In a recent piece, prompted by Eliot’s line ‘Humankind cannot bear very much reality’ I suggested that we have constructed a carapace that protects us from Reality much as a spacesuit protects an astronaut or a bathysphere a deep-sea explorer. This in itself is an instance of how metaphor works as a tool of thought … Continue reading The Exploration of Inner Space II : by way of metaphor
Author: jfmward
Author, bicycle enthusiast
The Exploration of Inner Space, I : Facing up to reality
From time to time, you come across ingenious arguments that purport to show that the moon-landings were an elaborate hoax, which I think say more about those who advance them than they do about the veracity of lunar exploration; yet there is a sense in which man has not experienced ‘being on the moon’ any … Continue reading The Exploration of Inner Space, I : Facing up to reality
For the Ferryman
(This year's entry for the Fearie Tales competition at Pitlochry Festival Theatre's Winter Words festival, but no hat-trick for me, alas, as it didn't make the cut - a shame, as I think I like it as well as any of my successful entries. But judge for yourself:) ‘Well, I’ll be damned! Is this place … Continue reading For the Ferryman
For us, there is only the trying
One thing that being a writer brings home to you is the tentative nature of all writing: it is always an attempt to say something - one that can be more or less successful - and it is always a struggle. And the more difficult the matter, the greater the struggle, because we are conscious … Continue reading For us, there is only the trying
Out and about in October
It's an odd thing: when I bought my 1915 Sunbeam (see here and here) I'd have thought I might spend the summer on it - yet here we are in Autumn and my rides have been few and far between. Of course, things have happened, but still... So this morning, having slept in and missed … Continue reading Out and about in October
The West Lothian Question Answered: a commonwealth of sovereign states
The problem is how you can have Scottish MPs voting in Westminster on matters that affect England, when Scotland has its own parliament to deal with the same matters; yet if they are forced to abstain, you could have a government some of whose supporters are excluded from legislating on the manifesto it was elected … Continue reading The West Lothian Question Answered: a commonwealth of sovereign states
Imaginary lines: bounded by consent
I have spoken before about the relation of the real and the imaginary, suggesting that the opposition we commonly make between them does not bear examination; now, prompted by current events - chiefly the upcoming referendum on Scottish independence - I would like to consider the matter again, first in relation to our world, next … Continue reading Imaginary lines: bounded by consent
How to squander a winning hand
If there is an Ignobel Prize for Political Ineptitude, I would like to nominate the ‘Better Together' campaign in the Scottish referendum debate. How is it possible to start with such a strong hand and play it so badly?Think of it like this:You live, let us say, in an ancient property divided unequally: by far … Continue reading How to squander a winning hand
Much Ado
‘I have of late--butwherefore I know not--lost all my mirth, forgone allcustom of exercises; and indeed it goes so heavilywith my disposition that this goodly frame, theearth, seems to me a sterile promontory, this mostexcellent canopy, the air, look you, this braveo'erhanging firmament, this majestical roof frettedwith golden fire, why, it appears no other thing … Continue reading Much Ado
Buying the Sunbeam, 2 : The Auction
I have an anxiety about auctions which probably originates in the comics of my youth: it was a staple of The Dandy and The Beano that some character attending an auction as a mere spectator would - through the application of itching or sneezing powder, perhaps, or simply by waving to attract someone’s attention - … Continue reading Buying the Sunbeam, 2 : The Auction
COMPLEAT TROWZER 