In pursuit of happiness
A policy revolution is under way to improve our well-being. Are its motives genuine? Niki Seth-Smith reports
Mind, Body & Life
The strange story of Burkina Faso’s “pleasure hospital” tells us about the difficulties in eradicating FGM
There are currently around 125 million women alive in the world who have undergone some form of female genital mutilation (FGM), a procedure in which female genitalia are altered or…
What on earth is mindfulness?
Cheap and easy to deliver, a new mental health treatment is all the rage. But should we be asking tougher questions about its effectiveness?
What Norwich City taught me about life
This piece is from the Winter 2013 edition of New Humanist. Subscribe here. Whenever I’m asked for a short biography, for a talk or a panel appearance, I always send…
Danger zone
Centuries of fear and loathing mean the vagina remains taboo. Can a new generation of feminist writers rehabilitate this troublesome organ?
Somebody loves me… I wonder who?
Laurie Taylor receives an unsolicited email
We still can’t talk about sex
The national survey on sex, published every ten years, shows that attitudes are continuing to liberalise. But the media reaction suggests we’re still incapable of a mature national conversation about…
SNP to launch Scottish independence blueprint, and other stories – our morning round-up
SNP to launch independence blueprint Scotland’s first minister Alex Salmond will today publish his party’s 670-page white paper on independence, ahead of the referendum set to take place on 18…
Historic medical discovery could help treat Alzheimer’s, and other stories – our morning round-up
Discovery “could hold key to Alzheimer’s treatment” Scientists at the University of Leicester have discovered a chemical that prevents the death of brain tissue, which they are claiming is a…
Oh, happy day
Sally Feldman, a humanist wedding celebrant, welcomes a rational breakthrough in the marriage laws