For a quid I bought a collection of broadcasts Harold Nicholson (see below) gave on the BBC in 1930 and 1931. They are short and dated (in every sense) so I thought I could read and blog them on the anniversary of their first (and presumably last transmission). For the lulz, and to build my... Continue Reading →
Why we kept losing – the smugosphere, the smugotariat and the Fafocene.
This is the same blog post I have written dozens (?) of times. I am doing it now as a howl of despair (1) It will change nothing, except providing a fleeting spasm of catharsis. That’s all we have left, after the world historical defeat of the “left” (always a label that hid at least... Continue Reading →
Review “Not a through street” by Ernest Larsen – #13books
I bought thirteen books last time I was in London. The rule (already broken (1)) is not to buy or borrow (2) any more until I have read and reviewed all thirteen. Here's reviews of the first, second and third. The fourth book was one that I read back in the 1990s or so -... Continue Reading →
October 17th, 1930 – “Oxford” (Harold Nicholson 01/37)
For a quid I bought a collection of broadcasts Harold Nicholson gave in 1930 and 1931, on BBC Radio. They are short and dated (in every sense) so I thought I could read and blog them on the anniversary of their first (and presumably last transmission). For the lulz, and to build my writing muscles.... Continue Reading →
Asimov’s Hell-Fire – a must read (3 mins or so!)
I read 27 "Great British Short Stories" in 27 days (Daphne du Maurier's The Birds was a stand out, in a crowded field). I wanted to keep the short-story-a-day thing going and planned to do it with Isaac Asimov's 1956 collection "Earth is Room Enough" and George Saunder's "Tenth of December." The latter has escaped... Continue Reading →
Of Earthworms, Kings and due appreciation
There is a relationship between those who do the work and those who get the credit. Mostly it is an inverse relationship. That's how power - of men, of 'history' etc. work. More broadly, we focus on gaudy and big stuff, and are contemptuous/dismissive of the day-in, day-out, because they remind us of our fragility,... Continue Reading →
Juggling: Five ball flashes (unsolicited advice)
As some of you may recall, I have been (for several years, intermittently) learning to juggle. I can do some basic three ball tricks, and am now reasonably adept at 4 balls (various patterns). Over the last few weeks I have been doing the drills that help you get to five (short version - you... Continue Reading →
Review: “Chomsky: Oracle of the State” byVarious #13Books
I am not buying or borrowing any more books until I read and review the 13 that I bought (for a grand total of £17.50) in London on Friday 10th October 2025. You can see the list and the rationale here. Title: Chomsky: Oracle of the State. An assorted bo of anti-Chomsky sentiments Author: Various... Continue Reading →
Review: “The Little Green Book” by Vole #13Books
I am not buying or borrowing any more books until I read and review the 13 that I bought (for a grand total of £17.50) in London on Friday 10th October 2025. You can see the list and the rationale here. Title: The Little Green Book Author: Vole editors Richard Boston, Richard Holme and Richard... Continue Reading →
Title: “Science for All (1958)” by the National Book League #13Books
I am not buying or borrowing any more books until I read and review the 13 that I bought (for a grand total of £17.50) in London on Friday 10th October 2025. You can see the list and the rationale here. Title: Science for All Author: Anon Year of publication: 1958 Publisher and location: The... Continue Reading →
marchudson.net 