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  • Three Key Themes in Summer of The Seventeenth Doll by Ray Lawler

    Summer of the Seventeenth doll is an iconic Australian play, with some deep themes. Here are three of the key ones. 1. Nostalgia and the Passage of Time: The play is set in the 1950s and centers around a group of characters who reunite annually for the summer season. The doll in the title represents… [Continue Reading]

    Three Key Themes in Summer of The Seventeenth Doll by Ray Lawler
  • A Short Analysis of Philip Larkin’s Aubade

    Philip Larkin’s poem “Aubade” is a poignant exploration of the fear and existential dread that can accompany the contemplation of death and the awareness of one’s own mortality. The poem takes the form of a morning song, traditionally associated with celebration and hope, but Larkin subverts this expectation by delving into the darker aspects of… [Continue Reading]

    A Short Analysis of Philip Larkin’s Aubade
  • Five 1970s Science Fiction Books You May Not Know

    We’re addicted to old sci-fi, and thought we’d start trawling round for some lesser known reads from the golden age in this genre. Here’s five worth a look at from the 1970s: “Roadside Picnic” by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky (1972) – This Soviet-era science fiction novel explores the aftermath of an alien visitation known as… [Continue Reading]

    Five 1970s Science Fiction Books You May Not Know
  • The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg: Synopsis

    The Man in the Maze is set in a future where humanity has expanded its reach to other planets in the galaxy. Richard Muller, a brilliant scientist and former diplomat, has become a recluse on the planet Lemnos, which is known for its complex and impenetrable maze created by an advanced alien race called the… [Continue Reading]

    The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg: Synopsis

General Tech

A Short Analysis of Philip Larkin’s Aubade

Philip Larkin's poem "Aubade" is a poignant exploration of the fear and existential dread that can accompany the … [Read More...]

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The Snark

Apple Adapter Manufacturer Concerned At Apple Direction

A US-based manufacturer of adapters and dongles for Apple products has come out today expressing concern at the direction … [Read More...]

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Picks from The Archives

On being level 70

Early this year I wrote about my initial experiences with World of Warcraft. Since then I've been grinding away and recently … [Read More...]

A Second Life success story: NCI

It has been in Second Life for four years (having just celebrated its fourth anniversary), has over 150 staff, costs about … [Read More...]

A homeless man’s funeral

As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless … [Read More...]

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