I was very amused yesterday to read of the proceedings in the dover trial. This is the trial over whether intelligent design is science, and thus should be taught

in schools, or mere creationism. I read of how Michael Behe took the stand for the defence, and how he was demolished. He himself disproved his own theory of irreducible complexity by showing it’s sheer preposterousness.

[quote=”http://www.stcynic.com/blog/archives/2005/10/behe_disproves_irreducible_com.phpurl:http://www.stcynic.com/blog/archives/2005/10/behe_disproves_irredu ” the core of Behe’s entire argument for ID is that irreducibly complex systems cannot evolve. Yet what does he admit under oath that his own study actually says? It says that IF you assume a population of bacteria on the entire earth that is 7 orders of magnitude less than the number of bacteria in a single ton of soil…and IF you assume that it undergoes only point mutations…and IF you rule out recombination, transposition, insertion/deletion, frame shift mutations and all of the other documented sources of mutation and genetic variation…and IF you assume that none of the intermediate steps would serve any function that might help them be preserved…THEN it would take 20,000 years (or 1/195,000th of the time bacteria have been on the earth) for a new complex trait requiring multiple interacting mutations – the very definition of an irreducibly complex system according to Behe – to develop and be fixed in a population.”[/quote]

*chuckle*

Might this week have signalled the beginning of the collapse of the bush administration? I doubt it, but the indictment of lewis libby is surely a sign of weakness. confirmation that they weren’t completely honest about the iraqi war.

Link.

well, what did we expect. where are the wmd for one thing? it’s just deeply worrying that the leader of the most powerful nation on earth is a buffoon, and that a large proportion of americans actually still believe what he says. this vitriolic ‘america against the world’ attitude the neocons have is scary, and its hard for me not to condemn them all as idiots.

however, the moment I do so, I become as them.

flaneurs are cool. they’re people after my own heart. they were men who, independently wealthy and seemingly having nothing better to do, strolled around cities in the early part of the nineteenth century, observing life, writing and ‘botanising on the asphalt’. Thats all they did. they strolled here and there, observing a culture. writers like walter benjamin haave suggested they symbolise the advent of modernity.

advent of absinth more like

smoking is due to be banned in pubs, it was announced today. i greeted thhis news with a big ‘hurrah’. hopefully i can now enjoy a pub meal without having to imbibe someone else’s 2nd hand smoke. link.

The final score today, incidentally, was alsager 3, loughborogh 4. after being down 4-0 at half time, i think this constitutes a moral victory for mmu alsager.

There is an old Goodsell family tradition, which probably descends from m mum’s side, of drinking tea in the afternoons. This usually occurs between three and four on Saturdays and Sundays, and is often accompanied by chocolate. Mum would call us down from playing in our rooms on Saturday afternoons, inaugurating a trice in our game of war of the rooms (no doubt mark and Luke remember this), ad we would have tea as the rain lashed against the window.

Well, this afternoon the skies opened. My lecture in Crewe was decidedly uninspiring – the promised Howard hawkes film not running due to technical problems and the football team, when last I heard at a damp, miserable pitch side, was loosing four nil. It belted it down. At one point, the thought of tea hit me: tea, that warm, sweet infusion that so typifies all that is good about England; tea, relic of that long dead empire; tea, the taste of sitting in the kitchen in Hampshire close, talking to mum. I drove from the pitch to the wes, and ordered a cuppa. I drank it while talking to mark, my neighbour, and Esther, and all he problems of a miserable day were lifted. There is nothing like chatting to friends over a good brew.

what is this bollox? the u.s senate has re-accused galloway of being in cahoots with hussain. now, I don’t have much time for george galloway myself, but just because he was very vocal against the war doesn’t mean he was bedfellows with hussain. To say this is a gross oversimplification of the facts, and another example of the childlike behaviour of the current u.s government.

Ever since watching star trek as a child, I have dreamt of going into space. I honestly believe it is mankind’s destiny – if, indeed, such a thing exists – to explore the stars, as people once explored the oceans. James Cook once wrote in his log, that his mission was ‘To go further than any man had been before.’ That, I believe, is the raisin d’etre of humanity.

