Patrons are reminded that this rickety barge is kept afloat by the kindness of strangers. If you’d like to help it remain buoyant for a while longer, there’s an orange button below with which to monetise any love for this low establishment. Debit and credit cards are accepted. For those wishing to express their love regularly, there’s a monthly subscription option top left. Additionally, any Amazon shopping done via this link or the search widget top right, or for Amazon US via this link, results in a small fee for your host at no extra cost to you. Now you can indulge your base appetites and feel saintly while doing it.
For newcomers wishing to know more about what’s been going on here for the last nine years, and in over 2,000 posts, the reheated series is a pretty good place to start. There you’ll find our leftist betters agonising at length and performing great feats of mental contortion. From a gloriously neurotic guide to inter-racial dating, and the extensive preconditions for ordering takeaway in a politically correct manner, to a deep rumination on litter inequality, and a Marxist academic’s belief that competent, caring parenting and reading to one’s children causes “unfair disadvantage” and should therefore induce feelings of guilt, being as it is an act of class oppression.
Meanwhile, aesthetes among you can savour a wide, possibly baffling range of artistic projects, including some thrilling interactions with automated hand dryers, Shakespeare enhanced with underpants and shrieking, and the immense political radicalism of amplified trousers. If you can, do take a moment to poke through the discussion threads too. The posts are intended as starting points, not full stops, and the comments are where much of the good stuff is waiting to be found. And do please join in.
Again, thanks for the support, the comments, and the company.
Subscribed. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Lurks here often | May 03, 2016 at 08:44
My eldest is at university and I send her some of your 'academia' posts. :-)
*hits tip jar*
Posted by: S | May 03, 2016 at 10:00
My eldest is at university and I send her some of your ‘academia’ posts. :-)
Heh. I’d call that good parenting.
Posted by: David | May 03, 2016 at 10:05
A small encouragement provided. Most enjoyable blog.
Posted by: STB190 | May 03, 2016 at 10:21
Great blog, David. Have a drink or two on me.
Posted by: Chaz | May 03, 2016 at 11:05
Tipped.
Posted by: sH2 | May 03, 2016 at 12:03
In other news…
The new, more “diverse” and racially-sensitive campus, where insufficiently leftwing black scholars aren’t welcome.
Posted by: David | May 03, 2016 at 13:56
where insufficiently leftwing black scholars aren’t welcome.
They don't even know what he was going to talk about. I'm so glad I'm not a student now.
Posted by: Steph | May 03, 2016 at 14:27
They don’t even know what he was going to talk about.
Ah, but Mr Riley has at some point in the past dared to question leftist orthodoxy, and on one of The Sacred Subjects, no less. Which makes him the Wrong Kind Of Black Person™. He must therefore be punished with the public insult of ‘disinvitation’, thereby preventing further contamination.
Posted by: David | May 03, 2016 at 14:36
litter inequality
We need a government program, toot sweet.
Posted by: Hedgehog | May 03, 2016 at 15:24
litter inequality
Actually, I think that one is quite telling.
Setting aside the fantasies of demolishing homes that are nicer than the author’s own, there’s the casual acceptance of the notion of unfair litter distribution. Which is quite a concept, really. Especially as the basis for this new frontier of grievance is a report that admits that in fact much more is spent on cleaning and re-cleaning rougher parts of town – up to five times more than is spent on more respectable neighbourhoods. And the same report doesn’t even pause to consider how it is the litter gets there in the first place.
Indeed, the authors of the report are so determined to avoid any hint of personal agency and responsibility, and so determined to avoid any acknowledgement of rather obvious differences in behaviour, that the words “drop” and “littering” simply don’t appear anywhere in the report. Which leaves the reader to assume that nobody is actually dropping the litter, no-one is responsible for the tonnage of food-smeared detritus repeatedly being removed at taxpayer expense. It just appears, mysteriously, falling from the clouds like overnight snow.
And this is the standard of “social science.”
Posted by: David | May 03, 2016 at 15:54
I'm a long time lurker and wanted to say thanks for many hours of good reading.
Some love has been monetized.
Posted by: R | May 03, 2016 at 16:19
I’m a long time lurker and wanted to say thanks for many hours of good reading.
I do love it when lurkers de-lurk. Glad you’ve been entertained. And thanks to all who’ve chipped in so far. It’s much appreciated and it’s what keeps this place here. That, and sheer bloody-mindedness.
Posted by: David | May 03, 2016 at 16:25
It just appears, mysteriously, falling from the clouds like overnight snow.
Litter as a cargo cult.
Posted by: Hedgehog | May 03, 2016 at 16:49
Top blogging, Mr Thompson. You're one of my favorite destroyers of leftwing bullshit.
Tip jar hit.
Posted by: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) | May 03, 2016 at 18:34
thereby preventing further contamination.
