2,358 research outputs found
Bad Astronomy
No full textThis web site is devoted to airing out myths and common misconceptions about astronomy and related topics. There is also a blog which the author, who is an astronomer, often posts to
Motion and mobility in the realist novels of Philip K Dick
No full textThis essay explores the ways that ideas of motion and mobility support readings of Philip K Dick's early novels that take full account of the changing geographical context. They are set during a period of rapid suburban expansion, the building of the interstate and the spread of automobility through car ownership, and their characters frequently exist in a state between continuity through conformity and the potential for change. The open ended forms of the novels reflect a world around Dick that was still under construction, and where alternative realities can be glimpsed between incomplete materialities
An analysis of the correspondence and hagiographical works of Philip of Harvengt
No full textFor every famous author of the twelfth-century renaissance, there are numerous lesser-known writers. Despite being overshadowed by more brilliant scholars or those closer to the centre of important events, their voices add depth to the study of the intellectual history of this period. A founding member of one of the earliest Premonstratensian houses; a highly-educated and prolific author, much in demand as a hagiographer; and a vigorous defender of the clerical order, Philip of Harvengt is one such writer, and a worthy subject for study. This thesis examines two bodies of Philip’s works – his letters and his hagiographical writings – analysing the predominant and recurrent concerns and ideals expressed in them, and the means by which they are expressed.
The letters are carefully crafted works, examples of the literary labour which Philip writes is incumbent upon the cleric. The first part of this thesis approaches these letters in chapters on four themes: the role of the ecclesiastical prelate; the importance of learning; the relationship between religious orders; and Philip’s use of the motif of friendship. His hagiographical works, too, are examples of literary artistry, to move as well as to educate the audience. In the second part of the thesis, these will be discussed individually, with the first chapter analysing his vita of Oda, a nun attached to his own house, whom he portrays as a martyr. The succeeding chapters consider Philip’s rewritings of earlier vitae, and show how he managed his sources in order to produce vitae depicting their subjects according to his ideal model of sanctity.
Philip’s letters express concerns shared by contemporaries, reflecting anxieties surrounding roles and ideal forms of living in a period immediately following the first fervour of religious renewal. His hagiographies articulate ideals of sanctity, clarifying these when they are not made sufficiently explicit in earlier works, for the better edification of an audience pursuing this vita perfecta. Both letters and hagiographies are designed to exhort and instruct the reader or listener: above all, Philip is a teacher
On Philip Pullman’s fantastic politics and The Book of Dust
No full textFirst paragraph: Millions have been thrilled to hear that His Dark Materials author Philip Pullman is back with the long-awaited follow-up to the infamous trilogy. The Book of Dust had been referred to as early as the publication of The Amber Spyglass in 2000, but at last the first in a new trilogy is confirmed for publication in October. Pre-orders have already propelled the first title to the top of the bestseller lists, and speculation is running riot
Increasing transparency in the British Journal of Nutrition
No full textKeen readers of the BJN will have noticed the recent appearance of ‘conflict of interest’ statements and of more complete descriptions of the contribution of each author to the publication. I have introduced these innovations in order to increase the transparency of the articles that we publish in the BJN; further strategies to increase accuracy, transparency and accountability of papers published in the journal will follow in order to encourage a climate of intellectual honesty and to decrease the risk of misconduct. In particular, the journal will follow as closely as possible the recommendations and guidelines of the Committee on Publishing Ethics (COPE)(1) and of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE)(2). COPE and ICMJE have made available a range of guidelines aimed at establishing best practice in scientific publishing. These include guidelines for authors and for the conduct of reviewers, editorial boards and editors. Many of the guidelines are already followed by the BJN, but others are not yet fully in place
When do special interests run rampant ? disentangling the role in banking crises of elections, incomplete information, and checks and balances
No full textThe author investigates the political determinants of government decisions that benefit special interest groups - especially government decisions to deal with banking crises. He finds that the better informed the voters, the more proximate elections, and the larger the number of political veto players ( conditional on the costs to voters of relevant policy decision), the smaller the government's fiscal transfer are to the financial sector and the less likely the government is to exercise forbearance in dealing with insolvent financial institutions. The results suggest that policies thatmight be appropriate for mitigating banking crises in the United States might be less effective in settings where voters are less informed, where elections are less competitive, and where there are fewer veto players, because in these settings checks and balances are missing. These policies include: a) Disseminating information about the costs of inefficient government decisions. b) Improving the structure of legislative regulatory oversight. c) Intervening early in insolvent banks. The author concludes that the more veto players there are, the less likely policies are to favor special interest groups (contrary to previous views). Moreover, the closer the elections, the less likely policies are to favor special interest groups.
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