Thursday, February 19, 2009
Philosophers make the BBC
My friends/colleagues Rebecca Roache and Barbro Bjorkman are mentioned in this BBC article, about the ethics of keeping a child with an adopted family after the parents have been charged then acquitted of misdemeanours. It's good to see the BBC covering the work of philosophers as well as scientists, although this doesn't seem to be reporting about a published paper.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Advising on Graduate Study
A couple of my 3rd years are keen to do graduate degrees (only Masters level, at first...) - perhaps I should have them read these warnings, discussed over at Pea Soup.
Is Having Too Many Children Selfish?
Good to see the question raised; although I despair at the level of public debate if the best response is "I have three children. I feel it is my duty to attempt to repopulate the World with intelligent individuals in an attempt to offset Mr Porritt's stupidity. Idiocy-offsetting, kind of like carbon offsetting, just a little more immediate."
Another Graduate Conference
I've not been aware of political philosophy graduate conferences in York before, but it seems that they're joining Manchester, Warwick and Essex - conference 29-30 May, advert/cfa here.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
They Talk About Me on the Interwebz
Thanks to an anonymous tip-off here for pointing me to this discussion on Philosophy, Etc. Basically, someone there proposes lottery voting, although with the slight twist that they suggest you could draw more than one vote. A couple of people in the discussion point to my work (here and here) and now I've weighed in with my own comment.
Monday, February 16, 2009
There's no Telling what Exeter will do...
Riots in Turl Street or a giant naked statue... [UPDATE: photo of the statue here]
I'm not sure who Corpus are supposed to share a rivalry with. Oriel and Christ Church I believe already hate each other, does that leave us Merton or are they embroiled in feuds with Magdalen?
I'm not sure who Corpus are supposed to share a rivalry with. Oriel and Christ Church I believe already hate each other, does that leave us Merton or are they embroiled in feuds with Magdalen?
What's A Rejection?
I don't have as much experience of being rejected by journals as being rejected by potential employers (who often never have the decency to tell you), but even in my limited experience it can be hard to tell exactly how to take some editors' responses. Most recently, I had a rejection with a suggestion that they journal would reconsider with major revisions, and had very little idea how this should be interpreted.
Different journals have different decision options, but here's how I rank them:
1) Accept 'as is'
2) Conditional acceptance
3) Revise and resubmit
4) Willing to reconsider with revisions
5) Reject
Matters are complicated, however, because the revisions involved in 2-4 may very greatly in extent. Sometimes a revise and resubmit may turn out to be less problematic than a conditional acceptance. Moreover, what some journals call 'revise and resubmit' may in practice be a 2 or 4. (Indeed, I was once given what was officially a R&R that was in fact an acceptance - the editor told me he'd accept the piece whatever, but wanted to give me the opportunity to respond to the reviewers.)
Here's a helpful guide to interpreting editorial decisions, via Pea Soup.
Different journals have different decision options, but here's how I rank them:
1) Accept 'as is'
2) Conditional acceptance
3) Revise and resubmit
4) Willing to reconsider with revisions
5) Reject
Matters are complicated, however, because the revisions involved in 2-4 may very greatly in extent. Sometimes a revise and resubmit may turn out to be less problematic than a conditional acceptance. Moreover, what some journals call 'revise and resubmit' may in practice be a 2 or 4. (Indeed, I was once given what was officially a R&R that was in fact an acceptance - the editor told me he'd accept the piece whatever, but wanted to give me the opportunity to respond to the reviewers.)
Here's a helpful guide to interpreting editorial decisions, via Pea Soup.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Valentine's Links
Apparently St Valentine is the patron saint of those who have found love; those still looking should direct their attention to St Raphael (here).
There are questions as to whether the recession will increase or decrease romance (here). But even anarchists are getting in on Valentines (here) and this photographer makes his own cards for his wife (here).
There are questions as to whether the recession will increase or decrease romance (here). But even anarchists are getting in on Valentines (here) and this photographer makes his own cards for his wife (here).
Ants and Democracy
This term I've been attending a seminar on Aristotle's Politics and Contemporary Political Theory, which has reminded me of his claim that humans are political in a way different from merely gregarious animals such as bees (the difference seems to lie in our capacity for speech/reason and so justice).