Actually, I don't think that's it. It looks like they disinvited him due to the fear of protests erupting. This is exactly what the No Platform-ers want: they don't even have to protest any more, they've intimidated the venues into silence. There's a parallel here to Mark Steyn being unable to speak on the freedom to criticize Islam in Europe because none of the venues are willing to risk an attack on the conference.
Posted by: Daniel Ream | May 03, 2016 at 18:54
that nobody is actually dropping the litter
The 0.001% are dumping it out the windows of their private jets.
Doy.
Posted by: dicentra | May 03, 2016 at 20:06
litter inequality
Oh, that was a thread where the bait fish was squatting, and at his most dense.
Hitting the tip jar is appreciation of your patience with the aggressively ignorant.
Posted by: Spiny Norman | May 03, 2016 at 20:22
*kerching*
Posted by: Em | May 03, 2016 at 20:32
It's Virginia Tech negotiating with itself like Cleavon Little in Blazing Saddles.
Posted by: Steve E | May 03, 2016 at 21:42
Mere fear of potential protest swayed Virginia Tech to cancel Riley’s pending event
And so the punishment of WrongThought™ is pre-emptive and in effect automated.
Posted by: David | May 03, 2016 at 22:03
*tickles tip jar* There, that ought to cover some caulking for the barge. Much gratitude for one of my favorite reads...
Posted by: Damn Yankee | May 03, 2016 at 22:56
Small sum donated .... thanks for all the fun over the years
Posted by: KS | May 04, 2016 at 06:12
*Hits tip jar*
Posted by: Rafi | May 04, 2016 at 09:14
Shakespeare enhanced with underpants and shrieking
Oh God, that video. :-)
Posted by: Peter | May 04, 2016 at 10:05
Oh God, that video. :-)
I can’t help thinking it’s significant that the performers pretty much ignore the tiny audience and instead focus their attention entirely on themselves.
Posted by: David | May 04, 2016 at 10:13
Minor contribution made.
Promise to do better next time round!
Posted by: bilbaoboy | May 04, 2016 at 11:31
"Oh, crap!"
Posted by: mojo | May 04, 2016 at 12:24
“Oh, crap!”
Heh. Poor Emma and pals, all self-righteous while inhaling liquefied shit. And you have to marvel at the obliviousness of someone who blathers about what she and her associates “will not allow” in “our countryside,” after travelling 200 miles from her capacious London home, climbing a farmer’s fence, disrupting his work at length, and while trespassing on his property.
Posted by: David | May 04, 2016 at 12:47
If this blog was a five second video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIpkdusnIkE
Posted by: Liz | May 04, 2016 at 14:24
Heh.
Someone fetch cake for Liz.
Posted by: David | May 04, 2016 at 14:29
Nom nom nom. ;-)
Posted by: Liz | May 04, 2016 at 14:53
"Oh, crap!"
What are they complaining about? That's organic farming!
(A fire hose might have been better, but whatever works.)
Posted by: Spiny Norman | May 04, 2016 at 16:40
If this blog was a five second video.
*applauds*
Posted by: Joan | May 04, 2016 at 16:49
And further to the last item here, serial vandal and deranged race-baiter Denzel McDonald – whose arrest supposedly caused a “mental health crisis” among faculty of the University of Wisconsin’s Department of Afro-American Studies – will not be charged for his actions. I.e., violent intimidation and thousands of dollars of damage:
I’m trying to imagine what would happen if a white student with a history of vandalism sprayed deranged racist graffiti across campus property and threatened to kill onlookers.
Posted by: David | May 04, 2016 at 20:35
Maybe it's just me, but the six Amazon widgets at the upper right are all for works of Julie Bindel. Google search of "site:davidthompson.typepad.com Julie Bindel" generates several hundred hits, nearly all of which seem to be for the Amazon widgets, so it's not just me. I would call this seriously misdirected dvertising.
Posted by: Rich Rostrom | May 05, 2016 at 07:49
I would call this seriously misdirected advertising.
Heh. I think it’s supposed to suggest items vaguely related to words used in each post. Sometimes it does. Not sure why the front page widget in particular is so fixated with Julie Bindel. Whose literary works, sadly, I can’t recommend.
Posted by: David | May 05, 2016 at 08:13
Excellent blog. Happy to contribute.
Posted by: Sarah W | May 05, 2016 at 14:43
Thanks for great blog.
Tip jar hit. Very happily.
Posted by: RY | May 05, 2016 at 15:25
"...all self-righteous while inhaling liquefied shit."
Was that La Thompson herself squealing "call the police"? I hope so.
Posted by: mojo | May 05, 2016 at 17:02
Shakespeare enhanced with underpants and shrieking,
F*ck me.
*bungs note in tip jar*
Posted by: Keef | May 05, 2016 at 17:57
Tip jar tickled. Have a small something on me.
Posted by: Captain Nemo | May 05, 2016 at 20:19
Urgh, preview fail. That should be "Have a small glass of something on me".
