Jared Diamond’s article, “The Worst Mistake in the History of the Human Race,” written in 1987, has reportedly become a standard discussion point in anthropology classes – and it’s definitely a fascinating and provocative statement. His central thesis is as follows: Now archaeology is demolishing another sacred belief: that human history over the past million years…

After a long period of lesser activity following my head injury (bike accident in Central Park) I can claim to have become more active in recent months. Three films I’ve created – all for the UN 1 Defying death in South Sudan You are an unarmed UN civilian in charge of a compound where 12000 people…

Yep. I mean it. Apologies if you were expecting this to be a wry and unoriginal joke. We – the human race – have never had it so good. There’s plenty of evidence for this. The chances of the average global citizen, born today, dying from violent causes are the lowest in human history. Wars…

I’ve frequently heard and read the opinion that science and religion are compatible – after all there are plenty of religious scientists, and, anyway, isn’t belief in religion ultimately the same as belief in science? I’ve concluded that they’re not compatible – neither fundamentally nor conceptually. I think when people argue for compatibility they are…

I shot a short drama film last October on Fire Island – unfortunately I didn’t get back to the island this year (probably because I’ve been recovering from concussion for the past seven months). The film is now out being pitched on the (rather expensive) film festival circuit. I suspect – as with pitching for…

Debate on Islam/Islamophobia. I hope to contribute to a constructive, but maybe difficult conversation. This is following on from several conversation with a friend Bennett Beanit.  Also see link to debate on HuffPost below. My thoughts: Dear Bennett Thanks again for sharing the video – it’s prompted me to put down my thoughts on this…

Let me start these thoughts by saying that there have been few times when reading a novel that I have been so excited, so dazzled, so full of amazed awe as when I started reading “Bonfire of the Vanities.” Here was something that was extraordinarily alive, fascinating, penetrating, deadly accurate, humorous, dynamic etc etc. I…

Updated comment on beginning of third series:   Homeland – watched first episode of the third series – it’s free online. While I enjoyed it – it’s well acted, and is dramatic – the continuing emphasis of the series disturbs me. I’ll preface this by saying I am all in favour of a drama series…