Author Archive: Guest Reviewer
We Will Survive
(Why The Varnished Culture is leaving Facebook) Google has a link to a post on leaving Facebook, that suggests as reasons to leave, “its echo chamber effects, avoiding time wasting and procrastination, and the negative psychological effects of perpetual social comparison.” That is more a salutary warning to addicts rather than a shot at the product. From its o so humble beginnings, Facebook has become a monster, the Standard Oil of our age, a virtual monopoly allowing global networking of personal, commercial, and political content, along with news, a salad of actual old-time reportage and a trove of ‘fake news,’…
Continue Reading →2020: Like a Sad Film
The World of Film was visited by the Masque of the Black, rather than Red, Death, this year. No, not Plague, but Time. While you listen to some appropriate Funerary Music, here’s a selected roll-call of stars now under management of One Sole Agent: Wilford Brimley – the gruff and grizzled descendant of Walter Brennan appeared in key supporting roles in Brubaker, The China Syndrome, The Thing, Tender Mercies, The Natural and The Firm but for our money, he was at his best in a small key role in Absence of Malice (1981). Sean Connery Brian Dennehy – Brian was…
Continue Reading →James Thurber’s Rules for a Happy Marriage
Hogarth, William; The Dance (The Happy Marriage ?VI: The Country Dance); Tate; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/the-dance-the-happy-marriage-vi-the-country-dance-199329
James Thurber, born 8 December 1894, wrote “My Own Ten Rules for a Happy Marriage” (1953) which we will summaize here: RULE ONE: Neither party to a sacred union should run down, disparage or badmouth the other’s former girls or beaux, as the case may be. The tendency to attack their character, looks, intelligence, capability and achievements is a common case of domestic discontent. RULE TWO: A man should make an honest effort to get the names of his wife’s friends right. This is not easy. RULE THREE: A husband should not insult his wife publicly, at parties. He should…
Continue Reading →Total Eclipse of the Mind: Worst Cover Ever
The Varnished Culture has mixed views on Bonnie Tyler’s 1983 hit “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” But irrespective of your view of this song, no-one deserves the homage given here on the Brazilian show “Alerta Amazonas.” Apart from the lead singer’s superb, surreal, extemporized, almost skat-like delivery of the libretto, we also loved the very artistic choreography and faux percussion of the Japanese performance artist, waving his pointless mallets about. But best of all is the reaction of the host, who looks like he badly needs an escape plan…
Continue Reading →Some Plague Recipes
The “A. J. Ayer” Self-eating Welsh Rarebit Ideal for slimmers, anchorites and philosophers. Eats itself before you can touch it. Comes with a side “Plato” self-eating egg and “Leibniz” self-eating salad. Later, with a “Heraclitus” self-eating apple turnover and a hot cup of “Descartes” self-drinking tea, you can sit back and read or just untie grandfather while your lunch eats itself for you. Preparation: Remove rarebit from oven, egg from pan, salad from chopping board. Serve. Slow Fishcakes Finally! Fishcakes that really give you time to eat them. No more dashing off the plate. Slow Fishcakes just lie there and…
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