Can I just say I'm so chuffed that your doing the Private Eye podcast. I've subscribed to private eye for years, but it keeps disappearing on me before I got chance to read it. 😁
Hi Helen - spot on about Matthew Parris I think. It’s comforting to think that your genetically influenced low hunger drive and it’s resulting benefits is actually a form of “virtue”. It does lead to a wholly undeserved level of smugness - “look upon my washboard stomach ye mighty, and despair!” as it were.
wow i recently subscribed to your newsletter and i have to say i didn't realize your views on trans people. That article about Elliot Page is horribly anti-trans and not in any way sensitive, affirming, or caring. I was really taken aback wondering what i was reading and the disgusting comments on it say it all. I won't be supporting your work from now on, you can't call yourself a feminist and support what was written there.
Well, I disagree with you — and I don’t think we should blindly “affirm” people, so that’s not a standard I would expect any journalism to reach. So much of my work is about the gap between self-perception and how other people experience the world. But it’s your time and your opinion and you’re entitled to do what you like with both.
I unsubscribed as well. That was some deeply harmful gender essentialist dreck to uncritically recommend. I'd never heard of UnHerd before, so I poked around. Their mission statement, collection of writers, and selection of topics all drew major yikes from me.
Already love the Page 94 podcast and looking forward to hearing the upgraded version.
Working in the industry, I'd say that "the rises are being passed on to renters, who are already spending far more of their disposable income on rent than owners" is not clear-cut. It's arguable (I believe Torsten Bell has already made this case) that rent rises are being driven by wage inflation rather than interest rate rises - landlords aren't exactly a charitable bunch and were already charging the maximum the market would bear, which is why rents didn't come down when interest rates fell.
Very happy that you've got a regular podcast gig for two reasons:
- your special guest podcast appearances are always *excellent*, particularly your one on Decoding the Gurus.
- which is all the more ironic given you invented the phrase (now a pretty famous meme, I think) "women have friends, men have podcasts" which I've repeated to basically everyone I know.
That Slate piece about the pre-cellphone life of 27-ish-yr olds in New York in 2002 contains quite a few gems -- a pity we couldn't call up Moviephone for the cinema listings in London.
The lady on the phone in Wisconsin taking Lands End clothing catalogue orders sounded much more helpful than the array of clothing fit finders, customer reviews and chat apps we have online now.
Damn, you’re good. A day “Bluestocking” arrives is a good day. There is sanity, after all. Definitely on the “Private Eye” podcast beat. And may I (he raises a wan hand to be called on) please ask for a second chapter of your advice about writing. Your bit about ‘theme’ found the clear water of trued up thought and helped me understand what we’re trying to do when we sit down with this chaos of words and thoughts.
Can I just say I'm so chuffed that your doing the Private Eye podcast. I've subscribed to private eye for years, but it keeps disappearing on me before I got chance to read it. 😁
Hi Helen - spot on about Matthew Parris I think. It’s comforting to think that your genetically influenced low hunger drive and it’s resulting benefits is actually a form of “virtue”. It does lead to a wholly undeserved level of smugness - “look upon my washboard stomach ye mighty, and despair!” as it were.
wow i recently subscribed to your newsletter and i have to say i didn't realize your views on trans people. That article about Elliot Page is horribly anti-trans and not in any way sensitive, affirming, or caring. I was really taken aback wondering what i was reading and the disgusting comments on it say it all. I won't be supporting your work from now on, you can't call yourself a feminist and support what was written there.
Well, I disagree with you — and I don’t think we should blindly “affirm” people, so that’s not a standard I would expect any journalism to reach. So much of my work is about the gap between self-perception and how other people experience the world. But it’s your time and your opinion and you’re entitled to do what you like with both.
I unsubscribed as well. That was some deeply harmful gender essentialist dreck to uncritically recommend. I'd never heard of UnHerd before, so I poked around. Their mission statement, collection of writers, and selection of topics all drew major yikes from me.
“Watching your favourite pub burn down”. So many remakes/reboots fit this description. Will steal!
Already love the Page 94 podcast and looking forward to hearing the upgraded version.
Working in the industry, I'd say that "the rises are being passed on to renters, who are already spending far more of their disposable income on rent than owners" is not clear-cut. It's arguable (I believe Torsten Bell has already made this case) that rent rises are being driven by wage inflation rather than interest rate rises - landlords aren't exactly a charitable bunch and were already charging the maximum the market would bear, which is why rents didn't come down when interest rates fell.
That's very interesting, thank you!
Ditto those who are happy you're back on the podcasting circuit
Very happy that you've got a regular podcast gig for two reasons:
- your special guest podcast appearances are always *excellent*, particularly your one on Decoding the Gurus.
- which is all the more ironic given you invented the phrase (now a pretty famous meme, I think) "women have friends, men have podcasts" which I've repeated to basically everyone I know.
I realise The Spark is very podcast adjacent, by the way. Didn't mean to diminish that!
Oh no, it's fine -- The Spark is an interview series. This is much more podcast-like, both in regularity and recurring people.
That Slate piece about the pre-cellphone life of 27-ish-yr olds in New York in 2002 contains quite a few gems -- a pity we couldn't call up Moviephone for the cinema listings in London.
The lady on the phone in Wisconsin taking Lands End clothing catalogue orders sounded much more helpful than the array of clothing fit finders, customer reviews and chat apps we have online now.
Absolutely chortling over that Nadine Dorries quote. Kindred spirits with Boris, indeed.
“whatever he said … “ 😛
Damn, you’re good. A day “Bluestocking” arrives is a good day. There is sanity, after all. Definitely on the “Private Eye” podcast beat. And may I (he raises a wan hand to be called on) please ask for a second chapter of your advice about writing. Your bit about ‘theme’ found the clear water of trued up thought and helped me understand what we’re trying to do when we sit down with this chaos of words and thoughts.
Thank you. Not sure I have any more words of wisdom but I'll have a think.