Category: Features
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On Building a Nation: The Price of Utopia
Written by Megan Sickmueller, this piece discusses the thought of Martinican philosopher Franz Fanon in regards to the nation, race and colonial struggle, and relates it to the legacy and project of Steve Biko, a pre-eminent figure in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa.
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Key Theories in Environmental Philosophy: Shallow vs Deep Ecology
Written by Kat Jivokova. As the climate crisis becomes ever more imminent and discussions surrounding solutions become more critical, Kat Jivkova discusses the rival philosophical theories that could bring about such change
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The Portland Spy Ring: The Remarkable Story of Love, Deceit, and Illegal Espionage
Written by Sally Dolphin. The presence of spies in suburban life during the 1950s did not seem probable. And yet, on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, one of the most successful Soviet spy rings was operating directly under the nose of MI5.
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Binyavanga Wainaina’s ‘How To Write About Africa’ and the Dangers of the Single Story
Written by Megan Sickmueller. How do colonial and orientalist ideas of Africa linger in the Western imagination? And what enduring problems do such false images maintain? Megan Sickmueller examines Kenyan author Binyavanga Wainaina’s ‘scathingly satirical’ piece on this complex topic.
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The Mystery of Maltese Temples
Written by Finlay Cormack. The Maltese islands are home to mysterious ancient temples as far back 3600BCE. What was the purpose of these megalithic structures? Finlay Cormack explores various possible functions and origins, varying from religious to agricultural.
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Japanese and American Cultural Convergence in Ryu Murakami’s “In the Miso Soup”
Written by Kat Jivkova. The turn of the century cultural exchange between the US and Japan led to over-processed views on some elements of each culture. This can be seen and analysed through Ryu Murakami’s 1997 novel, “In the Miso Soup”.
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Auld Reekie Riots: The Story of Captain Porteous
Written by Amy Hendrie. Captain John Porteous represented to Edinburgh’s underclasses a distinct inequality of treatment by the ruling elite. But how did the public reaction align with the crime?, And why were his actions so controversial?
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The Power of Publishing: In Conversation with Professor Kara Cooney
For our Welcome Week 2021 event, Retrospect was joined by Professor Kara Cooney to discuss publishing, power and her latest book, ‘The Good Kings: Absolute Power in Ancient Egypt and the Modern World’.
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