The Return Of Empire
Pick of the Week - 13th January 2026
This newsletter is a curated cornucopia featuring some of the best of Medium and Substack, and the wider world, rumoured to exist outside of these platforms.
Please note that in view of the impact of AI on the writing community, Eco has a stringent “No AI-content” policy, and will seek to actively avoid any articles we consider to be partly or fully generated by AI, and not feature authors believed to be using it in this way again. We are fully committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. In support of our aims and objectives, 10% of earnings from this series will be donated to Greenpeace.🌈
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Ecosia; The Environmental Transport Association; Mary Grindeland; Writer Chick With A Ukulele; Adéla Valčíková; Rob Moir;
Pick of Medium – (advisory allergy note – may contain poetry)
Carlo Zeno highlights a return to the age of imperialism:
https://medium.com/bouncin-and-behavin-blogs/your-land-is-my-land-140d333a3e0e
Attia Parveen recalls an act of kindness by a stranger:
https://medium.com/write-a-catalyst/the-day-a-stranger-paid-for-my-moms-groceries-b567e882cd11
Adel Valcikova seeks certainty:
https://medium.com/no-instructions/in-defense-of-doubt-4e1bff871b4b
Marcia Abboud runs into trouble:
https://medium.com/beyond-the-scoreboard/i-missed-the-city2surf-for-a-weekend-bender-2463ae567a62
Rui Alves considers the issues around clothing and materials:
Grace Kelly explores the power of algorithms:
Yana Bostongirl explores the theme of confidence:
https://medium.com/pen-with-paper/how-confidence-transformed-me-from-shy-to-seen-672d9d9b4149
Martin Heiland-Sperling explores the power of words and who controls their definition:
https://medium.com/illuminations-mirror/who-holds-the-true-power-3b791970e8f1
Here Martin Heiland-Sperling considers why revolutions rarely deliver their aspirations :
https://medium.com/illuminations-mirror/beware-of-revolutions-it-is-history-repeating-8100917b3c92
Pia Medha explores the world of dating:
https://medium.com/@pm8862/why-hot-girls-always-fall-for-the-bad-boys-39977130ce03
Tip of the week –
Let it go, urges Ripton Green, in order to discover momentum:
https://medium.com/@ripton/when-mindset-becomes-momentum-50c5b0c65004
Pick of Substack:
Robin Wilding has a satirical take on growing up broke:
https://substack.com/home/post/p-184171283
Kiran Bilal highlights a largely hidden mental health problem:
jhong reveals the hidden language of Substack:
Robert Reich reflects on the new world order:
James Fallows reviews the breakdown of the rules-based international world order as the US goes Caracas:
Carlo Zeno has Venezuelan dreams:
Umair Haque poses a difficult question :
John Hansen PAL examines the world of the librocubicularist:
https://medium.com/questionality/what-is-a-librocubicularist-d080cf1de4f1
The wider world:
The river Rhein has a toxic waste problem:
The extraordinary story of a lake which vanished:
Oxfam highlights global inequality over emissions:
The dark side of floristry:
Political News
Owen Jones comments on the new world order of gangster diplomacy:
More on the US territorial ambitions:
https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2026/jan/10/trump-territorial-ambition-imperialism
Life Hack of the Week –
Some tips on reducing stress:
Quote of the Week:
“Be brave enough to live the life of your dreams according to your vision and purpose instead of the expectations and opinions of others.”
― Roy T. Bennett
Joke of the Week:
(Health warning – swallow coffee before reading)
Polite tennis players give each other backhanded compliments.
I’d never let my children watch the orchestra because there’s too much sax and violins.
I, for one, like Roman numerals.
“I’ve come into some money so I am going to treat my distressed furniture to some therapy.”
My son told me he didn’t understand cloning and I told him, “That makes two of us.”
“The recent global computer problems showed how important IT is. I mean without out it Isacc Newton would have discovered gravy.”
“I lost my suitcase on holiday and was getting in a real flap about it. My wife said to get a grip.”
Did you know?
Some 12th Night fun facts from Carol Finch:
https://medium.com/@carol.finch1/one-minute-facts-twelfth-night-31c1c71308c4
The boot is on the other foot with this one, also from Carol:
https://medium.com/@carol.finch1/one-minute-facts-the-duke-of-wellingtons-wellies-60778b456b12
Word of the Week:
toponym – a place name, especially one derived from a topographical feature.
Clip of the Week: Surviving an avalanche
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/czx3yn0467ro
As always, thank you for reading, and enjoy your day.
Editor’s comment: It is noted that the authors featured above have not consented in advance to their inclusion - I have assumed that authors appreciate a mention and sharing of your work – but if you do not wish to be featured please let me know and apologies.
The jokes took me out. LOL - backhanded compliments and therapy for distressed furniture 😄
Somewhere, a suitcase is still flapping 😄😄
Thank you for putting this together, John.
I hope your week is going well.