. In his opinion what people really suffer from the most is the "social disconnection" caused by the growing influence of social media and high technology changes.
  The short BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3MQ6z2vJGGtPFL71Ns3XPNB/take-part-in-the-bbc-loneliness-experiment ) podcast mainly showed the effects that loneliness might have on our health (which suprisingy are very similar to those caused by smoking 15 cigarettes a day). There was also introduced the Loneliness Experiment which is based on the surveys that can be filled out by anyone on the BBC website. 
   This topic seems very interesting and relatable to me, as we all experience some kinds of mental health problems in our lifes. I'm glad there is an open conversation started in the media and I hope it will no longer be stigmatised if someone suffers from mental health issues. 

(I'm sorry it turned out so long)
 
 

Is giving money the best way to help the homeless?

 If we want to help the homeless, should we                 give them money?

The problem of wether it's better to give or not to give money to the beggars is not new and it still raises controversy. In the podcast I listened to, this problem was shortly presented from a few different perpectives which gave me a new insight into this difficult topic.

For example, a woman who used to be street homeless said that when she had begged for money she tended to spend it on mcdonald's coffee, because she had to spend all of the night there, for she was assaulted when she slept on the streets.

There was also an opinion that seemed very thought-provocing for me. It said that all of the people (including beggars) should have the right to choose how to use their money. And just because you have more money, it doesn't give you the right to be judgemental. The difference between beggars and other people is that we have been more lucky than they.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05wl0pt