First thought
Brett HetheringtonStimulating & original lit-bits on social & personal issues from the author of "Slow Travels in Unsung Spain" (nonfiction book.) Brett is a journalist/teacher living long-term in Europe (Catalonia/Spain.) *No AI used.
| Platform |  | Pricing | Freemium | Publishes | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issues | 978 | Founded | 3 years ago | Last Issue | a month ago |
| Active | |||||
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More Borics please
Chile’s then president-elect, Gabriel Boric in 2021. Photo: EFE.
It wasn’t widely reported in the English language media but Gabriel Boric, the new leftist President of Chile has a Catalan mother, María Soledad Font Aguilera, who was ori...
The quiet one
[Photo: Lluís Serrat.]
There he is. Sitting along the side of the class, with his head down.
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He coul...
'TIMES PAST:' Our translation of Gabriel Ferrater's penetrating Catalan poem
Jordi Amat amb una imatge de Gabriel ferrater, el 20 d’abril del 2022. Fotografia de Xavier Jubierre.
Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published
TIMES PAST
Gabriel Ferrater
Translat...
The dust of reality: How AI is frakensteining a new 'Non-speak' language.
First thought is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
The new language we are rapidly producing in our lives could be called Newspeak, as Orwell thought it w...
"Baby boxes" in Spain again?
“Active from 1853-1931, this turntable (pictured above) in Barcelona’s Raval saw hundreds of babies come through its portal into the orphanage. Other donations were occasionally dropped off including money and groceries, but mostly, babie...
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Authors
The writers behind this newsletter.
Former child & journalist at Catalonia Today mag. Author of "Slow Travels in Unsung Spain" and "The Remade Parent." – UNESCO City of Literature Virtual Writer in Residence, Melbourne (2025).
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