Elliot Clowes
@clowes.bsky.social
Technology. History. Books. Movies.
Yesterday I wrote about how we buy things for social status, not because we truly want them.
Prime example: the Fortnum & Mason hamper.
People spend £350 for some picnic foods just so they can have a wicker box with “F&M” burnt into it to proudly display in their home.
blot.blog/2025/04/09/a...
Prime example: the Fortnum & Mason hamper.
People spend £350 for some picnic foods just so they can have a wicker box with “F&M” burnt into it to proudly display in their home.
blot.blog/2025/04/09/a...
April 10, 2025 at 5:41 AM
Yesterday I wrote about how we buy things for social status, not because we truly want them.
Prime example: the Fortnum & Mason hamper.
People spend £350 for some picnic foods just so they can have a wicker box with “F&M” burnt into it to proudly display in their home.
blot.blog/2025/04/09/a...
Prime example: the Fortnum & Mason hamper.
People spend £350 for some picnic foods just so they can have a wicker box with “F&M” burnt into it to proudly display in their home.
blot.blog/2025/04/09/a...
I've finally done it. I've found a Japanese ambient album that I don't like. Sorry Hiroshi Yoshimura, but "Flora" isn't for me. Also, the album cover makes me feel sick.
April 7, 2025 at 5:06 PM
I've finally done it. I've found a Japanese ambient album that I don't like. Sorry Hiroshi Yoshimura, but "Flora" isn't for me. Also, the album cover makes me feel sick.
You know it’s a good day when you get to watch “The Last of Us” S01E03.
March 30, 2025 at 9:45 PM
You know it’s a good day when you get to watch “The Last of Us” S01E03.
Rather shocked to see that a large fancy drink from Starbucks is now £6.20‽
March 30, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Rather shocked to see that a large fancy drink from Starbucks is now £6.20‽
Life is funny. 11 years ago I posted this: “A single file queue that hugs the road to avoid blocking the pavement? That is a damn nice queue.” And 10 years on I literally work in the building you can just about see on the left.
March 19, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Life is funny. 11 years ago I posted this: “A single file queue that hugs the road to avoid blocking the pavement? That is a damn nice queue.” And 10 years on I literally work in the building you can just about see on the left.
These cleaning gloves at IKEA look like they want to check my prostate.
March 4, 2025 at 9:41 AM
These cleaning gloves at IKEA look like they want to check my prostate.
Garth Hudson has died: https://clowes.blog/2025/01/29/garth-hudson-has-died.html
January 29, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Garth Hudson has died: https://clowes.blog/2025/01/29/garth-hudson-has-died.html
50 years ago today Nick Drake died.
All three of his albums are melancholic. masterpieces. If this is the first you’re hearing of him, check him out immediately.
All three of his albums are melancholic. masterpieces. If this is the first you’re hearing of him, check him out immediately.
November 25, 2024 at 1:34 PM
50 years ago today Nick Drake died.
All three of his albums are melancholic. masterpieces. If this is the first you’re hearing of him, check him out immediately.
All three of his albums are melancholic. masterpieces. If this is the first you’re hearing of him, check him out immediately.
I rarely think about how I’m lucky to live in a warm house with running water, have access to the internet, the freedom of a car, or that I’ve outlived plenty of my ancestors. I barely notice any of it – to my shame.
But nearly every time I have... https://clowes.blog/2024/10/24/i-rarely-think.html
But nearly every time I have... https://clowes.blog/2024/10/24/i-rarely-think.html
October 24, 2024 at 9:43 PM
I rarely think about how I’m lucky to live in a warm house with running water, have access to the internet, the freedom of a car, or that I’ve outlived plenty of my ancestors. I barely notice any of it – to my shame.
But nearly every time I have... https://clowes.blog/2024/10/24/i-rarely-think.html
But nearly every time I have... https://clowes.blog/2024/10/24/i-rarely-think.html
When you review things on Plex your friends can now see them. I love this. I trust my friend’s opinion over a critic or even IMDB/RT/LB/etc.
Blog post.
Video demo.
Blog post.
Video demo.
October 13, 2024 at 7:32 PM
When you review things on Plex your friends can now see them. I love this. I trust my friend’s opinion over a critic or even IMDB/RT/LB/etc.
Blog post.
Video demo.
Blog post.
Video demo.
One of the consistently good sources for interesting websites or news is the Pinboard ‘popular bookmarks’ page.
I visit it everyday.
I visit it everyday.
October 13, 2024 at 4:50 PM
One of the consistently good sources for interesting websites or news is the Pinboard ‘popular bookmarks’ page.
I visit it everyday.
I visit it everyday.
🍿 Film Review: The Dark Knight Rises (2012): https://clowes.blog/2024/09/27/film-review-the.html
September 27, 2024 at 9:07 AM
🍿 Film Review: The Dark Knight Rises (2012): https://clowes.blog/2024/09/27/film-review-the.html
Find out what the weather was like on the day you were born. bdayweather.com
September 26, 2024 at 11:08 PM
Find out what the weather was like on the day you were born. bdayweather.com
Remembering Robin Williams, who left us 10 years ago today. His comedic genius and deep humanity continue to be missed.
August 11, 2024 at 8:28 AM
Remembering Robin Williams, who left us 10 years ago today. His comedic genius and deep humanity continue to be missed.
Some photos from my night of Italian food and English theatre.
July 27, 2024 at 11:22 PM
Some photos from my night of Italian food and English theatre.
There’s a session drummer named Steve Gadd who looks awfully like George Clooney.
July 26, 2024 at 9:40 AM
There’s a session drummer named Steve Gadd who looks awfully like George Clooney.
This ad I saw is from 2007.
July 25, 2024 at 6:57 AM
This ad I saw is from 2007.
The restaurant I made a reservation at lets me upload a photo of myself so they can greet me by name when I arrive. I haven’t seen anything like that before.
I’m going to give it a whirl. And if they do greet me by name this is how I’m going to feel.
I’m going to give it a whirl. And if they do greet me by name this is how I’m going to feel.
July 24, 2024 at 9:44 AM
The restaurant I made a reservation at lets me upload a photo of myself so they can greet me by name when I arrive. I haven’t seen anything like that before.
I’m going to give it a whirl. And if they do greet me by name this is how I’m going to feel.
I’m going to give it a whirl. And if they do greet me by name this is how I’m going to feel.
Morning all ☀️ I don’t know about you lot, but my sun is gorgeous this morning.
July 24, 2024 at 7:46 AM
Morning all ☀️ I don’t know about you lot, but my sun is gorgeous this morning.
🍿 Film Review: Air (2023): https://clowes.blog/2024/07/18/film-review-air.html
July 18, 2024 at 8:26 AM
🍿 Film Review: Air (2023): https://clowes.blog/2024/07/18/film-review-air.html
Happy Sunday all. The weather is fine and sunny in Hertfordshire today and I’ve been for a pre-tennis/football final walk 🥾
July 14, 2024 at 11:33 AM
Happy Sunday all. The weather is fine and sunny in Hertfordshire today and I’ve been for a pre-tennis/football final walk 🥾
Hope everyone’s Saturday’s are going well. I’m just back from a spooky July walk and bean-covered burger 🥾🍔
July 13, 2024 at 3:14 PM
Hope everyone’s Saturday’s are going well. I’m just back from a spooky July walk and bean-covered burger 🥾🍔