Tom Smith
@tomper.bsky.social
Cleaning, and the search for meaning
You may laugh, but what everyone forgets is that it was the chess websites that did for Al Capone.
December 3, 2025 at 4:01 PM
You may laugh, but what everyone forgets is that it was the chess websites that did for Al Capone.
Suspiciously, The ep is unavailable: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
December 3, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Suspiciously, The ep is unavailable: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Bruce Willis has a German mother
December 2, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Bruce Willis has a German mother
Jill Lemon appears to be sucking a lemon.
November 24, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Jill Lemon appears to be sucking a lemon.
'What planet are you on?'
'Planet Normal. So there.'
'Planet Normal. So there.'
November 20, 2025 at 10:49 AM
'What planet are you on?'
'Planet Normal. So there.'
'Planet Normal. So there.'
Obvs.
But the resemblance to Ursula is striking too.
But the resemblance to Ursula is striking too.
November 17, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Obvs.
But the resemblance to Ursula is striking too.
But the resemblance to Ursula is striking too.
But Heath was quick to sack apologists for racism
November 14, 2025 at 2:03 PM
But Heath was quick to sack apologists for racism
Sir Paul McCartney has a Marmite abomination of his own. youtu.be/jYh2tA6WW8M
Paul McCartney on the perfect bagel sandwich
YouTube video by Oobu Joobu
youtu.be
November 14, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Sir Paul McCartney has a Marmite abomination of his own. youtu.be/jYh2tA6WW8M
Strongly agree with the case that Alex made for this. Also - the News 24 presenters all look as if they HATE the gig. (Rolling news works on a station like LBC because the public join in the conversation and the presenters are allowed to have opinions).
November 13, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Strongly agree with the case that Alex made for this. Also - the News 24 presenters all look as if they HATE the gig. (Rolling news works on a station like LBC because the public join in the conversation and the presenters are allowed to have opinions).
Feel like the conversation has strayed away from Byrne's original claim, which was about 'Reunion tours'.
November 11, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Feel like the conversation has strayed away from Byrne's original claim, which was about 'Reunion tours'.
C19th British history is an excellent topic for schools because of the contradictions. Catholic emancipation! Abolition of slavery! The slow march towards democracy and workers' rights! But also the atrocities of empire: opium wars in China, famine in India and Ireland, Boer war concentration camps.
November 7, 2025 at 1:54 PM
C19th British history is an excellent topic for schools because of the contradictions. Catholic emancipation! Abolition of slavery! The slow march towards democracy and workers' rights! But also the atrocities of empire: opium wars in China, famine in India and Ireland, Boer war concentration camps.
Fascinating to hear the mention of a "phosphorescent" icon in the Goldcoast Singers' 'Plastic Jesus'. I always loved Elvis Costello's similar use of the word in 'Little Palaces'. (For him it's a crucifix and the rhyme is with 'present'; for the GS it's a Jesus, of course, & the rhyme is 'pleasant').
November 6, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Fascinating to hear the mention of a "phosphorescent" icon in the Goldcoast Singers' 'Plastic Jesus'. I always loved Elvis Costello's similar use of the word in 'Little Palaces'. (For him it's a crucifix and the rhyme is with 'present'; for the GS it's a Jesus, of course, & the rhyme is 'pleasant').
I've got a new business selling boba tea. I'm worried that the bubble is about to burst.
November 2, 2025 at 3:33 PM
I've got a new business selling boba tea. I'm worried that the bubble is about to burst.
That was when the industry started to target teenagers. (Perhaps also why you remember it as a peak era).
November 1, 2025 at 10:27 AM
That was when the industry started to target teenagers. (Perhaps also why you remember it as a peak era).
In other words, they have identical faces.
Culturally coherent.
Culturally coherent.
October 28, 2025 at 11:56 AM
In other words, they have identical faces.
Culturally coherent.
Culturally coherent.
What's with all the ball gowns?
October 27, 2025 at 11:57 AM
What's with all the ball gowns?
No, she's Miss Piggy.
Fozzie Bear singing the theme tune.
Fozzie Bear singing the theme tune.
October 27, 2025 at 10:30 AM
No, she's Miss Piggy.
Fozzie Bear singing the theme tune.
Fozzie Bear singing the theme tune.
That's all very well, Sam, but it is shocking and appalling that you did not anticipate a point lots of people will make in response to your argument and explicitly and repeatedly caveat your piece accordingly.
October 27, 2025 at 8:04 AM
That's all very well, Sam, but it is shocking and appalling that you did not anticipate a point lots of people will make in response to your argument and explicitly and repeatedly caveat your piece accordingly.
But did Cleese go on to save someone's life?
October 26, 2025 at 7:41 PM
But did Cleese go on to save someone's life?
I think Lou Reed's persona is different. He's more like Jackson Lamb in Slow Horses. He *affects* detachment, but it's a defence mechanism - you know he has a big loving heart. With Bowie and Dylan, you're not so sure.
October 25, 2025 at 7:43 PM
I think Lou Reed's persona is different. He's more like Jackson Lamb in Slow Horses. He *affects* detachment, but it's a defence mechanism - you know he has a big loving heart. With Bowie and Dylan, you're not so sure.
Maybe, but I feel that McCartney is always connecting with you, the listener, even as he expresses detachment from the world. It's not quite like that with Bowie and Dylan (not discussing them as people here, just their authorial personae).
October 25, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Maybe, but I feel that McCartney is always connecting with you, the listener, even as he expresses detachment from the world. It's not quite like that with Bowie and Dylan (not discussing them as people here, just their authorial personae).