A Gentleman's Commonplace

Smash 'n' Add: Banksy hits NY

As a Londoner, I am used to Banksy's stencilled wit on the walls and pavements around where I work.

However, the Wooster Collective have photos of a daring "Smash 'n' Add" raid in which he added situation specific artworks in some of New York's leading museums and galleries. One is shown, right. Genius.

Apparently a couple are still in place, unnoticed by galley staff.

Link: Wooster Collective : Stickers / Posters / Graf / Culture Jamming.

Thanks to We make money not art for the link

Infrastructure of Democracy - please pass it on

David Weinberger has posted a manifesto, The Infrastructure of Democracy - Strengthening the Internet for a Safer World.

An important contribution, particularly today, 11 March as people remember the Madrid bombings. Acutely relevant in the UK too as our House of Lords defends some basic and vital civil liberties against well meaning but frighteningly flawed arguments for their dismantlement.

Please post a link to this today and ask others to do so too if you agree with it:

The Infrastructure of Democracy

I also commend to you Meet on March 11

Tales Of The Decongested

My friend Katy Darby blogs at Beauty and the Bitch where cabaret rules. (Their routines are hilarious, I might add)

It is surely from her extensive experience of watching tortured and dying comedy routines from the side of the stage that this gem of a short story comes: The Beginning of the End of the Pier.

Link: Tales Of The Decongested.

A brief history of habeas corpus

A great potted history of habeas corpus: what it means, why it matters and where it came from. The reference to Magna Carta reminds me of Tony Hancock's immortal line (as written by Galton & Simpson) in the spoof of 12 Angry Men: 'Did Magna Carta die in vain?'

Link: BBC NEWS | Magazine | A brief history of habeas corpus.