Worringly before today we hadn't recorded a league win since 26th December, when we squeaked a 2-1 victory over Derby. A home match against Sunderland - who've only picked up two points on the road all season - had to be regarded as a home banker.
Benitez's team selection had some baffled. The sight of Torres and Crouch up front was welcome, and even playing Carra at right back was understandable to give Skrrtel a chance while still having some cover, but even I must admit that deploying Lucas Leiva on the left of midfield - leaving out Kewell, Benayoun and Babel - was somewhat baffling. Perhaps the plan was for him to tuck in and Aurelio to prive the width, bringing us closer to a 3-2-3-2 wingback formation (although with Pennant presumably playing further forward on the right). Whatever, that didn't seem particularly successful and it was no surprise to see Aurelio and Leiva replaced, even if it meant Finnan playing left back (something he has done before).
By all accounts the first half was dire, with few chances, but I have to give Mascherano and our defence some credit for effectively stiffling Sunderland's attack. In the second half, however, we saw a Crouch header, then his knock-on for Torres, illustrate the potential of this partnership. I definitely hope the two get more playing time together, although I was surprised substitute Kuyt wasn't given a chance to break his scoring duck from the 89th minute penalty (that Gerrard instead converted to put a gloss on the scoreline).
To be fair, things might have been closer. At 2-0, Sunderland probably should have had a penalty for a Carragher handball. His tendency to wave his arms around is perhaps his defensive weakpoint - maybe that was part of the reason to play him at right back, after he conceded a penalty the other day! The commentators suggested the let-off from ref Whiley makes up for the dodgy one he awarded Chelsea earlier in the season, but I must say I'd prefer to concede a penalty when 2-0 up to Sunderland rather than 1-0 up to Chelsea.
Anyway, at the end of the day what we needed to do was win, no matter how. While the commentators claimed we were playing poorly, they're normally the first to praise Man Utd, Arsenal or Chelsea for winning while doing so. If we can play poorly and win 3-0, I'll always take that...
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Old Boy Racers
Those mobility scooters are seriously dangerous. I think old people these days have no respect.
(Pedantic bit: it doesn't actually say the driver was elderly; I'm assuming it)
(Pedantic bit: it doesn't actually say the driver was elderly; I'm assuming it)
Friday, February 01, 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
White on Inheritance Tax
My college advisor, Stuart White, is quoted in this BBC Magazine article.
UPDATE: Seems Nick beat me to it.
UPDATE: Seems Nick beat me to it.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
West Ham 1-0 Liverpool
Well, at least our run of league draws is over... Didn't see the game but it sounds as if we were pretty poor. Again it was a defensive mistake that cost us - after recent own goals from Aurelio and Skrtel, this time Carragher conceding a penalty. Not even the Liverpool website disputed that, but did claim we'd been denied one of our own for a blatant handball 15 minutes earlier. Sadly, wasn't to be.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Liverpool 5-2 Havant & Waterlooville
Despite talk of the romance of the cup, no one seriously expected a 'cupset' here so it was a massive surprise when H&W took the lead not once but twice in the first half. A Liverpool team stripped of its spine (Reina, Carragher, Gerrard and Torres) looked short of fluency, but its hard to say whether it was complacency or the weight of expectation. In any case, Skrtel had a debut to forget - needlessly conceding a corner that led to the first goal before a wicked deflection that may see the second credited as his own goal.
Nonetheless, once Benayoun pulled us level - again - before half-time, I never had any serious doubts. I didn't buy the idea that H&W wouldn't be fit - they're used to playing 90 mins and one of them's a binman - but quality told in the end. Benayoun completed his second hat-trick of the season (the first against Besiktas) while a brief run-out for Carragher and Gerrard (principally I assume for the benefit of the H&W players) was time enough for the latter to set up Crouch to complete the scoreline. Maybe that fifth makes Liverpool look more dominant than they were, at least in the first half, but H&W should be rpoud of themselves.
Nonetheless, once Benayoun pulled us level - again - before half-time, I never had any serious doubts. I didn't buy the idea that H&W wouldn't be fit - they're used to playing 90 mins and one of them's a binman - but quality told in the end. Benayoun completed his second hat-trick of the season (the first against Besiktas) while a brief run-out for Carragher and Gerrard (principally I assume for the benefit of the H&W players) was time enough for the latter to set up Crouch to complete the scoreline. Maybe that fifth makes Liverpool look more dominant than they were, at least in the first half, but H&W should be rpoud of themselves.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Estlund ch.2
The second installment of the Public Reason reading group is available here. Again, I got first comment (I think this must be because most contributors are in the US - or more inclined to take their time to think...). Discussion of the first chapter proved most informative and David Estlund even wrote an interesting reply. I'm looking forward to chapter 4, though Jonathan has set a high bar...
Monday, January 21, 2008
Liverpool 2-2 Aston Villa
This game reminds me of the Spurs match earlier in the season: we were fairly dominant but failed to build a lead, fell behind to two quick goals and were lucky to scrape a draw. I suppose in the context, I should praise our battling spirit, but the truth is it's two points dropped.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Guitar Hero
Last night I went on a pub crawl to celebrate Nick's birthday, which was actually earlier in the week. We ended up back at his place, playing Guitar Hero III. I didn't actually attempt this, having found Smashing Pumpkins and Metallica challenging enough (I had a go at 'One' but Steve predictably thrashed me), but the most impressive was Dragonforce's 'Through The Fire And Flames' (links: video, check out the guitar duel from c.3:20, lyrics, someone playing Guitar Hero, scarily well).
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
GPTW: Defining the Demos
This afternoon I'm presenting at the Graduate Political Theory Workshop on the appropriate boundaries of the demos. Abstract follows:
Democracy is an inclusive ideal but, until recently, little attention has been paid to who should be included. Democratic practice takes constituencies, such as the nation-state, for granted, while democratic theory has little to say on the topic. Among those who have explicitly addressed the issue (Arrhenius, Dahl, and Goodin) a popular answer has been the ‘all-affected principle’, which claims everyone affected by a decision should have a say in making it. This raises several well-known problems, such as defining who is relevantly affected.
This paper argues that the all-affected principle effectively gets things back to front. I argue that it is important to understand democracy as a system of collective agency, not simply equal respect for each person as a moral patient. Since not all patients are agents, this in itself suggests that not all with interests at stake should be enfranchised. I go on to discuss the importance of democracy in allowing us to impose costs and benefits on each other in order to achieve coordination in ways that are, in the long-run, presumptively beneficial to all. While any given agent may lose from any given decision, all have reason to comply to the system as a whole because, provided that it is fair, it not only ensures coordination but gives them a chance to have their way in future. The collective decision procedure therefore allows some members of the demos to impose costs on other members of the demos as if they were parts of a collective agent. This power is, however, limited to imposing burdens on other members of the demos, not outsiders.
Agents are normally responsible for the consequences of their actions and so, I suggest, it is for the demos conceived of as a collective agent – what a group do, the group is responsible for. The group are legitimately entitled to distribute internal costs according to their own mechanisms of justice and democracy, but they are not thereby entitled to impose costs on outsiders. Collective agency is therefore limited by something like Mill’s harm principle – the demos are not entitled to negatively affect outsiders through their agency, and if they do are presumably liable to pay compensation. Whereas Goodin conceives of such reparations as an inferior substitute for enfranchising those others, however, I argue it is the ideal. We do not think you are entitled to a say in whatever I do if it may affect you, merely that I am debarred from negatively affecting (harming) you in certain ways. Similarly, the demos is not required to give any affected outsiders influence in its decisions, simply not to inflict certain setbacks on those outsiders (or to compensate them), because they are not automatically compensated by being part of the democratic distribution of benefits and burdens. I conclude that being affected does not entitle one to influence in decisions and the boundaries of the demos must be settled prior to democratic decision.
Democracy is an inclusive ideal but, until recently, little attention has been paid to who should be included. Democratic practice takes constituencies, such as the nation-state, for granted, while democratic theory has little to say on the topic. Among those who have explicitly addressed the issue (Arrhenius, Dahl, and Goodin) a popular answer has been the ‘all-affected principle’, which claims everyone affected by a decision should have a say in making it. This raises several well-known problems, such as defining who is relevantly affected.
This paper argues that the all-affected principle effectively gets things back to front. I argue that it is important to understand democracy as a system of collective agency, not simply equal respect for each person as a moral patient. Since not all patients are agents, this in itself suggests that not all with interests at stake should be enfranchised. I go on to discuss the importance of democracy in allowing us to impose costs and benefits on each other in order to achieve coordination in ways that are, in the long-run, presumptively beneficial to all. While any given agent may lose from any given decision, all have reason to comply to the system as a whole because, provided that it is fair, it not only ensures coordination but gives them a chance to have their way in future. The collective decision procedure therefore allows some members of the demos to impose costs on other members of the demos as if they were parts of a collective agent. This power is, however, limited to imposing burdens on other members of the demos, not outsiders.
Agents are normally responsible for the consequences of their actions and so, I suggest, it is for the demos conceived of as a collective agent – what a group do, the group is responsible for. The group are legitimately entitled to distribute internal costs according to their own mechanisms of justice and democracy, but they are not thereby entitled to impose costs on outsiders. Collective agency is therefore limited by something like Mill’s harm principle – the demos are not entitled to negatively affect outsiders through their agency, and if they do are presumably liable to pay compensation. Whereas Goodin conceives of such reparations as an inferior substitute for enfranchising those others, however, I argue it is the ideal. We do not think you are entitled to a say in whatever I do if it may affect you, merely that I am debarred from negatively affecting (harming) you in certain ways. Similarly, the demos is not required to give any affected outsiders influence in its decisions, simply not to inflict certain setbacks on those outsiders (or to compensate them), because they are not automatically compensated by being part of the democratic distribution of benefits and burdens. I conclude that being affected does not entitle one to influence in decisions and the boundaries of the demos must be settled prior to democratic decision.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Liverpool 5-0 Luton (FA Cup replay)
Back in 2006 our run to lifting the FA Cup began with a thrilling 5-3 win over Luton. Having already been frustrated by a 1-1 draw last week, however, it seemed Benitez was taking no chances, and fielded arguably our strongest team, aside from Itandje in goal, with even Gerrard and Torres starting.
A determined Luton rearguard, marshalled by Don Hutchinson of all people, impressively held out for almost all of a very one-sided first half, but the commentators were only ever talking of how long it would be. Fortunately for us, a lapse of cocentration in first half injury time allowed Babel (who's already hit the post) to fire in the first and that seemed to break the Luton resistance as Liverpool were 4-0 up by 64 minutes.
Gerrard's first and Hyypia's both came from headers, underlining Liverpool's dominance in the air, and Gerrard struck two long-range shots to complete a hat-trick shortly before making way for Lucs Leiva. Luton can hold their heads up high for even taking us to a replay, much less holding out as long as they did, but they'll be more grateful for the extra money; while I think we can be pleased enough with a professional 5-0 win. Hopefully we won't need our full team in the next round, which will probably be against Swansea (subject to replay tomorrow).
A determined Luton rearguard, marshalled by Don Hutchinson of all people, impressively held out for almost all of a very one-sided first half, but the commentators were only ever talking of how long it would be. Fortunately for us, a lapse of cocentration in first half injury time allowed Babel (who's already hit the post) to fire in the first and that seemed to break the Luton resistance as Liverpool were 4-0 up by 64 minutes.
Gerrard's first and Hyypia's both came from headers, underlining Liverpool's dominance in the air, and Gerrard struck two long-range shots to complete a hat-trick shortly before making way for Lucs Leiva. Luton can hold their heads up high for even taking us to a replay, much less holding out as long as they did, but they'll be more grateful for the extra money; while I think we can be pleased enough with a professional 5-0 win. Hopefully we won't need our full team in the next round, which will probably be against Swansea (subject to replay tomorrow).
Monday, January 14, 2008
And yet another...
As if it weren't enough that most of my peers from college have finished, today saw my friend Julia's successful viva. Well done!
Estlund Reading Group Begins
The previously advertised reading group on David Estlund's new book has begun over at Public Reason. And I got to make the first comment!
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Middlesbrough 1-1 Liverpool
Another frustrating draw. Although, let it not be forgotten that the Riverside hasn't been a happy hunting ground in recent year - we hadn't so much as scored here since 2002. Moreover, 'Boro tend to raise their game for the top sides, as shown by the fact that Arsenal lost here. (On the subject of which, Arsenal were also held at home by Birmingham, like us - simply underscoring the fact that blips happen, the trouble is ensuring they're not too regular).
I suppose I can take some comfort from the fact we came from behind to equalize, via a great Torres goal. Also Agger's presence on the bench was a welcome sight after four months out. UPDATE: Spoke too soon. I'm pretty worried about him now... This Skrtel had better be good!
I suppose I can take some comfort from the fact we came from behind to equalize, via a great Torres goal. Also Agger's presence on the bench was a welcome sight after four months out. UPDATE: Spoke too soon. I'm pretty worried about him now... This Skrtel had better be good!
Friday, January 11, 2008
0th Week Round-Up
It's good to be back in Oxford...
On Monday, I went for a quick congratulatory post-viva drink with Steve.
On Tuesday I had lunch with interview candidates for the JRF in Politics at Jesus and then in the evening went to Intrusion (the monthly goth night) down the Cellar.
On Wednesday I spent most of the day at the Centre for Political Ideologies Workshop on 'the Real and the Imaginary' and then in the evening had my supervisor to the formal graduate dinner at Jesus (three free meals over two days there!) before going on to the post-BPhil Philosophy party in Holywell Manor. Just before dinner I got offered some more Mill teaching too, which pretty much completes my load for the term.
