Corbyn is probably better suited to being a Deputy Prime Minster, a.k.a. a mad uncle of British politics, with more influence than actual power and a certain license to say ridiculous things like this.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34059249
Thursday, 27 August 2015
Wednesday, 26 August 2015
A culture of badgers
"It doesn’t take an expert to grasp that a person being unable to earn an income because of Parkinson’s or Multiple Sclerosis is not a sign of a “sickness benefit culture” but a sign that someone is sick. Something is not a “culture” because I want it to be. You may as well say Britain has a culture of badgers. Sure, it’s true there are badgers in the country. But knowing that doesn’t make me want to paint myself black and white."
Originally shared by Jenny Winder
http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2015/08/five-most-dangerous-myths-about-sickness-and-disability-benefits
Originally shared by Jenny Winder
http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2015/08/five-most-dangerous-myths-about-sickness-and-disability-benefits
A world without mental images
Another fascinating medical condition I never knew existed.
http://www.bbc.com/news/health-34039054
http://www.bbc.com/news/health-34039054
Tuesday, 25 August 2015
Probably one of the greatest speeches Star Trek ever did.
Probably one of the greatest speeches Star Trek ever did.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMqGlSjAbwA#t=1m0s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMqGlSjAbwA#t=1m0s
No Ferrero Rocher for you
""Almost everyone who comes to the house says, 'Oh Ambassador, you are spoiling us.' That image of a bunch of stuck-up aristocrats eating ridiculous chocolates - I'm sure they're very nice - and swilling champagne at taxpayers' expense… it's just not what we're like.
"I do not keep a single Ferrero Rocher."
Well I did always wonder about that. Now I know.
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-34040175
"I do not keep a single Ferrero Rocher."
Well I did always wonder about that. Now I know.
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-34040175
Thursday, 20 August 2015
The nearest thing to real-life Vulcans
This is absolutely fascinating.
"...a damaged neural circuit involved in emotional processing might prevent sadness, happiness or anger from bursting into consciousness. (Using the analogy of the Russian doll, their emotions are breaking down at the second shell of feeling – their bodies are reacting normally, but the sensations don’t merge to form an emotional thought or feeling.) "
"Without the emotional outlet, however, the mind could get stuck on the physical feelings, potentially amplifying the responses. As Goerlich-Dobre puts it: “They are hypersensitive to bodily perceptions, and not able to focus on anything else, which might be one reason why they develop chronic pain.”
"Caleb may not have been transported to ecstasy by his wedding or the birth of his child, but he has spent most of his life looking within, striving to feel and understand the sensations of himself and the people around him. The result is that he is certainly one of the most thoughtful, and self-aware, people I have ever had the pleasure of interviewing – someone who seems to know himself, and his limitations, inside out."
http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150818-what-is-it-like-to-have-never-felt-an-emotion
"...a damaged neural circuit involved in emotional processing might prevent sadness, happiness or anger from bursting into consciousness. (Using the analogy of the Russian doll, their emotions are breaking down at the second shell of feeling – their bodies are reacting normally, but the sensations don’t merge to form an emotional thought or feeling.) "
"Without the emotional outlet, however, the mind could get stuck on the physical feelings, potentially amplifying the responses. As Goerlich-Dobre puts it: “They are hypersensitive to bodily perceptions, and not able to focus on anything else, which might be one reason why they develop chronic pain.”
"Caleb may not have been transported to ecstasy by his wedding or the birth of his child, but he has spent most of his life looking within, striving to feel and understand the sensations of himself and the people around him. The result is that he is certainly one of the most thoughtful, and self-aware, people I have ever had the pleasure of interviewing – someone who seems to know himself, and his limitations, inside out."
http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150818-what-is-it-like-to-have-never-felt-an-emotion
Wednesday, 19 August 2015
Lobster immortality
I'd heard it was an IFLScience myth that lobsters are biologically immortal, but apparently there's something to it after all.
http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150622-can-anything-live-forever
http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150622-can-anything-live-forever
Sunday, 16 August 2015
BERNIE SANDERS WANTS TO STOP YOUR CATS FROM POOPING AND ALSO MURDERYOU !
BERNIE SANDERS WANTS TO STOP YOUR CATS FROM POOPING AND ALSO MURDER YOU !
I felt that this little tirade needed to be saved for posterity. If you don't agree that the last comment is batshit crazy, I strongly suggest you go home and rethink your life.
Friday, 14 August 2015
The brothers Sanders
Bernie has a fair crack at becoming President of the United States, while his brother Larry fails to become an MP for the Green Party in the UK. They must have some interesting conversations...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-33254500
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-33254500
Thursday, 13 August 2015
Blair is wrong about Corbyn
I would have agreed with Blair not so long ago. After all, whatever you think of the man or his policies, he was an absolute consummate politician.
But, after listening to Corbyn, I'm not so sure. Labour were smashed in Scotland by a clear policy of anti-austerity. Ed Milliband's message was mixed and delivered poorly. I think there might be a value in presenting an alternative that's undeniably different from the Tories, plus Corbyn is just about the only Labour figure who has any sense of charisma at the moment. The other candidates just, well, don't.
I think Corbyn is going to need someone to reign in some of his more radical ideas, but at least he's presenting radical ideas and no focusing on micro-policies. I say give him a year. See how he does in the opinion polls and what happens in by-elections.
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-33896414
But, after listening to Corbyn, I'm not so sure. Labour were smashed in Scotland by a clear policy of anti-austerity. Ed Milliband's message was mixed and delivered poorly. I think there might be a value in presenting an alternative that's undeniably different from the Tories, plus Corbyn is just about the only Labour figure who has any sense of charisma at the moment. The other candidates just, well, don't.
I think Corbyn is going to need someone to reign in some of his more radical ideas, but at least he's presenting radical ideas and no focusing on micro-policies. I say give him a year. See how he does in the opinion polls and what happens in by-elections.
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-33896414
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