Printing problems resolved
Rejoice, for our printing problems are over. Outstanding orders will be shipped on Monday. You’re a very patient bunch. Thanks for not sending us mailbombs or reporting us to Ofcom.
New orders for Issues One and Two can now be placed via the magazine shop without fear.
An Escapologist's Diary. Part 7.
Bobbing for Apples
My podcast partner excitedly reports that he’s ordered a new iMac. Perhaps tellingly, I struggled to remember what an iMac even is. My first thought was that it was one of those total-immersion cinemas (an IMAX) but knew that my friend couldn’t possibly have bought one of those.
It’s a symbollic triumph that the iMac had drifted so far from my consciousness. Back when I started out as an Escapologist, I would periodically visit the Apple Shop in Glasgow to test whether I could be seduced by these sophisticated pieces of technology. If I could remain unseduced by a tablet computer or a slick handheld book-reading thing, I knew I could withstand most of what consumer culture could throw at me. Tom Hodgkinson told me he does the same thing with the Argos home-shopping catalogue. I recommend this practice to anyone: allow the salesmen in, refuse everything and build up those muscles of resistance.
Read the rest of this entry »
"Great Escape" photographs
The indefatigable Laura Gonzalez has uploaded a very fine collection of photographs of “The Great Escape”. The event – a talk and singalong – took place at the Glasgow Social Centre on 7th October 2009, hosted by Neil Scott and featuring Tom Hodgkinson (The Idler, How to Be Free) and Robert Wringham (New Escapologist).
Neil Scott and Tom Hodgkinson lead the acoustic singalong.
Neil Scott and Robert Wringham enjoying a pre-show beer.
An Escapologist's Diary. Part 6.
My escape has taken me from Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa, through New York, to Birmingham, Glasgow and Dudley. As I clean up cat sick in Dudley, I think “I saw the Statue of Liberty the other day”. Such is life when you defeat Bad Faith.
Read the rest of this entry »
An Escapologist's Diary. Part 5.
I’m still enjoying my planned escape, far away from home. Specifically I’m in Montreal.
In the city’s commercial districts, bilboards groan with high-profile advertising for a new interactive computer game called Beatles Rock Band. It’s an ingenious misappropriation of something that was once radical and important.
Forty years ago, John and Yoko conducted the third instalment of their Bed-In peace protest in this very city. Let us remind ourselves today that The Beatles wasn’t always an empty brand synonymous with inane, distracting tat:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvwkRihlZto]
Read the rest of this entry »
Issue One relaunched
After a year out of print, Issue One of New Escapologist is now once again available.
With our new higher production values and Tim Eyre’s sensational typography, the relaunch is a highly improved version of the original.
The relaunch features our classic articles by Lord Whimsy, Judith Levine, Neil Scott and Robert Wringham and is illustrated throughout with new work by Samara Leibner.
Buy it now at the magazine shop for the limited special offer price of £3.
Glasgow event. 7th October.
The Idler and New Escapologist have teamed up for “The Great Escape”: an evening of discussion, music and freewheeling anarchy.
Tom Hodgkinson (How to be Free, The Idler) and Robert Wringham (The New Escapologist) discuss practical ways to escape the banalities of modern life. This will be followed by a light hearted war-time type sing-a-long, with the audience invited to join in with the hosts on idler-themed songs.
For more information, see the official microsite or the Facebook event page.
Come along. Bring your friends.
New Escapologist at Urban Dictionary
“Escapologist” has been honoured with an official definition at Urban Dictionary.
Noun. (pronounced: es’cap·ol’o·gist). One who seeks to escape the imaginary manacles of modern life: work, debt, government, leisure industries, status and anxiety.
Derived from the stage magic of Escapology. Used metaphorically.
Coined by the satirical publication, New Escapologist.
You can give this definition a ‘thumbs up’ at Urban Dictionary, though I don’t think that makes us any money or saves the world or anything.
An Escapologist's Diary. Part 4.
I’m a month into my mini-retirement in Montreal. So far, so good. A typical day consists of a late rise, breakfast, bread-baking, writing, exploration of this new city and night-time festivity with new chums. I’ll write more about the joys of not working in New Escapologist Issue Three, which should be available early in the new year.
A few days ago, I enjoyed Charlie Chaplin’s Modern Times at a local cafe-theatre with live piano accompaniment from Roman Zavada.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B3HGY_zLKk]
It’s an entertaining film for Escapologists in that it sympathises with the modern escape fantasy. Chaplin’s character attempts to escape humiliating work in factories, ship yards and department stores. He also ensures a brief spell in prison where he is taken after being mistaken for a the leader of a Communist demonstration. Tellingly, Chaplin begs the jailer to keep him locked up when the subject of his future employment is raised. Prison incarceration is preferable, it seems, to the world of work!
It’s fun that the film begins with the rapidly-spinning hands of a clock. To any worker, it prompts instant identification: a watched clock is surely the truest motif of modern division-of-labour-type work. Read the rest of this entry »
School of Life
Alain de Botton and friends recently set up the School of Life on Marchmont Street in London. They offer philosophy-lead courses and secular sermons. Looks like fun. If you’re interested, there’s a free-entry open day on September 5th.
