Author: johnmartinauthor
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Cloning: From Dolly the Sheep to the Tasmanian Tiger
Back in 1996, the world met Dolly the Sheep, the first mammal to be cloned from an adult cell. Born in Scotland, Dolly was a breakthrough that shifted cloning from science fiction into science fact. She wasn’t just a genetic curiosity—her birth proved it was possible to “copy” complex animals, sparking heated debates about ethics, medicine,…
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Tasmanian Authors: From the First Voices to Today
Tasmania’s literary history is a rich tapestry, woven from the island’s rugged landscapes, isolated communities and unique cultural heritage. The very first Tasmanian authors were often chroniclers and diarists, recording life in a new and often harsh colony. Figures like Henry Savery, widely considered Tasmania’s first novelist, captured the convict experience in Quintus Servinton (1830), giving readers a…
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What is a cryptid?
If you’ve ever read a mystery or adventure story that includes a strange, elusive creature, chances are you’ve encountered a cryptid. But what exactly is a cryptid — and why do writers love to include them in their stories? A cryptid is an animal or creature whose existence is suggested by sightings, folklore or anecdotal evidence, but…
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Mindfulness over matter
Is it just me? I’ve started playing mindfulness recordings that promise to ease me into sleep. But sometimes they have the reverse effect because it’s very hard to sink into sleep when you’re roaring with laughter. EXHIBIT ONE: The soothing voice tells me to blow air into my legs, then let them float off into…
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The pig ran away with the spoon
I have a phobia when it comes to odd spoons or forks that mysteriously appear in our cutlery drawer. I fear they might have been licked by a pig. Is there a name for this phobia? ‘Spoonerism’ has been taken so I’ll just call it ‘what the fork?’ in the interim. I know this type…
JOHN MARTIN'S TALES 