Archive - backstory

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Some tortures devised by humans are fiendishly clever. I don’t mean the type you can find in the Museo de la Tortura in Toledo. That institution holds…

Nov 19

How is it that human groups frequently divide into two competing factions, neither of which ever quite manages to achieve full destruction of the other…

Nov 12

In the 1970s in the UK, the best day of my childhood year came on November 5th. Using earnings from my newspaper delivery round I would secretly buy…

Nov 5

27 October 2022: The seven largest oil companies in the world have reportedly made over $150 billion in profits so far this year. 25 October: A UN…

Oct 29

What kind of government do we want? And what kind do we deserve? Looking back in history, it seems that people were more prepared to experiment…

Oct 22

Are there any countries you would not visit for moral reasons? Iran and Afghanistan maybe, for their appalling treatment of women? Brazil on account of…

Oct 15

at Empire's End

Oct 8

What could go wrong?..

Oct 1

Sorry everyone. I’ve had a family medical emergency this week and been unable to find the time to write. I think the best thing is to declare a summer…

Jul 9

Dictator Disposal

Jul 2

but ignorance is not

Jun 25

Like politician’s careers, journeys often end in disappointment and sadness. Fortunately, that usually gets forgotten as the memory lays down a rich…

Jun 18

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