The Swipe Volume 3 Chapter 26
I had an unexpected day away from work this week—a hospital appointment mid-morning was immediately followed by a call from my manager standing me down for the rest of the shift. I felt guilty about it for all of five seconds, then leant in and made the most of the free time.
That is to say, I did very little, instead allowing my brain to spin down from its usual frantic whirl. Once that happened, my focus changed completely. New ideas, thoughts and concepts immediately started to appear. I could put some time into a project I had slightly neglected. I felt calm, collected, in control. It was, frankly, wonderful.
There should be an allowance above and beyond sick days. Whether you call it a mental health break, or simply a me day. A break from the norm, with the understanding that you step away from all your responsibilities, ignore the chores, put down the phone and just let it be. I can advocate the benefits very strongly.
Wherever you are, whenever you are, however you are, welcome to The Swipe.
Rob is reading…
A brave stance on the reporting of an important issue of our times. Thank the gods that The Onion is prepared to stand firmly and issue truth to power.
Rob is watching…
The back end of Wednesday S2.
New Only Murders.
Taskmaster S20.
You know what I love about autumn? All the good telly starts up again.
Rob is listening…
Another Wolf Alice track, really leaning into that smooth 70s vibe. This is a project I had a hand in (if you check the full credit listings on YouTube Tube, you’ll find me). I really need to shout more about the work I do in promos, commercials and feature projects. You’d be surprised how much I’ve worked on.
Rob is eating…
Rob’s Low-Key Obsession Of The Week…
Worth having the sound up for this one.
This is a masterclass in narrative tension
— Alex Selby-Boothroyd (@alexselbyb.bsky.social) 2025-09-09T22:01:34.482Z
Fact-checking, especially in the age of AI hallucinations, is slowly dying out. We must protect the process ferociously. I don’t feel the New Yorker’s famously all-in approach to be overpowering. These dang writers will try and get away with anything if you give them the chance.
WE MUST BE DAMN NEAR PURE OURSELF
I remember Ken Hom’s first TV series for the BBC, and still own the book which went along with it. The notion of using a wok and cleaver, of the stir-fry was profoundly alien to the British home cook, and Ken’s approach was gentle and welcoming. Even now I think his influence is the key to how we cook when we think we cook Chinese. I completely get that my noodle night is very different to the ones a family in Beijing would enjoy, and that’s ok. I don’t want to be authentic. I just want something nice for dinner.
How To Cook And Eat In Chinese
The sheer scale of Dan Abnett’s work in the Warhammer universe is a thing to behold. It’s a massive universe-build, a dark history spanning millennia, a view of the human condition which is bleak and jaundiced while still retaining a serrated (and probably gore-stained) satirical edge. The Black Library is a range of novels which, like most tie-ins to other IPs, has flown completely under the mainstream media’s radar. That’s probably for the best. Leave the raw meat for those who enjoy the taste.
Thomas Pynchon’s novels passed me by when I took a dive into the big American novels as a teen. Saul Bellow, John Irving, Joseph Heller all had their time with me. Tommy-boy simply drifted past. Maybe I just didn’t see them in my local library. As Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, his version of Vineland, hits screens here’s a listicle of some post-modernist movies in which the author put down their pen and picked up a camera.
Sasha Krautman’s incredible, intricate work deserves a few minutes of your time. I won’t fluff it any more than that. Just go have a look.
This is simply delightful and must have cost a fortune.
I saw the headline for this piece and simply thought ‘well, yes, of course.’ These are the voyages…
Your head-spinner of the day. Time travel is real, and you’re sitting on top of a perfect proof of concept.
I’d love to say I’m at all surprised by the revelation that Google needs human fact-checkers and tone monitors on the outputs of its Gemini agent. But I’m past all that. AI is a grift, a con and a disaster bumbling ever closer to a cliff edge. Don’t be carried along with it.
One last thing.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Maggie (@refashionedhippie)
Let’s Outro in a loud and hopeful manner with the Biffys, whose new album is out next week. Keepers of the flame, carriers of the banners proclaiming the return of The Big Music. Chins up, eyes bright. Fill your lungs, let it out. I believe in you.
See you in seven, fellow travellers.
