Category Archives: History

Lost Tribes and Human Nature

Posted on 27 June 2011 by Robert

These uncontacted tribes are the nearest thing we habe to a tabula rasa, a mind unpolluted by the sensibilities and preconceptions of our infinitely connected world. And, untrained and unprepared for the moment, they win it. Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Film, History | 1 Comment

Some Words on Primogeniture

Posted on 17 April 2011 by Robert

Primogentiture is the right of the first born to inherit titles, estates and thrones. At present the UK has a form of male primogeniture, which sets the Duke of York and Prince Edward above the older Princess Anne in the … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Liberal Democrats, Monarchy, UK | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

On How We Go To War

Posted on 20 March 2011 by Robert

Amid all the frantic late night comments about the UN resolution to finally act in Libya, this tweet from @techsoc stood out: All intervention is risky & w/ great downsides. A non-intervention is also an intervention; letting Gaddafi kill using … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, History, Human Rights, Iraq, Middle East, New Labour | 4 Comments

#Egypt, The Most Important Data Nexus on the Planet

Posted on 4 February 2011 by Robert

ecause this place, soon to be the most important data nexus on the planet, happens to be constructed virtually on top of the ruins of the Great Library of Alexandria. Continue reading →

Posted in Egypt, History, Internet Philosophy, Literature | 1 Comment

War Anniversaries

Posted on 8 September 2009 by Robert

The experience of learning about the Second World War in 2009, must be a little like learning about the First World War back in 1989. Continue reading →

Posted in History | 2 Comments

Mention the War

Posted on 31 July 2009 by Robert

Well, Harry Patch and Henry Alligham are gone, and our own memories will start to fade. Its not the job of poets to rewrite history. Its enough for them to keep the memory strong. Continue reading →

Posted in History | Leave a comment

Thoughts on Apollo, part I

Posted on 19 July 2009 by Robert

Its the anniversary if the first moon landing tomorrow. Here’s yrstruly on Twitter: I really can’t get enough Apollo XI anniversary coverage. An extraordinary boundary in human achievement. Two minor thoughts on why I find the Apollo missions so fascinating. … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Science, Space Travel | Leave a comment

Timeshifted Blogs

Posted on 17 June 2009 by Robert

The Apollo Plus 40 Twitter Feed reminds me of the Orwell Diaries project. Each pulls a piece of history forward to the present day, where you can experience it in real-time. Continue reading →

Posted in History, Internet Philosophy, Science, Space Travel | Leave a comment

The Convention on Modern Liberty

Posted on 18 January 2009 by Robert

The website is now tested and live at www.modernliberty.net. Please tell your friends, spread the word, and buy a ticket. That other site of mine, LiberalConspiracy, is a supporter too. Continue reading →

Posted in Debate, History, Human Rights, Law and Order, Modern Liberty, UK | 2 Comments

On Trolls, Liberty, Debate and Damian Green

Posted on 8 December 2008 by Robert

It all depends on what kind of conversation you want to have, and it is often impossible to talk about something at the level of detail you desire, if you are arguing first principles. Continue reading →

Posted in Debate, History, Human Rights, Law and Order, Liberal Conspiracy | 1 Comment