Blog
Viewing entries posted in October 2011
27
Oct
Oct
This is for You: We All Need Words on Dedications and Acknowledgements.
When I was five, I lied.
I told friends at my primary school that an author had
dedicated a book to me. In print. And everything.
This white lie got me in a bit of hot water. Bring it in and
show us then,...
27
Oct
Oct
Dying of Nostalgia; Thomas Dixon Explores Homesickness
Dr Thomas Dixon, writer of the excellent History of
Emotions blog, recently interviewed Professor of History at
Weber State University, and a leading historian of emotions
in the United States, Susan J. Matt. Her first
book, Keeping Up With the Joneses, was a study of envy in
modern...
21
Oct
Oct
Jules Evans interviews Stephen Greenblatt on Lucretius
When he was a student at Yale University, Stephen Greenblatt
wandered to the local bookstore to pick up some holiday
reading, and his eye was caught by a strange-looking book
with a painting by Max Ernst on the cover, showing
disembodied torsos copulating in...
13
Oct
Oct
Smells like... the Future
In recent years our concern for smell has become heightened
helped by smoking bans, and air pollution. It's perhaps not
surprising that we've also seen an increasing obsession with
managing our own personal impressions, through the use of
deodorants, air fresheners, perfumes, car fragrances,
clothes...
12
Oct
Oct
David Baker on Reflecting on Death
Last Saturday was the Jewish Day of Atonement. For 24 hours,
from sunset to sunset, we neither eat nor drink, we don't
wear leather (a sign of comfort and luxury), and we don't
wash or bathe. Synagogues are full many non-observant Jews
attend on...
11
Oct
Oct
Oliver Burkeman on Self-Improvement and the Law of Reversed Effort
We've grown accustomed, in recent years, to news stories and
psychological studies purporting to show that happiness
isn't all we might have imagined it to be. Increased
economic growth doesn't seem to lead, in any reliable way,
to happier societies. More choice often makes...
10
Oct
Oct
Roman Krznaric on How to be a Muslim, a Hindu, a Christian and a Jew
There is an intriguing thesis at the heart of Steven
Pinker's new book, The Better Angels of Our Nature. The
Harvard psychologist argues contrary to popular opinion that
humankind has become progressively less violent over the
past few thousand years. We might feel surrounded...
06
Oct
Oct
Wellbeing on Campus
According to the popular image, most students indulge in
years of hedonism capped by raucous post-exam celebrations a
privileged minority enjoying the best days of their lives.
No doubt there is some truth to this caricature, but a
recent report from the Royal College...
06
Oct
Oct
We All Need Words on Status (update) Anxiety
Rob is sipping prosecco and munching crostini in Tuscany.
Molly ran 10km in a new record time.
Rob has booked a boutique hotel in Baja California.
Molly bought some shoes half price in Selfridges.
Rob loves his job.
About now...
04
Oct
Oct
Not Just a Talking Shop
People often say, after a class at The School of Life, that
they weren't expecting to enjoy talking so much, and
especially not to complete strangers. Perhaps there is a
freedom there, they muse; no past, no baggage, just the
meeting of curious minds. I...
Browse by author
Browse by Theme
Browse by Date
- 2013
- 2012
- 2011
- 2010
