Monthly Archives: November 2013

The Ghost of Oneself on the Web

Posted on 11 November 2013 by Athene Donald

Comedians complain about it, so I don’t see why I shouldn’t too. They complain because U-tube, iPlayer etc mean that their jokes can’t be repeatedly recycled the way they were in the good old days. Once they’ve told one that’s … Continue reading →

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The Maison Des Girrafes Caption Competition #101

Posted on 10 November 2013 by Henry Gee

The best caption will receive plaudits, approbation of one’s peers, and so on and so forth in like fashion. Here’s one to start you off – “Oh, Spiderman – I never thought you’d be as furry as that. Or such … Continue reading →

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Extrafunicular

Posted on 10 November 2013 by Henry Gee

If posting on this blog were not enough, I have also been writing things for other people, and other people have been writing things about me. The frequency of such extrafactual activity has been heightened by the propinquity of my … Continue reading →

Posted in Apparitions, brian clegg, coffee with a canine, desolation of smaug, discover magazine online, evolving thoughts, forbes, geoscientist, huffington post, john farrell, john wilkins, marc srour, nature, now appearing, ted nield, The Accidental Species, the page 99 test, the science of middle earth, tim radford, Toronto star, Writing & Reading | Comments Off on Extrafunicular

Deeply felt experiences – musical memories

Posted on 9 November 2013 by Frank Norman

Some pieces of music bring back strong memories. You recall key moments when you have heard the music before, or great performances that you have witnessed or taken part in. Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem is a piece that brings back … Continue reading →

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Rearranging the desk chairs

Posted on 9 November 2013 by Cath@VWXYNot?

Once a fortnight, we have a team meeting in the boardroom of our main research building. It’s a room that’s much in demand, so we often have to wait a few minutes past the hour before we can get in … Continue reading →

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My Favourite Book

Posted on 8 November 2013 by Henry Gee

… is Labyrinths by the Argentine essayist Jorge Luis Borges (1899-1986). I bought this copy earlier today at Waterstones in Norwich: this portrait was taken in the in-store café, moments later. No, this is not an instant conversion. I’m not … Continue reading →

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Don’t Shoot the Messenger – a Guest Post from Brian Clegg

Posted on 7 November 2013 by Henry Gee

A few days ago my friend Mr B. C. of Swindon, for it is he, let me erupt onto his blog concerning the scientific illiteracy one finds in the desert that is televisual emission. Today I return the compliment, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Apparitions, brian clegg, Brian Cox, dice world, quantum mechanics, Science Is Vital, science writing, Writing & Reading | Comments Off on Don’t Shoot the Messenger – a Guest Post from Brian Clegg

Why are Scientists off the Radar?

Posted on 7 November 2013 by Athene Donald

There are those who believe that one should never have “women-only” lists of anything and that even the venerable BBC programme Woman’s Hour should be banned because there isn’t a Man’s Hour on Radio 4. This viewpoint has it that all … Continue reading →

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Kids these days

Posted on 5 November 2013 by Sylvia McLain

Sunday Will Self was on BBC radio 4 giving his point of view about the youth of today. He pities them as they are being oppressed by the older demographic or as he puts it – “In my darker moments … Continue reading →

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Guest

Posted on 5 November 2013 by Henry Gee

If you’ve come here expecting a new post – don’t worry. Please retune your browser to the fine establishment of my friend Mr B. C. of Swindon, where I have a guest post today. Anyone fancy doing a guest post … Continue reading →

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