Legacy politics and the ruses of remembrance Foreword Not so long ago I had the experience of mentoring a young German student who was intensely curious about British culture and society and what had shaped it in the second half of the 20th century. He plied me with questions like ‘What was it like before Mrs Thatcher?’. ‘How does the situation of gay people … [Read more...] about Archive that,Comrade
SEPTEMBER BLOG: TO VOTE,PERCHANCE TO DREAM, AY THERE’S THE RUB.
Some reflections on choosing a leader Like many of my friends and colleagues I am a fully paid up member of the Groucho Marxist tendency. I would never join a political party that would have me as a member. Until now. Because like tens of thousands of others I have now paid my three quid to register to vote in the election for a new labour leader, … [Read more...] about SEPTEMBER BLOG: TO VOTE,PERCHANCE TO DREAM, AY THERE’S THE RUB.
FROM HERE TO MODERNITY
Rethinking the Youth Question with C Wright Mills Look,mum, it comes down to something pretty simple. If I get a job when I leave school, its gonna be part time-most probably serving some rich kid fried chicken.I’ve started to see myself like dad. And I don’t know if that’s such a bad thing. Dad does things. When he had a job he did his job. When they took that away, he … [Read more...] about FROM HERE TO MODERNITY
July Newsletter : Waiting for the bus
Introduction This is a re-post as my webmaster has set up a system whereby these newsletters will be posted as blogs so everyone on my friends and colleagues list will automatically get a notification. Apologies if you have read this before, although I have added a post script including some solutions that people sent in to the little thought puzzle that gives the title of … [Read more...] about July Newsletter : Waiting for the bus
WHAT THE CRITICS SAID : REVIEWS OF ‘ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE TRACK’
'From its delirious counter-factual opening, through a cavalcade of arguing and asserting voices, a necessary, intelligent, and balanced response to a moment of local and national hallucination is achieved. If the book works, the Olympic madness can serve a useful purpose: in making us look harder at ourselves and the place where we have chosen to live.' Iain Sinclair … [Read more...] about WHAT THE CRITICS SAID : REVIEWS OF ‘ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE TRACK’