Thursday wasn't really a productive day but I did try to get some work done - been trying to get through some reading on Hegel for Jerry's class.
This morning I was invigilating undergraduate Collections (internal college exams), which meant I got paid while I was reading the paper for Monday's Nuffield seminar(!) In the afternoon, I received an invitation to interview for the Queens JRF in Politics, which meant I had to spend most of the afternoon finding and editing some writing samples (rather than writing my presentation for next week's graduate political theory workshop) but was very welcome news.
On Monday, I went for a quick congratulatory post-viva drink with Steve.
On Tuesday I had lunch with interview candidates for the JRF in Politics at Jesus and then in the evening went to Intrusion (the monthly goth night) down the Cellar.
On Wednesday I spent most of the day at the Centre for Political Ideologies Workshop on 'the Real and the Imaginary' and then in the evening had my supervisor to the formal graduate dinner at Jesus (three free meals over two days there!) before going on to the post-BPhil Philosophy party in Holywell Manor. Just before dinner I got offered some more Mill teaching too, which pretty much completes my load for the term.
Thursday wasn't really a productive day but I did try to get some work done - been trying to get through some reading on Hegel for Jerry's class.
This morning I was invigilating undergraduate Collections (internal college exams), which meant I got paid while I was reading the paper for Monday's Nuffield seminar(!) In the afternoon, I received an invitation to interview for the Queens JRF in Politics, which meant I had to spend most of the afternoon finding and editing some writing samples (rather than writing my presentation for next week's graduate political theory workshop) but was very welcome news.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Lectures
Term's almost upon us and lecture lists are available here. Select highlights:
Monday
4:30 Moral philosophy seminar
Tuesday
5 Law faculty seminar on political philosophy (I'm waiting to see the contents - but suspect it'll be Rawls and Dworkin)
Wednesday
2 'Sexual ethics' with Prof R. M. Adams
5 Graduate Political Theory Workshop
Thursday
11 Philosophy of beauty with Roger Scruton
10-12 (even weeks) Julian Savulescu's Applied Ethics group
5 Jerry's Hegel & Marx class
Friday
Teaching day?
Monday
4:30 Moral philosophy seminar
Tuesday
5 Law faculty seminar on political philosophy (I'm waiting to see the contents - but suspect it'll be Rawls and Dworkin)
Wednesday
2 'Sexual ethics' with Prof R. M. Adams
5 Graduate Political Theory Workshop
Thursday
11 Philosophy of beauty with Roger Scruton
10-12 (even weeks) Julian Savulescu's Applied Ethics group
5 Jerry's Hegel & Marx class
Friday
Teaching day?
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Reviewing Terrorism
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
ESF Journal Rankings
It's a slightly old post, but Thom Brooks links to ESF journal rankings in philosophy. Some of interest:
A
American Philosophical Quarterly
Analysis
Australasian Journal of Philosophy
Economics and Philosophy
Erkenntnis
Ethics
Journal of Philosophy
Law and Philosophy
Nous
Philosophical Quarterly
Philosophical Review
Philosophy and Phenomenological Research
Philosophy and Public Affairs
Social Philosophy and Policy
B
Bioethics
Ethical Theory and Moral Practice
Journal of Applied Philosophy
Journal of Ethics
Journal of Moral Philosophy
Journal of Political Philosophy
Journal of Value Inquiry
Legal Theory
Metaphilosophy
Political Theory
Politics, Philosophy and Economics
Ratio
Res Publica
Utilitas
C
Ethical Perspectives
Philosophy
A
American Philosophical Quarterly
Analysis
Australasian Journal of Philosophy
Economics and Philosophy
Erkenntnis
Ethics
Journal of Philosophy
Law and Philosophy
Nous
Philosophical Quarterly
Philosophical Review
Philosophy and Phenomenological Research
Philosophy and Public Affairs
Social Philosophy and Policy
B
Bioethics
Ethical Theory and Moral Practice
Journal of Applied Philosophy
Journal of Ethics
Journal of Moral Philosophy
Journal of Political Philosophy
Journal of Value Inquiry
Legal Theory
Metaphilosophy
Political Theory
Politics, Philosophy and Economics
Ratio
Res Publica
Utilitas
C
Ethical Perspectives
Philosophy
Monday, January 07, 2008
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Luton 1-1 Liverpool (FA Cup)
This is, I believe, the first time in Rafa's tenure that Liverpool have faced a team below the Championship, and I expected him to follow Wenger's strategy of employing (for the most part) a youthful reserve side - including at least some of Hobbs, Insua, El Zhar, Spearing, Leto and maybe even Simon. As it was, eight changes were made and while the likes of Itandje, Leiva and Babel got starts, it was still a strong side.
It's all the more frustrating then that they were unable to defeat a team in the League One relegation zone (albeit only because of a ten point penalty). It's true that Luton didn't create too many dangerous chances, and even their equalizer was an own goal by Riise, but the fact is that nor did we and they were good money for a draw. Speaking of which, no one can really begrudge them a much needed and lucrative return tie at Anfield. For them, it's probably the best result, and I'm not too bothered about fixture congestion either. This time I think we should play the reserves - they can't do much worse...
It's all the more frustrating then that they were unable to defeat a team in the League One relegation zone (albeit only because of a ten point penalty). It's true that Luton didn't create too many dangerous chances, and even their equalizer was an own goal by Riise, but the fact is that nor did we and they were good money for a draw. Speaking of which, no one can really begrudge them a much needed and lucrative return tie at Anfield. For them, it's probably the best result, and I'm not too bothered about fixture congestion either. This time I think we should play the reserves - they can't do much worse...
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Political Thought Conference
I've just finished with the Oxford political thought conference (mention of which here), which has taken up most of my time since I got back. The two conveners chose an interesting mix of papers - half analytic philosophy (Cohen, Steiner, Mendus and McDermott) and half continental/post-modern/structural. No need to say which I preferred, but I attended seven of the sessions and benefited from at least five, finding the one on sex and genos in Republic particularly interesting...
As ever, it's not simply the papers that matter. Last year, I thought the social side of the conference was a bit of a let-down, in that I met very very people I didn't already know and think I spent most of the social time with fellow Oxford grad students. I think this is partly down to the slightly strange way the conference is run, so I wasn't an official participant or there for meals etc. Nonetheless, I think this year was much better.
Special credit to those willing to talk to graduate students, in the bar or over coffee. I got to meet Keith Sutherland, who has already published one book on sortition and whose Imprint Academic are hoping to publish more soon. I also got to pick up an issue of Polis (23:2) dedicated to Ernest Barker on Plato and Aristotle, which has an interesting looking paper about Greek democracy. On the subject of journals, I met Simon Tormey, reviews editor at Contemporary Political Theory, which may be useful (I'm still trying to get a copy of the Estlund book). Plus I got to have a chat with Hillel Steiner (who I may well see again at this year's Warwick grad conference) about his paper, over coffee, and meet and talk to several other interesting people and old friends. (Another plug: Clare's book, out very soon).
As ever, it's not simply the papers that matter. Last year, I thought the social side of the conference was a bit of a let-down, in that I met very very people I didn't already know and think I spent most of the social time with fellow Oxford grad students. I think this is partly down to the slightly strange way the conference is run, so I wasn't an official participant or there for meals etc. Nonetheless, I think this year was much better.
Special credit to those willing to talk to graduate students, in the bar or over coffee. I got to meet Keith Sutherland, who has already published one book on sortition and whose Imprint Academic are hoping to publish more soon. I also got to pick up an issue of Polis (23:2) dedicated to Ernest Barker on Plato and Aristotle, which has an interesting looking paper about Greek democracy. On the subject of journals, I met Simon Tormey, reviews editor at Contemporary Political Theory, which may be useful (I'm still trying to get a copy of the Estlund book). Plus I got to have a chat with Hillel Steiner (who I may well see again at this year's Warwick grad conference) about his paper, over coffee, and meet and talk to several other interesting people and old friends. (Another plug: Clare's book, out very soon).
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Back
I'm back in Oxford now. The journey/move went fairly well, apart from having misplaced the plug adaptor for my computer speakers, meaning I have no music :(
Since I'm spending most of the next two days at the Political Thought Conference that shouldn't be a huge loss though.
Since I'm spending most of the next two days at the Political Thought Conference that shouldn't be a huge loss though.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
G A Cohen Bites
I'm returning to Oxford tomorrow, hoping to make it to the Political Thought Conference (programme), although I've heard Jerry Cohen's stuff before. On the subject though, I've just been directed to this podcast interview, via CT.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Apoptygma Berzerk
As I said, the only actual present I got this year was APB's Welcome to Earth album. It was while compiling a Christmas list that I noticed all their old albums - including the otherwise impossible to get hold of Soli Deo Gloria - have been reissued with bonus tracks, and all are now available on Amazon for just £11.99. Too bad this now completes my collection of studio albums (well, I don't actually have the aforementioned SDG, but this compilation covers most of the band's early hits).
It's an interesting time to reflect on their progression, from the earlier more industrial/gothic songs like Deep Red to their current, far more commercial, synthpop incarnation, as revealed in In This Together and Unicorn (sadly, can't find the duet version). The change is even more evident when you look at their videos.
Welcome to Earth must count as 'mid-period' APB. While I'm sure that, like their other albums, it's a grower, it's currently my least favourite by some distance. Highlights, however, include Kathy's Song and the cover of Metallica's Fade to Black (which is a must see, just because it's so different from the original).
It's an interesting time to reflect on their progression, from the earlier more industrial/gothic songs like Deep Red to their current, far more commercial, synthpop incarnation, as revealed in In This Together and Unicorn (sadly, can't find the duet version). The change is even more evident when you look at their videos.
Welcome to Earth must count as 'mid-period' APB. While I'm sure that, like their other albums, it's a grower, it's currently my least favourite by some distance. Highlights, however, include Kathy's Song and the cover of Metallica's Fade to Black (which is a must see, just because it's so different from the original).
Birthday
I'm 26 today. Sadly, being stuck in Colchester - because I'm unable to move into my college room until Thursday - means I haven't really got any plans for either my birthday or NYE. Thanks to all who sent cards, texts, emails, facebook messages, etc though.
I'm not sure which gets less exciting as you get older, Christmas or birthdays. While I did receive some money, literally the only present (to be opened straight from the Amazon packaging) was the reissue of Apoptygma Berzerk's Welcome to Earth.
I'm not sure which gets less exciting as you get older, Christmas or birthdays. While I did receive some money, literally the only present (to be opened straight from the Amazon packaging) was the reissue of Apoptygma Berzerk's Welcome to Earth.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Man City 0-0 Liverpool
With Manchester United's shock defeat this was a great opportunity to close the gap on the top while widening our lead over surely one of the favourites to break into the top four this season. It wasn't to be easy, however - only in their previous game had City lost their 100% home record in the league.
While a point was somewhat frustrating, given the way that we battered City's defence for most of the game, the failure to make a breakthrough illustrates our difficulties in finishing teams off and the question mark over who - other than Gerrard and Torres - looks a reliable goalscorer. Personally I'd be happy to see Kuyt and/or Voronin be replaced with someone who looks a more clinical finisher. The Van Nistelrooy-style goal-getter isn't really Benitez's style, but I think we want someone who's main job is putting the ball in the net.
While a point was somewhat frustrating, given the way that we battered City's defence for most of the game, the failure to make a breakthrough illustrates our difficulties in finishing teams off and the question mark over who - other than Gerrard and Torres - looks a reliable goalscorer. Personally I'd be happy to see Kuyt and/or Voronin be replaced with someone who looks a more clinical finisher. The Van Nistelrooy-style goal-getter isn't really Benitez's style, but I think we want someone who's main job is putting the ball in the net.
Friday, December 28, 2007
The 19th Century Canon
My friend Rob is currently getting to grips with Plato.
I'm currently working on filling some more recent gaps in my knowledge. I hope I know Mill's Utiltiarianism and On Liberty pretty well, but I decided it was about time I read something else - so I've just finished Considerations on Representative Government. Just the Subjection of Women left now to finish my four essay set (which, btw, was only £2.99 when I bought it in 2000, and now apparently £6.99 cover price!).
I've followed that up by re-reading Marx's Communist Manifesto today. If I get time next term, I'd like to finally attend Jerry's Hegel and Marx class and learn a bit about this chap. I hear he may be important...
I'm currently working on filling some more recent gaps in my knowledge. I hope I know Mill's Utiltiarianism and On Liberty pretty well, but I decided it was about time I read something else - so I've just finished Considerations on Representative Government. Just the Subjection of Women left now to finish my four essay set (which, btw, was only £2.99 when I bought it in 2000, and now apparently £6.99 cover price!).
I've followed that up by re-reading Marx's Communist Manifesto today. If I get time next term, I'd like to finally attend Jerry's Hegel and Marx class and learn a bit about this chap. I hear he may be important...
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Extra Celebs
I've been pretty disappointed with this Christmas' TV to be honest, which at least reassures me that I'm not missing much in Oxford. I did quite enjoy tonights Extras Christmas special. It wasn't as good as the Office finale, but it was a nice exploration of celebrity with a bit of character depth. (I don't want to give away any details, like the ending, so can't say much more). Anyway, vaguely on topic this rant from Damon Albarn.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Derby 1-2 Liverpool
Well, they say that good teams are those that can play badly and snatch wins - it's certainly an art Man Utd have perfected and it never did them much harm.