I think Richard Branson believes that too. He has joined forces with an American company to form virgin galactic, which will start launching suborbital passenger flights in 2007. these will take 6 or 7 people – enormously wealthy people, I might add – 100 kilometres up above the earth. From here, one can behold our home planet in her entirety. Just think, guys, what a view that would be!

Hut where will this end? Holidays on the moon? Bush is planning a manned mission to mars. Thence where? Perhaps soon, we will be able to fold space and travel faster than light. Then, surely, the real fun will begin.

Yesterday I was in stoke on car-related business, which gave me chance to go to the cinema, something which I should do more often. The film which struck me most was Roman Polanski’s Oliver, why should such an auteur do a kid’s movie?

The answer is that Oliver wasn’t a kid’s movie: parts of it were dark and brooding. There’s no overt violence, just suggested violence, which is worse. Jamie foreman made a fearsome bill Sykes – dark, brooding and more than a little psychotic. This is Charles Dickens’ tale as it was intended to be, stripped of the songs and dodgy cockney accents. Polanski again proves himself to be a master – there are some simply breathtaking shots in this film.

Speaking of which, has anyone noticed how so many forthcoming Hollywood movies are adaptations of British books? Yesterday I saw a trailer for The Loin, The Witch and the wardrobe, as well as goblet of fire. I really think we’re in for a treat with both of these films. The latter is a continuation of the potter series, which seems to be becoming darker and darker with every film; the former, I suspect, is Disney’s answer to The Lord of the Rings, (which was made by New line, an offshoot of Warner, who also make Potter). It was only a matter of time before the Disney corp. responded with something similar.

From what little I saw, they are very similar: the same grandiose mise-en-scene employed in Lotr is employed in TLTWATW. Both were filmed in new Zealand. The irony is, the authors of both books were good friends, and drank in the same Oxford pub. I only hope Adamson is as faithful to CS Lewis as Jackson was to Tolkien.

I honestly think life today rules. Life at university I mean. It’s how I imagine normality to be. I’m half considering becoming a poster child for university!

On Monday night my friend Steve invited me to his place, to watch movies and chat. Yesterday, bill drove me round after tea: we had decided to meet at The Woodlands, and we waited outside that pub for about five minutes until stev showed up to guide us to their place.

This was a typical student place – a mess, with posters everywhere. Sort of grimey. I went in, and had quite a good evening just talking and watching films. I selected ‘You only live twice’ from their collection – I have a soft spot for bond – and we watched that. Quite a cool film. Did you notice, when they try to turn bond Japanese, he looks a bit like a Vulcan?

We then watched ‘Dude where’s my car?’ I have seen it before, and it still strikes me as inane, but funny.

So, just a typical, student evening. My mates were really great, and I’m trying to think of ways of returning the favour,

this is reasonably welcome news. I think stem cell research is vital, but my one nagging concern was the issue of killing a life to save another (ok, an oversimplification there, but you get my meaning). now science has seemingly bypassed the problem. great stuff!

it has come to my attention how bad television has become these days. I might just be getting old, or more conservative (god forbid) but I’m starting to agree with John Humphries. He once argued that reality TV was innately bad for you, and TV was getting worse. Although his argument was flawed in some respects, he was correct on a few counts.

Last night I was watching TV with my parents and brothers. We were watching Pop Idol on ITV, as my mum likes it for some reason. Frankly, I was struck by how manipulative the programme is: its designed to achieve maximum conflict. That is to say, since viewers like to watch people argue, its edited to highlight the arguments and the friction between the judges. Thus, what can be shown in 30 minutes is extended to be shown in 120, packed with adverts, highlights, replays…

Humphries cites what he calls the ‘Blue planet defence’. That is to say, there are certain programmes – The life of Mammals, A history of Britain, Himalaya etc which one can argue make television worthwhile. But, due to their nature, these are few and far between. It is cheaper to throw together something like Big brother than forge a David Attenborough documentary series. While sir David is infinitely more interesting than a bunch of halfwits in a house, big brother will get more viewers because it appeals to the lowest common denominator.

