Greetings from a converted stable-block somewhere near Mileham in Norfolk, the venue for one of our regular reset weeks. We go in as a twitching mass of nerves, neuroses and barely-contained psychotic break-states. We emerge on the other side as human beings. The plan—light, air, good food, drink and company, a bit of history, a bit of culture, a reconnection to the nice parts of the world. Expect a bulletin on all that next week.
We’re off to the seaside today. Fish and chips are on the agenda. Might even have a paddle.
Wherever you are, whenever you are, however you are, welcome to The Swipe.
Rob is reading…
Red Sheet by James Ellroy. Your tolerance for Ellroy’s work depends on whether you dig his monomania regarding the dark underbelly of post-war LA. Red Sheet is not a departure from the norm. We’re in 1962, immediately after the Cuban Missile Crisis, and detective Freddie Otash is working a gruesome murder in the eye of the Red Scare which pulls in ex-Presidential candidates, film stars and Playboy head Hugh Hefner. Lurid, jabbering, hep-talk heavy. Ellroy has his audience and his obsessions and little else matters to him — appealing to a wider readership is not a priority. I dig it, but I can understand if you wouldn’t.
Rob is watching…
SNL season 2. A show set up to fail has somehow, unexpectedly become a huge hit. There’s a ton of money and talent in the engine room, of course, but this kind of thing usually tanks in the UK market. Comedy writer Joel Morris digs into why SNLUK has become such a success, with a pass to a live recording which provides another perspective.
Rob is listening…
To new Queens Of The Stone Age. Where The Goth Girls At? Is dedicated to Pal Jillian, off on her own reset quest across dark waters today. Fly safe, fly girl.
Rob is eating…
This is one of those meals that I’d have to try just — because. Even I have to admit though, the whole unapologetic carnivorous nature of the thing would put me on a raw veggies diet for a week after. Can-can requires penance and absolution after the indulgance, I think.
Rob’s Low-Key Obsession Of The Week…
NYC street signage. Infrastructure makes me tingle.
We Cut Metal And Make It Look Pretty
OK, so, yes, this next bit discusses a potentially positive aspect of AI and therefore comes pre-loaded with all the usual caveats on energy use and creative exploitation. However, there is a case to be made, which Robin Sloan does extremely effectively here, to use ChatGemiClaude to roll up apps which have no real use for anyone other than you. I’ve mentioned Hugh Howey’s bespoke writing platform, a project he started because none of the other solutions fitted his needs. Despite my performative skepticism, I think this approach has some worth.
A really interesting slide deck on how the UK has lost its way with Eurovision, and possible methods to fix it. This is come in from Australia, by the way, who seem to have a proper handle on the particular requirements of the gig.
Pete Paphides takes a look at the 10,000 Maniacs album the Wishing Chair and how it forms a duology with possibly my favourite R.E.M LP. What was I saying about particular obsessions earlier? Frankly, it’s amazing I have an audience at all.
A handy online service for laying wishes or curses and having said work peer-reviewed. In the second quarter of the 21st century, this makes as much sense as anything else, I suppose.
The sad and inevitably sordid tale of how an attempt to democratise publishing fell apart. Hubris, greed and financial sharp practice all play a part here, although it’s also true that Unbound came from truly honourable aspirations. Stress-testing those aspirations out in the real world always ends in heartbreak, sadly. Side-bar — I own a copy of Alex DiCampi’s The Scottish Boy, mentioned here, which is excellent and well worth seeking out.
Dion Kitson steals billboard posters and makes something worthwhile out of them. This is urban art with suitably AdBuster-y flair. I’m all for it, frankly.
A useful primer on how English places were named. It’s all very straightforward once you understand the history.
And lastly, I am delighted to announce that the autumn equinox has passed and it is the moment for this ageless classic from McSweeneys.
Let’s Outro with the honeyed tone of Linda Ronstadt from 1967. This goes out to the dreamers, the believers and those of us who think putting a blessing into an online portal may make a difference.
See you in seven, fellow travellers.