Of course, needing a 90th minute winner to see off Derby is hardly encouraging, but this was never quite going to be a walkover - Derby would obviously be highly motivated to put up a better performance after losing 6-0 at Anfield earlier in the season, and buoyed by their performance against Newcastle (a game they probably should've won).
Even so, after Torres opened the scoring on twelve minutes, it looked like it would be a relatively routine win. Sadly, it wasn't to be and, although we battered them for most of the first half, our finishing just wasn't there. Things took a turn for the worse in the second half - first Hyypia forced off injured (leaving us playing John Arne Riise as a make-shift centre back) and then an equaliser conceded from a rather dubious free-kick.
Thankfully, blushes were spared by a late Gerrard surge. Having just come close by hitting the bar, he was on hand to knock in a rebound after Torres' first effort had been saved. No doubt pundits would be inclined to say 'Gerrard, who else?' but I think it's fair to say you can't call us a one man team with Torres up front. (Beyond that, I admit no one else in our squad is at their level - but where would United be without Ronaldo?)
Anyway, we made harder work of it than I'd have liked, but it's three points and that's all that matters come May. We'll need to be sharper for Man City next though.
Of course, needing a 90th minute winner to see off Derby is hardly encouraging, but this was never quite going to be a walkover - Derby would obviously be highly motivated to put up a better performance after losing 6-0 at Anfield earlier in the season, and buoyed by their performance against Newcastle (a game they probably should've won).
Even so, after Torres opened the scoring on twelve minutes, it looked like it would be a relatively routine win. Sadly, it wasn't to be and, although we battered them for most of the first half, our finishing just wasn't there. Things took a turn for the worse in the second half - first Hyypia forced off injured (leaving us playing John Arne Riise as a make-shift centre back) and then an equaliser conceded from a rather dubious free-kick.
Thankfully, blushes were spared by a late Gerrard surge. Having just come close by hitting the bar, he was on hand to knock in a rebound after Torres' first effort had been saved. No doubt pundits would be inclined to say 'Gerrard, who else?' but I think it's fair to say you can't call us a one man team with Torres up front. (Beyond that, I admit no one else in our squad is at their level - but where would United be without Ronaldo?)
Anyway, we made harder work of it than I'd have liked, but it's three points and that's all that matters come May. We'll need to be sharper for Man City next though.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Late Delivery
Apparently complaints about online shopping deliveries have risen in the run-up to Christmas.
The last of my Christmas presents (i.e. those I'd purchased for others) arrived this morning - just. My brother and I placed placed a joint Amazon order (my present for dad and his for mum) on the 19th. Both items were in stock and we were given an estimated despatch date of 20th, with super saver (free) delivery to reach us by the 24th.
On the 20th, I noticed that one of the items had come down a couple of quid in price, so cancelled the original order and ordered the same items again, this time with 1st class postage (which was still cheaper). Again Amazon estimated that they'd despatch on the 20th, but with the order now due to arrive on 21st or 22nd - and they continued to say this up until they did despatch in the early hours of the 22nd... Thankfully in the meantime they'd emailed to say they'd give top priority to all orders due by Christmas and, if need be, upgrade the postage for free. I think that's what they did, as the order arrived seemingly by Royal Mail special delivery.
While this isn't perhaps quite as smooth as the system is supposed to run, so close to Christmas I would regard it as perfectly satisfactory service. What I do find somewhat disturbing, however, is that I placed a Vine request (for the new Powderfinger album) on the 21st and received that on the 22nd...
The last of my Christmas presents (i.e. those I'd purchased for others) arrived this morning - just. My brother and I placed placed a joint Amazon order (my present for dad and his for mum) on the 19th. Both items were in stock and we were given an estimated despatch date of 20th, with super saver (free) delivery to reach us by the 24th.
On the 20th, I noticed that one of the items had come down a couple of quid in price, so cancelled the original order and ordered the same items again, this time with 1st class postage (which was still cheaper). Again Amazon estimated that they'd despatch on the 20th, but with the order now due to arrive on 21st or 22nd - and they continued to say this up until they did despatch in the early hours of the 22nd... Thankfully in the meantime they'd emailed to say they'd give top priority to all orders due by Christmas and, if need be, upgrade the postage for free. I think that's what they did, as the order arrived seemingly by Royal Mail special delivery.
While this isn't perhaps quite as smooth as the system is supposed to run, so close to Christmas I would regard it as perfectly satisfactory service. What I do find somewhat disturbing, however, is that I placed a Vine request (for the new Powderfinger album) on the 21st and received that on the 22nd...
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Blair's Conversion
So, Tony Blair has finally come out. No, sorry, not that news. I mean come out as a Roman Catholic.
Personally, I don't really see why this has dominated so much of the news over the weekend. Aside from not seemingly particularly significant it was also, as at least one reporter I saw admitted, not unexpected. Technically, it's being said he converted, but I think he was already effectively a closet Catholic, even if it's only now been made official (a view backed up in comments on that BBC story).
Blair's wife is Catholic and he's regularly attended mass. In fact, what I find slightly more disturbing is hearing it reported today that he'd never hidden his faith, despite this story just last month, which reports "Tony Blair avoided talking about his religious views while in office for fear of being labelled "a nutter""
Anyway, while I wouldn't be particularly happy to be governed by a Catholic PM, and even less so to be governed by a Catholic PM who lies about his faith in public, I'm baffled why it leads so many political commentators (again, see above news link) to question his voting record. Sure, the Catholic Church teaches that abortion is wrong, but does that mean it is wrong for the PM to uphold the legal right?
Something like what Rawls calls the 'liberal principle of legitimacy' - i.e. the idea that state coercion must be justifiable to all who live under it - is taken as axiomatic by many political philosophers. The state's purpose is not to enforce some controversial 'comprehensive' conception of the good (religious or otherwise), but uphold only principles of justice in our dealings with each other.
A reasonable Catholic, therefore, should not use political power to foist Catholic moral ideas on others, regardless of whether or not they accept them. If Blair thinks abortion is immoral, he is free to do all he can in his private life to prevent it (not having one himself, counselling his children, etc). You would not, however, expect him to legally ban others from having abortions, any more than banning contraception or other religions. That's simply a consequence of living in a liberal democracy.
(Of course, I'm leaving aside many potential problems, such as drawing the line between a reasonable view of justice and comprehensive good. If Catholics are right that the foetus is a person, then abortion is murder, and the pro-choice brigade seem little better than members of the KKK who'd kill blacks because they deny that they have a right to life. My point is simply that Blair isn't obviously a hypocrite for not imposing his own moral standards on the rest of us, because that isn't what politics is about).
p.s. See Chris Brooke's discussion of Blair on Catholicism and community.
Personally, I don't really see why this has dominated so much of the news over the weekend. Aside from not seemingly particularly significant it was also, as at least one reporter I saw admitted, not unexpected. Technically, it's being said he converted, but I think he was already effectively a closet Catholic, even if it's only now been made official (a view backed up in comments on that BBC story).
Blair's wife is Catholic and he's regularly attended mass. In fact, what I find slightly more disturbing is hearing it reported today that he'd never hidden his faith, despite this story just last month, which reports "Tony Blair avoided talking about his religious views while in office for fear of being labelled "a nutter""
Anyway, while I wouldn't be particularly happy to be governed by a Catholic PM, and even less so to be governed by a Catholic PM who lies about his faith in public, I'm baffled why it leads so many political commentators (again, see above news link) to question his voting record. Sure, the Catholic Church teaches that abortion is wrong, but does that mean it is wrong for the PM to uphold the legal right?
Something like what Rawls calls the 'liberal principle of legitimacy' - i.e. the idea that state coercion must be justifiable to all who live under it - is taken as axiomatic by many political philosophers. The state's purpose is not to enforce some controversial 'comprehensive' conception of the good (religious or otherwise), but uphold only principles of justice in our dealings with each other.
A reasonable Catholic, therefore, should not use political power to foist Catholic moral ideas on others, regardless of whether or not they accept them. If Blair thinks abortion is immoral, he is free to do all he can in his private life to prevent it (not having one himself, counselling his children, etc). You would not, however, expect him to legally ban others from having abortions, any more than banning contraception or other religions. That's simply a consequence of living in a liberal democracy.
(Of course, I'm leaving aside many potential problems, such as drawing the line between a reasonable view of justice and comprehensive good. If Catholics are right that the foetus is a person, then abortion is murder, and the pro-choice brigade seem little better than members of the KKK who'd kill blacks because they deny that they have a right to life. My point is simply that Blair isn't obviously a hypocrite for not imposing his own moral standards on the rest of us, because that isn't what politics is about).
p.s. See Chris Brooke's discussion of Blair on Catholicism and community.
Academia versus Offices
This CT post embeds an Office-style video about life in the Harvard Department of Government. It's no surprise to me that similar humour works. If anyone asked, for example, I'd describe PhD comics as 'Dilbert for grad students'.
Speaking of which, via Scott Adams himself, this story of a worker fired for posting a comic at work implying his bosses were drunken lemurs. Careful what you say about your supervisor now...
Speaking of which, via Scott Adams himself, this story of a worker fired for posting a comic at work implying his bosses were drunken lemurs. Careful what you say about your supervisor now...
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Liverpool 4-1 Portsmouth
After three defeats from our last four (two in the Premiership) it was important to get back to winning ways. Portsmouth can be a pretty tough team, both at home and away (like us they have a better away record this season), but today they didn't put up too much opposition. Benitez seems to have more or less settled on a strongest line up (given current injuries) of Reina; Arbeloa, Carra, Hyypia, Riise; Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Kewell; Torres, Kuyt - and it's arguably paying dividends, though the return of Alonso (and, hopefully, soon Finnan, Agger and Pennant) may disrupt things.
Benayoun scored the first after about ten minutes and that was soon followed when Torres was dispossessed but the ball bounced off Distin and into the net for an unfortunate own goal. Thje 2-0 half-time lead looked fairly comfortable but, as ever, the next goal was important and it went to Portsmouth, Benjani pulling them back into the match just before the hour. Thankfully it didn't take too long for Torres to restore the two-goal cushion, after a bursting run from super-sub Babel resulted in a shot/cross James couldn't hold. A late fourth from Torres underlined both our superiority and his class.
Derby up next - no time to be complacent but, to be honest, I hope we rest a few key players (possibly benching Gerrard and/or Torres, with Alonso and Babel to take the places).
Benayoun scored the first after about ten minutes and that was soon followed when Torres was dispossessed but the ball bounced off Distin and into the net for an unfortunate own goal. Thje 2-0 half-time lead looked fairly comfortable but, as ever, the next goal was important and it went to Portsmouth, Benjani pulling them back into the match just before the hour. Thankfully it didn't take too long for Torres to restore the two-goal cushion, after a bursting run from super-sub Babel resulted in a shot/cross James couldn't hold. A late fourth from Torres underlined both our superiority and his class.
Derby up next - no time to be complacent but, to be honest, I hope we rest a few key players (possibly benching Gerrard and/or Torres, with Alonso and Babel to take the places).
Friday, December 21, 2007
Interview Advice
Advice on how to cope with the American Historical Association interviews (via CT). The authior says "If you’re not a historian, I don’t know how useful this material will be, though I expect some of what I say is exportable to the AAG, the MLA, or most other three-letter waking nightmares" and I dare say that includes APSA too...
Chichele Professor
There's been some speculation for a while now about who will replace G A Cohen when he retires at the end of this (academic) year (a vacancy previously noted here). Since most of it is complete conjecture or wishful thinking, it's probably not worth reporting, but there are some interesting and possibly more informed suggestions over at Crooked Timber.
For the record, I haven't applied but would be open to offers!
For the record, I haven't applied but would be open to offers!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool (League Cup)
So, another defeat to a top four rival, which makes a rather worrying three in four games now.
In fairness though, the League Cup is always the least important trophy each season, and I think this was to some extent revealed by our line up. Chelsea were without Terry and Drogba through injury and, though they rested a few others, fielded the strongest spine they could (cech, Carvalho, Lampard, Shevchenko). We were without Agger due to injury and Gerrard due to illness, but rested Reina, Mascherano, Kewell and Torres. We played three youngsters who are on the fringe of the first team (Babel, Lucas Leiva and Hobbs) and used another (El Zhar) as substitue.
If the result reveals anything, therefore, it's probably that we still don't have as much strength in depth as I'd like, despite vast improvements under Rafa. It's easy for Chelsea as they've been able to buy a huge squad and their reserves would, unsurprisingly, make a decent team in their own right. Arsenal, meanwhile, have discredited the 'men against boys' tag by continually bringing through more and more young prospects.
As for the game itself, we were well in it until Lampard scored with a deflected shot (how else?) and then, in a moment of madness, Crouch got sent off. I can't defend the tackle itself, though it was probably born of frustration. Sadly that three match suspension may prove to hurt us. Even with ten men, however, we didn't fare that badly - Shevchenko's late second didn't kill the tie off until the clock was almost up anyway.
In fairness though, the League Cup is always the least important trophy each season, and I think this was to some extent revealed by our line up. Chelsea were without Terry and Drogba through injury and, though they rested a few others, fielded the strongest spine they could (cech, Carvalho, Lampard, Shevchenko). We were without Agger due to injury and Gerrard due to illness, but rested Reina, Mascherano, Kewell and Torres. We played three youngsters who are on the fringe of the first team (Babel, Lucas Leiva and Hobbs) and used another (El Zhar) as substitue.
If the result reveals anything, therefore, it's probably that we still don't have as much strength in depth as I'd like, despite vast improvements under Rafa. It's easy for Chelsea as they've been able to buy a huge squad and their reserves would, unsurprisingly, make a decent team in their own right. Arsenal, meanwhile, have discredited the 'men against boys' tag by continually bringing through more and more young prospects.
