One of the most level-headed things I’ve read about the shooting of Charles de Menezes by the Met: However, [Clare Montgomery, QC] told the jury: “If the Metropolitan Police are exposing the people of London to danger because they are not doing what is reasonable and what is practicable, it is surely in the interests […]
UK scientists defend Gore film following a judge’s finding of Gore climate film’s ‘nine errors’. The background as quoted: Mr Justice Burton was asked to rule on whether An Inconvenient Truth could be shown in UK schools. He agreed that it could, provided the “one sided” film was accompanied by guidance notes for teachers. The […]
Sometimes I wonder where the breakdown in communication between scientists and journalists lies. In this article about a recent study on a DNA damage checkpoint enzyme, the Beeb describes the study as such: Research into how the human body repairs damaged DNA has been described as a “major breakthrough”. The way that cells protect themselves […]
Menzies’ leaving is not much of a surprise. The timing was probably not to his own plans though. But hey, if a general election is a year away, the Lib Dems probably want to get their leadership battle out of the way and all the nasty words forgotten by the time voters cast their ballot.
It was moving. Shocking. Gripping. And emotionally draining. The National Theatre of Scotland brought their production of Black Watch to Los Angeles this month. 1. There wasn’t a chance in hell that I was going to miss it. And I dragged P along so he didn’t have to be the only Perthshire accent on campus […]
I’ve been thinking about the future1, my place in it, and my place in scientific research. Having bored myself silly with self-centeredness, I looked further afield. Back in July2, Professor Greenfield was deploring the lack of female scientists in the higher echelons of her profession. She makes a few fair points, but, as can only […]
As a sign of how little I read outside science these days, it’s taken a full week for this debacle to reach my consciousness via the sharpener. And without launching into is-he-or-isn’t-he 1, the Sharpener article’s comment about prevalent mud-flinging attitudes reminded me of a recent Doonesbury comic [clicky the linky; I don’t want to […]
Curious Hamster is back to posting1, and as usual, I’m nodding my head in agreement with much of his observations on the state of British politics. I’ve been thinking recently, what with the deification of Boris Johnson. Oh, what’s that? He’s just running for mayor? Oh that’s alright then. Anyway. It got me to thinking […]
I switch the computer off for a few days1 and this happens. WTH? Did I side-slip into an alternate dimension? Is my interwebs pulling a fast one on me? This type of shit you can expect from countries with dictatorships, not the UK. Oh, hang on… 1 OK, a few weeks.2 2 And it’ll be […]
Imagine an out-of-focus, poorly-lit photo of ants on the Hollywood Bowl stage here. I couldn’t be bothered to take yet another one. The traditional music of Armenia is brill, but you can keep Armenian pop. 1 No, not the famous cognac. If only I could get my hands on some…
akatsuki ra-ra-ra 