Well, there is one kind of anti-immigration sentiment (particularity in the UK) that sees immigrants as just coming over to game the benefits system, get rich, and then go back home… It's ridiculous, obviously, but yes some folk do think that.

Considering the Iraq war was one of the catalysts for the idea of the book, it's kinda obvious that Snow is Bush (in a way, I mean it's fiction: there isn't a 1:1 comparison…)

I think he had a "nice guy" thing going on to begin with

Yeah, I kinda re-evaluated my feelings about the character after that fantastic exit.

I think it's because there's been a bit of backlash to critics, so they try and say "Hey, ordinary folk like you and me like it! Who cares about those ivory tower professionals?"

I mean I don't play (I haven't since the beta back like 6 years ago) but it's not hard to guess why a game that is essentially a giant virtual lego set crossed with an rpg is popular.

The non-linear structure was actually something I liked about that series. It's was the excess length and the pacing that spoiled it somewhat.

He does get shit, but not from any 'serious' publications - he's in that phase where everything he releases is automatically a 'masterpiece' according to the NYT and similar. Of course there is a trend of those publications that praise him also being the exact audience for 'generic upper-middle-class white guy'…

I feel like they went too far to try and make the Sparrows align with current issues with religion. In the books they feel a lot more like the vanguard of a popular uprising against the rich, while in the show they seem to be the Westboro Baptist Church with a better frontman.

Considering Spaced is one of the best things ever, I wouldn't be upset at Wright doing TV…

Ooh, I'm hoping for 'The Price You Pay'. It wouldn't surprise me if the Euro shows are more like the original River tour, in that there are around a dozen tracks from the album rotated through on different nights.

Yeah, I liked Roose because he was a calm schemer like Tywin. I much prefer villains like Tywin who you could actually believe inspires people to follow them, instead of cartoon characters like Ramsey.

Oh for sure.

Yeah, I'm not too worried because I love the relative unpredictability of a normal set, but it would have been nice to see tracks like this, which might get dropped from a more general set.

Apparently they're not doing the 'full The River set' in Europe, which makes me a little bummed that we may not get this song.

I dig the big dumb party songs. I mean, they don't have the emotion heft of 'Backstreets' or 'Racing in the Street', but sometimes it's fun just to put on 'Ramrod' and dance like an idiot.

Yeah, the yelpy screams he does between verses are almost a direct lift.

For what its worth the original lyric was "I got a 32 Ford, she's a 318/Fuelie heads and a Hurst on the side" which apparently is possible.

Then look at how well The Beach went down. I doubt McGregor would be that upset…

I recently read Trainspotting for the first time and I was actually kinda surprised at how bloody good it was.