Monthly Archives: March 2020

One of many possible thoughts for the day: In man’s struggle against the world, bet on the world (Franz Kafka, the Blue Octavo Notebooks, 1917-1919).Probably best not to struggle against the world, then; at least work with the grain of … Continue reading →

A bit dystopian, yet, some might say, upliftinghttps://twitter.com/PhilosophyMttrs/status/1244180039056478209/photo/1

Skilful operator He sidles up, veers away, lopes alongside; swerves sharply right, stops momentarily, sprints off into the distance. Well done, Govie, another potentially embarrassing question sidestepped.

Yet another Thought, in response to Future Learn question: “What are the key threats that climate change poses at a global scale?” Globally, increasingly frequent extreme weather events – drought, floods, storms, fires, etc; extinction and/or depletion of many species … Continue reading →

Another thought (this is going well, although I realise it’s early days). What do I find compelling about a story? Its authenticity. By which I mean: does it pulsate with a range of human emotions; does it surprise and maybe … Continue reading →

I’m trying to keep mentally fit by using my brain more, maybe even every day … new territory, certainly, but with so many of us having to adapt to radically changed circumstances I thought I’d make the effort. So here’s … Continue reading →

Tweet, 20th March, from Sense about Science: still relevant and very under-reported Many of us struggle with statistics. And measurement. And maths. And … well, let the old joke tell the rest: There are three types of people in the … Continue reading →

Government ‘crystal clear’ on rules(!) for managing the pandemic. Many people unclear. So, what’s new? Nothing under the sun? It’s all too easy to overlook pioneers just because they’re 11th-12th century: Hildegard’s Strength of Wisdom, which is religious in sentiment … Continue reading →

Looking ahead to the COP26 climate conference in November maybe it could happen mostly online, with minimal physical presence at a conference centre? The scientific papers would still be available, as would statistical updates of the effects of global economic … Continue reading →

Note to self: according to the World Health Organisation the name of the pandemic virus is severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and the coronavirus disease it causes is COVID-19.In these times, getting things in order, and chasing accuracy … Continue reading →