Culture

Article — 19 August 2023 — 1,733 words

Britpop, braindance and broken politics — How 1990s optimism became passé

Britpop has been having a moment again this summer, prompting investigations into why the scene fizzled out. The conventional explanations are unconvincing. Electronic music tells us why.

Article — 14 July 2019 — 2,535 words

33 adventures in The Designers Republic

Culture — Design — Music

“On July 14th 1986 The Designers Republic was declared.” Celebrating 33 years of Brain Aided Design.

Article — 24 December 2018 — 366 words

The last Christmas Eve at Woolworths

Culture — Current affairs — Personal

There is a stereotype about mildly panicking male shoppers wandering around shops at the last minute on Christmas Eve, not quite knowing what to buy. I learnt that such people were not always male, and some of them were rather old enough to know better than to leave things at the last minute.

Article — 18 December 2018 — 215 words

Why a bad algorithm is like a bad magic trick

Culture — Current affairs — Technology

About 20 years ago I watched a TV programme featuring the magician Paul Zenon. He invited the viewers to think of a card, and he said he could guess the card you were thinking of.

Article — 4 October 2018 — 1,312 words

Visiting V&A Dundee — Dundee dares to dream

Architecture — Culture — Design — Dundee

I had read some fairly mixed reviews about V&A Dundee — both the building and the exhibitions. So I had prepared myself to keep my excitement in order. In the end, I was largely delighted by both the building and the exhibitions.

Article — 7 July 2018 — 40 words

Day out at Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Culture — Personal — Travel

We really enjoy visiting Yorkshire Sculpture Park. It’s a fabulous space, both outdoor and indoor. It’s large enough that you can’t comfortably see all of it in one visit, meaning every time you go you see something new.

Article — 27 December 2017 — 381 words