Looking Sideways: 10 Things

A ten things this week filed from deepest, darkest Cornwall.

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Surfers Against Sewage

Surfers Against Sewage on Instagram: “THANK YOU #OceanActivists! 🙌 A powerful sense of community and a common goal (not to mention more than a little anger) united thousands this weekend in an amazing show of #PeoplePower, seen all across the UK. We’re proud to be part of your ranks and to fight alongside you to end sewage pollution and clean up our rivers and seas. Together we will stand up against greedy polluters and we will win! 💪 Keep sending us your pictures/videos from the paddle out at media@sas.org.uk, confirming we have permission to use them and any relevant credits. We love seeing what our collective community got up to and we’ll be sharing more highlights in the coming days (and a big thanks to all who have shared so far. SO. MUCH. CONTENT!) For the ocean! ✊🌊 #endsewagepollution #sewage #saveourseas #saveourrivers #riverpollution #oceanconservation #cleanocean #waterlover #waterlovers #marineconservation #protectwhatyoulove From First Image - @mattarneyphotography, Droneman, Angus Trinder, @aaronrjoness, Greg Martin, Emma Askew, @emilyroseww, Marcus Kern, Kate Bradbrook”

May 22, 2023

1. I went to the Surfer’s Against Sewage Paddle Protest in Brighton. Most people there were patting themselves on the back about the turnout, but I was pretty underwhelmed.

200 odd people in a town of 135,000? To protest against the non-partisan issue of water companies profiteering by literally dumping sewage in the places where we swim, surf and play? How does that work? The apathy of the local surf community was particularly noticeable - I saw a grand total of two people I recognised from Brighton’s hundreds-strong surf scene.

It’s inspired me to explore the topic of protest and direct action in forthcoming episodes and blogs. If you have any thoughts, I’d love to hear ‘em.

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2. RIP Martin Amis. Among the eulogies I read this week, this quote by Amis himself (above) on ageing stood out.

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3. I’ve been sharing this radio documentary about ad-man Howard Gossage, ‘the Socrates of San Francisco’, with all-and-sundry. A really lovely listen.

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4. A very interesting blog from my pals at Much Better Adventures on adventuring through the menopause.

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Lauren L. Hill

Lauren L. Hill on Instagram: “How old will you be when you stop surfing ? One of the most inspiring women in my life Von @von_curtis1 ( who happens to be Dave’s mama) is featured in one of the sweetest surf stories I’ve seen lately. Please check out @takingoff_doco for a taste of pure surf stoke and inspiration for longevity. These women are beautiful role models for ageing with bravery, grace and a good sense of humour. It captures the simple spirit of surfing at its very best. Von started surfing in her 60s, and is now a bonafide surf rat along with her crew The Spring Chickens — all in their 60s and 70s - they meet up every Wednesday and frequently hit the road to surf and camp up and down the coast. Even when life hands her the most bitter of licks Von shows up with resilience and the most admirable willingness to get on with life while we’re here — to have a good time while we can; To keep turning up to the ocean. Von is currently swimming, hiking, cycling and hot air ballooning her way across Europe at 67. What an inspiration to keep adventuring. Thanks to the filmmakers @takingoff_doco for capturing a little of her story and for acknowledging that so many women in their 50s and beyond struggle with feeling invisible, or struggle with reinventing themselves beyond the role of carer. Thank you for reminding us of the ways that wave riding can bouy us all the decades of our lives. Lucky us. Congratulations @hannahjessupphotography @aliceionamackinnon”

May 21, 2023

5 I also loved this documentary: Taking Off: Tales of Older Women Who Surf. Click here to watch it.

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You’re From Here

You’re From Here on Instagram: “I’m “into the harmonica,” I’m not “into nature.” #urfromere #earth #plants”

May 21, 2023

6. Love this - surf filmer and photographer (and evident dreamboat 😍, which is probably helping with the numbers) Seth Hughes has gone quietly viral via the wry ruminations on our relationship to the natural world he’s been posting on his new urfromhere Instagram. Countryfile - sign this man up immediately.

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Martha Stewart's Sports Illustrated Cover Means Next To Nothing

7. After I shared her Note on Martha Stewart last week, Jessica DeFino went all in on why Martha’s SI cover is ‘ageism masquerading as age inclusivity’. Illuminating and thought-provoking stuff.

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8. I haven’t read Spare, but I really enjoyed the Andre Agassi memoir, and hadn’t realised that Harry’s tell-all had been ghosted by the same writer, JR Moehringer. He’s written a fascinating column for the New Yorker about collaborating with Prince Harry. Read it here.

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9. Steve Douglas has been hard at work on the line-up for August’s London Calling event - check the new details and dates above.

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The Case Against (Most) Books

10. Finally, I should probably know better than to share this given it’s a) seemingly such obvious clickbait and b) aimed squarely at a book geek like me, but this The Case Against (Most) Books blog by Richard Hanania has been doing the rounds on here for a few weeks now.

Contains the actual sentence ”….the idea that someone writing more than say four hundred years ago could have deep insights into modern issues strikes me as farcical. If old thinkers do have insights, the same points have likely been made more recently and better by others who have had the advantage of coming after them.”

I’m amazed people have been taking such an asinine position at all seriously (Machiavelli has entered the chat) but hey, tis the internet, after all…