The important issues of the day

It's great that people still write in to their favoured newspapers about the really prescient issues of today... (click to enlarge)

Isn't this cool?

As well as great stories and headlines, I'm also a fan of great photography. As spotted in today's Metro, this is a 25-ft statue based on Grant Wood's American Gothic painting. It was first erected in Chicago in 2008, and now it's been moved to Indianapolis for the Indiana State Fair.

blasphemy

I used to post the odd rambling on the state of journalism here, and since I've taken to talking about articles and headlines on my general music nonsense blog, I figured I should start using this again. I was in Manchester last week and noticed some hilarious stuff in the MEN and the local edition of the Metro. But I figured I'd kick off this renaissance with a gem from Dublin's Metro Herald. The story appeared elsewhere, but I liked this succinct headline.

This is more like it...

A step too far?

This is all a bit much...

MIA

I talk about the Lancashire Evening Post a lot here. It's because, as an outsider, it's my main source of news in these parts. Having been away for Christmas, I've been looking to find it in Essentials, the shop that is part of UCLan's Students' Union. No joy, two days running! I really should have picked it up when I was "down town"...

Atheism On The Buses

I didn't quite know what to make of it when I saw that an extensive advertising campaign was being undertaken to announce that God might not exist. I thought the slogan was curious: "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life." The campaign is led by atheists, who surely believe that there is in fact no God? So this speculative statement seems a little uncharacteristic. Anyway, as I read on I found myself agreeing with the theology think tank Theos: "The posters will encourage people to consider the most important question we will ever face in our lives." Interesting stuff all round I guess. A similar US campaign ran in November with "Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness' sake" as their slogan. Maybe there isn't a God, and if not, the above sentiments are noble. I think it's the uncertainty that keeps it all interesting...