WORDS, WORDS, WORDS…

WORDS, WORDS, WORDS…

Starting in April 2026, The Ironist is starting a running monthly series of articles on the English language written by our very own contributor Peter Scotchmer, a retired English teacher. Polonius: ‘What is the matter you read, my lord?’ Hamlet: ‘Words, words,...
Utopian Delusions

Utopian Delusions

Peter Scotchmer writes about the enduring lure of utopia and why humanity’s attempts to build perfect societies so often end in dystopia.   I will not walk with your progressive apes, Erect and sapient. Before them gapes The dark abyss to which their progress...
RETVRN to Casablanca

RETVRN to Casablanca

The inconvenient Liberalism of a “traditional” classic “I’ve often wondered why you don’t return to America.” When the French police chief says this to Rick, we learn he’s an exile. We never learn why, but we get hints of communist leanings. “You ran guns...
The Zambian Dream

The Zambian Dream

Kachingo Sondo is a corresponding freelancer originally from a village outside of Garampande, near Livingstone, Zambia. Zambian village, by Tom Chiponge, Pixaby Call me Phiri. I drive a taxi in Lusaka. That is, when I have money, I rent a taxi to try and make more...
Air: The Fourth Elemental Ironist

Air: The Fourth Elemental Ironist

The final one in the Ironist series – air – the silent carrier of truth, lies, and everything in between. Today, we conclude the Ironist series on the fourth element – air. Invisible, omnipresent, and so essential. Moving through us without fanfare....