13 May 2009
Why do people vote for the BNP?
Today we had the 'pleasure' of receiving some delightful correspondence from the BNP. As you'll have guessed from my previous post, I don't have much time for the party and their ideas, and today's little present hasn't changed my mind. Lots of photographs of white people staring from the page; some of them well qualified professionals. Much mention of 'immigrants', and several references to armed conflicts in which the UK military has been successful.
Does this actually convince anyone? I suppose it must! The tabloid press does such a thorough job of whipping up fear out of nowhere that I suspect there are many people out there who have been conditioned by this kind of propaganda. Hopefully they haven't been brainwashed enough to actually vote for the BNP!
11 May 2009
A plea to the people who probably don't read this blog
I realise the irony of the title of this post; to want to change the behaviour of some people who I don't think are reading! I feel I need to express my plea anyway, in the hope that someone might read it.
The European elections are coming up for us here in Britain, and with the recent succession of political calamity that has beset both the government and the opposition, I'm more scared than ever that the British National Party will gain ground.
From a psephological* point of view, it seems very likely that mainstream voters are more likely to express their frustration with the main 2 or 3 parties in a European election, as they don't see value in the institution. It's not seen as a wasted vote, it's just a wake-up call in advance of the next general election, with no perceived consequences.
Either the LibDems will get their act together and cash in on this phenomenon, or the BNP and their chums will start to creep in. Especially in lancashire, this is a real danger - and it is a danger - just look here.
So here's my plea. If you are entitled to vote in the coming elections, please do so, and please don't vote for the BNP!
*the one word I have retained from an A level in Politics
Cambridge
Mike Peatman's news about his new post made me remember that I should post about the occurrances of the past few days. The news is that, following a visit to Westcott House, Mrs Lanky and I have decided that in the autumn of 2010, we will be heading south to Cambridge for me to go to vicar school.
Regular readers will recall that I went to a BAP (Bishops' Advisory Panel) at the end of 2008, and that I was recommended for training for priesthood in the Church of England. The next step has been to think about where I will train, and for a variety of reasons, Westcott seems to be the preferred option. Our visit to the college lasted 24 hours, and it allowed us to get a feel of the place in a more authentic way than a short visit. It also gave us the chance to socialise with some of the current students, one of whom we know from Lancaster. The visit also gave me the opportunity to explore the different courses available to me.
Finally, through a friend of a friend, we managed to go a long way towards getting a house sorted too. We could live in college, but with a housefull of furniture and cats (only 2 of these), we thought it would be better for us to 'live out'. We've found a house which is just about perfect for us; within 10 minutes from college by bike and 1/2 an hour on foot. It also has a garden and plenty of bedrooms for guests and little lankies.
All in all, a very satisfactory visit!
Regular readers will recall that I went to a BAP (Bishops' Advisory Panel) at the end of 2008, and that I was recommended for training for priesthood in the Church of England. The next step has been to think about where I will train, and for a variety of reasons, Westcott seems to be the preferred option. Our visit to the college lasted 24 hours, and it allowed us to get a feel of the place in a more authentic way than a short visit. It also gave us the chance to socialise with some of the current students, one of whom we know from Lancaster. The visit also gave me the opportunity to explore the different courses available to me.
Finally, through a friend of a friend, we managed to go a long way towards getting a house sorted too. We could live in college, but with a housefull of furniture and cats (only 2 of these), we thought it would be better for us to 'live out'. We've found a house which is just about perfect for us; within 10 minutes from college by bike and 1/2 an hour on foot. It also has a garden and plenty of bedrooms for guests and little lankies.
All in all, a very satisfactory visit!
6 May 2009
The risk of a bacon sandwich
This piece on the BBC website interested me. I have a long-running bee-in-my-bonnet about the common government practice of telling me what not to eat, and how many carrots I should consume. I concur with the author's points about 'nudging' society towards epidemiologically 'better' ways of behaving, but I still find the tone of things like the 5-a-day campaign to be completely patronising. I also feel that this trend in British society has imposed a moral framework onto lifestyle choices which were previously left to the individual. Just think how most people react when they see a pregnant woman enjoying an alcoholic drink! The government advice is that abstinence is best, but the latest scientific studies conclude that the occasional drink will have no negative effects on the unborn child. Most pregnant women (including Mrs Lanky) do not drink at all, and it's in no small part due to the moral judgement that the behaviour now attracts.
