Essay Archives - Wots The Verdict

Why do Crystal Palace and Brighton hate each other?

If you ask an outsider say, a casual watcher tuning into the Premier League from overseas to point out a proper, glass smashing, vein popping derby in English football, they’ll talk about Liverpool versus Everton. Arsenal and Spurs. Utd versus…

J August 9, 2026Alan Mullary, Brighton, Crystal Palace, Eagles, Palace, Seagulls, Terry Venables

Essay Music

Russel Hobbs

"What's important isn't what's coming next. It's what's happening now, because that's the only thing you can actually control."— Russel Hobbs Russel Hobbs is the drummer and percussionist of the virtual band Gorillaz. Throughout the band's story, he acts as…

J August 2, 20262-D, Cracker Island, Demon Days, Forever Cult, Garage Palace, Gorillaz, Humanz, Jamie Hewlett, Murdoc, Noodle, Russel Hobbs, Silent Running, Strange Timez, Tranz

Essay

Apollo 11

Apollo 11 was far more than the first Moon landing. This guide explores the Space Race, the Saturn V rocket, the astronauts, the mission itself, the technology that made it possible and the legacy it left behind. Discover how three astronauts achieved one of the greatest engineering and scientific accomplishments in human history.

J July 30, 2026Apollo 11, astronaut, Buzz Aldrin, Columbia, Eagle has landed, Kennedy, Kennedy Space Center, Lunar Module, Michael Collins, Moon Landing, NASA, Neil Armstrong, Space, Space Race, Sputnik, Yuri Gagarin

Essay

What is Existentialism?

For thousands of years, humanity believed we were created with a pre-defined purpose. Existentialism shattered that illusion, arguing instead that "existence precedes essence" we are born first, and we define who we are later. While that radical freedom can cause anxiety, it is also the key to an authentic life. Here is an essay on the philosophers who taught us how to find meaning in a chaotic, silent universe.

J July 27, 2026Albert Camus, Beauvoir, Camus, Existentialism, Friedrich Nietzsche, Heidegger, Jean-Paul Sartre, Kierkegaard, Martin Heidegger, Nietzsche, Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Søren Kierkegaard

Essay

Ancient Astronaut Theory

For millennia, humanity has separated science and religion into two entirely different boxes. Science gives us the slow, grinding crawl of evolution, while religion offers miraculous tales of glowing angels and chariots of fire. But what if both boxes hold pieces of the exact same puzzle? Explore the Ancient Astronaut Theory a historical framework suggesting our ancestors weren't inventing fairy tales, but were actually documenting advanced technology using a Bronze Age vocabulary.

J July 26, 2026aliens, Anunnaki, divine, Genesis, God, Mesopotamia, Oannes, Quetzalcoatl, Space, Sumerian, Thoth

Essay

I Don’t Love Life. I Love Living It.

People talk about loving life as if it's something you're supposed to wake up feeling every morning. As if the sun comes through the curtains, the birds start singing, and suddenly you're overwhelmed with gratitude just to exist. I've never…

J July 19, 2026life, living, love

Essay

Nelson Bot Stole My Sanity

Nelson is the digital equivalent of a bloke throwing plastic stools in a pub fight. I stepped into the ring with Chess.com's most annoying 1300 rated bot. And let’s just say it was an absolute psychological horror show. From decent tactical openings to literally gift wrapping my own Queen on move five, here is the deadpan truth of how I completely lost my mind.

J July 16, 2026chess, chess bots, games, Nelson bot, strategy

Essay Music

BBC Sessions Explained

BBC Sessions Explained explores the history behind one of music's most important archives. Discover how BBC radio recordings were created, why they sound different from studio albums, and how they preserved legendary performances from artists like The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and David Bowie.

J July 15, 2026BBC Sessions, British Music, Classic Rock, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Music Archives, Music History, Pink Floyd, The Beatles

Essay Music

Why Are Vinyl Records So Expensive?

Flip through the racks at any modern record store, and you will notice a painful truth: music isn't cheap. A single vinyl LP today will easily run you £30, £40, or even more. That single record costs more than three…

J July 14, 2026music, Vinyl

Essay

The Cost of Growing Up

We're told that if we work hard, everything will fall into place. But for many young people, growing up feels more expensive and uncertain than ever. Here's why I think something has gone wrong.

J July 10, 2026Opinion, politics, Society