Violent crime | Have we created a dangerous generation?

Violent crime

Violent crime is at an all time high. Knife crime is out of control. Britain is more dangerous that it ever has been. Drug use is soaring. The headlines are familiar to everyone. It would be easy to believe that young people are more violent, more dangerous, more criminal than ever before. I’m not convinced. … Read more

80s Pop Quiz | The Answers

Under Pressure: Queen/Bowie 2. True: Spandau Ballet 3. Don’t Worry, Be Happy, Bobby McFerrin 4. Only You, Flying Pickets 5. Toy Soldiers, Martika 6. Blue Monday, New Order 7. Enola Gay, OMD 8. Electric Avenue, Eddy Grant 9. Oh Superman, Laurie Anderson 10. Tom’s Diner, Suzanne Vega 11. Another One Bites The Dust, Queen 12. … Read more

Predictions for 2020

Boris will pursue a hard Brexit, unless Labour elects someone popular and effective who can push him into a more sensible position. Labour are unlikely to pick someone sensible as a leader and as a consequence Boris won’t feel any pressure to compromise on hard Brexit. It’s not even certain than Corbyn will stand down … Read more

Bonus Round | 80s Pop

This is my own personal tribute to Jive Bunny and the Master Mixers. 26 80s pop hits, all mixed together. Just work out which one is which PM me your answers or send them to jon.chadwick1@btinternet.com I’ll publish the answers and the winners tomorrow evening

Books 2019 | What I read

Non-Fiction Peter Pomerentsev: This is Not Propoganda, Faber and Faber I’ve met Peter a couple of times through Durham Book Festival, and he is one of the most insightful writers on the current crisis of disinformation, political polarisation and hate speech. He is also Visiting Senior Fellow at the Institute of Global Affairs at the … Read more

Music 2019 | What I listened to

Contains moderate pretentiousness For the Birds, Lumiere 2019, Botanic Gardens. Installation art work in Durham Botanical Gardens part of Lumiere 2019. Land of Honey, Flying Lotus, Flamagra 2019. Variation III, Masashi Kitamura + Phonogenix, 管渠音がこ Kankyo Ongaku: Japanese Ambient, Environmental & New Age Music (1980-1990), 2019. Fantastic double CD set from Light in the Attic … Read more