The book club that skips the books
The Wall Street Journal visits a New York Review of Books reading group. If only the personal ads were as good as the LRB's. [more]
The Internaut
Ken Levine’s adventures in New Zealand
The renowned comedy writer and blogger goes down under and delivers some tips for tour guides. [more]
International media on Christchurch, a year on
A selection of the coverage from abroad in the leadup to the anniversary of the February 22 earthquake. [more]
Boy’s big American adventure – and Taika’s advice for the Oscars
On Taika Waititi's Kickstarter project and his tips to improve the Awards ceremony. Plus: Osombie and the Axis of Evil Dead. [more]
Australian press on NZ export Paul Henry
The papers prepare readers for the new Ten morning host. But does he look and sound like an Australian? [more]
The Friday quiz 17.02.12
A politician-and-picture special. Quite NZ-centric in parts. Sorry, Johnny Foreigner. [more]
The book club that skips the books
The Wall Street Journal visits a New York Review of Books reading group. If only the personal ads were as good as the LRB's. [more]
Spanish academy refuses to revise official Franco “hagiography”
Conflicting versions of the country's dictatorial past continue to bedevil Spain. [more]
The middle finger ages
MIA's Superbowl salute has, no doubt as intended, sparked a probe of the history of the single-digit insult. [more]
Pakistan online protest ousts TV “vigil-aunty”
The success of a campaign against Maya Khan's efforts to trap dating couples in public parks has been hailed as a watershed moment. [more]
The Friday quiz, 10.02.12
Shake it like a Polaroid picture. [more]
The death of the cyberflâneur and the rise of the sharing fetish
Evgeny Morozov has opened another flank in his wrangle with the cyber-evangelists. He's at least half right. [more]
The Global Mail: Australian not-for-profit news site launches
A Wotif.com founder has poured $15m into a new public-interest project. Despite the teething problems, there's much to chew... [more]
Chinese media defend veto of Syria resolution
The UN resolution would have sent the wrong message to armed groups, claim the state-run papers. [more]
Sorry seems to be the hardiest word
John Key's apology "if there was offence" is a classic example of the non-apology apology, as detailed in a range of new studies. [more]
Unholy din at de Botton’s atheist temple
The pop philosopher's proposal to copy religion in a secular cause has found few friends. [more]
Rupert Murdoch turns 100. On Twitter. Sort of.
The beleaguered media mogul's first month tweeting has won a mostly warm reception. [more]
Hollande’s famous words: Not Shakespeare’s, nor Shakespeare’s
The mystery of the French presidential hopeful's misattribution grows curiouser and curiouser. [more]
All those email folders? A waste of time
Research suggests email users who use the search function find their stuff faster than assiduous filers. [more]