However, I have always felt more comfortable as an analyst and my attempts at writing clues could very fairly be rated within the spectrum of poor to abysmal.”

We are in the same boat in so many ways Duncan I’m a maths/comp sci graduate as well and couldn’t agree more with the second line, those with the spark to get a really devious defintion are worth their weight in gold, even if they only get paid pennies.

We very definitely have ticket inspectors punching tickets here in Wellington – I can see why a ten-trip ticket needs a sequence of holes to show it’s being used, but no-one can explain why my monthly needs one hole putting in it (preferably early in the month). We do not have tickets collected.

American Gothic is one of those pictures that ‘everyone knows’ (it is simultaneously iconic and parodiable), even if they don’t know the title (go and Google it). I think it almost a public service to complete your knowledge in this way…

Do try Atterberg’s symphonies.

Perhaps I should give up blogging and concentrate on setting as I have a degree in Mathematics and Computer Science.

However, I have always felt more comfortable as an analyst and my attempts at writing clues could very fairly be rated within the spectrum of poor to abysmal.

I was delayed in solving 13ac because my first guess for 4dn was “ticket inspector” which almost sounds plausible as the correct answer.

As to the C.P. Snow Two Cultures, it’s my experience that scientists and techies are interested in the arts whereas artists are not interested in science. As I said earlier this week, I have a degree in physics, worked thirty years in IT, but listen to classical music at every opportunity. (I was intrigued to discover recently that the Swedish composer Kurt Atterberg had a degree in engineering and worked in the Swedish patent office for fifty years, ending up as head of department.)

I’d say that a majority of clues are geared towards literature and the arts (although Anarche and Tees have both given us largely science-based themes recently). From my own experience, I know lots more biochemists who have bookshelves full of contemporary and classic literature than arts-based folk who have any wide understanding of the sciences.

And Paul B is right – I have been very surprised by how many of the setters I’ve met at the various S&B events whose background is in maths or IT.

Good weekend to everyone.