@mikeb14.bsky.social
Have many specific interests including History of Ideas, particularly History of Mathematics, music, the arts and politics . I am not confined to these of course.
Read recently there are 15 trillion decimal decimals so far calculated for the value of pi. Pi can be represented as a convergent infinite series so there are probably more decimals known now. Is that more than the estimated number of atoms in the known universe?
May 26, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Read recently there are 15 trillion decimal decimals so far calculated for the value of pi. Pi can be represented as a convergent infinite series so there are probably more decimals known now. Is that more than the estimated number of atoms in the known universe?
On the Rewind channel (92 on Freeview) carries two series (Shine on Harvey Moon and Bramwell) that show through fiction insights into periods of history and how people lived at those times.
May 12, 2025 at 1:11 PM
On the Rewind channel (92 on Freeview) carries two series (Shine on Harvey Moon and Bramwell) that show through fiction insights into periods of history and how people lived at those times.
I had a letter in The Observer about Hannah Arendt. Just seen a book review in the paper (The Book of Records) that referces her. It also has mentions of Baruch Spinoza, another interesting writer who is worth exploring.
May 12, 2025 at 11:16 AM
I had a letter in The Observer about Hannah Arendt. Just seen a book review in the paper (The Book of Records) that referces her. It also has mentions of Baruch Spinoza, another interesting writer who is worth exploring.
Went to the #GlobeTheatre last night to see The Three Sisters. Great acting and production but why does the seating have to be so uncomfortable?
March 19, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Went to the #GlobeTheatre last night to see The Three Sisters. Great acting and production but why does the seating have to be so uncomfortable?
I think that those who vote/support authoritarian movements often think it will create quiet and stable societies. Looking at history most of the time such societies move to chaos, violence and even war. The reasoning is that ignoring problems does not make them go away.
March 14, 2025 at 11:17 AM
I think that those who vote/support authoritarian movements often think it will create quiet and stable societies. Looking at history most of the time such societies move to chaos, violence and even war. The reasoning is that ignoring problems does not make them go away.
It's great that European leaders are meeting in London tomorrow. An opportunity to show solidarity and support for Ukraine. One mistake is that the Baltic states have not been invited.
March 1, 2025 at 9:56 AM
It's great that European leaders are meeting in London tomorrow. An opportunity to show solidarity and support for Ukraine. One mistake is that the Baltic states have not been invited.
I have spent my adult life bemused as to how Fascism could have been successful in the 1930s. I think I can see it happening now. Of course the course of history is never certain so there is plenty that can be done.
February 23, 2025 at 5:30 PM
I have spent my adult life bemused as to how Fascism could have been successful in the 1930s. I think I can see it happening now. Of course the course of history is never certain so there is plenty that can be done.
Saw Hard Truths the new Mike Leighs film. Brilliant.
February 14, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Saw Hard Truths the new Mike Leighs film. Brilliant.
While walking the dog last night I saw a stationary light in the sky not far from the moon. It was bright. Could it have been Venus?
February 2, 2025 at 6:54 PM
While walking the dog last night I saw a stationary light in the sky not far from the moon. It was bright. Could it have been Venus?
Generally I try to buy books either from bookshops or directly from the publisher. Other items similarly, so a recent printer from HP, although some retailers such as John Lewis I trust. No need to go online with mega (Maga!) corporations.
January 20, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Generally I try to buy books either from bookshops or directly from the publisher. Other items similarly, so a recent printer from HP, although some retailers such as John Lewis I trust. No need to go online with mega (Maga!) corporations.
Just back from a funeral. So many recently. So sad.
January 15, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Just back from a funeral. So many recently. So sad.
Flicking through The Radio Times, it is nice to see the choice of programmes is including stuff worth seeing again (mind you Wallace and Gromet was good).
December 30, 2024 at 1:51 PM
Flicking through The Radio Times, it is nice to see the choice of programmes is including stuff worth seeing again (mind you Wallace and Gromet was good).
Interesting how the latest edition of The Fabian Review is dominated by the threat of the right in terms of Reform and the right drift of the Conservatives. This is understandable but the main way to defeat them is Labour to be successful in government.
December 24, 2024 at 2:36 PM
Interesting how the latest edition of The Fabian Review is dominated by the threat of the right in terms of Reform and the right drift of the Conservatives. This is understandable but the main way to defeat them is Labour to be successful in government.
