An update on The Turnstone

Making the science behind important issues accessible to everyone

When I looked at my calendar and saw that it was already April, I realised that I’m coming up to two years writing The Turnstone. I published my first article on the 12th of May 2020, when New Zealand was just leaving its first lockdown. Since then I have brought you 111 Turnstones, mostly published once a week, although sometimes more often.

While I’ve written more about Covid-19 than anything else, I’ve also written about other topics too, including climate change, conservation, conspiracy theories, vaccines, oil spills and volcanoes. Sometimes, I’m not sure what I’m going to write about from one week to the next, but I know that it makes my life easier if I sit down and plan. I’ve been giving some thought to my upcoming articles, and I thought I’d share some of what I’m planning with you.

Over the next couple of months, I’m continuing my focus on climate change, but I won’t forget other topics. My next “talking about vaccines” – due out later today – will focus on having better conversations with those we disagree with. I’m also working on an article about Predator Free 2050, the initiative to rid New Zealand of possums, rats and stoats. On the climate change side, I’m taking a look at extreme weather. I’m also planning to revisit some of my earlier articles with new information – more on that soon.

Writing The Turnstone has been an adventure. Even though it’s an adventure I’ve had sitting at my computer, it really does feel as if I’m exploring, because I begin every article without knowing quite where I’m going. Usually, all I know is the general topic that I want to look at. There’s a sense of excitement, but also some trepidation, because I often struggle to know where to start. I always worry that I’m not going to be able to make sense of my topic – every time I start a new article, even though I’ve been doing this for nearly two years.

At times, writing The Turnstone has been hard. Each article takes hours of research and writing, and I hold myself to a high standard. I get tangled up in my own tendency to perfectionism, and sometimes it feels as if every word on the page has been dragged from me. I keep going, but it’s frustrating and exhausting.

Fortunately, writing isn’t always like that. The process of turning over metaphorical stones fascinates me and I have moments of delight as my articles take shape. I believe in what I’m doing, too. I know that I am writing about important issues, and that there is complex science behind those important issues. Helping you to understand some of that complex science is important to me. It’s what keeps me going when writing is hard.

For the nearly two years I have been writing, The Turnstone has always been free. I want you to share my articles with your friends and family, because I believe that the world would be a better place if more of us understood the science behind important issues. That’s not going to change – The Turnstone will remain free. However, I’m now offering you an opportunity  to support my work. You can subscribe and contribute on a monthly or annual basis, or you can click the “buy me a coffee” button and make a one-off contribution. If you choose to support me, I’ll keep you updated on how my writing has been going and what I’m planning next. And you’ll know that you have my profound appreciation for helping to keep The Turnstone going.

To support The Turnstone with a one-off contribution, click the “Buy me a coffee” button below.

To support The Turnstone with a monthly or annual subscription click the “Subscribe now” button below for options.