E-books revisited
Mark Vernon has some interesting points about e-books. I've previously posted in support of the medium, following the acquisition of a Sony Reader for Mrs Lanky, and following Mark's persuasive piece, I still think they have a place.
I think Mark's right to insist that there is something about the embodiment of a book in paper form which is different from the embodiment of an e-book. I don't think you can argue an e-book has no embodiment, but you could say that its embodiment is non-unique, given that the reader-unit looks the same and feels the same with any book (apart from the content of the screen).
My wife loves her Sony Reader, and for someone who reads books by the tonne, it makes sense for her to have one. However, I share some of Mark Vernon's opinions,and as I don't currently read many books, I'd extend the issue to itunes. I still prefer to buy a CD; partly for the confidence brought by the posession of an incorruptible (relatively) 'embodied' artefact. You have bought a CD rather than some data.
I realise there's an amount of inconsistency here. CDs look very similar to each other, and are only unique due to the data they contain, and maybe a bit of printing on the top. Maybe it's less about uniqueness and more about the particularity of each artefact.
hmmm...
I think Mark's right to insist that there is something about the embodiment of a book in paper form which is different from the embodiment of an e-book. I don't think you can argue an e-book has no embodiment, but you could say that its embodiment is non-unique, given that the reader-unit looks the same and feels the same with any book (apart from the content of the screen).
My wife loves her Sony Reader, and for someone who reads books by the tonne, it makes sense for her to have one. However, I share some of Mark Vernon's opinions,and as I don't currently read many books, I'd extend the issue to itunes. I still prefer to buy a CD; partly for the confidence brought by the posession of an incorruptible (relatively) 'embodied' artefact. You have bought a CD rather than some data.
I realise there's an amount of inconsistency here. CDs look very similar to each other, and are only unique due to the data they contain, and maybe a bit of printing on the top. Maybe it's less about uniqueness and more about the particularity of each artefact.
hmmm...
4 May 2009
How to make a Skoda disappear
I spotted this on our local bit of the BBC website. Clearly, the illusion can only work from one viewpoint, but this really is a clever piece of work. It reminds me of the graphics they put on the grass at sport events. When you look from any other angle apart from the intended camera angle, they are nonsense, but when you see them on the TV they look like they're standing up! Very clever.
1 May 2009
Good news for Durham
It looks like there is some good news for Durham. The cathedral authorities have finally stepped in to preserve the future of Christian bookselling in their fine city.
22 April 2009
Back in the loop
Following my previous post (but without any suggestion of a causal link) it looks like Zeffirelli's at Ambleside have come to our rescue (though that's still not on our doorstep). They're showing 'In the loop' from this Friday. The bonus is that they have a very good restaurant in the same building. Sounds like a plan!!!
21 April 2009
Wise words of caution for web users
Phil Cooke has an interesting post on extracting urine from swimming pools! He reckons that taking something off the internet is like taking pee out of a pool; referring particularly to people having trouble getting jobs because of the dodgy stuff they've put on Facebook. Once its posted, you can't really unpost it!
20 April 2009
Out of the loop!
'In the loop' is one of the only new-release films I've wanted to go and see in ages, but I'm horrified to find that none of my local cinemas are showing it! Nothing in Lancaster or Preston. In fact, the nearest place I can see it is Bolton or Manchester.
Why!
Are we northerners seen as too thick to appreciate political satire from the big scary capital city?
Why!
Are we northerners seen as too thick to appreciate political satire from the big scary capital city?
17 April 2009
Surprise package
I love this clip from 'Britain's got talent'! I'm not a fan of the music; I dislike most music from musicals, and indeed most musicals! The thing that I like about this, though, is that it demonstrated on prime time TV that you can't always judge a book by its cover. I like the fact that everyone was completely surprised by her ability.
