Archive - trenchantly’s Substack

What virtue, values and Voltaire have to say about why we do what we do

Jun 17 •

April 2025

What's the point?

Taking time off to look for work was not supposed to so rapidly lead to a wave of existential angst.

Apr 11 •

Review: Dr Strangelove at the Noel Coward theatre

My first draft started “I can see what they were trying to do”, but after weeks of reflection, I’ve concluded I’ve no idea what they thought they were…

Apr 2 •

October 2024

Oct 18, 2024 •

October 2023

Review: Morrisons Salt and Vinegar Twirls (“the twisted snack with extra crunch”)

I remember listening to the presentation of a paper at the 33rd International Snack Gathering of Experts a few years ago entitled “the third dimension…

Oct 13, 2023 •

Review: Asda Korean Gochujang Hand Cooked Crisps

Not knowing what Gochujang is, I had high hopes for these crisps because it sounds special, like abracadabra or progressive taxation.

Oct 7, 2023 •

September 2023

You were 95 per cent perfect like

Sep 17, 2023 •

Oh Zane-oh, you have such flappy soft ears

Sep 17, 2023 •

March 2023

Ode to the lost hoodie that replaced my lost hoodie

We met only because you were a replacement,

Mar 5, 2023 •

January 2022

Review: 2:22 at the Gielgud Theatre

This play is a “ghost story” that tries, and fails spectacularly to be clever.

Jan 8, 2022 •

December 2021

What is Good Writing?

There are buckets of useful guides, bits of advice, wives’ tales and whatnot on how to write.

Dec 23, 2021 •

The Lesser Known Parts of the Diary of Samuel Pepys

You may have heard of Samuel Pepys, he of the diary fame.

Dec 12, 2021 •

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