Nonetheless, it seems that perhaps we can learn from animals after all. A good article in The Economist here, drawing on the work of Christian List - although I think it gets Condorcet slightly wrong (the jury theorem does not depend on each supplying different perspectives, although that idea does go back to at least Aristotle, and in fact it depends on voters being independent, rather than exchanging information).
Nonetheless, it seems that perhaps we can learn from animals after all. A good article in The Economist here, drawing on the work of Christian List - although I think it gets Condorcet slightly wrong (the jury theorem does not depend on each supplying different perspectives, although that idea does go back to at least Aristotle, and in fact it depends on voters being independent, rather than exchanging information).
Friday, February 13, 2009
Bribes Work
In a piece forthcoming in the journal Politics, I suggest that if we want to increase voter turnout then, rather than making it compulsory, we should consider paying people an incentive to vote. Employing the carrot rather than the stick may be less effective (i.e. predictably the increase in turnout will be less), but I think it is less objectionable on grounds of coercion.
It's interesting to see that in the US they've trialled paying people to stop voting and it works. Since offers are generally perceived as less objectionable than threats, this suggests the potential for paying people to act as we desire in many other cases.
It's interesting to see that in the US they've trialled paying people to stop voting and it works. Since offers are generally perceived as less objectionable than threats, this suggests the potential for paying people to act as we desire in many other cases.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Risk is in the Genes
It seems that some of those who gamble on the stock market can blame their genes for their propensity to take risks. This may threaten the luck egalitarian distinction between brute and option luck...
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Portsmouth 2-3 Liverpool
Benitez chose a rather surprising formation - indeed, I'm still not really sure how the players actually lined up (it seems Aurelio was deployed in place of Alonso in central midfield, while Benayoun and Babel were each to play in support of lone striker Ngog) - and took a gamble by leaving a number of 'big guns' on the bench (Torres, Alonso, Kuyt, Riera).
You could say it was a massive gamble and nearly backfired. On the other hand, after our extra time exhertions against Everton, and with a few players carrying knocks, it may well have been the best that he could do. Even our rotated squad were capable of dominating the first half and Babel should have opened the scoring when he failed to make contact with an inviting cross three yards in front of an open goal (maybe he really can replace Keane...).
As it happens, we twice fell behind due to defensive lapses, but we were able to equalize each time - first through Aurelio (who, contrary to some reports, didn't take the free kick - it was indirect, so touched to him by Alonso) and then Kuyt, with just five minutes left. It looked like more dropped points, before Benayoun danced his way through the Portsmouth defence and cut a cross back for Torres to head home in injury time.
Ok, it took Kuyt, Alonso and Torres to come off the bench to secure the points, but at least they had something of a rest and arguably they were more effective precisely because they were playing against a tiring Portsmouth. No doubt if we'd lost, Benitez would have been widely criticized but, since we won (albeit only just) I think we have to give him credit. The result puts us top of the table again - albeit only until Man Utd play - which shows that he is indeed delivering the challenge we wanted.
You could say it was a massive gamble and nearly backfired. On the other hand, after our extra time exhertions against Everton, and with a few players carrying knocks, it may well have been the best that he could do. Even our rotated squad were capable of dominating the first half and Babel should have opened the scoring when he failed to make contact with an inviting cross three yards in front of an open goal (maybe he really can replace Keane...).
As it happens, we twice fell behind due to defensive lapses, but we were able to equalize each time - first through Aurelio (who, contrary to some reports, didn't take the free kick - it was indirect, so touched to him by Alonso) and then Kuyt, with just five minutes left. It looked like more dropped points, before Benayoun danced his way through the Portsmouth defence and cut a cross back for Torres to head home in injury time.
Ok, it took Kuyt, Alonso and Torres to come off the bench to secure the points, but at least they had something of a rest and arguably they were more effective precisely because they were playing against a tiring Portsmouth. No doubt if we'd lost, Benitez would have been widely criticized but, since we won (albeit only just) I think we have to give him credit. The result puts us top of the table again - albeit only until Man Utd play - which shows that he is indeed delivering the challenge we wanted.