It has to be said, though, that the majority of 'talent' on display on such TV shows amounts to nothing more than car-crash TV. The producers know they are going to get a large number of unoriginal and uninteresting 'talents', and that's why people watch - for the cringingly bad bits, not for the genuine talent.
It has to be said, though, that the majority of 'talent' on display on such TV shows amounts to nothing more than car-crash TV. The producers know they are going to get a large number of unoriginal and uninteresting 'talents', and that's why people watch - for the cringingly bad bits, not for the genuine talent.
15 April 2009
Back to work tomorrow
I'm grateful to my employer for the generous holidays, but why do we have to go back on a Thursday?
14 April 2009
Squash, strawberries, sprouts and parsnips
Thanks to the generous holidays we enjoy as university staff, Mrs Lanky and I are enjoying the post-Easter period with some rest and relaxation. Today has consisted of a further scan for Mrs lanky's bump, which went fine. The little Lanky wasn't so cooperative as on the previous occasion, and the sonographer had a bit of fun trying to take the appropriate measurements.
The dry weather this afternoon has given me an opportunity to assemble our new coldframe/miniature greenhouse type thing. It looks good, and is now home to some freshly planted squash seeds and some sprout seedlings. The parsnip seeds are safely nestled in an old dustbin full of compost, and we also have half a bed of strawberry plants. I just need to remember to water everything and cross my fingers for some sun.
The dry weather this afternoon has given me an opportunity to assemble our new coldframe/miniature greenhouse type thing. It looks good, and is now home to some freshly planted squash seeds and some sprout seedlings. The parsnip seeds are safely nestled in an old dustbin full of compost, and we also have half a bed of strawberry plants. I just need to remember to water everything and cross my fingers for some sun.
8 April 2009
Sometimes the National Secular Society just makes me mad!
Nowhere in the NSS's claims about the costs of hospital chaplaincy to the NHS do they point out the cost of NHS chaplaincy to the church! They seem to think that it's just NHS chaplains who visit sick people with spiritual needs. In my experience, the humble parish priest (along with ministers and leaders from other faith groups and countless lay people) do a massive amount of visiting without sending a bill to the UK taxpayer.
Also, the NSS seem to assume that Christians circle like vultures above the hospital wards, waiting to pick of the weak ones! Again, in my experience, the majority of contact concerning religious and spiritual matters is requested by the patient.
The NSS seems to believe biological health is the only thing that should be addressed in hospital but I am delighted that the NHS recognises the importance of spiritual health alongside biological health.
Also, the NSS seem to assume that Christians circle like vultures above the hospital wards, waiting to pick of the weak ones! Again, in my experience, the majority of contact concerning religious and spiritual matters is requested by the patient.
The NSS seems to believe biological health is the only thing that should be addressed in hospital but I am delighted that the NHS recognises the importance of spiritual health alongside biological health.
7 April 2009
Good news
As promised (if rather cryptically) in my previous post, there is good news to share. Mrs Lanky and I have been successful in the early stages of procreation, and expect to be joined by a little Lanky around mid-October.
2 April 2009
Apologies for the break in transmission
Sorry it's been a while since I posted! There's been a lot going on in the Lanky household of late. More explanatory details next week!
In the meantime, this post from Maggi Dawn's son caught my eye. Asperger Syndrome has been explained and described to me on numerous occasions, but this first-hand account adds something new to my understanding. Thanks Ben!
In the meantime, this post from Maggi Dawn's son caught my eye. Asperger Syndrome has been explained and described to me on numerous occasions, but this first-hand account adds something new to my understanding. Thanks Ben!
4 March 2009
Fairtrade Dairy Milk
This is great news from Cadbury - Dairy Milk is going fairtrade.
Many people criticise the fairtrade movement for having a limited impact in a minority of communities, but a big player like Cadbury has massive buying power, and this argument looks weaker and weaker as more manufacturers get on board.
So well done to Cadbury, but when will you roll out the faitrade mark to all your products?
Many people criticise the fairtrade movement for having a limited impact in a minority of communities, but a big player like Cadbury has massive buying power, and this argument looks weaker and weaker as more manufacturers get on board.
So well done to Cadbury, but when will you roll out the faitrade mark to all your products?
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