Almost every morning I lug a heavy (25kg/55lb-ish) backpack and my sorry ass around a local park. There are squirrels, dogs, dog-walkers (but no doggers) and also things to read. Yep, I read as I go. What I haven't been doing is systematically writing about what I read. No more! Today I begin this, and... Continue Reading →
Film Review: Hail “Hail Caesar”!!! Up there with LA Confidential, Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Chinatown
Films about the film industry, eh? So arch, so damn knowing. You know the ones I mean. The Coen Brothers dance very very close, but as the numerous choreographed choreography scenes in this show - if you know EXACTLY what you are doing, and you hire the bets talent available, and you're lucky, you might... Continue Reading →
No more free Clean Coal reports?! Thnx for nothing, David Cameron!!
As a resident of the UK, which was paying its dues to the International Energy Agency Clean Coal Centre, I was able to download its latest reports for free. No more, thanks to the UK government cancelling its subs (something to do with not burning coal any more, at least, soonish). And given George Osborne... Continue Reading →
TV Smith – “Buried by the Machine”
I described TV Smith as "Chomsky with a Guitar" the other day. That was before I'd listened properly to the two albums I bought at his gig. Having now done so, my opinion.... has not shifted one little bit. Is there a way forward You’ve the will Technology and the skill They tell you to... Continue Reading →
Chomsky with a guitar – aka TV Smith #punknotdead
Punk isn't dead, and won't be while TV Smith can draw breath and hold a plectrum. Going on tonight's performance, that will be a good 25 years yet. Smith, who was there as a proper punk in the 70s, has the energy of a gobby gobbing 20 year old, but the skills and cynicism of... Continue Reading →
Psycho-analysing the species – on the 20th Century & pre-tits-up 21st…
Hmmm, I am dubious about the value of trying to psycho-analyze societies. And when I say "we" and "the species" I am v. conscious of mostly meaning white middle-class male Westerners. But still, maybe this will provoke someone into sending me some very good reading suggestions. ATT (After the Thesis) I am going to read... Continue Reading →
“The responsibility of intellectuals” Or “After I get shot in the head”
Some guy, I forget who, said that it was the responsibility of intellectuals to expose lies and tell the truth. Meh, as far as it goes, sure. Which truths to who gets more interesting…. If I get shot in the head (and given my deteriorating relationship with Manchester City Council, this is not impossible), and... Continue Reading →
Here comes the “2050” bullshit. Be happy for it. #climate
The future is here, and we are avoiding it. 2020 used to be the target year, by which we had done x and y and z. Sadly, we didn't do those things. A mix of complacency, distraction, stupidity and incompetence mostly explains that. So it goes. But this presents the happy shiny people (HSP) who... Continue Reading →
The “Greenhouse Mafia”, ten years on. #Australia #auspol #climate
Ten years ago today Four Corners broadcast a programme on “the greenhouse mafia”. In hindsight it can be seen as the starting gun for a two year sprint that led to “the first climate change election” It's worth knowing the history and actions of one of the groups revealed by that documentary. The first time... Continue Reading →
Film Review: “The Big Short” and the air-brushed women
My brilliant friend (he really is) and I went to see "The Big Short" on Saturday. We both really liked it. It's clever without being tricksy, its well-paced and brilliantly acted. We noted the maleness of it, but weren't particularly concerned (though alarm bells should have been ringing for me, since I've seen "Inside Job".... Continue Reading →
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