Posted by: Captain Nemo | May 05, 2016 at 20:21
But I wanted a small something.
Posted by: David | May 05, 2016 at 20:27
Well, a small something/a small glass of something: just pick whatever'll keep the barge afloat the longest.
Posted by: Captain Nemo | May 05, 2016 at 20:50
Is it a puppy?
A hamster?
A tiny bunny in a glass?
Posted by: David | May 05, 2016 at 21:05
Tip jar hit.
Regarding the dancing monkey, I recall an especially bourgeois vacation back in my youth in Lake Ozark, Missouri, where I discovered a piano playing chicken. For a dime, the chicken would peck on a toy piano and then receive a couple of kernels of corn as a reward. Let me just say, your reading your blog is more satisfying than that experience.
So you've got that going for you.
Posted by: R. Sherman | May 06, 2016 at 13:44
Lake Ozark, Missouri, where I discovered a piano playing chicken.
Can’t really compete with a class act like that.
Posted by: David | May 06, 2016 at 13:57
Lake Ozark, Missouri.
Or, as we refer to it, "St. Tropez West."
And for the love of all things good, do not forget Branson.
Posted by: R. Sherman | May 06, 2016 at 14:03
Can’t really compete with a class act like that.
Party Cove, Lake Ozark, Missouri.
Posted by: R. Sherman | May 06, 2016 at 14:18
Still catching up on your 'reheated' series. Good stuff.
Tip jar hit.
Posted by: James | May 06, 2016 at 20:37
I keep trying to write something articulate, but clients keep calling me expecting me to actually work today. I would like to say thanks for the many laughs-especially that oppression by bacon sandwich article. That alone was worth placing a few bucks in the tip jar. Have some bacon on me!
Posted by: Heather | May 06, 2016 at 21:09
Thanks again to all who’ve chipped in, or subscribed, or done shopping via the Amazon links and widget. It’s much appreciated.
Posted by: David | May 06, 2016 at 21:23
Small token of appreciation in your tip jar.
Posted by: Neil | May 07, 2016 at 10:38
"A tiny bunny in a glass?"
That made my (and anyone else's who bothered to watch it) day. Merci.
Posted by: PiperPaul | May 07, 2016 at 13:01
Merci.
With hindsight, it’s an obvious storage solution.
Posted by: David | May 07, 2016 at 13:06
In other news: Campus Diversity is the best thing ever! Unless you care about standards that is.
Posted by: Jonathan | May 07, 2016 at 14:20
Merci.
Now I want a nap.
Posted by: Spiny Norman | May 07, 2016 at 16:18
Campus Diversity is the best thing ever!
It's our strength, you know.
Posted by: Trevor | May 08, 2016 at 18:50
Happy to contribute. Excellent blog. :)
Posted by: MF | May 09, 2016 at 08:03
Finally subscribed.
Posted by: Mags | May 09, 2016 at 12:31
You've got one of the best comment sections.
Drink voucher in tip jar.
Posted by: Alan | May 09, 2016 at 14:17
Have put a little encouragement in your tip jar.
Posted by: Paul | May 10, 2016 at 08:28
One of my favorite reads. Tip jar has been hit.
Posted by: Glen | May 10, 2016 at 16:26
I for one welcome our new overlords:
Posted by: Jonathan | May 10, 2016 at 17:09
I for one welcome our new overlords
She deserves no less.
Posted by: David | May 10, 2016 at 17:14
Bunged you a few quid. Thanks for the laughs and insights.
Posted by: P | May 11, 2016 at 14:00
If making me feel all warm and squishy is the goal, that’s the way to do it. Much appreciated.
Posted by: David | May 11, 2016 at 14:16
Is that "OBEY" poster real, or is it a photoshop?
Please tell me it's real.
Posted by: Spiny Norman | May 12, 2016 at 03:48
Please tell me it's real.
Oh, it's real photoshopped . . .
I was thinking that someone may have indeed worked really quickly on that one---Albeit begging the question of why bother regarding such an obscurity---and then noticed that the details of the poster are quite sharp edged, but all the details of the photo are a bit fuzzily just a hair off focus . . .
Posted by: Hal | May 12, 2016 at 06:02
Loving the reheats. Tip jar hit.
Posted by: Sc | May 12, 2016 at 16:27
My eldest is at university and I send her some of your 'academia' posts. :-)
Same here. :-D
Love expressed via paypal.
Posted by: JP | May 13, 2016 at 12:23
Thank you. And to all who’ve chipped in, or subscribed, or done shopping via the Amazon widget and links. It makes a big difference to how much time I can spend here, either writing or gassing with you lot.
Posted by: David | May 13, 2016 at 12:38
Late to the party but happy to chip in. Great blog.
Posted by: Andy | May 18, 2016 at 22:16
Thanks for some great blogging, Mr Thompson. Tip jar has been hit.
Posted by: [+] | May 22, 2016 at 14:46