There seem to be a number of attempted hacks about. One tip. If, like me, you have BT then only check voice mail with 1571. emails claiming you have voice messages that can be accessed by answering the email may be fake.
December 12, 2024 at 1:28 PM
There seem to be a number of attempted hacks about. One tip. If, like me, you have BT then only check voice mail with 1571. emails claiming you have voice messages that can be accessed by answering the email may be fake.
In a broad way philosophy is categorised into Metaphysics, Epistemology, Logic and Ethics. Overall I tend to find Ethics the least rigorous but I think that the last few days in the debate on assisted dying has been a fine example of ethics debate.
November 30, 2024 at 11:07 AM
In a broad way philosophy is categorised into Metaphysics, Epistemology, Logic and Ethics. Overall I tend to find Ethics the least rigorous but I think that the last few days in the debate on assisted dying has been a fine example of ethics debate.
The discussion we had last night on The Assisted Dying Bill, at last night's Hornsey and Friern Barnet Labour Party General Committee was one of the most civilised I have attended outside academic circles. Well done to all including our MP Catherine West.
November 28, 2024 at 10:31 AM
The discussion we had last night on The Assisted Dying Bill, at last night's Hornsey and Friern Barnet Labour Party General Committee was one of the most civilised I have attended outside academic circles. Well done to all including our MP Catherine West.
There is a proposal to sell The Observer to Tortoise. It is of course now part of The Scott Trust alongside The Guardian. Does anyone know much about Tortoise?
November 24, 2024 at 10:35 AM
There is a proposal to sell The Observer to Tortoise. It is of course now part of The Scott Trust alongside The Guardian. Does anyone know much about Tortoise?
Woke up today feeling basically OKAY for the first time in weeks.
November 24, 2024 at 9:58 AM
Woke up today feeling basically OKAY for the first time in weeks.
Having a few health issues over the last few weeks one unfortunate effect has been to not find reading seriously and studying easy. Rather depressing really.
November 23, 2024 at 10:33 AM
Having a few health issues over the last few weeks one unfortunate effect has been to not find reading seriously and studying easy. Rather depressing really.
In her piece in @guardian.extwitter.link Rachel Shabi gives the strong thesis that in the Amsterdam riots there was bad behaviour from both sides. Her references to Professor David Feldman's statements that there is a well of Anti-semitism drawn on by so called 'pro Palestinians' is usually evident
November 16, 2024 at 9:00 PM
In her piece in @guardian.extwitter.link Rachel Shabi gives the strong thesis that in the Amsterdam riots there was bad behaviour from both sides. Her references to Professor David Feldman's statements that there is a well of Anti-semitism drawn on by so called 'pro Palestinians' is usually evident
@deepseadawn.bsky.social
Scientific practice has a series of protocols (not ones that cannot be modified) One early one is the motto of The Royal Society 'Nullius in Verba' Take nobody's word. Basically evidence and structured arguments count as valid ways to provisionally accept statements.
Scientific practice has a series of protocols (not ones that cannot be modified) One early one is the motto of The Royal Society 'Nullius in Verba' Take nobody's word. Basically evidence and structured arguments count as valid ways to provisionally accept statements.
November 16, 2024 at 2:32 PM
@deepseadawn.bsky.social
Scientific practice has a series of protocols (not ones that cannot be modified) One early one is the motto of The Royal Society 'Nullius in Verba' Take nobody's word. Basically evidence and structured arguments count as valid ways to provisionally accept statements.
Scientific practice has a series of protocols (not ones that cannot be modified) One early one is the motto of The Royal Society 'Nullius in Verba' Take nobody's word. Basically evidence and structured arguments count as valid ways to provisionally accept statements.
I am reading William Dalrymple's 'The Golden Road'. He writes about the importance (and underrated) of Indian culture and history on the world. As part of the studies of the History of Mathematics I have long been aware of our number system originating in India. There are many other things as well.
November 16, 2024 at 9:51 AM
I am reading William Dalrymple's 'The Golden Road'. He writes about the importance (and underrated) of Indian culture and history on the world. As part of the studies of the History of Mathematics I have long been aware of our number system originating in India. There are many other things as well.
Hello. Just joined Bluesky.
November 14, 2024 at 7:00 PM
Hello. Just joined Bluesky.