I’m not sure why. The British public seem to like watching this kind of pap, like being told what to think, who to like and who to hate. We will sit passively down to an episode of a soap opera without an inkling that what is going on before us is a melodrama designed to re-enforce the status quo. We sit down to feature films, barely aware of the complex socio-political mechanisms involved. The very mise-en-scene is designed to reinforce these messages, but I digress.

My point is we are better than this. We are better than being entertained by watching a few people sing discordantly. If you like singing, turn ff the TV and go to the bar, or indeed the Opera! By all means watch TV, but watch it critically. Watch documentaries, then hit the books. T.V can be so wonderful, as it has the potential to inspire, but its doing that less and less these days. Alas.

A most welcome piece of mail greeted me upon my arrival home tonight: the onevoice newsletter arrived. It was gratifying to see my article published in it. It always pleases me to see my writing published, as is the case with any writer, but what frankly pleased me more is that it reminded me why I wrote it in the first place: the feeling I had made a difference on the 1voice weekend.

My parents read it too. they now wholeheartedly approve of 11voice. Maverick that I try to be, its still nice to know I have mum and dad behind me on this.

Its great to be reminded of such things, in the depths off autumn: happy days. And I still remember beth’s smile.

http://www.1voice.info

This fascinating guardian article was sent to me by my big bro, Mark.. It’s a good read, on how religiosity may have a genetic basis. I suspected as much, to be honest, given that a. religious belief would increase a social group’s cohesion (as it had to in the early Massachusetts settlement of Salem) and b. I notice that religious parent often, but not always, have religious children, although this maybe due to environmental factors. my one niggle is that wilson rarely includes references.

all together now

[Chorus:]

That, that dude looks like a lady

That, that dude looks like a lady

That, that dude looks like a lady

That, that dude looks like a lady

Cruise into a bar on hte shore

Her picture graced the grime on the door

She’s a long lost love at first bite

Baby maybe you’re wrong but you know it’s all right

That’s right

That, that

That, that

Backstage we’re havin’ the time of our live until somebody say

Forgive me if I seem out of line

Then she whipped out her gun and tried to blow me away!

[Chorus]

Never judge a book by it’s cover or who you gonna love by your lover

Sayin’ love put me wise to her love in disguise

She had the body of a Venus, Lord imagine my surprise.

[Chorus]

So baby let me follow you down (let me take a peek dear)

Baby let me follow you down (do me, do me, do me all night)

Baby let me follow you down (turn the other cheek dear)

Baby let me follow you down (do me, do me, do me, do me)

Oo, what a funky lady

Oo, she like it, like it, like it, like that.

Oo he was a lady!

[Chorus]

Going o the barber is my least favourite activity. I need my head holding still, as for some reason every time I need to concentrate on holding my head still it wobbles even more. Dad has observed this when he tries to shave me, much to his chagrin. I therefore have to have someone physically hold my head. In the past, this has always been a family member, usually Luke or mum. Now I’m at university, time with my parents or brothers is limited, and, as my hair grew, it was becoming increasingly obvious that I was going to have to ask my p.a to take me to the barber.

Now, I have two totally ambivalent feelings about my hair. One says it would be cool to see what it is like long for a change, and maybe do something with it perhaps pigtails. It could not be worse than Luke’s current hair cut, which looks like the magnetic stripes on the sea bed. Another part of me says hair is a total waste off time, an not worth bothering with. This part insists I get it cut, and, as it coincided with the feelings of my parents, that’s what I did.

I must admit, I tried to take short a short cut last week by getting a friend (whose name I cannot divulge) to cut the fringe. This was a mistake, as, according to Luke, the results looked like Dwain Dibley. So, as we needed to take the car for petrol, after writing today we went too find a barber.

It was nearing the end of the day, and the barber’s shop was quiet. There was only one other gentleman to wait for, and a short flick through a men’s magazine later, it was my turn. Quite what he thought as I approached the chair I don’t know, but he seemed like a nice enough chap.

‘take it to half it’s length’ I said, not daring to have it cut any shorter simply through fear of blood. My p.a translated and we were off.

I tried keeping my head still myself at first, but without anything to lodge it against, it was flappier than corn in a gale. I had to ask my p.a to hold it still, something I’d been trying to avoid. I’m not sure too why – like being shaved, it’s different when a family member does it as apposed to a personal assistant. Its rather intimate, as well as an admission of ones limits I suppose.

