Category Archives: Places

Geographical locations, countries, etc

Shadow Cities

Posted on 17 November 2011 by Robert

This is a marvellous evocation of why I enjoy much of the literature and imagery that I do. I have discussed the idea of overlaying of invisible worlds onto aphysical space quite a lot on this blog. Continue reading →

Posted in Art and Cultures, London | Leave a comment

Wrestling with Fighting Talk

Posted on 30 August 2011 by Robert

My inaugral post on Labour List (cross-posted here) elicited a few responses which highlight some subtlties in the ongoing discussion around the limits of free speech – specifically, the point at which it is appropriate for the state to ban … Continue reading →

Posted in Debate, London, Politics | 4 Comments

Putting the Power of Censorship in the Hands of the Mob

Posted on 26 August 2011 by Robert

Cameron’s suggestion that we censor social media, and the Labour call for the banning of this EDL event, will hamstring the fight for free expression elsewhere: “You do it, so why shouldn’t we?” Continue reading →

Posted in Human Rights, Law and Order, London, New Labour, Political Correctness | Leave a comment

BBC Accused of Selective Editing

Posted on 11 August 2011 by Robert

During Tuesday’s edition of Newsnight, hosted by Gavin Esler, one of the studio interviewees accused the BBC of selective editing. The prgramme can be viewed online via the BBC iPlayer (available until 16th August).  In a debate about why young … Continue reading →

Posted in BBC, London | 1 Comment

#Flashride

Posted on 30 July 2011 by Robert

Cycling home on Friday, I was unwittingly caught up in the London Cycling Campaign’s ‘Flashride’ across Blackfriars Bridge. They want the speed limit on the bridge to remain at 20mph but apparently the Mayor of London isn’t heeding the request, … Continue reading →

Posted in London | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

The Problem of Verification

Posted on 12 June 2011 by Robert

Angela Philips of Goldsmiths College, at last Friday’s POLIS conference: A Major skill for journalists is to learn how to authenticate sources Or, words to that effect! I made the note on twitter and therefore may have paraphrased. To fully … Continue reading →

Posted in Diary, Internet Philosophy, Media, Middle East | 4 Comments

The Cost of Terrorists and Dictators

Posted on 1 June 2011 by Robert

Has any single human being, either directly or indirectly, cost the United States more money than Osama bin Laden? Continue reading →

Posted in Globalisation, Human Rights, Terrorism, USA | 2 Comments

Where is Prageeth?

Posted on 9 May 2011 by Robert

While the world turns and changes; while we thrill at global events; for some, life is in stasis. Continue reading →

Posted in Human Rights, Literature, Sri Lanka | Leave a comment

The Propaganda of Obama

Posted on 8 May 2011 by Robert

This image is as masterful a piece of propaganda as you are ever likely to see. And, we’ve been here before. Continue reading →

Posted in Media, Terrorism, USA | Leave a comment