Kester Brewin

Connected to the previous post about Gladwell’s article on ‘The Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted,’ I’m really excited about the next Apple event, which is coming up on 13th October. Dr Luke Bretherton will be leading a discussion on social media and social action, asking whether Facebook and Twitter have anything to add to community [...]

Excellent piece by Malcolm Gladwell in the New Yorker, casting a sceptical eye over the optimistic view that social networks can and do lead to increased social action. His argument is not that they cannot have a good impact, but that the sort of impact they might have is very different from the hard work [...]

Another question via email: On the concept of TAZ (and in particular Greenbelt) I want to tell you about my 16 year old. He has come to love the Greenbelt over the past couple of years as, like many of us, it gives him an amazing space to meet people (ok many are girls!). He [...]

The furore over the state of the athletes’ accommodation at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games has focused largely on the issue of cleanliness. Putting the issues of security and hygiene aside for a moment – these are separate concerns that require a different reaction – I think the  cleanliness issue is interesting in the way it [...]

Always interested to hear from people who’ve read the book – and I’m always pleased to respond to questions it may have raised too. One from the other day: I was very intrigued by your premise of a linear narrative of the way humanity’s relationship with God changes over time and even more by the [...]

A free supplement in The Independent today is all about spread betting: what it is, what the pitfalls are. It was pretty clear: there are potentially huge rewards, but because you can bet whatever money you like on each share, you can actually be exposed to huge losses too. Fine, whatever. But what disgusted me [...]

I know, I know, you wait ages for a good podcast to come along, and then two come along at once! First, one I recorded for Moot, in conversation with Ian Mobsby, taking in Other, critiques of new monasticism and whole host of other things. Secondly, one I recorded for the Nomad series, which looks [...]

Last night’s Apple event produced a very good discussion surrounding issues of institutional religion and what it means to move beyond relational networks into intentional gatherings. The audio from the event – which was a panel consisting of me, Jonny, Maggi and Ian plus great comment from the floor – is available for free here. [...]

For those who grieve… Autumn, Winter, Spring In the rustling of leaves the wind brings rumours of coming autumn and deep down, at the root there is a drawing together, a readying and preparing of each fibre. The sap will not rise a while each branch will thirst and pale into brittleness as the frost [...]

To coincide with the arrival of the Pope on his (now) controversial visit, Apple this month is looking at institutional religion, and asking whether its day is done as an ‘organisational technology.’ I’m really excited about the discussions we’ll be having. Jonny Baker, Ian Mobsby, Maggi Dawn and I will be discussing as a panel [...]