As for the game itself, we were well in it until Lampard scored with a deflected shot (how else?) and then, in a moment of madness, Crouch got sent off. I can't defend the tackle itself, though it was probably born of frustration. Sadly that three match suspension may prove to hurt us. Even with ten men, however, we didn't fare that badly - Shevchenko's late second didn't kill the tie off until the clock was almost up anyway.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Winner Takes All
This post on Stumbling and Mumbling, about the recent X-Factor result, highlights problems with a Winner Takes All system. The problem also applies to politics, as noted in the comments there.
Lottery-voting is, in a sense, winner takes all because whoever has their vote drawn gets 100% their way. This is because although I believe compromise is often possible, I don't think it's normally easy to engineer through mechanical processes. Rather, I take the other route out, introducing some randomness. If everyone knows that they have a chance, then this should be incentive for them - both (in this case) to vote responsibly and engage in persuading others.
Lottery-voting is, in a sense, winner takes all because whoever has their vote drawn gets 100% their way. This is because although I believe compromise is often possible, I don't think it's normally easy to engineer through mechanical processes. Rather, I take the other route out, introducing some randomness. If everyone knows that they have a chance, then this should be incentive for them - both (in this case) to vote responsibly and engage in persuading others.
Anderson Again
First we hear that the beautiful should pay a tax to compensate the ugly, now we have academics (possibly) suggesting that the tall should pay more tax to compensate the short (via, via). Looks like I'm in for quite a tax bill then... ;-)
In fairness, this working paper is more of a thought experiment and how to interpret the results is unclear (see abstract and penultimate para on page 2). I think the lesson that a Utilitarian-optimal tax scheme need not be just won't come as much of a shock to many.
In fairness, this working paper is more of a thought experiment and how to interpret the results is unclear (see abstract and penultimate para on page 2). I think the lesson that a Utilitarian-optimal tax scheme need not be just won't come as much of a shock to many.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Liverpool 0-1 Man Utd
While in the past I often remember Liverpool beating other top teams, like United, yet losing to minnows (Barnsley, Bradford, etc) now their failure to beat their potential title rivals is becoming a serious threat to any realistic title bid. This season we've played the rest of the big four at home and emerged with only two points - although at least we led against Arsenal and Chelsea and were unlucky to lose at least the latter.
Although they can never tell the full story, if you look at the stats - a majority of shots, shots on target and possession - then it seems we were unlucky again to lose to United. Of course, in these games timing is crucial and the fact that we'd just returned from a must-win European match, while United had been able to rest their key players may have made a crucial difference. I suppose we can't moan too much, as we made the CL hard for ourselves and, given the choice, I'd have preferred to beat Marseille. Still our luck has to change soon...
Although they can never tell the full story, if you look at the stats - a majority of shots, shots on target and possession - then it seems we were unlucky again to lose to United. Of course, in these games timing is crucial and the fact that we'd just returned from a must-win European match, while United had been able to rest their key players may have made a crucial difference. I suppose we can't moan too much, as we made the CL hard for ourselves and, given the choice, I'd have preferred to beat Marseille. Still our luck has to change soon...
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Return
I'm back. I didn't get the job in Sheffield, but otherwise things went more or less as planned and it was good to catch up with a couple of old friends I hadn't seen in over a year.
I got to the hotel about 18:15 Tuesday night. Didn't want to eat out on my own so just got some sandwiches from nearby convenience store (annoyingly wasn't given receipt so couldn't claim them as expenses). We weren't allowed food in rooms, so I ate them outside the hotel, but was back in to watch the football (good job it was ITV 1 and I had a TV in my room).
Wednesday morning bumped into Kerstin, a recent PhD from Cardiff who I'd met at conferences, who was also applying for the job and staying in the same hotel. She got it in the end - I don't know who else applied, but if it wasn't to be me I'm glad it was someone I know.
The interview itself was ok, they seemed a friendly bunch. After that, I wondered back through Sheffield to the station. Unfortunately my housemate Bobby wasn't getting in until later, so I caught the 13:54 to Durham, which got me there just before 16:00 with some time to kill before my friend Genny left work.
Spent the evening with Genny and her husband, talking, (half) watching TV and playing guitar hero. Maybe we're all a bit old and sad now (plus she is pregnant...) but it was ncie to catch up. She had Thursday morning off, so had a bit of a lie in before lazing around the house and then going into Durham again for lunch at Wetherspoons. She had to be back at work by 13:00 so I just caught a 12:48 fast train that was running a couple of minutes late (have ot say I had pretty good luck on the trains all round, for once).
Got into Kings Cross around 15:44 so went over to Holborn and saw my old flatmate Mike - walked around for a while looking for somewhere to eat and wound up in LSE cafeteria, which was perfectly decent and cheaper than anywhere else in London (though I was slightly disturbed by serving lady flirting with me!) We hung around a while, but managed to get a 21:08 train home, which was pretty packed but got me back in one piece.
Too bad about the job I guess, but an enjoyable few days of travelling.
I got to the hotel about 18:15 Tuesday night. Didn't want to eat out on my own so just got some sandwiches from nearby convenience store (annoyingly wasn't given receipt so couldn't claim them as expenses). We weren't allowed food in rooms, so I ate them outside the hotel, but was back in to watch the football (good job it was ITV 1 and I had a TV in my room).
Wednesday morning bumped into Kerstin, a recent PhD from Cardiff who I'd met at conferences, who was also applying for the job and staying in the same hotel. She got it in the end - I don't know who else applied, but if it wasn't to be me I'm glad it was someone I know.
The interview itself was ok, they seemed a friendly bunch. After that, I wondered back through Sheffield to the station. Unfortunately my housemate Bobby wasn't getting in until later, so I caught the 13:54 to Durham, which got me there just before 16:00 with some time to kill before my friend Genny left work.
Spent the evening with Genny and her husband, talking, (half) watching TV and playing guitar hero. Maybe we're all a bit old and sad now (plus she is pregnant...) but it was ncie to catch up. She had Thursday morning off, so had a bit of a lie in before lazing around the house and then going into Durham again for lunch at Wetherspoons. She had to be back at work by 13:00 so I just caught a 12:48 fast train that was running a couple of minutes late (have ot say I had pretty good luck on the trains all round, for once).
Got into Kings Cross around 15:44 so went over to Holborn and saw my old flatmate Mike - walked around for a while looking for somewhere to eat and wound up in LSE cafeteria, which was perfectly decent and cheaper than anywhere else in London (though I was slightly disturbed by serving lady flirting with me!) We hung around a while, but managed to get a 21:08 train home, which was pretty packed but got me back in one piece.
Too bad about the job I guess, but an enjoyable few days of travelling.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Marseille 0-4 Liverpool
Watching this must-win game in my hotel room the night before my interview, it could have been a nervy affair. Thankfully early goals from Gerrard (a rebound after his initial penalty was saved) and a great piece of skill from Torres effectively settled the tie after 11 minutes. Kuyt's, soon after half-time, ended any hopes of a come back and super-sub Babel rounded the night off with a late fourth. Now, why couldn't we have come through this group the easy way?
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Travel Plans
Tomorrow, Monday 10th, I'm going home for Christmas. That means my mum coming up in the car to collect me and all my stuff (being back in college means having to completely vacate my room).
Tuesday 11th I'm getting the train up from Colchester (via London and possibly another change) to Sheffield, where I'll be staying overnight in this hotel. Depending what time I get there, I'll probably be looking for a nearby pub to watch Liverpool's must-win game with Marseille.
Wednesday 12th, at 11:30, I have an interview in Sheffield. After that, I may meet up with my current housemate, Bobby, who did a year abroad in Sheffield and happens to be paying a visit at the same time as me. Then I'll get the train up to Durham to see my old school friend Genny and staying the night with her.
Thursday 13th Genny will have the morning off work, but we haven't really got anything planned - maybe sight-seeing? After lunch, I'll be getting the train home - hopefully meeting my old undergrad flatmate Mike in London (maybe for dinner).
Throughout all of this, my internet access is likely to be virtually zero... If you get bored without me, feel free to read my latest thesis draft.
Tuesday 11th I'm getting the train up from Colchester (via London and possibly another change) to Sheffield, where I'll be staying overnight in this hotel. Depending what time I get there, I'll probably be looking for a nearby pub to watch Liverpool's must-win game with Marseille.
Wednesday 12th, at 11:30, I have an interview in Sheffield. After that, I may meet up with my current housemate, Bobby, who did a year abroad in Sheffield and happens to be paying a visit at the same time as me. Then I'll get the train up to Durham to see my old school friend Genny and staying the night with her.
Thursday 13th Genny will have the morning off work, but we haven't really got anything planned - maybe sight-seeing? After lunch, I'll be getting the train home - hopefully meeting my old undergrad flatmate Mike in London (maybe for dinner).
Throughout all of this, my internet access is likely to be virtually zero... If you get bored without me, feel free to read my latest thesis draft.
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Reading 3-1 Liverpool
I had a horrible feeling our run of form was going to crunch to a halt with key games against Marseille and Man Utd coming up this week. I thought we might have got through this game, but Bentiez' team selection was bizarre to say the least - looking like it might be a 4-3-3 on paper but lacking any width whatsoever while the likes of Kewell and Babel (perfect as wide forward players) were left on the bench.
I don't think the selections alone cost us though. Reading went ahead from what the BBC commentators described as an outrageous penalty decision (in the sense 'yes, it was a foul, but it was outside the box'). Sadly we were denied two probably better shouts for fouls in the box on Torres - the latter of which worringly left him in a heap and saw him soon withdrawn (after he'd been praised for standing up to much Reading kicking in the October cup game).
At the end of the day, we were forced to chase the game and, even so, things could have been very different - aside from the penalty decisions, we hit their woodwork twice (Gerrard and Crouch). I guess you can't win them all, so I only hope we can bounce back for our next two more important games.
I don't think the selections alone cost us though. Reading went ahead from what the BBC commentators described as an outrageous penalty decision (in the sense 'yes, it was a foul, but it was outside the box'). Sadly we were denied two probably better shouts for fouls in the box on Torres - the latter of which worringly left him in a heap and saw him soon withdrawn (after he'd been praised for standing up to much Reading kicking in the October cup game).
At the end of the day, we were forced to chase the game and, even so, things could have been very different - aside from the penalty decisions, we hit their woodwork twice (Gerrard and Crouch). I guess you can't win them all, so I only hope we can bounce back for our next two more important games.
EoTD
Last night's End of Term Dinner was the usual highlight of the GCR's social calendar. Didn't see many people near me taking pictures, so probably won't be able to get any to post.
The removing of hall tables for dancing has now become quite a tradition - this time with salsa dancers. I think I quite like this, because it seems guys have it easy - basically shuffle around and make sure you don't drop your partner, while spinning her round or bending her over. Strictly Come Dancing here I come...
The removing of hall tables for dancing has now become quite a tradition - this time with salsa dancers. I think I quite like this, because it seems guys have it easy - basically shuffle around and make sure you don't drop your partner, while spinning her round or bending her over. Strictly Come Dancing here I come...
Friday, December 07, 2007
Estlund Reading Group
As previously announced here, Public Reason is hosting a reading group dedicated to David Estlund's new book. I now have a library copy and, after a quick glance, it looks very interesting. That's what I'll be reading over Christmas!
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Interviews
I've just finished playing a small part in admissions interviews. I won't say much about it because some of the information is sensitive, but thought I'd flag up this CT post - which was supposed to be about Oxbridge not sponsoring school academies, but the discussion got sidetracked by interviews. I was pleased to see my college advisor supporting some of my statements and Chris Bertram coming out in favour of lotteries too (after these).
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Raptors
Reading through XKCD again, I thought I'd link a few of their raptor comics together, for no particular reason:
Check your house
Substitute teacher
Search history
Check your house
Substitute teacher
Search history
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Beauty Egalitarianism
In Argentina, campaigner Gonzalo Otalora is lobbying for the kind of luck egalitarianism that Elizabeth Anderson condemns: "It's not fair, he said. The beautiful people get all the breaks. Beauty is a natural advantage and he wants the good-lookers to be taxed to finance compensation for the ugly people."
Another 'Postcode Lottery' Claim
This time it's the greater availability of muscular dystrophy care for those who happen to live near specialist treatment centres. The constant association of the term 'lottery' with such supposedly unfair geographical discrimination gives actual lotteries a bad name in public discourse.
EDIT (italics above): Thanks for the comment pointing out that I'd actually got the details of the geography the wrong way round. It isn't actually a north south issue, and the particular example cited here is of a treatment centre in Newcastle, as opposed to the absence of such in the south west (I'm sure there must be one near London).
My basic point still stands though: this isn't a lottery - it's not like these treatment centres fall randomly out of the sky; postcodes are distributed geographically and people - if they have the money - can move where they like.
EDIT (italics above): Thanks for the comment pointing out that I'd actually got the details of the geography the wrong way round. It isn't actually a north south issue, and the particular example cited here is of a treatment centre in Newcastle, as opposed to the absence of such in the south west (I'm sure there must be one near London).
My basic point still stands though: this isn't a lottery - it's not like these treatment centres fall randomly out of the sky; postcodes are distributed geographically and people - if they have the money - can move where they like.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Philosophy Journals
I have an interview next week for a (temporary teaching) job in a Philosophy Department, which is itself very welcome - although Oxford's political theory contingent are funded by the AHRC rather than ESRC, it seems we sometimes have trouble getting taken seriously as philosophers.
Anyway, I'm still getting to grips with journal hierarchies in both political science and philosophy, not to mention trying to deal with the added complexity of a potential career spanning the two. This thread over at the Leiter Report was very helpful - summarising, Mind and Phil Review seem quite bad places to send stuff (in terms of turnaround times and feedback), while Analysis is widely considered a very good model (even if most decisions are made by an editor without referees or reports), and Ratio, Philosophy and Journal of Moral Philosophy are among those getting honorable mentions. (What little comment there is on Ethics and P&PA isn't particularly positive)
After a while of good and bad anecdotes, the thread starts to degenerate into analysis of the problem and potential solutions - e.g. Do we have too many grad students sending mediocre papers to over-worked reviewers? Should we abolish peer review or charge authors a small sum, to either pay referees or at least discourage frivilous submissions? The idea of boycotting bad journals also came up at Pea Soup, though nothing there isn't on Leiter.
It's too long for me to find the comment again, but one suggested that a potential problem was students sending work off for 'free feedback' rather than bothering their over-worked supervisors. I wonder if one solution might be to adopt the multi-author approach of science? If my supervisor (or other senior academics I know) basically got co-authorship out of detailed comments on my paper, I wonder if they'd be more willing to offer such help? (And would it be worth the cost for a student like me?)
Also, on the subject, this wiki offers some statistical evidence of review speeds and acceptance rates in philosophy journals. Many are still unaccounted for and of those that are numbers are surely not representative, but it's easy to see why Analysis is rated so highly.
Anyway, I'm still getting to grips with journal hierarchies in both political science and philosophy, not to mention trying to deal with the added complexity of a potential career spanning the two. This thread over at the Leiter Report was very helpful - summarising, Mind and Phil Review seem quite bad places to send stuff (in terms of turnaround times and feedback), while Analysis is widely considered a very good model (even if most decisions are made by an editor without referees or reports), and Ratio, Philosophy and Journal of Moral Philosophy are among those getting honorable mentions. (What little comment there is on Ethics and P&PA isn't particularly positive)
After a while of good and bad anecdotes, the thread starts to degenerate into analysis of the problem and potential solutions - e.g. Do we have too many grad students sending mediocre papers to over-worked reviewers? Should we abolish peer review or charge authors a small sum, to either pay referees or at least discourage frivilous submissions? The idea of boycotting bad journals also came up at Pea Soup, though nothing there isn't on Leiter.
It's too long for me to find the comment again, but one suggested that a potential problem was students sending work off for 'free feedback' rather than bothering their over-worked supervisors. I wonder if one solution might be to adopt the multi-author approach of science? If my supervisor (or other senior academics I know) basically got co-authorship out of detailed comments on my paper, I wonder if they'd be more willing to offer such help? (And would it be worth the cost for a student like me?)
Also, on the subject, this wiki offers some statistical evidence of review speeds and acceptance rates in philosophy journals. Many are still unaccounted for and of those that are numbers are surely not representative, but it's easy to see why Analysis is rated so highly.
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Liverpool 4-0 Bolton
While Bolton may have been coming off the back of a surprise win over Man Utd, they've been poor this season and, after losing a midfield trio of Nolan, Davies (both suspended) and Guthrie (Liverpool loanee) I hoped they wouldn't put up too much resistance. Even I was surprised at the ease with which they were brushed aside, however - although, despite the odd frustration, I don't think many teams should be expecting to take points away from Anfield this season.
A relatively early Hyypia goal scuppered Bolton's game plan and, after Anelka contrived to miss a gilt-edged opportunity, Torres pretty much wrapped things up before half-time. Gerrard's second successive penalty means he's now scored in eight of his last nine matches I believe, and Ryan Babel put a late gloss on the scoreline tapping in Kuyt's rebound. While Arsenal are getting all the plaudits, we now match their goal difference and have had more shots than any other team in the division. In fact, it was only somewhat wasteful finishing that stopped this being a much bigger thrashing...
A relatively early Hyypia goal scuppered Bolton's game plan and, after Anelka contrived to miss a gilt-edged opportunity, Torres pretty much wrapped things up before half-time. Gerrard's second successive penalty means he's now scored in eight of his last nine matches I believe, and Ryan Babel put a late gloss on the scoreline tapping in Kuyt's rebound. While Arsenal are getting all the plaudits, we now match their goal difference and have had more shots than any other team in the division. In fact, it was only somewhat wasteful finishing that stopped this being a much bigger thrashing...
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Estlund Book
David Estlund's new book, Democratic Authority (contents), is out today. There are several copies in Blackwells (in the political philosophy section) or you can currently pick it up with 34% off at Amazon.
Personally, I was hoping that I might be able to pick up a review copy (any offers?) but I'm very much looking forward to reading it over Christmas - even if it may be too late to engage with the arguments in my thesis.
Readers may also be interested to know that an online reading group has been mooted and is planned for Public Reason.
Personally, I was hoping that I might be able to pick up a review copy (any offers?) but I'm very much looking forward to reading it over Christmas - even if it may be too late to engage with the arguments in my thesis.
Readers may also be interested to know that an online reading group has been mooted and is planned for Public Reason.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Liverpool 4-1 Porto
Fingers crossed our Champions League form is showing signs of getting back on track. Like the 8-0 demolition of Besiktas, this was perhaps a bit flattering, but once again I felt that over the two legs we got about what we should've.
We looked in control for the first half-hour and, after Torres scored from a poorly-marked corner, it looked like it could be relatively comfortable. Porto got back into the game after a good header wrong-footed Reina - though perhaps we could've had free-kicks for fouls on Mascherano or Arbeloa in the build-up - and that seemed to knock our confidence. Indeed, Porto came back into the game and, after scoring with their first real chance, missed a great opportunity for another before the break.
Things were more even in the second half, but we still struggled to reassert our authority. The introduction of Kewell, who's looked good on his latest return, and then Crouch helped but it was Torres who put us ahead again, now notching up ten goals in sixteen games apparently. Soon after that Gerrard's penalty made it 3-1 with ten minutes to go and the game was pretty safe - which made the decision to throw Kuyt on alongside Torres and Crouch somewhat baffling. Still, the attacking approach paid dividends as Crouch got a late header to put a real gloss on the scoreline.
Too bad the twelve goals scored in the last two games don't really count for anything - we're level on points with Marseille but ties go to head-to-head (which I've always thought a bit weird in the league format - maybe there's an IIA paper in there somewhere...) so only a win in France will do.
We looked in control for the first half-hour and, after Torres scored from a poorly-marked corner, it looked like it could be relatively comfortable. Porto got back into the game after a good header wrong-footed Reina - though perhaps we could've had free-kicks for fouls on Mascherano or Arbeloa in the build-up - and that seemed to knock our confidence. Indeed, Porto came back into the game and, after scoring with their first real chance, missed a great opportunity for another before the break.
Things were more even in the second half, but we still struggled to reassert our authority. The introduction of Kewell, who's looked good on his latest return, and then Crouch helped but it was Torres who put us ahead again, now notching up ten goals in sixteen games apparently. Soon after that Gerrard's penalty made it 3-1 with ten minutes to go and the game was pretty safe - which made the decision to throw Kuyt on alongside Torres and Crouch somewhat baffling. Still, the attacking approach paid dividends as Crouch got a late header to put a real gloss on the scoreline.
Too bad the twelve goals scored in the last two games don't really count for anything - we're level on points with Marseille but ties go to head-to-head (which I've always thought a bit weird in the league format - maybe there's an IIA paper in there somewhere...) so only a win in France will do.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Free Speech
I didn't get a ticket to hear Griffin and Irving at the Union. It may have been interesting or it may have been a pile of ****. I did, however, vote to support their invitation. I take Dworkin's line that we need to engage with and defeat abhorrent views rather than suppress them.
Interview Prep
While preparing for an interview this afternoon, I came across the following useful internet resources:
Questions one should be prepared to answer.
Advice for PhD students applying for academic jobs.
Questions one should be prepared to answer.
Advice for PhD students applying for academic jobs.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Rawls Test
After sounding off (again) about ideal theory, over on a previously mentioned Crooked Timber post, Colin Farrelly now offers a 'are you a fully fledged Rawlsian?' test.
I think there's some ambiguity - even equivocation - about what it means to be a Rawlsian. In one sense, for example, Jerry Cohen is a Rawlsian - he works closely on Rawls and similar substantive concerns, though he disagrees very much with Rawls' conclusions.
Taking each question in turn:
(1) Do you believe that liberty should have absolute priority over everything else?
This seems to equivocate the distinction between priority of liberty (in general) and the priority of enumerated basic liberties. The idea that we may sacrifice liberty for material gain ignores the fact that circumstances of justice are those where we're not so badly off, and so liberty becoems more important than material gain. Finally Colin's example of restricting pornographers and racists to protect women and minorities is something Rawls could accept because he'd interpret it as limiting liberty to protect lbierty.
(2) Do you believe that justice requires institutions to be arranged so that any two persons with the same native talent and the same ambition should have the same prospects of success in the competition for positions of advantage that distribute primary social goods? Furthermore, do you think this aspiration should be given priority over the aspiration to improve the situation of the least advantaged?
I'm not sure how Rawls would respond to this. One point I think he would make is that his priority rules are not in fact absolutely lexical - he's clear that's a simplifying approximation. Further I might say that equal opportunity should be preferred as a matter of justice, though all things considered we might not worry too much about these cases.
(3) Do you believe that justice requires socio-economic inequalities to be arranged so that they are to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged?
Again, Rawls' priority rules are not absolute and, moreover, since the difference principle only comes into play after equal basic liberties and equal opportunity it doesn't require such great sacrifices.
(4) Do you think the least advantaged members of your society are:
..."persons whose family and class origins are more disadvantaged than others, whose natural endowments (as realized) permit them to fare less well, and whose fortune and luck in the course of life turn out to be less happy, all within the normal range and with the relevant measures based on social primary goods"?
Rawls is ignoring the sick or disabled in assuming that all are full participants in a fair scheme of co-operation for mutual benefit. Perhaps this is one area where he can be criticized for unrealistic abstractions from reality, but I'm not convinced he can't say his basic principles still hold where his assumptions are good, and those lacking natural primary goods (such as health) can be tackled by adding in something else, like a Dworkinian hypothetical insurance market.
(5) Do you think invoking the hypothetical original position helps enhance your deliberations concerning which principles should regulate the basic structure of your society?
As stated, noting that it refers to rules of regulation, this is something even Jerry Cohen could accept. Maybe that's deliberate, as he's also the kind of ideal theorist that Farrelly's attacking. I do, however, think that the original position is a useful heuristic device when trying to think of reasonable principles. Perhaps Farrelly's attack on it depends more on the original understanding of rational choice behind the veil of ignorance, that Rawls increasingly seemed to distance himself from in his later work.
I think there's some ambiguity - even equivocation - about what it means to be a Rawlsian. In one sense, for example, Jerry Cohen is a Rawlsian - he works closely on Rawls and similar substantive concerns, though he disagrees very much with Rawls' conclusions.
Taking each question in turn:
(1) Do you believe that liberty should have absolute priority over everything else?
This seems to equivocate the distinction between priority of liberty (in general) and the priority of enumerated basic liberties. The idea that we may sacrifice liberty for material gain ignores the fact that circumstances of justice are those where we're not so badly off, and so liberty becoems more important than material gain. Finally Colin's example of restricting pornographers and racists to protect women and minorities is something Rawls could accept because he'd interpret it as limiting liberty to protect lbierty.
(2) Do you believe that justice requires institutions to be arranged so that any two persons with the same native talent and the same ambition should have the same prospects of success in the competition for positions of advantage that distribute primary social goods? Furthermore, do you think this aspiration should be given priority over the aspiration to improve the situation of the least advantaged?
I'm not sure how Rawls would respond to this. One point I think he would make is that his priority rules are not in fact absolutely lexical - he's clear that's a simplifying approximation. Further I might say that equal opportunity should be preferred as a matter of justice, though all things considered we might not worry too much about these cases.
(3) Do you believe that justice requires socio-economic inequalities to be arranged so that they are to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged?
Again, Rawls' priority rules are not absolute and, moreover, since the difference principle only comes into play after equal basic liberties and equal opportunity it doesn't require such great sacrifices.
(4) Do you think the least advantaged members of your society are:
..."persons whose family and class origins are more disadvantaged than others, whose natural endowments (as realized) permit them to fare less well, and whose fortune and luck in the course of life turn out to be less happy, all within the normal range and with the relevant measures based on social primary goods"?
Rawls is ignoring the sick or disabled in assuming that all are full participants in a fair scheme of co-operation for mutual benefit. Perhaps this is one area where he can be criticized for unrealistic abstractions from reality, but I'm not convinced he can't say his basic principles still hold where his assumptions are good, and those lacking natural primary goods (such as health) can be tackled by adding in something else, like a Dworkinian hypothetical insurance market.
(5) Do you think invoking the hypothetical original position helps enhance your deliberations concerning which principles should regulate the basic structure of your society?
As stated, noting that it refers to rules of regulation, this is something even Jerry Cohen could accept. Maybe that's deliberate, as he's also the kind of ideal theorist that Farrelly's attacking. I do, however, think that the original position is a useful heuristic device when trying to think of reasonable principles. Perhaps Farrelly's attack on it depends more on the original understanding of rational choice behind the veil of ignorance, that Rawls increasingly seemed to distance himself from in his later work.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Newcastle 0-3 Liverpool
It's always nice to play a team off the park, especially away from home. While Newcastle were poor, the fact is this could easily have been a much heavier defeat for them had Torres brought his shooting boots - or Given been sent off for blocking a shot outside his area just before half-time (possibly with his arm). Still this was the kind of game where a few missed chances didn't matter and hopefully it'll be good preparation for the much more important match against Porto on Wednesday.
