And the banalisation of Evil.

“Each of us … constructs and lives a ‘narrative’ and is defined by this narrative … I suspect that a feeling for stories, for narrative, is a universal human disposition, going with our powers of language, consciousness of self, and autobiographical memory.” – Oliver Sacks, the writer and neurologist whose writing gave insight to his … Continue reading "Oliver Sacks: Why the Oxford English Dictionary is the most ‘coveted and desirable book in the world’" The post Oliver Sacks: Why the Oxford English Dictionary is the most ‘coveted and desirable book in the world’ appeared first on Flashbak.

Gods at the Margins: How European Paganism Survived JamesHoare Wed, 06/18/2025 - 07:00

Some famous paintings are not what they seem at first glance. Some symbols and forms transform over the years, leaving viewers unable to decode the true intentions of artists, even if it is a well-known and revered one. For example, for almost two centuries, art historians debated the gender identity of one of Caravaggio’s […]

In 1984, Melanie turned 18. Margaret Thatcher was prime Minister and the UK was mired by the seismic Miners’ Strike (here, here, here and here). Home to Leeds for the Christmas holidays, Melanie’s daughter Victoria Gill was going through her stuff when she spotted two old boxes of photos under the bed. She found … Continue reading "Melanie’s ‘Average Weekends’ out in Leeds in 1984" The post Melanie’s ‘Average Weekends’ out in Leeds in 1984 appeared first on Flashbak.