Thinker, Blogger, Hacker, Hiker.
Free speech means believing in the freedom of speech you don't like.
Free speech means believing in the freedom of speech you don't like.
4 October 2011
I don't often agree with Noam Chomsky, but this quote is spot on: "If you believe in freedom of speech, you believe in freedom of speech for views you don't like. Stalin and Hitler, for example, were dictators in favor of freedom of speech for views they liked only. If you're in favor of freedom […]
Ben Goldacre on Battling Bad Science
Ben Goldacre on Battling Bad Science
1 October 2011
Ben Goldacre, described by Wikipedia as a "British science writer, doctor and psychiatrist", recently gave a talk at TED Global 2011 in Edinburgh where he explained some of the perils of withholding and manipulating scientific research. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4MhbkWJzKk Ben Goldacre: Battling Bad Science Footnote I briefly shared the same stage with him whilst setting up for […]
UMHC Helvellyn via Striding Edge 2011
UMHC Helvellyn via Striding Edge 2011
27 September 2011
This weekend with UMHC I walked up Helvellyn via Striding Edge. I've done it before several times, once with my parents when I was 8 or something, and once, this summer, with a Hiking club friend, when we backpacked over Helvellyn in beautiful sunshine. It was a bit different this time.. the rain didn't get […]
"In Defence of Politics" – Political cynicism – is it justified?
"In Defence of Politics" – Political cynicism – is it justified?
27 September 2011
When you go to a someone on the street and ask them what their first thoughts on politicians? What answers would you expect to get? I just listened to a thought provoking radio program – initially I assumed I'd immediately form a firm opinion, having listened to it… but I'm still undecided. Have a listen […]
Your time is always worth something
Your time is always worth something
26 September 2011
Whether you are looking for: the cheapest ticket on a plane, the cheapest time to get a train, the cheapest place to shop, the cheapest place overnight to stop; your time is always worth something.
The Skyenet Song
The Skyenet Song
23 September 2011
When I went to the Isle of Skye, Marek sent me this: Speed, torrent stream, like your link is GigE, Sweden! the pirates cry; Carry the call with low latency Over IP to Skype. I smiled.
The Internet is Serious Business
The Internet is Serious Business
22 September 2011
A sign I saw in Munich. SRS BSNS
Symphony of Science – the Quantum World!
Symphony of Science – the Quantum World!
20 September 2011
Symphony of Science is a wonderful series of musical videos by John Boswell, autotuning famous scientists talking about big questions and setting it to music. The debut track, "A Glorious Dawn" was a fantastic breakthrough. Since then there have been many more fantastic tracks and the latest track featuring Morgan Freeman, Stephen Hawking, Michio Kaku, […]
Pirate Party Germany Scores Historic Win
Pirate Party Germany Scores Historic Win
19 September 2011
Originally posted on the Pirate Party website. Tim Dobson – Pirate Party UK Education Spokesperson: On Sunday I was in Germany watching the Pirate Party movement making history again. The Pirate Party entered the Berlin State Parliament, gaining 14 seats after polling almost 9% of the vote. At the same time the liberal FDP, a […]
A moment from the PiratenPartei campaign in Berlin
A moment from the PiratenPartei campaign in Berlin
16 September 2011
I have spent all day with the German Pirate Party campaigning, in Berlin. This is a moment towards the end of the day when we walked up to a SDP campaign point and started talking to all the people they tried to flyer. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJnL5yrjNWQ A moment from the PiratenPartei campaign in Berlin Music from Mikuláš […]
An Englishman in a Pirates' Berlin
An Englishman in a Pirates' Berlin
15 September 2011
Today I am in Berlin. Capital of Germany, and according to polls, soon to be one of the latest homes of the Pirate Party. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rQmAma8rj1E Almost as soon as I stepped out of the train station, I started noticing the distinct Pirate flag logo on the posters attached to lamp posts. Outside Sweden the German […]
If Prof. Brian Cox can make understanding physics cool, how can we do the same for technology & IT?
If Prof. Brian Cox can make understanding physics cool, how can we do the same for technology & IT?
11 September 2011
Three weeks ago, I posted on twitter and reddit: If Prof. Brian Cox can make understanding physics cool, how can we do the same for technology & IT? I had an interesting conversation with James Cun. We both agreed that Cox's personality had made physics more appealing to younger generations. We touched at previous attempts […]