Quintin Jardine's blog

An odd thing to say on WordPress, but I am coming to fear that if our society falls to pieces it won’t be because of Isis or Al Qaeda. 

It will be the fault of social media and its facility for people to express their prejudices, their intolerance and their downright hatred for those with whom they disagree, in the most vicious and provocative of language.

I’m on Facebook and the like for two reasons: business, because that’s how publishers do most of their marketing these days, and to engage amiably with genuine friends and those who show genuine friendship towards me. I’m not there to be exposed to fundamentalism in any way, but make no mistake, it takes many forms, it is alive and well and at the heart of ‘our’ society. 

The boy Zuckerberg has a vision of bringing the world together. Sadly it’s more likely that he’s playing a central role in breaking it apart. 

IMHO, as we say in the chat rooms.

Such utter nonsense.

The world’s a hateful place. How do we explain that to our grandchildren.

I heard a guy say on radio this morning, ‘Adele is worth £125 million.’

So am I, mate. I don’t have £125 million, but that’s by the by.

Outstanding evening in Driftwood, Cala Montgo. Lasagne to kill for, magic chips, and a top rated Provençal pink wine. Great to be back.

I’m pleased to announce that Somewhere Over the Rainbow, my political folly, is now available on Amazon, in paperback format as well as in Kindle. Soon, it will be available also in audio, physical and download, published by Isis.

Here’s a link.

I know, I think Jeff Besos is  the Anti-Christ, but he’s driving and my young friend Matt works for him.

Some good news about Somewhere Over the Rainbow, my political fantasy, which until now has only been available in ebook form on Amazon and Kobo. Sometime soon it will be available in audio format, physical and download, published by Isis. Once I can find time to finish an edit it will also be available as a paperback on Amazon.

Look out also for downloadable audio versions of the two Oz shorts, Born to be Wild, and The Last Chickenpig.

RIP Gerald Kaufman, MP, and thanks for your kindness as the Scotsman crime fiction reviewer.

Thanks to everyone who has been catching up with the affairs of the not-so-late Oz Blackstone, as outlined in my two short stories, Born to be Wild and The Last Chickenpig.

I had hoped to be publishing another today, but I’m still in full Skinner mode. Coming soon though.

I stopped being a fan of film musicals, if I ever was, around half a century ago. In truth Guys and Dolls was the only one that ever stood out for me. I skipped West Side Story, and found myself hoping that the Von Trapp family didn’t make it to the border.

Therefore when my dear wife asked me to take her to see La La Land my eyes didn’t light up with the anticipation of it.

We went, though. My verdict? Better than just okay, but I don’t anticipate a sequel. 

Why is WonderWoman on the front of the new Royal Bank fiver?

I could spend all morning listening to Ed Sheeran. But I’d better not.

Oh Hell, why not? The new stuff is an Earworm  Festival.

• Why do seats in Edinburgh only come in one size?

Switched on BBC Breakfast, switched it off again. I will not have Steph McGovern forced on me at this time of the morning, or any other time, truth be told.