Twisted City London Tour
You can download a free album from singer-songwriter Chris Singleton here and take his guided tour of London with this guide. Please note terms and conditions:
1. You take the ‘Twisted City Tour’ entirely at your own risk. Chris Singleton will not be held responsible for any loss, theft, injury or loss of life which occurs to members of the public who go on the tour.
2. Any costs or expenses arising from your ‘Twisted City Tour’ are met by you (bus tickets, taxi fares, meals etc.)
1. You take the ‘Twisted City Tour’ entirely at your own risk. Chris Singleton will not be held responsible for any loss, theft, injury or loss of life which occurs to members of the public who go on the tour.
2. Any costs or expenses arising from your ‘Twisted City Tour’ are met by you (bus tickets, taxi fares, meals etc.)
Friday, February 06, 2009
25 Things Meme
This has been doing the rounds on Facebook. In fact, I've already posted it there, so when it imports this post (as it does all my blog posts) there will be some duplication. Oh well...
Rules: Once you've been tagged, you can choose to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.
(To do this, go to the Notes tab on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app), and then click Publish.)
1. I self-identify as vegetarian but it’s really on aesthetic (taste) grounds. I wouldn’t actually eat meat, but I’m not so fussy about vegetarian cheese, etc.
2. I haven’t had my hair cut since June. It’s now probably the longest I’ve ever had it (just beating Sixth Form). I can put it in a ponytail, but haven’t tried it outdoors!
3. I was 18 when I had my first proper kiss (curse of an all-boys school).
4. I’ve never liked beer, so only drink cider, wine or spirits.
5. I've only really supported Liverpool FC since about 1995-6 – so never seen them win a league title.
6. I listen to a wide range of music and have written reviews in numerous places – including the Oxford Student (newspaper), UK-Fusion (now defunct website) and Amazon Vine – but I can’t play an instrument or even sing.
7. I haven’t bought any nail varnish since Sixth Form, but still do my nails for the occasional night out (Oxford’s monthly goth night in the Cellar).
8. Although I’d had a few temporary jobs during university, I didn’t start my first ‘proper’ job until last October – at the age of 26. It’s nice to have the money, but I’m glad I don’t have 9am starts.
9. I spend far too much time online, but I’m hopeless with new technology and already feel out-of-touch with new gadgets and sites (things like RSS feeds and del.ici.ous).
10. I guess I count as a published author, with my first academic article having come out last summer (in the journal Philosophy) and two or three more ‘in the pipeline’. Sadly, I don’t get paid for any of this (something my mum finds hard to understand…)
11. I used to keep a few plants when I was younger – now I have about two dozen cacti (all derived from the same parent), which survive at home even without being watered for months.
12. I once won £1000 in a competition, while an undergraduate – I didn’t do anything special with it, it simply went into my bank account and got spent on food, rent and cider.
13. I hardly drink tea or coffee – usually choosing just water (sometimes boiling water, if it’s cold or I have a cold). Other people find this strange.
14. Despite the lack of caffeine, I’m a terrible insomniac (or a very good one, depending how you look at it). It often takes me over an hour to fall asleep and I often wake up early – even if I’m not keen to actually get up in the morning.
15. If I am asleep, I’m quite a deep sleeper – I’ve been known to miss not only alarms but fire drills.
16. My birthday is 31st December. My mum apparently had a glass of sparkling wine to celebrate New Year after giving birth. I turned 18 on 31/12/1999, but haven’t really had a proper party/celebration since – it’s a very awkward date to do things (particularly during university). This may explain why I think NYE over-rated.
17. In a certain sense, I’m very materialistic. I don’t think money or worldly possessions bring happiness, but I’d generally rather spend my money on things I can hold and keep. Given my tendency to hoard junk, this is a recipe for disaster!
18. I’ve always been known for my coats. In primary school I had a duffel coat (like Kenny from South Park, only blue) that I’d wear even in summer. I’ve had my present winter jacket since at least Lower Sixth (i.e. at least ten years now).
19. I can (technically) drive, having received my licence just before coming up to Oxford, but haven’t been behind the wheel of a car since my test. I don’t like relying on public transport, but I’m not particularly bothered about driving myself.
