Rob Fearn

‘He nails it on the first take’: how the Beatles helped my autistic son find his voice After John Harris’s son was diagnosed, conversation always seemed focused on the things he would struggle with. But a shared passion for playing music grew into something James could do – brilliantly

Morning! This is an exclusive extract from my new book Maybe I'm Amazed, about my autistic son James & how music became our shared language. Wait for the Velvet Underground bit at the end www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

‘He nails it on the first take’: how the Beatles helped my autistic son find his voice After John Harris’s son was diagnosed, conversation always seemed focused on the things he would struggle with. But a shared passion for playing music grew into something James could do – brilliantly

Love, fear - and Beatle suits … our extract from John Harris’s new memoir about his son’s autism. Such a moving, thoughtful read.

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

Elon Musk put a chip in this paralysed man’s brain. Now he can move things with his mind. Should we be amazed - or terrified? An accident left Noland Arbaugh paralysed, but Musk’s Neuralink brain implant allows him to control computers with his thoughts. Is it a life-changing innovation that could help millions – or the star...

I travelled to Arizona to meet the first ever human recipient of Musk’s Neuralink brain implant. I watched Noland Arbaugh operate a computer using only the power of his mind. It was wonderful - and terrifying

www.theguardian.com/science/2025...

If the only criterion for something’s success is that it’s the most financially profitable use of a space, we’re going to have a pretty shitty world. You can always make more money out of something by squeezing it differently. The question is: is that all there is?

Thanks Keith - yes it’s a real banger

‘The nice version of her was manufactured for YouTube’: my mum, the family vlogger who became a child abuser Ruby Franke was a social media star who made viral videos about her six children and perfect-seeming life – until she was jailed for child abuse. Now her eldest daughter Shari is telling her side of t...

Another must-read from this week’s magazine: Simon Hattenstone talks to Shari Franke - daughter of mommy vlogger Ruby, who was jailed for child abuse

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

‘Everything I wanted was offered to me. But I felt nothing’: singer Self Esteem on stardom, self-doubt, and making it in a man’s world Her dreams came true when she went from indie land to lauded pop star. But Self Esteem – aka Rebecca Lucy Taylor – only ended up feeling ‘miserable, depressed and crazy’. Now she’s back with a new loo...

A really lively conversation with Self Esteem about “going a bit mad” after the success of Prioritise Pleasure, by the ace Rebecca Nicholson

www.theguardian.com/music/2025/j...

The one Stephen pitched as being about “Jools’ Hootananny of lies” …

Spare a thought for Angela Perron and her husband who in 1998 upped sticks to a remote Scottish cottage to await a global hi-tech apocalypse that never happened … #Y2Kbug

theguardian.com/technology/2...

‘It’s game over for facts’: how vibes came to rule everything from pop to politics From voters picking up ‘bad vibes’ to the Brat girl summer, vague instincts now make the world go round. Does this represent a crisis of seriousness or has it always been feelings that make us human?

ICYMI, this is a very smart piece by Jess Cartner-Morley on how “vibes” came to rule our lives. theguardian.com/culture/2024...

‘Gun control is dead, and we killed it’: the growing threat of firearms that can be made at home One far-right cell wanted to use 3D-printed guns to cause ‘maximum confusion and fear’ on the streets of Finland. Could the police intercept them in time?

A chilling look at the growing threat from 3D printed guns, by @samirashackle.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

‘I feel I’ve upset a few people over the years’: actor Brian Cox on overrated co-stars, charmless politicians and the joy of smoking weed He’s famed for grumpy roles and outspoken views, but don’t be fooled – the Succession star is a pussycat at heart. He talks about growing up in poverty, falling in love with his wife – and out of love...

‘It’s all bollocks. BOLLOCKS’ The great Brian Cox talks religion, Keir Starmer and his love of smoking weed with our Simon Hattenstone. www.theguardian.com/culture/2024...

Have you heard we’re on strike?

bsky.app/profile/gonu...

Yes, dipping a toe in! Hope all good with you …

I wrote about fentanyl, homelessness, mental health care, Portland, Oregon and my friend Evan B Harris, for @theguardian.com amp.theguardian.com/society/2024...

Took the 16 year old to Caterham History Festival - an incredible bargain (£6/free for students), and unlike most literary festivals 50% attended by young people. The rock star historian Richard J Evans was a highlight, on the people working under Hitler and their claim to “make Germany great again”