Judging Books by Their Covers

Stereotypes are modern heresy. But should they be?

Mar 12 • Christopher Gage

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February 2026

A Conspiracy of Competence

This week's exclusive column for paid subscribers: If only conspiracy theories were true; why legalising drugs is boring. And the art of the crank call.

Feb 24 • Christopher Gage

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How To Make Babies

Why we stopped making babies and why it's not what you think.

Feb 20 • Christopher Gage

29

10

3

Rule of Thumb

According to a growing body of research, smartphones make you dumber, more sociopathic, depressed, and anxious. Apart from that, everything is just…

Feb 12 • Christopher Gage

32

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3

The War on Fun

Why the Old Man Pub will save us from doom.

Feb 4 • Christopher Gage

29

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4

January 2026

Last Orders: Free to Rome

This week: The ancient solution to a modern problem; my New Year's resolution; Brendan Behan on critics; The second Lead Paint Prize goes to...

Jan 27 • Christopher Gage

17

10

5

The Strange Death of Culture

Anxiety culture is killing creativity.

Jan 20 • Christopher Gage

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33

15

Kicking the Dog

How a mediocre Netflix drama sparked a moral panic amongst the British chatterati.

Jan 11 • Christopher Gage

33

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December 2025

Big Pharma: A Love Story

Antidepressants saved my life—but there is no cure for the human condition.

Dec 14, 2025 • Christopher Gage

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4

Boring Ourselves to Death

Why a humble can of 'tramp juice' lager tells us more about Britain’s decline than any think-tank ever will.

Dec 7, 2025 • Christopher Gage

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16

Mourning Routine: The Cult of Performative Work

From bio-hacked beers to four-hour morning rituals, Britain has replaced real achievement with a theatre of productivity—and the country is falling…

Dec 3, 2025 • Christopher Gage

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November 2025

Last Orders: The Courage to Be Disliked

This week's three-part column: Britain's addiction to self-help slop; The coming Green vibe-ocracy; Scientists find career success at the bottom of a…

Nov 28, 2025 • Christopher Gage

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