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Author Archives: Stephen Shellard
Alan Winfield on robot ethics
Alan Winfield, who glories in the title of “Professor of Robot Ethics,” at the University of the West of England was a recent subject of Jim Al-Khalili’s Radio 4 series “The Life Scientific.” , [21Feb17], At one point in … Continue reading
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Yanis Varoufakis comments on Ireland, the UK and Brexit.
Yanis Varoufakis has a knack, rare in economists, for saying things clearly, simply and persuasively: “Take a look at the map of Ireland. You have a small island that has to develop an economic policy for development that is common … Continue reading
Play and Creativity…
Listen to this glorious discussion which manages to combine stories about the production techniques of Brian Eno, the importance of play in learning, a goal for Arsenal by Giroud, the importance of untidiness in creativity, the screw up behind one … Continue reading
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Democracy is coming to the U.S.A…
“It’s coming from the silence /on the dock of the bay, from the brave, the bold, the battered/heart of Chevrolet: Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.” A few lines from Leonard Cohen’s song “Democracy” as a kind of answer to … Continue reading
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Post Capitalism – A Guide to the Future
I’ve finished a book, a few months ago now, by the financial journalist Paul Mason, called Post Capitalism: A Guide to Our Future. If this kind of thing interests you I would thoroughly recommend it. As a starter you … Continue reading
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Thought for the day…. [inauguration day of Donald J Trump]
“Even the president of the United States must sometimes have to stand naked.” It’s a good day, I think, to remember these words from Mr Dylan. Should you wish to listen to them in the full glory of the original … Continue reading
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The Hidden Strengths of Unloved Concrete
Well concrete may not seem like much of a subject, but Tim Harford, who normally writes for the Financial Times and hosts the excellent weekly BBC radio programme, More or Less, has a good touch with such unpromising material. It … Continue reading
Posted in Podcasts etc.
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Basic Income – The Finnish Experiment
Basic income – an important idea, recommended in particular by Paul Mason. This Finnish experiment will be well worth watching Will Finland’s basic income trial help the jobless? – BBC News Two thousand jobless Finns are being given a basic … Continue reading
The European Union and Democratic Balancing
The European Union and Democratic Balancing Revised 20th March 2016 Democratic balancing – a mechanism for creating a democratic balance between the European parliament and the member state parliaments of the European Union which would allow, in certain circumstances, an … Continue reading
Carruchan 
Hare Crosses the Border
Start the Week [27Feb2017] was a discussion linked by the theme of borders. In particular I was drawn to the contribution of map-maker Garrett Carr who has travelled “Ireland’s border to explore the smugglers, kings, peacemakers and terrorists who’ve criss-crossed … Continue reading →