Henry and her colleagues recorded sounds produced by tomato and tobacco
plants raised in greenhouses. Healthy plants emitted clicks and pops, but
the sounds came in far more rapid bursts when the plants were deprived of water
or had their stems cut. The noises could be picked up 3-5 metres away.
I have spent more than 25 years covering budgets, because someone had to, and
have learned one golden rule: for all the huff and puff, the ready reckoners and
those blessed fan charts, most of what’s said evaporates from the public
consciousness by the weekend. (Cue cards)
Over the past decade, childcare has grown steadily more dependent on taxpayer
subsidy, and fallen prey to shadow bankers who have no place in it. (Intro of essayhook/topic sentence)
When my child was four and just getting through a work day felt like climbing not
just over but down into, through and under a mountain, I would read about polar
explorers and their fabulous exploits - people going to the edges of the world and
pushing the limits of what's possible -and actually balk at the way they held me in
their grip.