Wednesday 21 October, 2026

Wizard stuff King’s Cross, yesterday. The Harry Potter industry continues to thrive. It must be one of Britain’s biggest cultural exports. Quote of the Day ”Potentially, TV can transform the Presidency into a monarchic dynasty. A merely elective Presidency scarcely affords the depth of dedication and commitment demanded by the TV form. Even teachers on TV seem to be endowed by the student audiences with a charismatic or mystic character that much exceeds the feelings developed in the classroom or lecture hall.” Marshall McLuhan in Understanding Media. Prescient, eh? Musical alternative to the morning’s radio news Abdullah Ibrahim | Soweto Link Keeps me going, sometimes. Long Read of the Day The Nobel Prize is not an exact science Lovely essay by Tim Harford (Gift article) Visitors to the Nobel Prize Museum in Stockholm will see celebrations both of the life and achievements of Alfred Nobel, and the life and achievements of a thousand laureates — scientists, writers, politicians and…