Category Archives: Critiques

Who wrote Robert Heinlein’s ‘The Door into Summer’?

Posted on January 24, 2023 by peNdantry

That’s obviously a trick question. Or is it? If there are any of Heinlein’s novels I’ve not read, I’m not aware of them. His mid-1950s yarn ‘The Door into Summer‘ is one of my favourites, and speaks to me in … Continue reading →

Posted in ... wait, what?, art, Critiques, People, Rants, Science Fiction | Tagged , | 11 Comments

Confirmation that two-thirds of headline analyzers spout utter nonsense

Posted on September 14, 2021 by peNdantry

An examination of three headline analyzer tools (and whether it’s worth using them), together with a Veritasium video on the effectiveness of clickbait (with transcription). Continue reading →

Posted in ... wait, what?, balance, Communication, Computers and Internet, Critiques, Phlyarology, Strategy, Tech tips | Tagged , , , , , , | 29 Comments

It’s a mistake to anthropomorphise machines

Posted on August 3, 2021 by peNdantry

(AKA ‘Feedback for NatWest: a rant’) I read in a book somewhere, long ago, that ‘computers were going to make our lives easier’. I realize now that the ‘our’ in that promise didn’t include folks like me; it was addressed … Continue reading →

Posted in ... wait, what?, Business, Communication, Computers and Internet, Critiques, Phlyarology | Tagged , , , , , | 20 Comments

A letter to The Co-operative Bank — a rant

Posted on February 14, 2021 by peNdantry

Dear Sir or Madam, First of all, please accept my apology for the fact that I have been so curmudgeonly of late. I attribute this to an ear infection that has been causing me grief for the last few days. … Continue reading →

Posted in ... wait, what?, Business, Communication, Computers and Internet, Critiques, Phlyarology | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Smash Trip: a blog critique

Posted on January 23, 2021 by peNdantry

Welcome to the WordPress blogosphere, Smash Trip! Smash Trip‘s clean and uncluttered design offers the visitor a selection of marvellous images; photographs of landscapes, buildings and other interesting scenes from all over the world. The site’s first post appeared on … Continue reading →

Posted in Critiques | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments