Random Variable

Check out Ben Goldacre’s latest on HIV quackery. It makes the blood boil.

Been pretty tired recently-two essays have been getting to my head. The first I’ve pretty much nailed, which is on the diversity of absolutist states in the seventeenth century (you may yawn, but it’s actually quite interesting). I opted for a rational choice approach, which is fun, as I’ve spent a year trying to bash it.

The other I’ve just been totally lost in. The question is “Is there a direction to history?” As a Latourian, my answer is obvious, but I seem to be going all over the place. Any pointers would be welcome…

I inserted a DVD containing my digital identity from 1998 to 2002. I had a bit of a browse and was considering republishing some of my earlier essays, including a neo-marxist piece of why one should not speak in class, written as a joke for my friend’s sister who was 13 at the time. It’s good, but it’s too much of a reminder of my earlier, varied (read religious) life.

The following quote from the bible comes to mind:

“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”

I realise that I’ve been pretty much intellectually dormant for about five years since I left sixth form (high school to you Americans).

“And where does the newborn go from here? The net is vast and infinite.”

Fun Times,
originally uploaded by One Off Man Mental.

Today is my birthday, and I decided it would be a good opportunity to get random people together.

It was rather fun I thought.

Piccies, as ever, are on Flickr.

Welcome to my new blog on Planet Gehirn.

This differs from the previous (now deleted) blog on LiveJournal. I aim to be less personal, more technical, more incisive – or at the very least, there will be more ranting.

You be welcome.