Anyway, the whole process only took a few minutes, and I paid the guy his requested fiver, and we were en route back home, stippling to get twenty quid of unleaded on the way before having dinner in the Wes. Thus I’m taking small steps towards total independence, and it feels good!

It is very unlikely that he reads my blog, but I need to apologise to mr beckham for my closing remark on my last entry. I was angry at him for getting sent off on Saturday. However, today I heard that one of the beckham’s sons has been having seizures. Although this does not excuse his behaviour, I believe it makes it a little more understandable – a father’s love is a father’s love.

I love cricket, genuinely and with a passion, but I’m not too interested in the current series of the world vs Australia. While I find the sport beautiful, and there’s nothing I’d rather do than spend an afternoon watching it, but I don’t really like the present series. Firstly, its on sky, which I don’t like, and secondly, I have nobody to root for. I’m not Australian, so I cant support them, but the only reason I’d want to support thee rest of the world is because I’d want the Australians to loose – I have no allegiance to the opposing team. I have some Australian friends, and ok, although I was teasing james yesterday by miming Warne’s dropped Pieterson catch, its all in good fun. I kind of like Australians, and do not wish them another defeat. Thus, while I keep one eye on this series, I’m not too fussed about it. I’m looking forward to the tour of the subcontinent, though.

And no fool get sent off n cricket, either, eh, mr bechkham?

this blog entry wonn’t be long. my pc keeps cccrashing. I’m home for the weekend, and my home pc is rather old. itt crashed 6 or 7 times, before I gave up and went to bed to waatch tv. then, ten minutes later, the stupid thing spontaneously loads up. thought I’d beteer do soomething now it’ss running. I just ope itt doesnt keep me up all night.

this story of the fight between an aligator and a python just begs to be posted, if just for the following line ‘The Burmese python tried to swallow its fearsome rival whole but then exploded’ I’ll be laughing for days

There’s a boycott at the bar tonight, so I’m having a night in. as I noted last week, there’s a dispute between the union and the university hierarchy over where the proceeds go. I forgot, so I rolled to the bar to find it empty. The disco was being set up, but there were none off the cheers from the footballers (AAA ZUM A ZUM A ZUM etc) nor the steady stream of scantily clad girls. I waited about half an hour, then remembered Grey’s prophecy of a boycott. Hence I set my sites on a night behind my p.c, chatting to friends, streaming radio 4. showing some solidality with my fellow students beats brandies any day.

As a person with Cypriot relatives, I was kind of brought up thinking that the Turks were bogeymen. My grandfather, I think it fair to say, was very anti-Turk. Despite this, even I can see the obvious logic in welcoming turkey into the EU. Not to do so would make Europe seem like some kind of Christian club, which would only further enrage the Muslim extremists, as it would appear turkey was being denied access to wealth on the basis of religion. This would, furthermore, reduce the whole European project to a talking shop, and it would be increasingly ignored by the other world players – china, India, the u.s. Europe can only survive if its diverse but coherent; not to let turkey join would be pure folly.

I read this earlier. I cant find a full online version, but basically these fundies think penguins would be good models for human society. penguins? They’re insane! I laughed until I almost wept

Cultural elevation is a organisation run by my mate Rob. Every now and then, they organise bashes in the college bar: there was one last night, which I went to having become a member last week. Rob’s vision is an eclectic mix of arts, but at the moment it seems to have a focus on urban art forms like rap and break dance. Thus I saw quite an impressive dance off last night, with the audience standing in a circle, the DJ having selected something with a strong beat, as four or five guys danced in a most extraordinary fashion. That ruled!

However, I am unsure about the ‘elevation’ bit. It raises some interesting questions. It seems to imply a value judgement – to what state does this organisation want to elevate culture to? surely this is subjective. In what way does culture need elevating. What, indeed, is culture?

I love all art. I love film (naturally) music and visuals and so on. I have nothing against a society where people are allowed and encouraged to express themselves. Such an idea is wonderful, but the name just sits uncomfortably in my belly. To be honest it whiffs slightly of evangelist language.