Monthly Archives: August 2011

The Maison Des Girrafes Caption Competition #169

I have been deluged by this item from a Dr J. L. R. of Rotherhithe, to whom we proffer our thanks in the customary fashion. Orders of the Unicycling Girrafe generously bestowed … well, you know what to do.

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Arab Spring, English Summer

In no Arab country today is there democracy, freedom of expression or security guaranteed by law impartially applied. Despite the immense wealth conferred by oil, poverty is endemic and violence systematic and customary. So says David Pryce-Jones in The Closed … Continue reading

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A momentary lapse of reason—Chapter One

Prologue The Funeral Professor Thomas Slater realized with relief that it wasn’t going to be difficult to be inconspicuous after all. Lurking at the fringes, he was just one of dozens of anonymous, black-coated older men, huddled deep into their … Continue reading

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London’s burning

It’s been a strange couple of days. We’re sitting at our laptops, trying to work but keeping an eye on the Telegraph‘s live feed and another eye on Twitter. There are sirens in the middle distance. Tits and sparrows are … Continue reading

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In which I seek the evidence – and ideas

A post I initially wrote about the consequences of putting arbitrary sell-by dates on post-docs seeking fellowships has been rebutted by my esteemed OT colleague Athene Donald. It’s an interesting post and I encourage people to have a look at … Continue reading

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In limbo

Well, the post I’d planned to write next was going to be about how much I’ve learned from blogs written by cancer patients, and how that knowledge has impacted my work in a basic and translational cancer research department. But … Continue reading

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Frequent Flyers

Somewhat upset by the expensive airline tickets I recently purchased, I decided to post on some of my favorite frequent flyers seen recently in our backyard. The House Finch–spoiled by the garden feeder   These black-capped chickadees have a very … Continue reading

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A momentary lapse of reason—prologue

As promised… “Thank you for the coffee.” He nudged the door open with his fingertips and sniffed. A sharpness in the evening air promised a late frost.

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Book Review – Misha Angrist Here is a Human Being [1]

I was reading this book on a train. My friend and fellow passenger asked me what I was reading, and then, whether it was for work or for pleasure. I was momentarily flummoxed. There’s meant to be a difference?

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Whoever Said Life Is Fair?

Any parent will be familiar with a child’s endless whine that ‘it isn’t fair’ – that their sibling got the larger slice of cake or that their classmate’s bedtime is half an hour later than theirs. And the parent’s logical … Continue reading

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