This SHOULD Be Obvious, But Fox Hunting Is Evil

During the Summer, when the evenings were long, I used to cycle into the countryside, camera and recorder ready, to get some bird photos and record some bird vocalizations. And every so often something would happen that would make my heart stop (metaphorically, don't worry!) I would stop the bike, and approach a field, maybe … Continue reading This SHOULD Be Obvious, But Fox Hunting Is Evil →

No, The Titanic Is Not A Monument To Man’s Hubris

Every few years or so, I become what I like to call "Titanic Brained". I start obsessively learning the details of this ship that bumped some ice on its first voyage. And I'll start telling you, "Boat 7 was the first boat to launch," and "Boat 15 almost crushed boat 13" and "Collapsible Boat B … Continue reading No, The Titanic Is Not A Monument To Man’s Hubris →

Climate Change, Gaza, And Mutually Assured Destruction

The day before yesterday I watched the film Threads. There are three main reactions to Threads that people have. 1. Traumatized. 2. Quite Traumatized. 3. Extremely traumatized beyond belief. But why? Were the acting, dialogue and special effects really that bad? No, I'm not going for a silly joke like that here. Threads is possibly … Continue reading Climate Change, Gaza, And Mutually Assured Destruction →

The Sedge Warbler, The Frank Zappa Of The Bird World

During the Summer of this year (2025), I spent many happy days in the Glen River Park listening to the birds singing. Whether it was the jovial baritone of the wood pigeon, the achingly beautiful tones of a blackbird, or the relentless, breathless clicking of the stonechat, all of these sounds brought me great joy, … Continue reading The Sedge Warbler, The Frank Zappa Of The Bird World →

Should We Disbelieve What Our Eyes And Ears Are Telling Us?

Good Afternoon, I'm Completely Empty BBC Presenter, coming to you live from the town of Forecastle-Upon-Gooseberry-Hill. To my left you will see what appears to be a hospital burning to the ground, its inhabitants trapped, with little if any hope of survival unless somebody does something. And, like any sane, sensible, and moral person, I … Continue reading Should We Disbelieve What Our Eyes And Ears Are Telling Us? →

Have You Ever Looked At Africa’s Borders? Why Are They Like That?

So I was just looking at a map of Africa, and the borders are an atrocious state of affairs, an atrocious state of affairs I fear. The borders of Egypt and Mauritania, as an example, are so rectangular I have to assume that they must violate the will of God in some way. While on … Continue reading Have You Ever Looked At Africa’s Borders? Why Are They Like That? →

Trans People Exist, Why Are You So Weird About It?

I remember my first introduction to the fact that transgender people exist. It was when Israeli* contestant, Dana International, won the Eurovision. I was 12 at the time, and I have to admit, I didn't understand at all. My painfully misinformed understanding, was that a "man" had gotten surgery to turn themselves into a woman. … Continue reading Trans People Exist, Why Are You So Weird About It? →