20. The only nickname I’ve ever had that’s really stuck was ‘droid’ in Cubs/Scouts (apparently because I talked like an android). My mum refers to my brother and me as ‘big Ben and little John’ to help people remember who’s who.
21. I have never even tried smoking a cigarette. I find it unpleasant when other people do it, so never saw the attraction of paying so much money to kill myself.
22. I haven’t yet found anything I’m allergic to.
23. I haven’t been to the cinema in about five years. Not for any particular reason, but I’m not a great film fan, don’t feel the pressing need to see things as soon as they come out, and don’t like sitting through long films in one go (I tend to pause DVDs a couple of times).
24. When I was younger, I wanted to be at various times an astronaut, a millionaire and an artist. None of those look at all plausible now. It would never have occurred to me to have been an academic – indeed, I still feel I’ve drifted into lecturing as a result of lacking the imagination to try anything else.
25. I’ve never been arrested, but did once get a ride home in a police car after my first day of work experience in Colchester’s MOD barracks.
Rules: Once you've been tagged, you can choose to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.
(To do this, go to the Notes tab on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app), and then click Publish.)
1. I self-identify as vegetarian but it’s really on aesthetic (taste) grounds. I wouldn’t actually eat meat, but I’m not so fussy about vegetarian cheese, etc.
2. I haven’t had my hair cut since June. It’s now probably the longest I’ve ever had it (just beating Sixth Form). I can put it in a ponytail, but haven’t tried it outdoors!
3. I was 18 when I had my first proper kiss (curse of an all-boys school).
4. I’ve never liked beer, so only drink cider, wine or spirits.
5. I've only really supported Liverpool FC since about 1995-6 – so never seen them win a league title.
6. I listen to a wide range of music and have written reviews in numerous places – including the Oxford Student (newspaper), UK-Fusion (now defunct website) and Amazon Vine – but I can’t play an instrument or even sing.
7. I haven’t bought any nail varnish since Sixth Form, but still do my nails for the occasional night out (Oxford’s monthly goth night in the Cellar).
8. Although I’d had a few temporary jobs during university, I didn’t start my first ‘proper’ job until last October – at the age of 26. It’s nice to have the money, but I’m glad I don’t have 9am starts.
9. I spend far too much time online, but I’m hopeless with new technology and already feel out-of-touch with new gadgets and sites (things like RSS feeds and del.ici.ous).
10. I guess I count as a published author, with my first academic article having come out last summer (in the journal Philosophy) and two or three more ‘in the pipeline’. Sadly, I don’t get paid for any of this (something my mum finds hard to understand…)
11. I used to keep a few plants when I was younger – now I have about two dozen cacti (all derived from the same parent), which survive at home even without being watered for months.
12. I once won £1000 in a competition, while an undergraduate – I didn’t do anything special with it, it simply went into my bank account and got spent on food, rent and cider.
13. I hardly drink tea or coffee – usually choosing just water (sometimes boiling water, if it’s cold or I have a cold). Other people find this strange.
14. Despite the lack of caffeine, I’m a terrible insomniac (or a very good one, depending how you look at it). It often takes me over an hour to fall asleep and I often wake up early – even if I’m not keen to actually get up in the morning.
15. If I am asleep, I’m quite a deep sleeper – I’ve been known to miss not only alarms but fire drills.
16. My birthday is 31st December. My mum apparently had a glass of sparkling wine to celebrate New Year after giving birth. I turned 18 on 31/12/1999, but haven’t really had a proper party/celebration since – it’s a very awkward date to do things (particularly during university). This may explain why I think NYE over-rated.
17. In a certain sense, I’m very materialistic. I don’t think money or worldly possessions bring happiness, but I’d generally rather spend my money on things I can hold and keep. Given my tendency to hoard junk, this is a recipe for disaster!
18. I’ve always been known for my coats. In primary school I had a duffel coat (like Kenny from South Park, only blue) that I’d wear even in summer. I’ve had my present winter jacket since at least Lower Sixth (i.e. at least ten years now).
19. I can (technically) drive, having received my licence just before coming up to Oxford, but haven’t been behind the wheel of a car since my test. I don’t like relying on public transport, but I’m not particularly bothered about driving myself.
