Friday, 27 January 2017

Cute Cat Friday 2017-01-27: Joni

Surveying her territory on a chilly day in the garden.


Delusions of a Big Nation

England's struggle with its own national identity is at the root of Brexit. In a recent article in the New European, Professor Nicholas Boyle develops this idea, and sets it in context of the demise of the British Empire. His piece makes some interesting points, but gets carried away at times, becoming too elaborate for its own good. (Also, a professor at Cambridge should really understand that Scotland is not a colony.)

I think Boyle's key point can be expressed a lot more simply: England has the self-image of a Big Nation.



Friday, 20 January 2017

Cute Cat Friday 2017-01-20: Joni

I have claimed this rocking chair. It is mine now.


President Zuckerberg

A Vanity Fair piece by Nick Bilton asks, Will Mark Zuckerberg Be Our Next President?

According to Betteridge's Law of Headlines, the answer is no. But in his opening sentence Bilton insists this is a serious question, so let's play along. (The same question has been picked up by The Atlantic.)

Mark Zuckerberg.
Photo credit: By PresidĂȘncia do MĂ©xico - Flickr, CC BY 2.0, Link

Friday, 13 January 2017

Cute Cat Friday 2017-01-13: Joni

Joni on the conservatory roof, closely watching a squirrel (circled).


Passengers: Review WITH SPOILERS

Passengers (2016) has stayed with me more than I expected; beneath the glossy production design, and a love story between the two attractive leads, something much darker is struggling to receive its due.

Plot spoilers ahead; consider yourself warned.