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What do search engines do? And what should they do? These questions seem relatively simple but are actually urgent social and ethical issues. The influence of Google's search engine is enormous. It does not only shape how Internet users find pages on the World Wide Web, but how we think as individuals, how we collectively remember the past, and how we communicate with one another. This book explores the impact of search engines within contemporary digital culture, focusing on the social, cultural, and philosophical influence of Google. Using case studies like Google's role in the rise of fake news, instances of sexist and misogynistic Autocomplete suggestions, and search queries relating to LGBTQ+ values, it offers original evidence to intervene practically in existing debates. It also addresses other understudied aspects of Google's influence, including the profound implications of its revenue generation for wider society. In doing this, this important book helps to evaluate the real cost of search engines on an individual and global scale.

From a bestselling women’s fiction author, an “absorbing” novel about a divorced single mother struggling to forgive her estranged father before he dies. (The Daily Mail) “Master storyteller” (Cosmopolitan) Rosie Thomas returns with an affecting novel of the complexities of family and the sacrifices we make for the ones we love. Sadie's life is calm and complete. She is a mother, a good friend, and the robust survivor of a marriage she deliberately left behind. She has come to believe that she has everything she wants and deserves. But now her father is dying―the elusive man who spent his life creating exquisite perfumes for other women is slipping away from her, and Sadie must try to make her peace with him before it’s too late. As Sadie confronts the truth about her father, who often ignored her as he pursued his separate life, her relationship with her son Jack also appears to be breaking down. Intent on salvaging her relationships with both son and father, her seemingly perfect life unravels from both ends. Then the arrival of an ephemeral woman from her father's past sets off a chain reaction of events that even Sadie cannot control. “Thomas masterfully juggles a large cast of characters with sensitivity and a great deal of empathy.” —Booklist “Thomas’s novels are beautifully written.” —Marie Claire

Widowed after fifty years of marriage, Betty has put all thought of romance behind her. Or has she ...? Newly widowed after fifty years of marriage, Betty Wilson is determined to remain in the home she has lived in the whole of her married life and retain her independence. Deciding she doesn’t need anyone to look after her, she won’t even accept help from loyal family friend Peter Brown. But it’s not always easy to cope when one is growing older. From errant hedge trimmers to unscrupulous conmen and a car which seems to have a mind of its own, modern life offers unexpected hazards for the unwitting septuagenarian. Will Betty accept the devoted Peter’s help and come to realize what he means to her, before it’s all too late...?

"What do search engines do? And what should they do? These questions seem relatively simple but are actually urgent social and ethical issues. The influence of Google's search engine is enormous. It does not only shape how Internet users find pages on the World Wide Web, but how we think as individuals, how we collectively remember the past, and how we communicate with one another. This book explores the impact of search engines within contemporary digital culture, focusing on the social, cultural, and philosophical influence of Google. Using case studies like Google's role in the rise of fake news, instances of sexist and misogynistic Autocomplete suggestions, and search queries relating to LGBTQ+ values, it offers original evidence to intervene practically in existing debates. It also addresses other understudied aspects of Google's influence, including the profound implications of its revenue generation for wider society. In doing this, this important book helps to evaluate the real cost of search engines on an individual and global scale"--

Gracie doesn't hate Christmas. She just hates how commercial it is, how busy it is, how everyone pretends that there's a winter wonderland even though they live in Australia and it's so hot she wakes up sweating every morning. OK, maybe she hates Christmas. Only now there's a sexy Police officer doing extra security shifts at the mall where she works, and he's determined to show her how great Christmas can be. But Gracie can't let her guard down, she can't start hoping, start dreaming, can she? Jackson has three loves in life, Christmas, his rescue Dachshund Sacha, and all things Harry Potter. He is not prepared for the gorgeous, grinchy woman he ends up working with. He can't stand her, so why can't her get her out of his head? A steamy, hopeful Christmas romance set in the summertime downunder. You'll never look at Christmas garlands the same way again. For lovers of A.J Pine and Laurie Gilmore.

Key points Under Colombian law, the sale of game to cover basic needs (e.g. housing, health, education) or to buy other food items is not allowed, since this is considered commercial hunting and does not fall under provisions allowing for subsistence bushmeat hunting. Law 611 (2000) opened the path to legal commercial use of wildlife. In practice, however, the requirements for obtaining legal permits for commercial hunting activities make it extremely challenging for rural communities to obtain them. Aware of the role that bushmeat plays in food security, family economy and cultural identity among many rural communities, a number of high-profile Colombian environmental institutions participated in a workshop in 2015 to discuss the operationalization of the legal framework for the trade in bushmeat by rural communities. One of the main conclusions of the workshop was that commercial hunting regulations need to legally distinguish between large-scale commercial hunting and the sale of surplus game by subsistence hunters in rural communities. Indeed, these two types of commercial hunting differ in terms of the scale of action, the governance systems in place and the ways in which benefits are equitably distributed among different actors. The main recommendation was that the regulatory framework should adopt flexible management processes for the local development of sustainable management rules (e.g. list of tradable species, quotas, open seasons, monitoring and evaluation systems). This would allow for the recognition of the specificities of each socio-ecological context, rather than imposing a national-level framework that would likely fail, given Colombia’s diverse biological and cultural characteristics.

Harry the Duck is starting school. He is very worried about this as his brothers make fun of him for being different to them. He wonders if everyone at school will make fun of him too. On his first day at school he meets his wonderful classmates and realises that everyone is different and it is good to be individual. This story addresses some of the issues that children face regarding acceptance from others. It also aims to encourage children to celebrate their personal individuality and that of those around them. It's good to be you! Suitable for age 3+

Join Harry The Rubber Duck for his walk where he sees lots of wildlife and nature to help us count to 10. A wonderful colourful counting book to help your little mathematician to become more confident with their numbers from 1 to 10. Suitable for age 2+ . Also check out my other book 'Harry's First Day' .

A Delicious Recipe for Domestic Disaster: Take one small town where everyone thinks they know everyone else's business. Add three households: MP Mike Andrews, his wife Gill and two young children; Church of Scotland minister Tom Graham, his wife Ali, two teenage daughters and an afterthought; Sixty-something local businessman Jack Caldwell, and his childless wife Phyllis. Mix in several large dollops of scandal, some secrets and a tragedy. Turn up the heat and bring to the boil. Season with one eccentric old lady - Minty Oliver - and serve with the tabloid press and a big helping of local gossip.