20. The only nickname I’ve ever had that’s really stuck was ‘droid’ in Cubs/Scouts (apparently because I talked like an android). My mum refers to my brother and me as ‘big Ben and little John’ to help people remember who’s who.
21. I have never even tried smoking a cigarette. I find it unpleasant when other people do it, so never saw the attraction of paying so much money to kill myself.
22. I haven’t yet found anything I’m allergic to.
23. I haven’t been to the cinema in about five years. Not for any particular reason, but I’m not a great film fan, don’t feel the pressing need to see things as soon as they come out, and don’t like sitting through long films in one go (I tend to pause DVDs a couple of times).
24. When I was younger, I wanted to be at various times an astronaut, a millionaire and an artist. None of those look at all plausible now. It would never have occurred to me to have been an academic – indeed, I still feel I’ve drifted into lecturing as a result of lacking the imagination to try anything else.
25. I’ve never been arrested, but did once get a ride home in a police car after my first day of work experience in Colchester’s MOD barracks.
February Snow
Since I've been talking a bit about the snow recently, I thought I'd somewhat gratuitously link to Oxford band Fell City Girl's single February Snow:
I saw the singer's new band, Winchell Riots, back in April 08 where he performed this cover as an encore.
It's too bad I don't have a camera, given how picturesque Oxford is in the snow, but if you want some nice photos check out OxfordDailyPhoto, here, here and here. UPDATE: And, in Balliol, they have a snow dalek!
I saw the singer's new band, Winchell Riots, back in April 08 where he performed this cover as an encore.
It's too bad I don't have a camera, given how picturesque Oxford is in the snow, but if you want some nice photos check out OxfordDailyPhoto, here, here and here. UPDATE: And, in Balliol, they have a snow dalek!
Thursday, February 05, 2009
RAE Funding Allocation
The HEFCE has announced how research funding is to be allocated, following the recent RAE results - as reported by Times Higher. Thom Brooks has done the number crunching for Politics and Philosophy.
What I find worrying is the report that "the approach... will slightly increase the amount science receives at the expense of other disciplines". It seems that world-leading research in the humanities just isn't as valuable as world-leading research in sciences...
What I find worrying is the report that "the approach... will slightly increase the amount science receives at the expense of other disciplines". It seems that world-leading research in the humanities just isn't as valuable as world-leading research in sciences...
Library Closures
We just had an email go round the whole college (SCR, MCR and JCR) informing us that the St Cross Building (Law Library) and SSL will close early today. Someone sent this in reply:
Intelligent Life
This BBC article pretty much suggests that estimates of intelligent life are no better than guesswork. Particularly amusing is this bit: While researchers often come up with overall estimates of the likelihood of intelligent life in the universe, it is a process fraught with guesswork; recent guesses put the number anywhere between a million and less than one. Perhaps we should concentrate on examining Earth first...
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Everton 1-0 Liverpool (AET) (FA Cup replay)
To be honest, if you'd asked me earlier I wouldn't particularly have minded going out of the FA Cup today, but I'm less happy with the way we did so. All the big guns are still in and entertaining Villa in the next round was hardly an easy draw. I wouldn't have minded playing a weaker team and seeing how they went. As it is, we now have injuries to Gerrard and Torres - typically, just after off-loading Keane.
Lucas can have few complaints about his second yellow, even if the first was harsh (he pulled out of a late challenge and the commentators said he was unlucky to be booked, both at the time and later). That sending off probably cost us but, even so, it wasn't until the 28th minute of extra time - just as penalties looked likely - that Everton were able to score. Sadly I missed the goal as ITV decided to cut to an advert in the middle of a frenetic stretch of play. They should never televise live football again quite frankly...
Lucas can have few complaints about his second yellow, even if the first was harsh (he pulled out of a late challenge and the commentators said he was unlucky to be booked, both at the time and later). That sending off probably cost us but, even so, it wasn't until the 28th minute of extra time - just as penalties looked likely - that Everton were able to score. Sadly I missed the goal as ITV decided to cut to an advert in the middle of a frenetic stretch of play. They should never televise live football again quite frankly...
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