Monthly Archives: December 2010

Thought of You

Posted on 22 December 2010 by Robert

Check out this stunning animation by Ryan Woodward: I was delighted to see this, because it takes to a perfect, polished conclusion a visual style I messed about with briefly, a few years ago: For the avoidance of doubt, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Visual | 3 Comments

On Passwords and Privacy

Posted on 15 December 2010 by Robert

The popular Gawker/Lifehacker network was hacked this week, compromising tens of thousands of passwords. This news provides an excuse for a couple of paragraphs of boastful geekery in the fascinating area of password management. Continue reading →

Posted in Internet Philosophy | 2 Comments

A Criticism of Wikileaks

Posted on 11 December 2010 by Robert

This blog has been saturated with Wikileaks commentary recently (one, two, three, four in a row).  Allow me one more on the basis that it adds a dash of caution to the Kool-Aid. Reading various commentaries about the Wikileaks and … Continue reading →

Posted in Diary | 1 Comment

Lui Xiaobo Goes Viral

Posted on 10 December 2010 by Robert

Lui Xiaobo is locked up. Please disseminate his voice widely. Continue reading →

Posted in China, Human Rights | Leave a comment

The Seams of Our Society Are Exposed Tonight

Posted on 9 December 2010 by Robert

We live in interesting times. As I write there are protesters kettled by police on Westminster Bridge, and burning portaloos in Parliament Square. The army are deployed in Edinburgh, clearing the effects of the worst snow for 40 years. Meanwhile, … Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh, Internet Philosophy, London, Politics | 3 Comments

Salman Rushdie at English PEN

Posted on 9 December 2010 by Robert

Here’s a video we made of Salman Rushdie accepting the Golden PEN award from our outgoing president, Lisa Appignanesi. addthis_url = ‘http%3A%2F%2Fwww.robertsharp.co.uk%2F2010%2F12%2F09%2Fsalman-rushdie-at-english-pen%2F’; addthis_title = ‘Salman+Rushdie+at+English+PEN’; addthis_pub = ”;

Posted in Diary, Human Rights, Literature, Multiculturalism | 1 Comment

Wikileaks is More Than Assange

Posted on 8 December 2010 by Robert

Let us assert one thing right now: the personal exploits of Julian Assange tell us nothing about the morality of the Wikileaks project and it’s recent #Cablegate actions. Continue reading →

Posted in Human Rights, Internet Philosophy, Liberal Conspiracy | Leave a comment

#ImWikileaks

Posted on 6 December 2010 by Robert

WikiLeaks new internet address. Continue reading →

Posted in Internet Philosophy, Media, Politics | Leave a comment

The Indy, Wikileaks, and the Church of the Savvy

Posted on 5 December 2010 by Robert

Both these columns, which parrot Government talking-points, feel like great examples of what Jay Rosen calls the ‘Church of the Savvy’, that kind of superior and knowing journalism which eschews idealism and higher thinking about the big philosophical questions of our age. Continue reading →

Posted in Media, Politics | Leave a comment

Wikileaks and the Long Game of Political Change

Posted on 1 December 2010 by Robert

I have probably said before on this blog how delightful it is when someone else makes the point you want to make, only better, so you don’t have to.  There is scant need for me to write much on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Internet Philosophy, Politics | 2 Comments