The World We Want

I just finished reading a thoroughly depressing article posted by theringer.com earlier in August '26, called 'The End of Google Search–and the Internet–as We Know it'.

Before I happened upon it, I was trying to google 'what's happened to my google search' as it has completely changed over the last 24 hours and I can't seem to actually find anything anymore. Anyone else?!

The article says lots about how A.I. is going to kill small businesses - bla bla bla - you've already heard it, and probably agree. It also mentioned that the internet was in a state of 'general dilapidation' and I thought, WELL. If there's one thing I, and we as flower farmers, know how to do, it's to improve a dilapidated area. So here we are. A corner of the internet which I will cultivate the bejeesus out of. I'm imagining an open green space with tall pots of pansies next to a pretty gate in some post and rail wooden fencing, and festoon lights hanging on shepherd's hooks, leading the way to somewhere nicer. Somewhere with homemade bread and cups of elderberry tea. Somewhere to connect, and feel part of something bigger.

In reality, I imagine this blog will be very very little read, but I thought I would start it now anyway as every time I read something depressing at the moment all I want to do is take SOME kind of action - but I'm pretty limited by what that can be right now with two small kids at home. A blog feels like something vaguely positive, and can be an outlet for extra bits of interviews that I had to cut due to word counts? Maybe a place for flower farmers outside of the UK to have interviews too? This summer I had lots of emails from people across the world suggesting ways for us in the UK to deal with our drought, wildfires and blazing heat. Food for thought, eh.

Right now I'm in the middle of packing 1000 copies of issue 3, all with a little 8 page booklet hand-inserted into every copy. I'm living in the weird liminal space between me having the issue and you having the issue - it's not yet time to have a celebratory prosecco, but I know it will be soon!

Thank you endlessly, as always, to the nearly 1200 of you who are subscribed. As far as I'm concerned you are the most brilliant people, putting your faith and excitement into this project. It's grown with and around you and I basically feel like a very enthusiastic, cheerleading vessel at this point!

Anyway. Back to packing for now.

Speak soon,

Sofie x

PS This is A.I. free. Obvs.