Whereas in the past many of the London Underground's posters were either fun (go to the zoo with a group of penguins) or artsy (a Tube map made with paint stains from a tube), they now also contain things you probably wouldn't want your children to see, let alone impressionable tourists.
The latest image you may want to avoid is of a woman (cute with short hair) who appears to have had a double mastectomy. Scars are visible from what appears to be the removal of one breast. At the top of the image is the slogan “They/Them… #WeAreEverywhere”. At the bottom it says “Supported by the Mayor of London”.
If I was promoting a group, I would hesitate to say, “They're everywhere,” because that doesn't have a positive connotation and it's like saying earwigs. But that's secondary to the decision to use this image. My first thought when I saw this was, what on earth is this? My second thought, almost simultaneously with the first, was, what on earth is the Mayor of London doing, supporting this?
I personally like Sadiq Khan, he's polite, friendly and sociable, but this seems intended to shock us, and that's not what public transport is for.
But subway posters these days are often propagandistic or antagonistic, which is odd considering they're trying to make public transport more comfortable. There are big, aggressive posters saying “sexual stares are harassment and will not be tolerated” and posters suggesting people should intentionally rub themselves up against someone. Seeing these should make you feel safe, but they're not.
They create an environment in which any contact between humans, and between the opposite sexes, is perceived as threatening. We are less likely to see each other as companions on life's journey, and more likely to see each other as potential enemies.
It's impossible not to see giant posters in public places, at stations, on trains, etc. Is it too much to ask that we should enjoy that?
Ice Woman
Where on earth have you been if you haven't heard of the icebox craze? What began as a health regimen promoted by “Iceman” Wim Hof ​​- holding your breath while immersed in ice water – has become a consumer aspiration, with show-offs installing ice baths in their yards that go a step further than a wading pool. Now there's a backlash, and several people have died as a result of the Iceman's methods.
Recently I tried a spa treatment at a very fancy hotel (I was on a press tour) where I was supervised by an instructor and spent about 8 minutes in a hot sauna, followed by 3 minutes in a Brass Monkey (haha) ice bath, repeated 3 times. I was a little warrior if I do say so myself. The sauna was a challenge, but the ice bath was ok.
Because for quite some time, but unfortunately not now, I have been swimming in the Irish Sea in winter. I am a wimp when it comes to swimming in the Mediterranean. And by the way, after Christmas it gets colder than it used to be. It wakes me up. But if my palms start to tingle, get out. I have noticed that I am shivering during the day if I have swum for too long. With all this in mind, it is better not to do anything stupid.
Luckily, people living on the Welsh and Irish coasts don't need any silly ice baths – they have them right on their doorstep.
