Mary Wakefield

London

Commissioning Editor at The Spectator

@spectator

Articles

My campaign to bring back real life

1 week ago | spectator.co.uk | Mary Wakefield

A new book by an American writer, Christine Rosen, details the way in which we are losing touch with the real world: the one we evolved in, as opposed to the virtual one. All the scrolling and texting means we’re forgetting the look and feel of life unmediated by screens. The book is called The Extinction of Experience, and if we get more anxious year by year, then it’s not just wars or the cost of living, Rosen suggests, but because we’re grieving for the real world, whether we know it or not.
My campaign to bring back real life

1 week ago | spectator.com.au | Mary Wakefield

A new book by an American writer, Christine Rosen, details the way in which we are losing touch with the real world: the one we evolved in, as opposed to the virtual one. All the scrolling and texting means we’re forgetting the look and feel of life unmediated by screens.
I’ve reached zero tolerance on zero tolerance

1 month ago | spectator.co.uk | Mary Wakefield

I know an astonishing 89-year-old who climbs mountains, uses a chainsaw and has the muscular, vice-like grip of a gym-built thirtysomething. He refuses pills and painkillers and considers it vital to embrace life’s most horrifying experiences. Last week the astonishing 89-year-old tore his Achilles tendon (leaping into a moving car), was driven to A&E and referred for an ultrasound.
I’ve reached zero tolerance on zero tolerance

1 month ago | spectator.com.au | Mary Wakefield

I know an astonishing 89-year-old who climbs mountains, uses a chainsaw and has the muscular, vice-like grip of a gym-built thirtysomething. He refuses pills and painkillers and considers it vital to embrace life’s most horrifying experiences. Last week the astonishing 89-year-old tore his Achilles tendon (leaping into a moving car), was driven to A&E and referred for an ultrasound.
Why men aren't asking questions

1 month ago | thespectator.com | Mary Wakefield

I’ll bet most women under 50 in relationships with men have found themselves wondering when on earth the man is going to get round to asking them a question. The man gets home. We ask about his meetings, his lunch, his colleagues, showing empathy and imaginative curiosity. Then we wait in vain for our turn. That sounds too passive. “Waiting in vain” doesn’t begin to summon the way mild pique turns first to incredulity, then actual rage and despair at the man’s apparent lack of interest.
Why men aren't asking questions

1 month ago | thespectator.com | Mary Wakefield

I’ll bet most women under 50 in relationships with men have found themselves wondering when on earth the man is going to get round to asking them a question. The man gets home. We ask about his meetings, his lunch, his colleagues, showing empathy and imaginative curiosity. Then we wait in vain for our turn. That sounds too passive. “Waiting in vain” doesn’t begin to summon the way mild pique turns first to incredulity, then actual rage and despair at the man’s apparent lack of interest.
Why don’t men ask questions?

1 month ago | spectator.co.uk | Mary Wakefield

I’ll bet most women under 50 in relationships with men have found themselves wondering when on earth the man is going to get round to asking them a question. The man gets home. We ask about his meetings, his lunch, his colleagues, showing empathy and imaginative curiosity. Then we wait in vain for our turn.
Why don’t men ask questions?

1 month ago | spectator.com.au | Mary Wakefield

I’ll bet most women under 50 in relationships with men have found themselves wondering when on earth the man is going to get round to asking them a question. The man gets home. We ask about his meetings, his lunch, his colleagues, showing empathy and imaginative curiosity. Then we wait in vain for our turn.
Keep AI ghouls out of the classroom

1 month ago | thespectator.com | Mary Wakefield

Donald Trump has signed an executive order with the intention of bringing Artificial Intelligence into schools. “This is a big deal, because AI seems to be where it’s at,” Trump said as he signed, which is delightful. There’s a new White House task force which will develop a “Presidential AI Challenge,” and a general idea that AI in the classroom is in everyone’s interest. Well I’m keen to cheer on AI if it helps to revive western civilization in the way that Peter W. Wood describes on p10.
Keep AI ghouls out of the classroom

1 month ago | thespectator.com | Mary Wakefield

Donald Trump has signed an executive order with the intention of bringing Artificial Intelligence into schools. “This is a big deal, because AI seems to be where it’s at,” Trump said as he signed, which is delightful. There’s a new White House task force which will develop a “Presidential AI Challenge,” and a general idea that AI in the classroom is in everyone’s interest. Well I’m keen to cheer on AI if it helps to revive western civilization in the way that Peter W. Wood describes.