Author: Richard Carter

A fat, bearded chap with a Charles Darwin fixation.

Robot butlers

I was complaining to Jen the other day that, when I was a boy, everyone said that, by this time, we’d all have robot butlers and flying cars. But, on reflection, the biggest technological improvements I’ve seen during my life are: Jen reckoned, if they hadn’t frittered away quite so much time on batteries and… Continue reading Robot butlers

Amateur scholar

A fascinating idea, which I hope bears scrutiny—although I expect it will receive a lot. But my immediate reaction was to question why on earth the BBC felt the need to describe this gentleman as a ‘Londoner’. What has that got to do with anything? So, here are some alternative headlines for you: Personally, I’d… Continue reading Amateur scholar

Book review: ‘A Private Spy: the letters of John le Carré, 1945-2020’

A penchant for reading other people’s correspondence is one of my few vices. As a John le Carré fan-boy, I was very much looking forward to this collection, and it didn’t disappoint. Here you will find le Carré (real name: David Cornwell) corresponding with fellow former spies; assuring Sir Alec Guinness he is perfect for… Continue reading Book review: ‘A Private Spy: the letters of John le Carré, 1945-2020’