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Cherish the Moments
There are some pretty dire gaps in my knowledge of classic films.
Dec 19
•
Ben Sixsmith
2
Two Cheers for London
When I travel from Tarnowskie Góry, home to about 60,000 people, to Gliwice, home to about 175,000 people, Gliwice seems depressingly big.
Dec 17
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Ben Sixsmith
3
The Christian Grift
UFC fighter Conor McGregor, who has managed not to actually fight in the UFC since July 2021, has announced that he has had a spiritual rebirth.
Dec 13
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Ben Sixsmith
7
From One Ben to Another
There is an awkward, somewhat unkempt Englishman named Ben who left Britain and moved east.
Dec 11
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Ben Sixsmith
24
2
2
Zafaraniya is a Country of the Future
I landed in Zahrān Airport with a head full of questions about the Kingdom of Zafaraniya.
Dec 8
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Ben Sixsmith
22
8
1
Bad Actors and Crime Statistics
If you have followed my work over the years, you will know that I am never shy about (a) saying nice things about Poland or (b) saying bad things about…
Dec 6
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Ben Sixsmith
2
Why Philip Larkin Is Still My Favourite Poet
The great English poet Philip Larkin died forty years ago yesterday.
Dec 4
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Ben Sixsmith
1
2
Prejudice and Power
The grooming gangs scandal in the UK was ignored and obscured because of the identity of many of the perpetrators (among other things).
Dec 4
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Ben Sixsmith
8
2
4
November 2025
November Diary
Hello, Obligatory shilling.
Nov 30
•
Ben Sixsmith
12
2
1
Reasons to be Thankful
Thanksgiving has always struck me as a faintly curious festival — coming, as it does, so close to Christmas.
Nov 27
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Ben Sixsmith
5
The Rise and Rise of Upper Silesia
“If this is Upper Silesia,” P.G.
Nov 25
•
Ben Sixsmith
5
Buy My Sister’s Book!
There’s a point in Martin Amis’s Experience — and I don’t have a copy to hand so forgive my inelegant paraphrasing — where the author recalls his…
Nov 18
•
Ben Sixsmith
18
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