A rather fun take on modernism from Will Self, broadcast earlier this year. I’d happily listen to a whole series of programmes arranged like this, different voices drifting in and out, new juxtapositions and comparisons made between decades, personalities, media. While the initial set-up is a little hokey, the execution of the idea is excellent. Well worth a listen. You can also download it here.
I remember one Christmas watching several episodes of Ken Burns’ documentary series, The West. I didn’t really know much about the subject matter, bar the usual stuff you pick up in movies and comic books. I didn’t know anything about Ken Burns. In fact, it was probably several years before I realised that Ken Burns was behind the programme. And that was after picking up the book of the series and everything. I’m not that observant, I guess. But one thing I did pick up on and did remember, was the story of Joshua Norton, the self-proclaimed Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico.
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The extinction of a whole species isn’t as rare as you think. It happens all the time. However, the extinction of a prominent and popular species, now that doesn’t happen so often. The Humulus lupulus, or hop plant, first started to encounter difficulties after a series of freak weather incidents led to several major crop failures. Read the rest of this entry »
Commuting is a strange old business. It can eat away at your soul. You are pitted against your fellow traveller in a zero-win scenario where one side might overtake and beat the lights, or grab the final seat on the train, but will ultimately feel more bitter and more hollow for it. Read the rest of this entry »
Hello folks. I’m turning the editorial direction of this place over to you. For a bit. You, the reader, can post any idea for a post, blog post title, or other sort of inspiration for a post such as a video or a song and I will endeavour to write at least 500 words on said subject/title/point of inspiration. I will also, where appropriate, choose a relevant Creative Commons image and/or YouTube video to accompany the post. What an offer, eh? Read the rest of this entry »
Wait until next year 