Essays

Enjoy yourself; it’s later than you think

When I was about 13, I overheard a piece of music in the background of a Radio 4 programme and found myself desperately needing to know what it was.

Oct 11 •

The Sound of the Suburbs

Johnny's upstairs in his bedroom sitting in the dark / Annoying the neighbours with his punk rock electric guitar

Sep 13 •

I’m writing a long-form piece about Mumsnet at the moment (more about that in a few months), so I’ve been thinking about my time there a lot.

Aug 23 •

Are we... the baddies?

Culture wars, racism, and single sex changing rooms

Aug 9 •

I’ve been on a thematic binge recently, watching and reading content related to 9/11.

Jul 12 •

That’s just, like, your opinion, man

A question of taste

May 24 •

Back in the days when I used to work for Mumsnet, there was a specific tension that often made things extremely tricky.

May 10 •

A catch-up with Miss Smilla

Apr 12 •

‘Adolescence’, thirteen-year-old boys, and Mr Pigden

Mar 22 •

I'm not watching 'Anora'

Admitting that you haven’t read/watched/consumed something is usually an argument-terminator.

Mar 8 •

Discovering the sound of the universe

Feb 15 •

The Wire, but make it Keeley Hawes

Watching Line of Duty from the sickbed

Jan 11 •

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