Consumerism, Populism and Short-Term Fixes: Why ‘Trash of the Titans’ is The Simpsons’ Most Important Episode

This episode explores, with startling pertinence, the consumerism that drives our cherished national holidays, the seductive power of populism and the dangers of seeking quick fixes to big problems

Stories, and what they mean to me

The other day, my friend invited me to talk on Student Radio Maastricht, the radio show he works on. The topic of the evening's discussion would be stories - what they are, how they've evolved, why they matter to us. I thought it was a great topic; I’ve always loved stories. When I was a...

Brighton Bomber: “I regret killing people. But I had no other choice”

Patrick Magee takes the floor looking more suited to lecturing on philosophy or English than blowing up buildings. Dressed in a dark brown blazer, black pants, a light grey shirt unbuttoned at the top and thin-rimmed spectacles, and walking with the help of a cane, Magee is in Maastricht to give a talk as part...

A long-overdue rant about sales

I’m a terrible salesperson. The store manager would tell me that I gave up too easily, that every time the customer says no, that’s really just an invitation to keep asking, keep pushing. He told me to think of it like pulling a bird – his words, not mine. And here I thought ‘no’ meant no. Silly me.