Looking Sideways: 10 Things
A brilliant Announcement critique, a treasure trove of new music, and this year's Paddle Out Protests
1. My friend
just launched his new Substack , and I’m honoured that he’s kicked things off with this in-depth review/critique of my Announcement series, which I’ve linked to aboveIt’s very timely in a week that I heard the daftest interpretation of The Announcement yet - that this three-hour series that took me two years to write and produce, and which features interviews with some of the leading thinkers on the subject, was merely me ‘lashing out’ in some way.
This deeply silly take says a lot about the level of critical thinking currently at play in this space, and why Calum’s challenges to this vapid, back-slapping orthodoxy are so vital and necessary.
2. My other new favourite thing on Substack this week:
, in which the Walkmen and Jonathan Fire*Eater musician plays records grouped around various loose themes. It’s casual, off-the-cuff, yet deeply informed and very witty.I’m currently spending each evening in Normandy working, writing and going through the archive, and generally having a great time while discovering lots of new music. Thanks Walter! (Although his opinions about Paul McCartney can’t be trusted).
Use my code LOOKINGSIDEWAYS for 20% off any purchase from my friends at Goodrays
3. As the article has it, ‘The internet has questions about The Hardest Geezer’s run across New Zealand’.
(Incidentally, Russ Cook has always put me in mind of that gag from 24 Hour Party People, which tracked the rise and fall of Anthony Wilson and Manchester record label Factory Records: ‘What’s wrong with London Records? Well, the name for a start, Tony….’)
4. Congratulations to my friends Chris, Demi and Lewis for the continuing success of The Big Sea, which just scooped the Grand Jury Prize at the Brest Surf Film Festival. This in the week that the Denka factory in Louisiana has been mothballed as a result of plummeting profits.
5. Judging the Adventure Writing Prize (and giving a speech at the prizegiving) was one of the highlights of 2024, and it’s great to see how strong this year’s longlist is.
And a humble reminder that I just launched the new Looking Sideways book store. Buy anything from here and you’ll be supporting independent UK book stores, as well as helping finance Looking Sideways (I get a 10% commission) in a really simple way.
6. Awful news about UK skate legend Rodney Clarke. He’s had a serious accident that is going to require some long term healthcare. You can donate to the GoFund Me here.
Use my code LOOKINGSIDEWAYS10 for 10% off any Finisterre purchase.
7. The next nationwide SAS Paddle Out takes place on Saturday May 17th (that’s tomorrow if you get this on the regular Friday). I’m in Normandy so can’t make it, but click here to see where your nearest is.
8. If you enjoyed my recent AI debate between Alex Roddie and James Carson, you’ll find the above Note an interesting addendum.
9. Am I recommending a brilliant article about compost? Well, yes. Yes I am. For full middle-life crisis points,I’m even illustrating it with a short clip of my garden here in Normandy, where we really have been burning through the compost recently.
Use my discount code LOOKINGSIDEWAYS for 15% on any Db purchase.
10. Finally - this week I had the privilege of interviewing the great
on the topic of Trump’s Attack On The Outdoors for a forthcoming episode (249!) of Looking Sideways.Here’s a preview - out next week for paid Insights subscribers, and the following week for everybody else.
Spectacularly good take from Sophie on AI. She's right – AI-related job losses are never 'inevitable', and tech is not some amorphous external force. The enshittification happens because people in power who don't give a shit make it happen.
Came for the action sports, stayed for the compost