improving intelligence in the small room
Writing is a big part of my life. I write stuff every day, so I like it to be interesting and current and sometimes correct. So I am always looking for ways in which I can find out more stuff about the world and thus slip it into my writing and appear clever and knowledgeable to others.
I've started the year with yet another way to stay abreast of interesting currentness. And so far it seems like a good way. The Week tells me everything I need to know, in concise terms and in proper English. This week's copy is in the upstairs loo and last week's is in the downstairs loo, so I am never far from the news.
I've known about The Week for a while, but never thought it quite right for me (too old, too dry). I tried the New Statesman for a couple of years, but got fed up with its dull lefty bias. Now, I guess I am a bit of a lefty, but I don't need my news source to be an exercise in kissing lefty ass, which is kind of why I also gave up The Guardian and rarely read The Observer, unless it comes with the free sports magazine.
I know what you might be thinking. "Why don't you read the news online, thickboy?" It's a good point, and I do. A lot, from all sorts of places. But I like something made of paper that I can hold in my hand (that old chestnut) and can flick through. I don't like The Economist because I think it's badly designed and it doesn't make me want to read it. I like The Week because I can't smell their politics. So it will continue to provide me with the news for a good while.
If you can recommend any other magazines that will make me smarter, please let me know.
Any reason why you have to go upstairs for more recent news?
Posted by: John Dodds | January 15, 2008 at 01:16 AM
Where do you buy it from, or is it delivered?
Posted by: Paul H. Colman | January 15, 2008 at 08:25 AM
i've been subscribed to the week for maybe almost two years now. its just brilliant, and now i have to wrestle the copy from my wife. reading a well balanced roundup from all sides, and more importantly a bit of background (where newspapers so often tell you the recent bits, and don't give the whole picture) is just perfect for my 'wish i had time to read the newspapers, but don't' life style :)
Posted by: matthew | January 15, 2008 at 08:45 AM
I like to read the adverts posted in shop windows, and Ceefax.
Posted by: Tom. | January 15, 2008 at 09:17 AM
John - not sure why the recent news is upstairs. Admittedly, that was a snapshot from yesterday.
Paul - the postman brings it.
Matthew - hear hear.
Tom - have you used that blackboard paint yet?
Posted by: dan at innocent | January 15, 2008 at 10:55 AM
The Week is meant to be good but 'Prospect' is better. Give that a whirl.
Posted by: bro | January 15, 2008 at 01:00 PM
Oh yes - all 2 coats of it.
- The car (passenger side)
- Loanne
- Oven
Posted by: Tom>> | January 15, 2008 at 01:41 PM
...and Wallingford open air swimming pool.
...and The Odeon, Muswell Hill.
Posted by: Tom>> | January 15, 2008 at 01:42 PM
Jolyan Connell's politics will come through eventually. But thankfully they do keep the op-ed to a minimum.
So you haven't started taking the laptop into the toilet yet?
Posted by: Lee McEwan | January 16, 2008 at 02:16 PM
I'll keep an eye on him.
Not sure if my wifi works in the loo. Must check.
Posted by: dan at innocent | January 16, 2008 at 02:51 PM
How about the Economist? It's not all dry business/finance news. And it's fairly absorbent should you run out of toilet paper too.
Posted by: Rob Sawkins | February 18, 2008 at 08:57 AM