Then: The (literally) ultimate indicator of fame would be an obituary in a national newspaper. Now: The (literally) ultimate indicator of fame is your name trending when you pop your clogs. Ashes to ashes, hashtag to hashtag...

Much as I love cats, their outing by Natalie Haynes as Platonists only confirms my suspicions about their intellectual capacities...

Looking forward to this. It's the first event around my forthcoming book, so consider it a steal preview. NB: No AC Grayling but I don't think he'd be offended if I said @loubgrey is a brilliant replacement.

We need someone with the clout of George Monbiot to bring this to national attention. Bristol's last working farm, a Site of Nature Conservation interest, is being slowly destroyed by developers and the new Offical Green Party of United Kingdom, ROBLOX council is doing nothing. yewtreefarmbristol.com/saveourfarm

Kicked off my Edinburgh Book Festival run with a look at the morning papers with Laura Waddell. This afternoon’s philosophy cafe is sold out but do come to my main talk tomorrow lunchtime if you’re in town. buff.ly/3SWBAsz

The first time I have seen finished copies of my latest book, in Edinburgh for the book festival. These sneaky pre-sales are months ahead of publication. I’ll be talking about it today at 12. buff.ly/3SWBAsz

Great to be back at Edinburgh International Book Festival 24 years after my debut. It was the first event for my forthcoming book, excellently and generously hosted by Louise Gray, who could had as much to say about the issues raised as I did but chose not to.

Very sad to hear about Bob Stern’s passing. I took this photo of him in his office, which I think shows how he was a serious philosopher who did not take himself too seriously.

Never take health tips from world’s oldest people, say scientists Too true Choice line: “When was the last time you had a really positive mental attitude and toothache?” buff.ly/3T1BP5y

I was on Times Radio this morning comparing Johnson and Truss. Upshot: ideologically, one was deluded and the other denuded. Listen at 1:55 buff.ly/3XebQdM

All this excitement about Oasis is baffling people whose memories of the 1990s are all a Blur.

I rarely write Letters to the Editor but some issues are so important they demand I put fingers to keyboard…

Refreshing words from the world's oldest man: "Why I’ve lived that long, I have no idea at all. I can’t think of any special secrets I have. You either live long or you live short and you can’t do much about it." buff.ly/473VR59

Better to be over the hill than never to have got to the top of it.

People often complain that philosophy doesn’t give us enough answers. Which philosophical questions would you like to have clear and unequivocal answers to? (Please share: I’d like to collect as many responses as possible.)

Thanks to many tireless campaigners, although there is too much untreated sewage, there is very little untweeted untreated sewage.

Delighted to be speaking at Britain's finest food festival Abergavenny Food Festival on 22/9, largely because it means I will be there, among the likes of Alice Lascelles, 🥩🥩Tim Hayward🥩🥩 Kate Hawkings Freddy Bird You could be too: Get your stroller/event tickets now! buff.ly/3Z2QTUv

There were two queues for the FT Weekend festival: ticket holders and Speakers/VIPs. “This way” I was told by the steward, indicating the ticket holder queue. I clearly don’t look like anyone who could possibly be a speaker! (I spoke, btw)