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How news and social media shape our emotions, distort our perceptions and influence how we see each other. Yesterday I saw a book called Middle Rage, by Australian media personality Myf Warhurst. She's a familiar and much-loved figure from Spicks & Specks and the Js, so I was intrigued by the title. The blurb talks about the “seething fury” of middle-aged women, the injustices they face and the “volcanic rage of a Gen X woman”. It got me wondering: Why is Myf so angry? and Ho

The world is changing rapidly. Climate change, Trump, the cost of living and AI are among the forces contributing to a sense of unease across society. Through 24-hour news and the pocket-sized computers we carry all day, we are more aware than ever of what is happening around the world. Much of what reaches us is designed to provoke fear, anger or outrage - to keep us looking at it. And we can do almost nothing about most of it. This can leave us feeling frustrated, powerless

For much of my life, I thought being a good man meant being accommodating, considering others before myself. I tried not to cause problems. I waited for a break in the conversation before speaking. I considered what everyone else wanted before asking what I wanted. I tried to be useful, understanding and easy to be around. These qualities are not necessarily bad. Kindness and considering others are good qualities. Being able to understand other people is a strength. But there