The Greatest Heist In Canada’s History Wasn’t What You’d Think
Maple syrup is worth a lot of money – and Canada has a lot of it The aptly named Great Maple Syrup Heist was the greatest theft in Canada’s history. … Read More
I was interviewed by an AI recruiter for the first time and it was weird
Apparently, interviews with an AI recruiter are becoming more common. I just had one, and the experience was a bit weird, but actually more normal than I would have thought. … Read More
The Man Who Faked A Volcano Eruption – One Of The Greatest April Fools’ Hoaxes Ever
It is April Fool’s Day, so I thought it apt to share one of the greatest April Fool’s pranks ever. This is from my Intriguing Times Substack. It really happened. … Read More
The Forgotten Story of the King of the Amazon
The forgotten true story of Alfonso Graña, the outsider who entered one of the most dangerous regions on Earth and emerged as a ruler In the early twentieth century, a … Read More
Why Modern Novels Are Getting Longer (And Why Readers Love It)
There is a noticeable trend in modern publishing. Many of today’s most popular novels are getting longer Over the past few decades, data suggests that novels (particularly bestsellers and literary … Read More
The Unbelievable True Story Of The Only Person To Be Hit By A Meteorite
Ann Hodges was planning on a nap when a meteorite came through the roof I don’t want to be an alarmist, but meteorites hit the planet with terrifying regularity. For … Read More
The Dark History of Okunoshima, Japan’s Famous Rabbit Island
Cute Tourism Built on a Chemical Weapons Secret Okunoshima looks like the setting for a children’s story. A small island in Japan’s Inland Sea where hundreds of tame rabbits wander … Read More
Alan Partridge From The Oasthouse goes full career circle
From the Oasthouse: The Alan Partridge Podcast is a must-listen for all Partridge fans. Of which I count myself a huge member. (I’m not sure I want to refer to … Read More
Thailand’s most famous ghost still has a shrine in Bangkok
Bangkok is a city of glass towers, traffic jams, rooftop bars, shining malls, mad backstreets, and endless construction. I should know, as I’ve lived there for 12 years. I also … Read More
The Strange History of Funny Surnames Around the World
Some surnames mean ‘born nude’, ‘nobody’, and ‘big butt’. By why? Surnames are ubiquitous now, but that wasn’t always the case. Sometimes people made them up on the spot and … Read More
Melting Roads, Strikes And Escaped Tigers: Disneyland’s Opening Was Disastrous
Broken rides, 15000 gatecrashers, plumbing issues, and a tiger getting loose made for a memorable start When Disneyland opened on July 17, 1955, it was broadcast live on the ABC … Read More
Birthdays around the world can weird, fun, and unexpected
Getting older is universal, but how people celebrate the inevitable joys of ageing and birthdays varies widely from culture to culture. Some traditions are purely fun, while others reveal deeper … Read More
New Year productivity and a shift in focus
Happy New Year, everyone! Lots of people I know seemed to have had a pretty crap 2025 – I hope you aren’t one of them – but I think we … Read More
Happy Christmas! Free book: ‘Haunted Thailand: Ghosts and spirits in the Land of Smiles’
Happy whatever you celebrate this winter period – here is a free book called: “Haunted Thailand: Ghosts and spirits in the Land of Smiles”. You can get it here free … Read More
The Secret Of Secrets By Dan Brown – Fun, Preposterous, And Exciting But More Of The Same
Dan Brown’s The Secret of Secrets came out a couple of months ago, and I finally got around to reading it. I’ve read all his books and enjoy them, but … Read More
Inside The Fascinating World Of AI Poker Tournaments – Apparently AI Can Now Bluff
AI poker is here and having tournaments devoid of humans. Apart from feeling weirdly left out, it has left me questioning the wisdom of teaching entities smarter than us, how … Read More
The Studio: Brilliant Cast, Big Laughs And Hollywood Meltdowns
Hollywood loves telling stories about itself. Some are nostalgic love letters, others are cynical autopsies. The Studio, the new Apple TV+ comedy created by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, tries … Read More
Science Advises Playing Chess. Here’s A Great Way To Begin
People have been playing chess for around 1500 years and it has never been as popular as now. The reasons are obvious – first there was the internet, then mobile … Read More
Short stories are back – here’s why that’s great for writers
Every Writer Should Spend Time on Short Stories Short stories have always waxed and waned in popularity. Their earliest incarnations were myths, fables, and fireside legends, but the modern short … Read More
Substack Vs Medium – It Doesn’t Need To Be Either Or…
I’ve been writing on Medium and Substack for a while now. There is quite a lot of overlap in terms of content, but they are slightly different. Especially in the … Read More