Articles
Book of the Week: Transcendence
Gaia Vince | Books
Why we’re more than just smarter chimps with cool tools… Read more
When bad news turns to good: ah, is this not happiness?
Jin Shengtan | Idle Thoughts
The 11th of 33 happy moments from a 17th-century Chinese writer…… Read more
Are you good with your hands?
Tom Hodgkinson | Letter from the Editor
Why manual work needs to be better appreciated… Read more
Charles Handy: A poem to learn before you die
Charles Handy | Comment
Learn a verse, get happy… Read more
Book of the Week: Head Hand Heart
David Goodhart | Books
Will Covid lead to higher status for care workers?… Read more
A summer’s moment: ah, is this not happiness?
Jin Shengtan | Idle Thoughts
The tenth of 33 happy moments from a 17th century Chinese writer…… Read more
A Zoom with some views
Tom Hodgkinson | Letter from the Editor
Why everyone wants “A Drink with the Idler”…… Read more
Charles Handy: the joys of self-employment
Charles Handy | Comment
Have you considered going solo?… Read more
Coronavirus: When a case is not a case
Bill Anderson | Comment
Bill Anderson clears up some Covid confusion… Read more
Book of the Week: Entangled Life
Merlin Sheldrake | Books
Merlin Sheldrake on the curious habits of fungi… Read more
Watch it float away: Ah, is this not happiness?
Idle Thoughts
Jin Shengtan | 5 Oct 2020 | Idle Thoughts… Read more
The power of beer
Tom Hodgkinson | Letter from the Editor
Like Hogarth and Cobbett, Tom Hodgkinson enjoys an ale… Read more
Trump’s Dark Arts
Mark Vernon | Idle Thoughts
Can occult philosophy explain the mystery of the American President?… Read more
Book of the Week: Philosopher Queens
Rebecca Buxton and Lisa Whiting | Books
A history of women thinkers, from Diotima to Angela Davis… Read more
Haggling: ah, is this not happiness?
Jin Shengtan | Idle Thoughts
The eighth of 33 happy moments from a 17th century Chinese poet… Read more
Boris has become a Puritan
Tom Hodgkinson | Letter from the Editor
And other reflections on lockdown, by Tom Hodgkinson… Read more
Why do we work?
Mark Vernon | Idle Thoughts
Mark Vernon on the ethical problem of the office job… Read more
Book of the Week: In Black and White
Alexandra Wilson | Books
Barrister Alexandra Wilson recalls her first day in court… Read more
Learning the classics: ah, is this not happiness?
Jin Shengtan | Idle Thoughts
The seventh of 33 happy moments from a 17th century Chinese poet… Read more
The problem with Jamie Oliver
Tom Hodgkinson | Letter from the Editor
Not so quick and easy…… Read more
Top tips for trespassers
Nick Hayes | Idle Thoughts
Nick Hayes on how to really enjoy the countryside… Read more
In praise of the chaise
Robert Wringham | Comment
Robert Wringham on an essential accessory for quality idling… Read more