Ben Palmer
21 articles by Ben
2019: the year no-one is anticipating
2019: the Prince Charles-esque warm up act no-one has been waiting for. Not many people seem to think it will be a happy, new year. Wouldn't we be better off skipping to 2020?
Why I didn’t enjoy living rent-free in London
After trying to avoid paying rent in London by moving from sofas to hostels to forest floors 62 times in 11 countries in 91 days, Ben finally reckons he's found something worth paying London rent for.
I thought cycling across Europe would make me a hero
This summer Ben cycled further than the Tour De France in six fewer days accompanied by his brother, Jono. But something happened that made him reject his new-found ‘heroic’ crown.
My Experiments in Experiencing Rest
I haven’t told my boss yet, but I’ll let you in on a secret, I gave up doing overtime for Lent. Shortly before Lent began, I admitted I was seriously addicted to an every-waking-hour, productive concoction of achievement and efficiency. Here is what I learnt from giving it up.
When an atheist professor says religion ‘brings out the best in people’, you should probably listen…
In our world of echo-chambers, it's not often you'll hear people commending something they don't agree with.
Hi, I’m Ben and Harvard says I might be racist
And Harvard may well say the same about you.
So I’m going to die
Words you never want to hear a loved one say, let alone say it yourself: I’m going to die.
Cracking the Black Mirror: will we even notice when technology takes over?
Honestly, could you go a day, even an afternoon, without your phone? Is whatever you're reading this on is taking control of your life? If you hesitated answering either of those questions, this one is for you!
Stop moaning about homelessness, you’re ruining my Christmas!
It's the most wonderful time of the year. Or is it? It has become fashionable to moan about the forced jollity and consumerism of Christmas, but isn't that just as much a capitulation to the marketers' dreams? What if Christmas, perhaps...means a little bit more?
No more articles.
2019: the year no-one is anticipating
2019: the Prince Charles-esque warm up act no-one has been waiting for. Not many people seem to think it will be a happy, new year. Wouldn't we be better off skipping to 2020?
Why I didn’t enjoy living rent-free in London
After trying to avoid paying rent in London by moving from sofas to hostels to forest floors 62 times in 11 countries in 91 days, Ben finally reckons he's found something worth paying London rent for.
I thought cycling across Europe would make me a hero
This summer Ben cycled further than the Tour De France in six fewer days accompanied by his brother, Jono. But something happened that made him reject his new-found ‘heroic’ crown.
My Experiments in Experiencing Rest
I haven’t told my boss yet, but I’ll let you in on a secret, I gave up doing overtime for Lent. Shortly before Lent began, I admitted I was seriously addicted to an every-waking-hour, productive concoction of achievement and efficiency. Here is what I learnt from giving it up.
When an atheist professor says religion ‘brings out the best in people’, you should probably listen…
In our world of echo-chambers, it's not often you'll hear people commending something they don't agree with.
Hi, I’m Ben and Harvard says I might be racist
And Harvard may well say the same about you.
So I’m going to die
Words you never want to hear a loved one say, let alone say it yourself: I’m going to die.
Cracking the Black Mirror: will we even notice when technology takes over?
Honestly, could you go a day, even an afternoon, without your phone? Is whatever you're reading this on is taking control of your life? If you hesitated answering either of those questions, this one is for you!
Stop moaning about homelessness, you’re ruining my Christmas!
It's the most wonderful time of the year. Or is it? It has become fashionable to moan about the forced jollity and consumerism of Christmas, but isn't that just as much a capitulation to the marketers' dreams? What if Christmas, perhaps...means a little bit more?
No more articles.