It was intriguing, albeit somewhat dispiriting to watch history replay itself on my recent visit to Vienna, culminating in the debacle of May 18th.* I found myself reflecting how, almost three quarters of a century ago, we collectively imagined a world where the peoples of Europe would learn to put behind us those things like… Continue reading Report from Our Correspondent in Vienna
Category: Sketch
Alice in the Departure Lounge
Alice was not happy. A holiday at the Hotel Humpty Dumpty had seemed like a fine idea when she had read the reviews in the tourist brochure. How could it be that, after just checking into a hotel, everything in your life could become so difficult? Her discussion with the hotel concierge the previous day… Continue reading Alice in the Departure Lounge
Free Speech: At What Cost?
One morning the prophet Zarathustra went into the village square to address the people. Looking around he was happy to see a good number had already gathered in expectation. However a wave of panic washed over him as he discovered, on inserting his hand into the inside pocket of his recently purchased Kanuk Softshell jacket,… Continue reading Free Speech: At What Cost?
Alice Checks out of Hotel Humpty Dumpty (Or Does She?)
“I’d like to check out today,” announced Alice to the hotel receptionist who greeted her with a fixed smile. “I trust everything was to your satisfaction,” was his polite reply. “Well, not exactly. The hotel has not really lived up to the 5* billing it received in the tour guide I was given last year.”… Continue reading Alice Checks out of Hotel Humpty Dumpty (Or Does She?)
Humpty Dumpty Explains Br-eggs-it
“I’m sure that is Humpty Dumpty sitting atop that wall,” Alice thought to herself, espying him from a distance. As she approached she remarked out loud “But he looks just like an egg.” “And she looks just like a typical Br-eggs-iteer with her public school accent and old-fashioned attire,” came back the riposte. “I’m sure… Continue reading Humpty Dumpty Explains Br-eggs-it
Is It True that There Is No Such Thing as Truth?
After a day or two among the people of one village he visited, the prophet Zarathustra began to see that they were a tight-knit community where everyone took an interest in what others were doing and readily offered help when it was needed. But as a consequence of this getting along, they had all come… Continue reading Is It True that There Is No Such Thing as Truth?
Do appearances trump substance?
One morning Zarathustra was after his usual fashion preaching in the village square when he was disturbed by a voice from a heckler from the back of the crowd announcing that they had a question. The prophet was always in two minds when this happened. It irked him considerably that such people disrupted his flow… Continue reading Do appearances trump substance?
In a Global Village, Who Is My Neighbour?
One day an expert in critical theory and postmodern thought stood up to test Zarathustra’s credentials. “Teacher,” he asked, “how should I best demonstrate my virtue to the world?” “What is written about such matters?” came back the reply. “That I should publicly avow the truth of postmodern ideology that there is no such thing… Continue reading In a Global Village, Who Is My Neighbour?
Is Cultural Appropriation Appropriate Behaviour?
Zarathustra resolved to choose twelve disciples that he might send them forth to preach in his name. But lo, he saw that the village was made up of simple working-class people who did not have the benefit like himself of a degree in postmodern studies with a major in critical theory. So he chose from among them a multiracial group, which is to say in its politically correct definition a selection excluding any persons who could be construed as racially white, because he was aware from sociological research recently reported by Zoe Williams in The Guardian that there is no such thing as white working class, except insofar as it is characterised by a racist attitude.
Is Free Speech Compatible with the Achievement of Social Justice?
Thus do I speak unto you in parable, ye who preach against EQUALITY! Scorpions are ye unto me, thou secretly alt-righteous ones! But I will soon bring your hiding-places to the light: therefore do I tear at your web sites, that your rage may lure you out of your den of alt-truth, and that your… Continue reading Is Free Speech Compatible with the Achievement of Social Justice?