Disjecta

Note how there is such an assault on ICE engines in cars, while ICE engines in 'planes are not subject to any compulsory end date, despite being responsible for way more pollution - even though cars are way more important to most people than 'planes are. If I gave you a choice - you canContinue reading "Planely biased"

Much criminality results from inadequate parenting, especially when kids are very young, i.e., before the age of 2. Society depends on there being well-adjusted children, but is too stupid to realise this. Lack of parental leave exacerbates the problem.  About 60 years ago, the capitalists turned feminist when they realised that increasing female participation inContinue reading "On progress"

Lots of gnashy Brexiters react furiously to being described as "populist". They reject the implicit insult. Instead, they spin “populism” as a salt-of-the-earth approach which merely refers to political activities or ideas that claim to promote the interests and opinions of ordinary people. Similarly, feminism spins itself as being merely about equality.  In reality, much feminism is animated by an animus against men.Continue reading "The difference between “popular” and “populism”"

Back in the 70s and 80s, VWs and Audis were cool. These 2 classic ads make the point. Subtly, of course. Not obvious now, but the "tell Charles I'm on my way" TV ad below, featuring a Yuppie wanker, was a sly dig at BMW drivers of the period: https://www.youtube.com/embed/pIQ-283wKgg And the magazine ad belowContinue reading "When V.A.G. was hip"

The relevant rule is: https://www.theifab.com/laws/latest/the-ball-in-and-out-of-play/#ball-out-of-play "The ball is out of play when it has wholly passed over the goal line or touchline on the ground or in the air." Clearly, the ball in the Japan-Spain game was no longer physically in contact with the end line: However, the ball was fractionally also overhanging the outermostContinue reading "Schrödinger’s ball"

The UK's Supreme Court, sitting in London, has ruled that Scotland may not hold a referendum on Scottish independence. The judgment is un-surprising - but also interesting. First, it reveals that the British Union is emphatically not a union, at least, not in any modern sense. Ask yourself what would happen if England wished toContinue reading "The British Union is not a union"

Has there ever been a dumber business deal than Musk's botched and over-priced acquisition of Twitter? Musk massively over-paid for Twitter, and his approach to the deal was so amateurish that he locked himself in early. Frankly, had he been a mid-ranking investment manager, you'd have fired him for such a cock-up. Thoughtful analysis ofContinue reading "Musk is an asshole"

Thankfully, in Ireland or Britain, it is difficult to conceive of a reality where senior political figures and / or the son of a previous President or Prime Minister would be gloating, openly and crudely, about a potentially-murderous attack on the elderly husband of a political rival. It reveals how far America has fallen thatContinue reading "America’s descent"

There’s a reason why churches have tall spires.  Spiritually, psychologically, they’re deeply aspirational. The building soars.  Our spirits soar with it.  You never hear of a “low-rise cathedral”.  Back in the last century, when Ireland was poor, I was embarrassed by Ireland's lack of skyscrapers, and consoled myself with the expectation that, as soon asContinue reading "Ireland’s hatred of tall buildings"

"Even by British traditions of political failure, this prime minister’s brief tenure has been a spectacular disaster." Article by Tom McTague in The Atlantic, here. True, and one looks underneath the bonnet / hood of cultural life in an attempt to discern the increased tolerance for rank stupidity which facilitates both the rise to powerContinue reading "Truss is the best failure ever"