Monthly Archives: September 2017

Thoughts: Oublier Palerme, by Edmonde Charles-Roux

I thought this book, the last in my little run of French books on my TBR, would be, if not easy, then a nice, gentle comedown after the uncomfortable fascination of Le Roi des Aulnes. It… sort of was? You … Continue reading

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Thoughts: Le Roi des Aulnes, by Michel Tournier

This one almost beat me, in several ways. Firstly, it’s in French. Secondly, it’s long. Thirdly, it’s full of abstract thoughts and made up concepts. Fourthly, it’s intensely weird. Disclaimer: I know for a fact I missed a lot and … Continue reading

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Training a computer to write like Tommy Wiseau

In the past year or so there have been some very funny attempts to use neural networks (roughly, programs that try to learn to identify patterns in data) to produce text. From the RoboRosewater bot that creates new Magic: The Gathering cards, … Continue reading

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Apparent expertise and “the smartest man alive”

“A stupid person’s idea of a clever person.” That title has been applied to many people – Newt Gingrich, Stephen Fry, Aldous Huxley. Now there’s a new contender. In this video went viral yesterday, titled “Fox may have just interviewed … Continue reading

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Thoughts: The Casual Vacancy, by J. K. Rowling

I think this is what the cool kids call “late to the party”. We’ve had this on the shelf for a while and ever since we got it I’ve been meaning to read it. And as Spuggy got to the … Continue reading

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Thoughts: The Remains of the Day, by Kazuo Ishiguro

Almost caught up now. It took me this long to realise that while Spuggy was borrowing the Kindle, we actually have a book that’s on my TBR list! So I read it. Spoiler warning etc.

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