AI: Artificial Inaccuracy
Until recently, when a question came up for debate or dispute in our house, the cry went up: ‘Google it!’. Now that seems to have been replaced by ‘Try chatgpt.’ I thought I would try it and, by way of … Continue reading
Category Archives: writing and editing
Jeremy Catto by David Vaiani. Unicorn £25
I have spent the last few days reading this biography of one of my university history tutors from half a century ago. It has been a nostalgic journey, and a surprising one: I didn’t get to know Jeremy Catto well … Continue reading
“Can you recommend a hotel?”
Concerned that my life may lack purpose and fulfilling activity, friends quite often get in touch with questions they have generously thought up to make me feel useful and wanted. ‘Which Greek island would you recommend for our next holiday?’ … Continue reading
Never up, never in
One of the skilful columnist’s tricks is to make us feel better about ourselves. We warm to him, and will read him again. There is enough in life and golf to depress us, without having the newspaper add to our … Continue reading
The travel editor’s lot is not a happy one
In the spirit of Christmas I have come up with an idea to improve the life of the poor travel editor. What a job! It would be like being Prince Harry or Tina Onassis, without the financial prospects or even … Continue reading
The only way is ethics
Waiting for the article to appear is a difficult time, especially when you have gone to bed with a publication for the first time, as was the case with me and The Sunday Times Travel Magazine. After the coupling, polite … Continue reading
childhood holidays in France … and adverbs
On the strength of a Buy recommendation in the FT I am reading Laetitia Rutherford’s so far marvellous memoir, Our Hearts Hang From The Lemon Trees. It is published by Short Books, the discerning publisher of my French cycling book, … Continue reading
To Italy by bike mostly with Eric Newby
Made my annual visit to the Dyfi Valley Bookshop in Machynlleth in case any of the 100-odd novels written by my great aunt Berta have fetched up there in the last 12 months; or (less likely, since he is much … Continue reading
On CMJ, and stickling
There’s nothing like a well timed death to boost sales. Dark thoughts rose to the surface when I noticed the autobiography of the cricket commentator Christopher Martin-Jenkins, recently deceased, enjoying new prominence on the shelf at WH Smith. Not … Continue reading