It is unlikely, I think, that I will become a TikTok person. Even with various measures deployed on my phone (basically social media apps, and an intervention app on Instagram - the one that remains in place; no notifications; no email) I still spend more time on that bloody thing that I’d like. I’ve heard brilliant, caterwauling stories of the power of TikTok’s algorithm from fellow millennial friends who got suckered in and found themselves lusting after crop tops worn by 15-year-old dance stars, and decided it’s not really for me.

But recently a friend has started sending me TikToks they think I would enjoy, mostly to share the delight that they bring him. His argument is that the hour he spends on it a day is more pleasing to him than say, watching an hour of television, and he enjoys the unvarnished insight into other people’s lives that it brings him. He follows one older Geordie lady who shares videos of the flowers growing on the balcony of her high-rise flat, for instance. M has also started watching them, albeit via the cipher of Twitter (or X, whatever), and sometimes he will be vibrating with laughter at something and I’ll peer over his shoulder and sometimes it is good and sometimes it is not. This is enough for me.

But I can understand the appeal. I don’t like to believe entirely that our attention spans are shot so much as they are elastic and can be stretched out again - people were falling over themselves to tell me that I’d stop reading once I had a child, and I’ve ended up reading more, if anything. Still, I like the win of a quick hit. A speedy offering. Something small and potent that changes the shape of our day. And is it is with the below - good things that don’t take up much room:

Today is also the first of a new regular savourites feature: leftovers - or archive post of the week! I’ve sent 270 newsletters over the years. Here’s a way to help you make the most of your archive access...