Friday, November 23, 2007
CT Links
Two posts over at Crooked Timber that are worth a look:
1) A discussion Jerry Cohen's paper The Truth in Conservatism (my comment).
2) A discussion of Michael Sandel's book The Case Against Perfection, the subject of his recent talk in Oxford (my comment).
1) A discussion Jerry Cohen's paper The Truth in Conservatism (my comment).
2) A discussion of Michael Sandel's book The Case Against Perfection, the subject of his recent talk in Oxford (my comment).
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Not an MCR Meeting
Last term the GCR president at Jesus proposed changing our name from GCR (Graduate Common Room) to MCR (Middle Common Room), in keeping with most other colleges.
I notice, in an example of Wiki-politics, that (as I type) the Wikipedia entry given above says: "Alternative names are sometimes used for college MCRs. Brasenose College has the "Hulme Common Room" (HCR) and University College has the "Weir Common Room", named in honour of college alumni. At Christ Church and Templeton the representative bodies for postgraduate students are called "Graduate Common Rooms" or "GCRs"." (i.e. Jesus is conspicuously absent from these exceptions)
The motion was voted on in the first meeting of last term and thought to pass at the time. After some later re-reading of the Constitution, which somewhat ambiguously said something like 'two thirds of the votes of those present' were needed for constitutional amendment it was decided that the legitimacy of this change was disputable and so there was a re-vote in the second meeting (interestingly, no minutes on the website...) where the change won a majority but clearly not two-thirds.
This motion was re-introduced tonight, in the second meeting of Michaelmas. In some respects, it makes far more sense to make such a decision now, given that many of the people in the last vote were actually about to leave the college and not be affected by it.
As it happened, tonight's meeting failed to achieve a quorum so no business was possible, but I suspect that we'll see the motion again next term.
1.) Constitutional Amendment: Name Change
This GCR notes:
1. Changes in the GCR constitution over the past year have extended GCR membership to all 4th and 5th year undergraduates (rather than only some), mature students (defined as those over the age of 22 years old) and postdoctoral students. This year, there are 46 undergraduate and 5 postdoctoral members of the GCR.
2. In the case of undergraduates, these members of the GCR are nottechnically “Graduates”.
3. In the case of postdoctoral students, these members of the GCR are technically “Graduates” in that they have taken degrees, but are not properly graduate students in the traditional sense of seeking D.Phils or other post-BA degrees.
4. Of all the “Graduate” common rooms in Oxford, only Jesus, Christ-Church and St Anne’s call their common rooms GCR rather than MCR. Those colleges with other non-conforming names (e.g. Brasenose’s HGR or University’s WCR) are not comparable, as they are named for distinguished alumni, and “Hulme” or “Weir” do not imply a given level of study in the manner of “Graduate”.
This GCR therefore resolves to:
1. Change the name of the GCR (“Graduate Common Room”) to MCR (“Middle Common
Room”).
I'm not sure what point 4 is doing. Part of the motivation is seemingly standardization with other colleges, in which case it seems quite relevant to point out that many other colleges don't have MCRs. Given the exceptions listed, and the fact that graduate colleges only have JCRs, it seems plausible that around half of Oxford graduates probably aren't members of something called an MCR. If it isn't relevant, why bring it up?
Presumably, what's doing the work is the idea that there's something objectionable about the term GCR and that's why most other colleges don't use it. I have to say I don't really buy that. I don't see a problem in people who aren't graduates still being members of something called a Graduate Common Room. Moreover, I'd object that MCR makes no more sense. 'Middle' suggests an in-between status, but it's not as if the other two are the Upper and Lower Common Rooms and, more importantly, graduates are members of the JCR (but not the SCR) so it seems implausible to claim that the GCR is somehow between the two, when it is in fact a subset of one of them... Since one current issue of concern in Jesus is access of graduates to JCR facilities, it seems unwise to make a move seemingly distancing ourselves from them.
I notice, in an example of Wiki-politics, that (as I type) the Wikipedia entry given above says: "Alternative names are sometimes used for college MCRs. Brasenose College has the "Hulme Common Room" (HCR) and University College has the "Weir Common Room", named in honour of college alumni. At Christ Church and Templeton the representative bodies for postgraduate students are called "Graduate Common Rooms" or "GCRs"." (i.e. Jesus is conspicuously absent from these exceptions)
The motion was voted on in the first meeting of last term and thought to pass at the time. After some later re-reading of the Constitution, which somewhat ambiguously said something like 'two thirds of the votes of those present' were needed for constitutional amendment it was decided that the legitimacy of this change was disputable and so there was a re-vote in the second meeting (interestingly, no minutes on the website...) where the change won a majority but clearly not two-thirds.
This motion was re-introduced tonight, in the second meeting of Michaelmas. In some respects, it makes far more sense to make such a decision now, given that many of the people in the last vote were actually about to leave the college and not be affected by it.
As it happened, tonight's meeting failed to achieve a quorum so no business was possible, but I suspect that we'll see the motion again next term.
1.) Constitutional Amendment: Name Change
This GCR notes:
1. Changes in the GCR constitution over the past year have extended GCR membership to all 4th and 5th year undergraduates (rather than only some), mature students (defined as those over the age of 22 years old) and postdoctoral students. This year, there are 46 undergraduate and 5 postdoctoral members of the GCR.
2. In the case of undergraduates, these members of the GCR are nottechnically “Graduates”.
3. In the case of postdoctoral students, these members of the GCR are technically “Graduates” in that they have taken degrees, but are not properly graduate students in the traditional sense of seeking D.Phils or other post-BA degrees.
4. Of all the “Graduate” common rooms in Oxford, only Jesus, Christ-Church and St Anne’s call their common rooms GCR rather than MCR. Those colleges with other non-conforming names (e.g. Brasenose’s HGR or University’s WCR) are not comparable, as they are named for distinguished alumni, and “Hulme” or “Weir” do not imply a given level of study in the manner of “Graduate”.
This GCR therefore resolves to:
1. Change the name of the GCR (“Graduate Common Room”) to MCR (“Middle Common
Room”).
I'm not sure what point 4 is doing. Part of the motivation is seemingly standardization with other colleges, in which case it seems quite relevant to point out that many other colleges don't have MCRs. Given the exceptions listed, and the fact that graduate colleges only have JCRs, it seems plausible that around half of Oxford graduates probably aren't members of something called an MCR. If it isn't relevant, why bring it up?
Presumably, what's doing the work is the idea that there's something objectionable about the term GCR and that's why most other colleges don't use it. I have to say I don't really buy that. I don't see a problem in people who aren't graduates still being members of something called a Graduate Common Room. Moreover, I'd object that MCR makes no more sense. 'Middle' suggests an in-between status, but it's not as if the other two are the Upper and Lower Common Rooms and, more importantly, graduates are members of the JCR (but not the SCR) so it seems implausible to claim that the GCR is somehow between the two, when it is in fact a subset of one of them... Since one current issue of concern in Jesus is access of graduates to JCR facilities, it seems unwise to make a move seemingly distancing ourselves from them.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Food and Football
The search for free food is a recurring theme of Piled Higher and Deeper comics, as here. Now living on nothing but meagre savings, it's an attraction I've come to appreciate, so the fact that tonight's GPTW was supplied with leftover sandwcihes was particularly welcome - I was able to gorge myself with cheesy goodness (well, badness, but nourishment) without having to eat in the pub later.
Sadly, Rob, Clare, Kieran and I went to the Jesus GCR to watch England lose humiliatingly to Croatia. None of the England players played well, but I thought Bridge was the worst. The first goal was a bad mistake from Carson, but I think it's ridiculous to give him a competitive debut in such a match and fault McClaren for not giving the likes of him, Foster, Green and Kirkland a chance in friendlies.
Sadly, Rob, Clare, Kieran and I went to the Jesus GCR to watch England lose humiliatingly to Croatia. None of the England players played well, but I thought Bridge was the worst. The first goal was a bad mistake from Carson, but I think it's ridiculous to give him a competitive debut in such a match and fault McClaren for not giving the likes of him, Foster, Green and Kirkland a chance in friendlies.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Italian Lottery
I am reliably informed that:
There is an article in the news today in Italy about 22 positions in the regional offices of the region of Molise being assigned by lottery, because there was a longlist of 2000 candidates and there was no way of whittling it down other than pulling names out of an urn (they picked out 44 and then chose properly from that). People were not impressed.
(Thanks Rachele)
Unfortunately I can't find a news story on Google yet (at least, not in English) but maybe worth looking out for.
This does sound very similar to the use of lotteries in Renaissance Italy, sortition being used in Venice and Florence. Maybe it's also how the present job market operates - though it makes 95 applications for one job appear not so bad!
UPDATE: Here it is, in original and as translated by Google.
Molise, the lottery of public places Duemila concorrenti per 22 contratti Two thousand competitors for 22 contracts
Molise, the lottery of public places Two thousand competitors for 22 contracts "
CAMPOBASSO -Il posto pubblico adesso si estrae a sorte. CAMPOBASSO - The public place now extract lots. Da un'urna come per il lotto. From an urn for the lot. Accade nel palazzo della Regione Molise, dove per scegliere 22 lavoratori per un contratto a termine, la commissione giudicante è ricorsa ad una estrazione tra duemila nominativi in gara. It happens in the building of the Molise Region, where to choose 22 workers for a contract term, the Board is hearing recourse to a mining between two thousand names in the race. I sorteggiati per la verità , alla fine, sono stati almeno 44, poi tra questi, si è passati dal giudizio della sorte a quello del merito comparando i vari profili dei "baciati dalla fortuna". The sorteggiati for truth, in the end, were at least 44, then between them, it was passed by the Board's fate to that of about comparing the different profiles "kissed by luck." E così si è arrivati alla scelta finale. And so did we come to the final choice. La Regione Molise, guidata dal governatore forzista Michele Iorio, assicura che il sorteggio si è reso necessario in quanto l'analisi di duemila curricula avrebbe richiesto troppo tempo rispetto alle scadenze del progetto in questione. The Molise Region, headed by Governor forzista Michele Iorio, ensures that the draw was made necessary because the analysis of two thousand curriculum would take too long compared with deadlines of the project in question. Ma l'opposizione di centrosinistra, chiede la revoca dell'aggiudicazione della gara e una nuova selezione su "criteri di trasparenza e merito". But the opposition center-sought revocation of the award of the bid and a new selection on the "criteria of transparency and merit." A denunciare l'accaduto un consigliere regionale ds, Danilo Leva, che ha presentato una interrogazione su quello che ha definito "l'assurdo criterio di selezione" di 22 posti di lavoro all'interno del progetto culturale "Molise Live" con contratti relativi per lo più, a qualifiche amministrative e legali. To denounce the incident a regional adviser ds, Danilo Lever, which has submitted a question on what he called the "absurd criterion for selection of 22 jobs in the cultural project" Molise Live "with contracts for mostly, administrative and legal qualifications. Il sorteggio, è stato effettuato tra duemila nominativi appartenenti ad uno speciale albo di collaboratori (long list), predisposto in precedenza, proprio dall'ente regionale. The draw was made between two thousand names belonging to a special list of collaborators (long list), prepared earlier by their regional. Ma veniamo all'incarico in questione. But come the engagement in question. I prescelti si dovranno occupare, si legge nella disposizione dirigenziale dell'ente "del costante monitoraggio di tutte le fasi del progetto, con lo scopo di enucleare possibili elementi di criticità organizzativa o burocratica, e di verificare la correttezza e la celerità delle richieste di procedure di ordinazione e di pagamento di spesa". The chosen one will occupy, we read in the provision of management "of constant monitoring of all phases of the project, in order to single out possible elements of critical organizational or bureaucratic, and verify the correctness and the speed of requests for procedures ordering and paying spending. " Il contratto di lavoro per i fortunati prescelti del progetto "Molise Live" ha una durata triennale. The employment contract for the project lucky chosen "Molise Live" has a duration of three years. "Sono francamente senza parole - sottolinea il consigliere regionale Danilo Leva - L'accesso alle procedure comparative è un diritto di tutti coloro che hanno legittimamente partecipato alla gara. Trovo stucchevole che la creazione di uno staff di professionisti sia stata affidata alla sorte e non alla valutazione delle professionalità richieste". "I am frankly speechless," emphasized the regional councilor Danilo lever-Access to comparative procedures is a right of everyone who legitimately participated in the race. Sickly find that the creation of a team of professionals has been entrusted to fate and not the evaluation of professionalism required.
Il presidente della commissione (composta per altro da funzionari della Regione), Claudio Iocca (dirigente del settore cultura), che ha estratto a sorte i 44 nominativi, difende le scelte dell'ente. The chairman of the committee (made up of officials from other Region), Claudio Iocca (director of the culture sector), which has a draw the 44 names, defends the decisions of the entity. "Ci siamo limitati a recepire una disposizione dirigenziale che imponeva un percorso, quello del sorteggio, e solo dopo della comparazione, e lo abbiamo eseguito, senza analizzare la questione giuridica, non di nostra competenza. La selezione si è svolta circa un mese fa, in commissione. Abbiamo stampato i nominativi dei duemila iscritti all'albo regionale dei collaboratori esterni, ritagliati e inseriti in un'urna. Al momento dell'estrazione erano presenti solo i tre commissari. Non era previsto che il sorteggio fosse pubblico. La metodologia? Inusuale, ma credo dettata dai tempi stretti del progetto". "We limited to incorporate a provision imposing a management path, the draw, and only after the comparison, and we executed, without analyzing the legal question, not within our competence. Selection took place about a month ago, in committee. we printed the names of the two thousandth registered regional staff, cut and placed in an urn. Al being raised were only three commissioners. was not envisaged that the draw was public. methodology? The unusual, but I think dictated by the tight project.
