The difference between ad hominem, insult, and taking things personally
(Warning: this article contains swear words and penises.) “Dear fucking lunatic,” reads the salutation of a famous open letter to Donald Trump. It goes on: “At your recent press conference – more a word salad that had a stroke and
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Pigeonholing wrecks intelligent public debate
Labels are sometimes useful, but pigeonholing and binary thinking also undermine the conversations on which democratic debate depends.
When family ties do tie too tight
It’s Sunday, shortly after midday, and the meat is on the braai. Noah’s cousin, Biff, has invited us to share it, together with all the usual trappings. We know them on no better than a wedding‑and‑funeral basis, so the invitation
How to restore Roedean
The recent controversy at Roedean School in Johannesburg, which arose following the boycotting of a tennis fixture with King David, Linksfield, generated intense public debate concerning anti-Semitism and the politicisation of schools.
News Focus: downing of a fighter
The loss of a United States fighter over Iran has earned close attention for what it might mean about the war and the claims made by the belligerents. Earlier yesterday, Iran claimed it had shot down a US fighter. Images
What has the Iran war achieved, so far?
On Wednesday night, Donald Trump once again said that “the core strategic objectives” of the strike on Iran “are nearing completion”. Are they?
Nobody can tell you what's gone wrong with the UK
Some weeks ago my Daily Friend colleague Steven Boykey Sidley wrote an intriguing analysis (The strange sounds of UK’s bewildering politics) of the state of the UK occasioned by a visiting friend. One curious theme emerged: a sense of “I
Remembering Steven Gruzd: making the future better than the present was his vocation
In 2006, having just returned from a four-year stint in Taiwan and looking to get back on a career path, I’d accepted a part-time job helping out at the South African Institute of International Affairs on something called the African
News Focus: Macron’s lesson for Trump
French President Emmanuel Macron has spoken out on the political style and substance of US President Donald Trump, appearing to give him a lesson on how to conduct serious statesmanship. In pointed remarks on his arrival for a state visit