Paul Daley reflects in the Guardian today on one of the paradoxes of our times: how the quixotic quest for digital “friendship” on antisocial media seems to make people lonelier. He likens it to an addiction to dangerous drugs. https://www.theguardian.com/society/commentisfree/2026/aug/03/social-media-addiction-loneliness We’ll be open again on Thursday to help you break the habit!
Category Archives: Uncategorized
A guest post: The Power of a Book by Per Enggaard Pedersen
The other day I was browsing through Andy’s latest arrivals and came across this book: The front and back covers didn’t reveal much. From the back sleeve: “…my work at the heart of the most influential computer company on the planet.” I gave it a minute in my hands and put it back. The companyContinue reading “A guest post: The Power of a Book by Per Enggaard Pedersen”
We’re closed this week
for a family reunion. But our summer sale is still on when we open again on August 6 so do come by. In the meantime enjoy the summer and check out our first guest post. We welcome yours!
Why so cheap?
Not only were the film-makers guilty of filming on occupied territory but it seems that the people behind The Odyssey have also not paid for the damage they did to a boat they rented. Now I’m definitely not going to see it. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/23/owners-of-viking-ship-used-to-film-the-odyssey-say-studio-has-not-paid-bill-for-damage
See Casablanca instead
For all the hype and promotion and raving reviews and learned commentary that have accompanied the release of the new film, The Odyssey, it is worth knowing that parts of the film were shot in Western Sahara, which is a country occupied by Morocco where the native Sahrawis are not allowed to use a camera,Continue reading “See Casablanca instead”
Cherry picking
While the term “cherry picking” tends to have a negative connotation as it is often used as a metaphor for investing in only highly profitable companies or choosing only the most favorable evidence in making arguments (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherry_picking) the actual activity is a lovely thing to do on a hot summer day, especially when you haveContinue reading “Cherry picking”
Bye bye landscape
Righteous dissent
On the fourth of July let me send along some inspiring words from the homeland.
Erin Brocovich carries on
It’s not AI, she says. “That genie is out of the bottle: it’s here, it’s an effective tool, you can use it or not,” she says. The real problem is all the huge data centers that are being built around the world to supply AI with data (ie, human intelligence) without any kind of publicContinue reading “Erin Brocovich carries on”
Summertime blues
There are lots of good reasons to feel blue these days and there ain’t no cure, as Eddie Cochran so eloquently once put it and the Who went on to tell the world at Woodstock, but a visit to Andy’s Corner might well help, especially since we’ll be starting our summer sale tomorrow with pocketContinue reading “Summertime blues”