A poem I did for a storytelling night last night on the theme Hot Mess, channelling the style of punk poet John Cooper Clarke. www.philcain.com/hot-mess-wit...

We are typically swimming in internet 24/7, sometimes bringing problems. I tried a low tech way to halve the dose. philcain.com/exploring-a-...

Heavy internet use can cause mental overload and distraction, so I drew on some public health ideas to create a long-term digital refuge for just over a tenner. #offthegrid #offline #unplug #digitalwellbeing www.philcain.com/exploring-a-...

Margo Martindale makes a wonderfully malign presence in "Blow the man down" (2019), a film which delivers that rare combination of funny, tense and heavily fishing-oriented. 8/10 www.philcain.com/blow-the-man...

"To the Success of our Hopeless Cause" is a suitably paradoxical title for this fascinating journey into the perilous and puzzling world of Soviet dissidents. www.philcain.com/to-the-succe...

Some pics related to a jolly bunch of late 19th century cafe enthusiasts called the Hagen Society, the subject of an exhibition now at the Albertina. www.philcain.com/bohemian-vie...

If a piece of domestic tech prompts us to make a routine update, we should just say yes, right? www.philcain.com/the-update/

In this issue: US alcohol inclusion call; Heart benefits rejected; Lobbyist’s credentials queried; Tax plan Vietnam; New cancer risk identified. Why alcohol is bad injury medicine; US research funding cuts itemised. Man quiz. alcohol-review.com/newsletter/a...

Rudyard Kipling’s how-to of selfless Victorian stoicism adapted to the meet the demands of modern life. With apologies to Kipling and all those who like the original. If it’s any comfort, so do I. www.philcain.com/if-updated/

Damien Hirst, Drawings: Albertina Modern, Vienna Until 12 October 2025 www.philcain.com/damien-hirst...

In this issue: Online ad ban draft; New FASD guidelines; NZ policy support strong: New alliance launches; Brits back health; Top doc doubt. Plus: Approaching addiction through environment; And US alcohol normalisation after Prohibition alcohol-review.com/newsletter/a...

"There is a big open door to healthcare crackpots... No-one wants to hear that the secret of longevity is: wear a seat be, go for a walk... Things that aren't true are more exciting than things that are," @davidfrum.bsky.social philcain.com/alertness-to... www.youtube.com/watch?si=A9h...

The petty muggers of Manchester of my youth used to say, "I'm taxing you for that," when they demanded your cash, walkman or whatever. I now realise they meant "tariffing".

The petty muggers of Manchester of my youth used to say, "I'm taxing you for that," when they demanded your cash, walkman or whatever. I now realise they meant "tariffing".

On March 20th Alcohol Review 2025's live sessions will explore ways to win against alcohol industry narratives and put evidence-based policies into effect, creating a centerpiece for a catalogue impactful sessions from around the world. Join us. alcohol-review.com

A man likes to celebrate his birthday at exactly the minute the clock shows the time of his birth. This year he will celebrate twice. On which day was he born? And roughly what time? His brother, meanwhile, will not celebrate this way at all. When was he born?

In this issue: Outgoing US Surgeon General sparks cancer debate; Investor drops alcohol; Psychedelic efforts hit high; Lo-no policy warning ignored; App Features: Alcohol-free hype unhelpful; The case for free time hedonism; Alcohol pleasure in perspective alcohol-review.com/uncategorize...

Good times

This is not the hardest puzzle ever set, but that does not stop it from offering some enjoyable insight onto our assumptions about the way the world works. www.philcain.com/same-time-sa...

In this issue: Finns told less alcohol, better health; UK alcohol “catastrophe” highlighted’; US issues exceptionalist health report; Australian delivery proposals hailed; Saudi 2034 stadium drinking ban; Nigeria sachet ban enforcement alcohol-review.com/newsletter/a...

Geoff had a problem, a big problem. He had been blissfully unaware of it until his partner, Steff, brought it to his attention. www.philcain.com/direct-action/