There is an article in the news today in Italy about 22 positions in the regional offices of the region of Molise being assigned by lottery, because there was a longlist of 2000 candidates and there was no way of whittling it down other than pulling names out of an urn (they picked out 44 and then chose properly from that). People were not impressed.
(Thanks Rachele)
Unfortunately I can't find a news story on Google yet (at least, not in English) but maybe worth looking out for.
This does sound very similar to the use of lotteries in Renaissance Italy, sortition being used in Venice and Florence. Maybe it's also how the present job market operates - though it makes 95 applications for one job appear not so bad!
UPDATE: Here it is, in original and as translated by Google.
Molise, the lottery of public places Duemila concorrenti per 22 contratti Two thousand competitors for 22 contracts
Molise, the lottery of public places Two thousand competitors for 22 contracts "
CAMPOBASSO -Il posto pubblico adesso si estrae a sorte. CAMPOBASSO - The public place now extract lots. Da un'urna come per il lotto. From an urn for the lot. Accade nel palazzo della Regione Molise, dove per scegliere 22 lavoratori per un contratto a termine, la commissione giudicante è ricorsa ad una estrazione tra duemila nominativi in gara. It happens in the building of the Molise Region, where to choose 22 workers for a contract term, the Board is hearing recourse to a mining between two thousand names in the race. I sorteggiati per la verità , alla fine, sono stati almeno 44, poi tra questi, si è passati dal giudizio della sorte a quello del merito comparando i vari profili dei "baciati dalla fortuna". The sorteggiati for truth, in the end, were at least 44, then between them, it was passed by the Board's fate to that of about comparing the different profiles "kissed by luck." E così si è arrivati alla scelta finale. And so did we come to the final choice. La Regione Molise, guidata dal governatore forzista Michele Iorio, assicura che il sorteggio si è reso necessario in quanto l'analisi di duemila curricula avrebbe richiesto troppo tempo rispetto alle scadenze del progetto in questione. The Molise Region, headed by Governor forzista Michele Iorio, ensures that the draw was made necessary because the analysis of two thousand curriculum would take too long compared with deadlines of the project in question. Ma l'opposizione di centrosinistra, chiede la revoca dell'aggiudicazione della gara e una nuova selezione su "criteri di trasparenza e merito". But the opposition center-sought revocation of the award of the bid and a new selection on the "criteria of transparency and merit." A denunciare l'accaduto un consigliere regionale ds, Danilo Leva, che ha presentato una interrogazione su quello che ha definito "l'assurdo criterio di selezione" di 22 posti di lavoro all'interno del progetto culturale "Molise Live" con contratti relativi per lo più, a qualifiche amministrative e legali. To denounce the incident a regional adviser ds, Danilo Lever, which has submitted a question on what he called the "absurd criterion for selection of 22 jobs in the cultural project" Molise Live "with contracts for mostly, administrative and legal qualifications. Il sorteggio, è stato effettuato tra duemila nominativi appartenenti ad uno speciale albo di collaboratori (long list), predisposto in precedenza, proprio dall'ente regionale. The draw was made between two thousand names belonging to a special list of collaborators (long list), prepared earlier by their regional. Ma veniamo all'incarico in questione. But come the engagement in question. I prescelti si dovranno occupare, si legge nella disposizione dirigenziale dell'ente "del costante monitoraggio di tutte le fasi del progetto, con lo scopo di enucleare possibili elementi di criticità organizzativa o burocratica, e di verificare la correttezza e la celerità delle richieste di procedure di ordinazione e di pagamento di spesa". The chosen one will occupy, we read in the provision of management "of constant monitoring of all phases of the project, in order to single out possible elements of critical organizational or bureaucratic, and verify the correctness and the speed of requests for procedures ordering and paying spending. " Il contratto di lavoro per i fortunati prescelti del progetto "Molise Live" ha una durata triennale. The employment contract for the project lucky chosen "Molise Live" has a duration of three years. "Sono francamente senza parole - sottolinea il consigliere regionale Danilo Leva - L'accesso alle procedure comparative è un diritto di tutti coloro che hanno legittimamente partecipato alla gara. Trovo stucchevole che la creazione di uno staff di professionisti sia stata affidata alla sorte e non alla valutazione delle professionalità richieste". "I am frankly speechless," emphasized the regional councilor Danilo lever-Access to comparative procedures is a right of everyone who legitimately participated in the race. Sickly find that the creation of a team of professionals has been entrusted to fate and not the evaluation of professionalism required.
Il presidente della commissione (composta per altro da funzionari della Regione), Claudio Iocca (dirigente del settore cultura), che ha estratto a sorte i 44 nominativi, difende le scelte dell'ente. The chairman of the committee (made up of officials from other Region), Claudio Iocca (director of the culture sector), which has a draw the 44 names, defends the decisions of the entity. "Ci siamo limitati a recepire una disposizione dirigenziale che imponeva un percorso, quello del sorteggio, e solo dopo della comparazione, e lo abbiamo eseguito, senza analizzare la questione giuridica, non di nostra competenza. La selezione si è svolta circa un mese fa, in commissione. Abbiamo stampato i nominativi dei duemila iscritti all'albo regionale dei collaboratori esterni, ritagliati e inseriti in un'urna. Al momento dell'estrazione erano presenti solo i tre commissari. Non era previsto che il sorteggio fosse pubblico. La metodologia? Inusuale, ma credo dettata dai tempi stretti del progetto". "We limited to incorporate a provision imposing a management path, the draw, and only after the comparison, and we executed, without analyzing the legal question, not within our competence. Selection took place about a month ago, in committee. we printed the names of the two thousandth registered regional staff, cut and placed in an urn. Al being raised were only three commissioners. was not envisaged that the draw was public. methodology? The unusual, but I think dictated by the tight project.
The Bright Side
In having a brief moan recently about the amount of funding scientists get (which wasn't my real frustration), I wasn't implying I'd prefer their lot all things considered. I dropped sciences after GCSE, despite getting three of my four A*s in maths, physics and biology, because I found them boring. It's true science PhDs are generally poorly paid lab assistants for their supervisors and have little if any control over their research. It's unsurprising they have to be paid a bit more for that - even though they also have better prospects afterwards.
Vaguely on topic, I recently read - in my friend Patrick's Guardian column - that 75% of AHRC funded graduates go on to permanent academic positions. As he points out, it's less encouraging to think about the other one in four, but perhaps they're the ones who don't want academic jobs. Maybe even they're the lucky ones who get JRFs or post-docs - I'd need to know more about how those figures are compiled...
Vaguely on topic, I recently read - in my friend Patrick's Guardian column - that 75% of AHRC funded graduates go on to permanent academic positions. As he points out, it's less encouraging to think about the other one in four, but perhaps they're the ones who don't want academic jobs. Maybe even they're the lucky ones who get JRFs or post-docs - I'd need to know more about how those figures are compiled...
Monday, November 19, 2007
My Life Is A Series of Frustrations...
I knew scientists were better funded than us mere arts students, but it's only this term I've realized just how much. A couple of weeks ago I found that one girl in college gets £14k for her Masters (and complains she can't afford to eat!) and tonight, while at a buffet dinner for final year DPhils with the Principal, I found that most scientists seem to get 3.5 years - if not 4 - of funding. Adding the fact that, because they do undergraduate masters, they remain eligible for the college writing up grant and some of my peers are much better off...
None of that's really what annoyed me though. The first thing was that, after dinner, even though it was 8:30 and raining (slightly) I planned to pop into the old PPE Reading Room to check a reference in a stack request, only to find it was a wasted trip as it now closes at 7pm! That's ridiculous.
At least when I got home, I was able to complete my undergraduate reports (though I still owe some more detailed ones on my visiting students). I was further annoyed to find that, despite me sending him two emails today pointing out it was the deadline for the Churchill/Fitzwilliam/New/Trinity joint application JRFs at Cambridge one of my referees failed to get his reference in. So that's four more I won't get...
None of that's really what annoyed me though. The first thing was that, after dinner, even though it was 8:30 and raining (slightly) I planned to pop into the old PPE Reading Room to check a reference in a stack request, only to find it was a wasted trip as it now closes at 7pm! That's ridiculous.
At least when I got home, I was able to complete my undergraduate reports (though I still owe some more detailed ones on my visiting students). I was further annoyed to find that, despite me sending him two emails today pointing out it was the deadline for the Churchill/Fitzwilliam/New/Trinity joint application JRFs at Cambridge one of my referees failed to get his reference in. So that's four more I won't get...
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Commentator's Curse
Strikes again here:
1846: Christian Panucci is so, so close to winning it for Italy but his header from a free-kick skims wide. Maybe the fates are smiling on Scotland?
1848: GOAL Scotland 1-2 ItalyHeartbreak. Absolute heartbreak. Alan Hutton is shoulder-barged off the ball by Giorgio Chiellini but the free-kick goes to Italy. Christian Panucci heads in the free-kick.
1846: Christian Panucci is so, so close to winning it for Italy but his header from a free-kick skims wide. Maybe the fates are smiling on Scotland?
1848: GOAL Scotland 1-2 ItalyHeartbreak. Absolute heartbreak. Alan Hutton is shoulder-barged off the ball by Giorgio Chiellini but the free-kick goes to Italy. Christian Panucci heads in the free-kick.
The Ongoing Search...
I've been told several times that the first post-qualification job is the hardest to find. I suppose that applies even more so when, like me, you're actually applying pre-qualification for a job you hope to hold post-qualification.
Perhaps more pressing than the doctorate itself is the need to publish, as impressed on my in my annual Principal's progress report on Thursday, but even this is difficult for those confined by the time-pressures of grad-school, which just about gives you chance to finish a thesis but not much else. (Maybe if I'd done less teaching... but that's also necessary for any non-JRF job). Even if you have something ready, the the peer review process can take months and you're only allowed to send things to one journal at a time. I currently have a paper that's been at Philosophy now for almost three months. Even offered a revise and resubmit (which would be a good result) it won't be much help to the job search.
At the moment, I'm applying for pretty much anything in my field, but here are two that are perhaps a bit beyond me:
Chichele Professorship of Social and Political Theory
Head of the Social Sciences Division
Perhaps more pressing than the doctorate itself is the need to publish, as impressed on my in my annual Principal's progress report on Thursday, but even this is difficult for those confined by the time-pressures of grad-school, which just about gives you chance to finish a thesis but not much else. (Maybe if I'd done less teaching... but that's also necessary for any non-JRF job). Even if you have something ready, the the peer review process can take months and you're only allowed to send things to one journal at a time. I currently have a paper that's been at Philosophy now for almost three months. Even offered a revise and resubmit (which would be a good result) it won't be much help to the job search.
At the moment, I'm applying for pretty much anything in my field, but here are two that are perhaps a bit beyond me:
Chichele Professorship of Social and Political Theory
Head of the Social Sciences Division
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Student Deaths RIP
I noticed the door to Exeter being closed today, but only just found out why - the recent deaths of two students in their first term is a terrible tragedy, particularly in a community as small as an Oxford college.
It goes without saying that all should be wary of Meningitis symptoms.
It goes without saying that all should be wary of Meningitis symptoms.
Monday, November 12, 2007
SGN discussion reaches Blogosphere
Scott Adams asks how many foreigners are worth one co-national? That in itself may be relevant to those interested in nationalism/cosmopolitanism. What caught my attention was this response:
I wouldn't choose... Tossing a coin would be more appropriate in a situation like this...
And if the number of killings was asymmetrical, like you propose, I'd choose to kill the least number of people (in this case, one from my own country).
Clearly someone already convinced of the fairness of lotteries, but who needs to read Taurek.
I wouldn't choose... Tossing a coin would be more appropriate in a situation like this...
And if the number of killings was asymmetrical, like you propose, I'd choose to kill the least number of people (in this case, one from my own country).
Clearly someone already convinced of the fairness of lotteries, but who needs to read Taurek.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Liverpool 2-0 Fulham
At last, another home win. It seems an 8-0 win is enough for Rafa to keep faith with the same team (even though this meant excluding two goal Babel). Unfortunately, this somewhat back-fired, as the players were obviously tired.
As one-sided as it was (YouTube highlights), for 80 minutes this looked like it could turn into another frustrating shut-out. Thankfully this time the introduction of Torres - who I assume was on the bench because of concerns over his fitness rather than for the sake of rotation - was enough to change the game with a well-taken goal. While the assist from Reina will hardly silence those who say we're a long ball team (sometimes), I'd happily see more of them, and Torres still had plenty to do and did it well. That's what we bought him for!
The penalty made the game safe and, I have to say, it was harsh on Fulham for the foul - while cynical - was just outside the area. Thankfully by then the breakthrough had been made and it didn't change the result.
One post-match interview I read with Sanchez suggested limiting the worth of substitutes (Torres + Babel + Lucas = nearly £40m), but I think it's clear that would be relatively pointless and unworkable...
