Independent news analysis, cultural essays, and thought-provoking media commentary. Grounded observations and long-form journalism exploring politics, society, and current trends.
Never mind the quality of the benevolent concern, just feel the width of the legislation! HMG is banning cigarettes for anyone born after 2008. Another stupid idea chugged out of…
In one episode of the 80s comedy The Young Ones, the four housemates discover oil in the basement of their London student house. This leads Mike and Vyvyan to mount…
Let’s be clear: the slow death of humanity through mass infertility is a good thing. This nightmare vision of SF and dystopian literature is, to the well-organised mind, a dream…
It’s 2025, and the United States — or what’s left of it — has entered its latest, gaudiest phase. President Trump (47, if you’re keeping score) sits in the Oval…
‘It’s that time of year again,’ says Psipook supremo, Psilocybe P Pook. The comment was recorded by faithful scribes and distributed exclusively all over the world and is available as…
Fuck you. The hard choices will be between food and heat this winter, not between pandering to the tabloids and doing the right thing. Also noted: Are you aware of…
From Nanny State to Ninny State
Never mind the quality of the benevolent concern, just feel the width of the legislation! HMG is banning cigarettes for anyone born after 2008. Another stupid idea chugged out of…
The long arm of the absurd law
Oops! I’ve been criminalised in the UK while living in Japan Hi, my name’s Chris, and I am criminal. I am a British national, I live in Japan yet I…
The naked war
I’m old enough to remember when we had reasons for wars. No, really, it used to be a thing: having reasons for wars. There was even a legal term for…
When ‘fascist’ stops being a joke and why the word matters again
In one episode of the 80s comedy The Young Ones, the four housemates discover oil in the basement of their London student house. This leads Mike and Vyvyan to mount…
Humanity’s all shagged out (and I feel fine)
Let’s be clear: the slow death of humanity through mass infertility is a good thing. This nightmare vision of SF and dystopian literature is, to the well-organised mind, a dream…
If you are innocent, you have everything to fear
I spy with my little eye something beginning with you! I was sitting in the bath the other night when I was startled to see a periscope rise out of…
From Reagan to Trump 2.0: Billionaires astride the smoking remains of reality is a boringly predictable outcome
It’s 2025, and the United States — or what’s left of it — has entered its latest, gaudiest phase. President Trump (47, if you’re keeping score) sits in the Oval…
We need to talk about Adrian Chiles. But do we really have to?
We need to talk about that Adrian Chiles. Do we have to? I don’t want to. I don’t want to either, so let’s make it quick. Thing is, Adrian has…
Zeitgeist’s greetings to one and all!
‘It’s that time of year again,’ says Psipook supremo, Psilocybe P Pook. The comment was recorded by faithful scribes and distributed exclusively all over the world and is available as…
Open letter to Keir Starmer (Sir)
Fuck you. The hard choices will be between food and heat this winter, not between pandering to the tabloids and doing the right thing. Also noted: Are you aware of…