Hello!
Why, it’s me - Ben.
As many of you are probably aware, this year I have been trying to make a bit more of a name for myself on The Internet. To a certain extent, in 2026, this is a bit of a fool’s errand. Even by the more restrained of estimates, The Internet has been around for 30 years - and trying to ‘make it big’ there now makes you feel more and more like one of those wishful idiots attaching their padlock to the chain-link mesh of a European bridge. The online world may once have looked like Mt Rushmore, with just a handful of famous faces buffed into its side, but in 2026 calipers, gouges and scaffolding are cheap, and everyone is an amateur chiseller. Now Thomas Jefferson must share the cliff with Mr Beast, and not only Mr Beast but also your niece who is trying to sell her own-brand moisturiser.
But I am a fool. And what better way to keep a fool’s hands busy than: errands. So plunge on into the digital pond I do. And what is down there, in the depths? Well, arguments mostly.
The other week, I managed to get into two minor spats on what we might call different ends of the political spectrum. On the Monday, I posted a video about the origins of The Odyssey - which I perhaps stupidly thought would largely receive thumbs-up and well-wishing, but instead managed to antagonise some of social media’s most pungent, spiteful little gremlins: Musk apologists. And while the resulting comments were, by some unholy logic, actually good for engagement, the entire thing made me feel triple-espresso-level anxious for about 48 hours. I hate conflict at the best of times. And it feels considerably worse to have performed some kind of victory purely through stoking conflict - like organising an egg and spoon race, cheating to win it myself, then taunting the losers by eating the raw egg.
Meanwhile on the Friday, a clip of me talking on lovely comedy podcast Always Be Comedy also managed to get a bit out of hand. I was explaining the concept of the Romantasy genre to (genuinely well-meaning and oblivious) Tim and James - and, my opinions coloured by the book I was reading at the time (A Court of Thorns & Roses by Sarah J. Maas - paid subscribers will know my thoughts on that from last month’s newsletter…), I think it’s fair to say I gave a pretty damning review of the whole thing. Romantasy fans turned up in the comments, with thoughts and opinions of their own. My sister, a fan of the genre, sent me a Rosetta Stone-length DM with some pointers.
It was an another anxious and educational 48 hours. Again: conflict makes me feel a bit sick, and was never the MO. I thought the writing in ACOTAR was, to be frank, pants. But I crucially forgot that saying that to two other middle-aged dudes on a podcast (the dude-iest of media), and by extension damning an entire genre that is beloved specifically because it does not immediately appeal to three middle-aged dudes, without the warm-up and cool-down context of an entire conversation, does not really do anyone any favours.
With all of that in mind, perhaps it’s best to get back in a room? Have these discussions in real life, where oxygen, body language and context live? Well, funny you should say that…
BEN’S BOOK CLUB STARTS THIS WEEK!
That’s right! My book club/comedy show arrives in Edinburgh on Monday 17th (tomorrow, if you’re reading this when it goes out) - and is each day for three days. 4.40pm 17th-19th Aug at Assembly Studio 3 I will be cracking jokes about our chosen books, chatting with some of the UK’s best comedians about them and inviting you the audience to share your thoughts. Those books, guests and dates are:
Mon 17th Aug - The Salt Path by Raynor Winn - with Pierre Novellie + Celya AB
Tues 18th Aug - Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain - with Rhys James + Amy Matthews
Wed 19th Aug - A Court of Thorns & Roses by Sarah J. Maas - with Temi Wilkey + Ania Magliano
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE
Meanwhile, if you’re after some book recommendations - become a paid subscriber and my glistening new reading lists live beneath…