Anton Black
Bio
I write about politics, society and the city where I live: London in the UK.
Stories (62/0)
Amazing health benefits of drawing
Have you been seeking a new project to keep you occupied, continuing to learn, and happy? Perhaps learning to draw has been on your to-do list, but you're unsure where to begin, are concerned about doing it correctly, or aren't convinced the advantages will be worth it. Artists of many disciplines use sketching to preserve ideas, recollections, and observations. One of the first artists to carry a notebook outside the studio and onto the streets was Leonardo Da Vinci. He thought it was essential to directly touch with life and study human movements to harness skills. Da Vinci's technique is easily applicable today, when the benefits of drawing and sketching may be a terrific way to unplug from technology.
By Anton Black22 days ago in Longevity
This devastating war could bring a new health crisis
Since 2020, senior academics and commentators have been giving a wide range of opinions about the possible effects of the pandemic on the likely risk of interstate warfare and the chances of a novel Cold War. Another line of reasoning suggests that the COVD pandemic has built the foundation for an incidental 'pax epidemica' between the superpowers. According to Barry Posen, the global pandemic has inflicted considerable damage on all the great and middle powers to the extent that none will be in a position to prevail in war anytime soon, effectively calling off the chance of interstate war entirely.
By Anton Black2 months ago in The Swamp
Anti-Vaccine Protesters Clash With Police at London BBC’s studios.
Outside the BBC's White City studios in London, anti-vaccine protestors clashed with police. Local vlogger Paul Brown, a member of BakedBeanMedia, recorded footage of protestors from Official Voice trying to attack the BBC's old HQ on Monday afternoon.
By Anton Black9 months ago in The Swamp
2020 Year in Review: This is what we’ve learned about London during this Weird Year
As the year draws to a close (Thank God for that), we take the opportunity to look back on the previous 12 months. No one could have predicted at the end of 2019 what 2020 was going to bring.
By Anton Blackabout a year ago in Motivation
Which is London's Oldest Pub?
The Romans were the very first to introduce pubs known as the Tabernaes 2000 years ago, but when the Romans left, the Tabernaes did too. It was not until 700AD that Alehouses reopened and were most popular among the poorer. In the 1200s Alehouses grew in popularity and were commonly used for travellers as a place to drink and stay.
By Anton Blackabout a year ago in Wander
London's Most Famous Prisons
Victorian London was renowned for its prisons and places of correction – Dickens vividly portrayed the harsh conditions and inhuman treatment of prisoners. Read more on the history of prisons in London. While there are no more Victorian buildings, it is possible to visit the sites where they once stood, which will also take you to London's fascinating areas.
By Anton Blackabout a year ago in Wander
6 Myths and Misconceptions about London debunked
"There's nowhere like London." Indeed, London is many things: it is history and culture, it is dynamic and diverse, and it can be damp and dusty. But mostly London is larger than life, and so are the myths about the capital.
By Anton Black2 years ago in Wander
What is living in London really like?
When you first move to London, Ignorance is bliss. Living in London is a blast. You've made some new friends at work, you now know the area where you live, and you spend most weekends out with your camera, exploring all the hidden London treasures that you didn't even know existed. London nightlife is great (at least before the pandemic). What shocks you is the numbers on the receipts that come out of your pockets in the next morning.
By Anton Black2 years ago in Wander
Great London Parks You Need to Visit in Autumn
When it comes to urban green spaces, Londoners are spoilt for options. Of course, there are the royal parks that do need to be enjoyed, from Kensington Gardens to Primrose Hill. Then there is Hampstead Heath, whose idyllic Ladies' Swimming Pond has inspired full-blown essays collections; Kew Gardens, beloved by Virginia Woolf's; Hampton Court Palace, designed by Henry VIII... The list goes on. However, many places are stunning in autumn, when summer blooms give way to autumn fruits, and the trees start to change. As the temperature falls, let's round-up some great lesser-known places to go get a nature recharge in London.
By Anton Black2 years ago in Wander
