Seventy years ago today the age of the atom bomb began with the Trinity Test and a gigantic mushroom cloud in the New Mexico desert. The man who led the Manhattan Project, Major General Leslie Groves, was an 'abrasive and sarcastic S.O.B'. But, writes Seamus Sweeney, he also produced what may be one of the best guides ... Read More...
Work
I don’t know if you’re the same, but whenever I watch coverage of the Glastonbury Festival on the BBC and see the sheer scale of Michael Eavis’ achievement - the array of great music and performers, the creativity, the tradition, the vibe, the extraordinary range and diversity of people all ... Read More...
Douglas has words of consolation for anyone who ever thinks: 'I Am Not My Job'... I started as a busboy and dishwasher at a greasy downtown bar and grill in California’s flat, hot Central Valley. I was “paid” (if you want to call it that) under the table. My duties included killing ... Read More...
Turns out there was a malevolent worm lurking still in the depths of our code, sending smoke signals to the spammers whenever we changed our passwords; spreading its poison; hollowing us out. Our own Worm thinks we’ve killed it now. ** I felt there was something similar in my soul as I ... Read More...
Following his pieces about publisher's sales reps and his first year working in Waterstones, Steerforth completes his book business trilogy by asking: Who becomes a bookseller?... What type of people work in a bookshop? Are they passionate, slightly unworldly bibliophiles, who live and breathe books? Or are they a bunch of slackers, who break out ... Read More...
According to Russell Davies the future isn't what it used to be, even in sci-fi: It's hard to miss the missing future in science fiction. Zero History [William Gibson's new novel] feels like it's set in the past, actually last year... I went to see Mr Gibson talk last night and he ... Read More...
Fortunate indeed are those who can follow their passion into a profession, yes? Everyone knows that. The X Factor is predicated on this notion, as indeed is MasterChef. But what if ‘following your passion’ and ‘doing what you love’ turns out to be a hideous error? As the blogosphere’s supreme iconoclast David Cohen ... Read More...