As one-sided as it was (YouTube highlights), for 80 minutes this looked like it could turn into another frustrating shut-out. Thankfully this time the introduction of Torres - who I assume was on the bench because of concerns over his fitness rather than for the sake of rotation - was enough to change the game with a well-taken goal. While the assist from Reina will hardly silence those who say we're a long ball team (sometimes), I'd happily see more of them, and Torres still had plenty to do and did it well. That's what we bought him for!
The penalty made the game safe and, I have to say, it was harsh on Fulham for the foul - while cynical - was just outside the area. Thankfully by then the breakthrough had been made and it didn't change the result.
One post-match interview I read with Sanchez suggested limiting the worth of substitutes (Torres + Babel + Lucas = nearly £40m), but I think it's clear that would be relatively pointless and unworkable...
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Liverpool 8-0 Besiktas
I'd like to think whatever Arsenal can do we can do one better. For instance, Arsenal beat Derby 5-0 and we did 6-0 (my review). Arsenal thrashed Slavia Prague 7-0 (YouTube) and now we've done 8-0 in the Champions League.
The annoying thing is that, after disappointing defeats to Marseille and Besiktas (how?), we're still struggling to qualify. Rafa was recently pointing out that the chances will soon start going in and he was right. Apparently we had twenty shots *on target* and scored enough to win several games over (if only we'd been able to redistribute these goals, e.g. to the Blackburn match).
It could be said we were lucky. Three came from as rebounds off the 'keeper, the second from Riise's quick throw-in which probably shouldn't have been ours and was taken too far forward (even though that's normal), and Babel's second was simply an attempted clearance that deflected off him. Then again, you create your own luck - we had one shot (Riise?) cleared off the line and Babel hit the bar, and no one's going to begrudge us the win I take it.
Too bad this is still only three points, but it should do the confidence of some players - particularly Benayoun, Crouch and Babel - a world of good. I just hope we can keep this up.
The annoying thing is that, after disappointing defeats to Marseille and Besiktas (how?), we're still struggling to qualify. Rafa was recently pointing out that the chances will soon start going in and he was right. Apparently we had twenty shots *on target* and scored enough to win several games over (if only we'd been able to redistribute these goals, e.g. to the Blackburn match).
It could be said we were lucky. Three came from as rebounds off the 'keeper, the second from Riise's quick throw-in which probably shouldn't have been ours and was taken too far forward (even though that's normal), and Babel's second was simply an attempted clearance that deflected off him. Then again, you create your own luck - we had one shot (Riise?) cleared off the line and Babel hit the bar, and no one's going to begrudge us the win I take it.
Too bad this is still only three points, but it should do the confidence of some players - particularly Benayoun, Crouch and Babel - a world of good. I just hope we can keep this up.
Monday, November 05, 2007
Two Pieces of Welcome News
This morning I heard that I'd made the first cut in the Magdalen Fellowship by Examination competition. That means that, on the basis of my application form and proposal, they asked for my written work. I don't know how many make this stage, but apparently they'll further narrow the field after reading such, before inviting some to interview for the one or two positions. So still a long way to go, but more encouraging than a flat rejection.
The work I sent was my chapters 3 and 4, which I submitted for Confirmation in April, and the other piece of good news is that my supervisor says he's finally received the official report and it looks like they're fine - only a few minor comments to incorporate.
The work I sent was my chapters 3 and 4, which I submitted for Confirmation in April, and the other piece of good news is that my supervisor says he's finally received the official report and it looks like they're fine - only a few minor comments to incorporate.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Debating School Lotteries
Thanks to Nick for showing the Brighton case (old posts) is still in the news.
Interesting, tonight at the Union freshers debate the motion was 'This House would ban all private education'. First prop had defended geographical constituencies; my extension as 3rd prop was to say this wasn't enough and propose lotteries. I thought it was my job to support the motion (i.e. banning private education) while showing we had better reasons than the 'government', but did get criticized for 'knifing' 1st prop by the judge. Ho hum.
Anyway, if you want a defence of lotteries with particular reference to education, I'm presenting a paper on such (currently under review at Philosophy) in the 6th week Applied Ethics seminar. (The other paper is apparently 'Libertarianism and Luck', so should be political theory-friendly).
Interesting, tonight at the Union freshers debate the motion was 'This House would ban all private education'. First prop had defended geographical constituencies; my extension as 3rd prop was to say this wasn't enough and propose lotteries. I thought it was my job to support the motion (i.e. banning private education) while showing we had better reasons than the 'government', but did get criticized for 'knifing' 1st prop by the judge. Ho hum.
Anyway, if you want a defence of lotteries with particular reference to education, I'm presenting a paper on such (currently under review at Philosophy) in the 6th week Applied Ethics seminar. (The other paper is apparently 'Libertarianism and Luck', so should be political theory-friendly).
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Blackburn 0-0 Liverpool
Blackburn's a difficult place to go and they're a team that have already drawn with Arsenal and Chelsea this season. Nonetheless, I can't help feeling that - though undefeated - we're drawing too many games now. I wouldn't say our set-up was too defensive, but we didn't seem to press for a goal until the last 15 minutes or so and it's surely no coincidence that we looked more dangerous with Crouch on. I can't understand why Kuyt's being preferred.
Cheney
Rob's recent post calls for more political protest songs. Reading about Cheney's latest gaffe reminded of one of the shortest and simplest, by Brakes. Youtube performance here. Lyrics here.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
I Heard it on the 'Vine
Amazon has launched a new consumer review service called Amazon Vine. It's not the kind of thing I'd usually listen to, or consequently my best review, but my first contribution can be found here. Long live free CDs...
It seems plenty of these reviews have attracted unhelpful feedback, I wonder if others are jealous?
It seems plenty of these reviews have attracted unhelpful feedback, I wonder if others are jealous?
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Liverpool 2-1 Cardiff
While 2-1 may look like a potential banana skin just avoided, I think (hope) it's a sign of continued recovery. We were able to play a few fringe players, most notably Hobbs, and still win. Perhaps the only downside is needing to play both Carra and Gerrard, largely due to injuries. Thankfully we have, as far as I'm aware, avoided further injuries and can now look forward to the quarter final draw. Things are all Premiership now, but I'm not too bothered who we get. I don't think Chelsea or Arsenal would really be any harder than Everton, Blackburn or Man City if they continue to play their youth/reserve sides.
Oxford Union
It seems the OU is generating a fair amount of controversy - BNP and free speech aside. Maybe I should be attending more of their events...
For what it's worth, I think it's wrong to say the OU has such an impact on how British parliament runs. In fact, they refer to the style of debating as 'British Parliamentary', carrying on as they do because it's how parliament runs and for many the Union is training for a later career in politics.
As for whether this is the best way to decide policy, no, probably not; but the Union isn't actually a policy-making body (at least, not at national level). Debating is an intellectual skill and those who take part in competitions are assigned both a motion and a position (proposition or opposition) over which they have no control. Their task is to construct an argument based on limited research and to engage with and refute their opponents.
For what it's worth, I think it's wrong to say the OU has such an impact on how British parliament runs. In fact, they refer to the style of debating as 'British Parliamentary', carrying on as they do because it's how parliament runs and for many the Union is training for a later career in politics.
As for whether this is the best way to decide policy, no, probably not; but the Union isn't actually a policy-making body (at least, not at national level). Debating is an intellectual skill and those who take part in competitions are assigned both a motion and a position (proposition or opposition) over which they have no control. Their task is to construct an argument based on limited research and to engage with and refute their opponents.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal
If you'd asked me before this game, I'd probably have taken a draw. Although there have been some signs of us returning to form, we'd just come back from a defeat in Turkey while Arsenal had had an extra day's rest after an impressive 7-0 win at home. As it was, a draw was almost certainly the right result, but I can't help feeling a little disappointed having led for most of the match.
Sure Arsenal probably dominated possession and played nice football, as they usually do, but if you look at clean cut chances we had just as many and, while they hit the bar, Almunia was the busiest 'keeper. As it was, injuries to Torres, Alonso and Mascherano also played a part in allowing Arsenal back into the game - I hope they're not out long as we've already seen how much we miss the former two.
Sure Arsenal probably dominated possession and played nice football, as they usually do, but if you look at clean cut chances we had just as many and, while they hit the bar, Almunia was the busiest 'keeper. As it was, injuries to Torres, Alonso and Mascherano also played a part in allowing Arsenal back into the game - I hope they're not out long as we've already seen how much we miss the former two.
Friday, October 26, 2007
What Chance?
Malcolm Clark, over at MMVC, asks:
How about enshrining the right for my vote to stand a reasonable chance of affecting the outcome of an election?
I suggest a 1/n chance as being about right to serve political equality.
How about enshrining the right for my vote to stand a reasonable chance of affecting the outcome of an election?
I suggest a 1/n chance as being about right to serve political equality.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Besiktas 2-1 Liverpool
I don't know what has happened to Liverpool's Champions League form all of a sudden. Maybe it's a case of Alternate Season Syndrome (the more general phenomenon behind Second Season Syndrome, I guess) but this is a pretty drastic turnaround, as we've seen in several other aspects of our play (including home and away form).
Though members of the (now Facebook-enabled) GPTW were having drinks in the University club after my talk, I wasn't close enough to a Liverpool screen to see anything of the match really, but knew when the first goal went in. It seems Sami's having a tough time lately and couldn't really be held at fault, but we need Agger back as soon as possible. Him and Alonso are two of our most comfortable in possession and passing so losing both together has understandably had an effect, while Hyypia's lack of pace is stretching the whole defence (at least, I hope that has something to do with the apparent loss of form afflicting the others).
In truth, it wasn't a dreadful performance and we probably deserved at least a draw; although I don't know how so many of the team managed to count 28 shots at goal - the BBC makes it a more modest 18 (11 on target). Too bad Gerrard's goal couldn't inspire another memorable three goal comeback (as in a previous visit to Istanbul), but hopefully it may be a sign/help in his regaining form - and that's somethign we badly need...
Oh, and I think Crouch should've started both today and Sunday.
Though members of the (now Facebook-enabled) GPTW were having drinks in the University club after my talk, I wasn't close enough to a Liverpool screen to see anything of the match really, but knew when the first goal went in. It seems Sami's having a tough time lately and couldn't really be held at fault, but we need Agger back as soon as possible. Him and Alonso are two of our most comfortable in possession and passing so losing both together has understandably had an effect, while Hyypia's lack of pace is stretching the whole defence (at least, I hope that has something to do with the apparent loss of form afflicting the others).
In truth, it wasn't a dreadful performance and we probably deserved at least a draw; although I don't know how so many of the team managed to count 28 shots at goal - the BBC makes it a more modest 18 (11 on target). Too bad Gerrard's goal couldn't inspire another memorable three goal comeback (as in a previous visit to Istanbul), but hopefully it may be a sign/help in his regaining form - and that's somethign we badly need...
Oh, and I think Crouch should've started both today and Sunday.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Paul Raven RIP
Paul Raven, bassist from Killing Joke and various other side projects, including work with Ministry and The Damage Manual, has died of a suspected heart attack.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Everton 1-2 Liverpool
Though anyone inclined towards luck egalitarianism may disagree, we tend to think luck evens itself out. Well, I guess Liverpool had their share of good fortune today. The two penalties were fairly clear - particularly the second, as Phil Neville apparently dived to get a hand on the ball on the line. On the other hand, however, Everton were denied what could have been one or two of their own, and another ref could've red-carded Kuyt for a two footed lunge at Neville (he claims he was sliding in to block the ball and deliberately didn't touch Neville). Hopefully this win will help instill a bit of confidence.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Oceansize Gig 3
Tonight I went to see Oceansize at the re-opened Zodiac. (People are still debating whether to call in 'Cardiac', 'Zodamy' or something else...). To be honest, I probably didn't enjoy it as much as last time - they played a lot of new material from Frames, which I still haven't heard yet. The new stuff did sound good though, so I'm now even more eagerly awaiting that amazon delivery (apparently posted Sunday!) and also I did run into a former student in the crowd, which was quite nice.
Department Desk
About half an hour ago I received an email from the Department saying they wanted to repossess my desk. I think they like sending these things around last thing on a Friday, so nothing can be done over the weekend. Anyway, it appears I was supposed to reapply by 5th October, a fact they claimed had been advertised by email - so the reason I didn't may be to do with not getting any emails.
I admit I don't actually work at my desk that often, since I don't have a computer there and I'm teaching at least three days a week in college anyway, but I do need the space it offers. My room is about 10 sq. m, mostly taken up by my bed and desk, and has no bookshelves, so I've been relying on keeping work-related stuff in my filing cabinet, even if it isn't so convenient.
In a further example of departmental administration, I today received the names of the two 'children' I'm supposed to mentor. Probably a bit late to help them settle in now or even meet them, having missed the welcome party. They said they'd try to match people up by subjects and both work vaguely on democracy I think but neither are theorists.
I admit I don't actually work at my desk that often, since I don't have a computer there and I'm teaching at least three days a week in college anyway, but I do need the space it offers. My room is about 10 sq. m, mostly taken up by my bed and desk, and has no bookshelves, so I've been relying on keeping work-related stuff in my filing cabinet, even if it isn't so convenient.
In a further example of departmental administration, I today received the names of the two 'children' I'm supposed to mentor. Probably a bit late to help them settle in now or even meet them, having missed the welcome party. They said they'd try to match people up by subjects and both work vaguely on democracy I think but neither are theorists.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Student Representation
I'm not sure that the new 'minister for students' will do much more to represent students. After all, students already have votes, and if more of them used them they should be adequately represented as it is. Another good alternative would be to bring back the days when Oxford University had its own MPs...
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Online First
Those with online access to the Journal of Value Inquiry (via Springerlink) can see my Fabre review online.
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