Queens Speech

We wonder what is the purpose of the British Monarch? A gilded bubble, of an elite class. A relic from the Imperial Age of a fallen Empire. Queen Elizabeth’s speech last night put that to rest. When an American wants to hug a Union Jack, the emotional level was high. Inspiring. From Windsor Castle, the …

Hard Reality of the New Reality!

The Coronavirus exposed the raw underbelly of modern society, an existence teetering on a cliff.   This event has forced everyone to look in the mirror.   The online click culture is based on a labor exploitation, not the public relations releases preaching to us about new business models developed by brilliant guys.   Leading …

Berlin, Flesh and The Devil

While going around taking images of Berlin in stand still I remembered the 1959 film “The World, The Flesh, and The Devil”.  A 1959 starring Harry Belafonte roaming an empty post apocalyptic New York City landscape. While the German Capital is not quite in that setting the urban atmosphere has an eerie feel.  As if …

You Don’t Matter! Shock!

The Coronavirus outbreak has knocked the world into a new uncertainty. An event that has become a universal reference point. Make no mistake, reality will be a different place once this over. The things we consider important. Values have shifted. The “All About Me Culture” suddenly feels petty. Who cares about a daily selfie? Curated threads …

Moth Balled, Nowhere to Go

Black and Paper covers travel features. We were saddened by the cancellation the ITB a few weeks ago.  The tourism industry affected by the Coronavirus outbreak.The impact lasting for many seasons to come.   The airline industry will not be the same.   Today IATA announced airlines will lose a combined $252 billion this year, …

How Did We Get Here?

Ineptness. Greed. Political Correctness. Self-Preservation. Denial. As the Coronavirus marches across the globe containment is the strategy. Slowing down an enemy that is dangerous, deadly, with no moral conscience. The world has its work cut out. Entering a crisis tunnel on one end, not sure how or when we will exit. Further, what happens when we …

Social Distancing, Not Alone

Are we a little confused about “Social Distancing”? How does one interact with “new fun friends” in the grip of Coronavirus Pandemic?  I have a  suggestion or two.  Let’s face it.  We are all a bit paranoid. Everyday the headlines read like a science fiction film.  If your fun partner has a cough, should you …