In my view, nuclear power represents an unjustified faith in the power of human societies to control extremely complex technologies over the very long term. Any activity requiring a great deal of complex and cooperative control will do badly in difficult economic times. Also, no human society has ever lasted for as long as nuclear … Continue reading Excellent, in-depth critique of nuclear power in light of Fukushima via The Automatic Earth

I used, occasionally, to travel in Russia during the 1990s. I had a few good friends there. Acquired a taste for spirits and saunas, but that is a later part of the story. In Russia in the 1990s it became clear to me that in Soviet times, access to middle class comforts must have depended … Continue reading Is an evidence-based knowledge economy such a good thing?

The Social Science Centre will offer credit bearing courses in Sociology, Politics and Philosophy, programmes not currently available as part of the University of Lincoln’s portfolio. A key aspect of the Centre is that students would not pay any tuition fees. The Centre would be community based, utilising already existing public spaces in Lincoln, e.g., … Continue reading The Social Science Centre description #pcthe

"There is no difference between academic skills and employment skills," via guardian.co.uk Oh my sainted aunt. Where do we start? Posted via email from George's posterous

It is hard to show causality in respect of literacy programmes. But, it is not necessary to show that all govt programmes always work in order to suggest that this particular cut showed a particular direction of travel for this particular government. Have all arms deals led to peace? Are they being cut? Looks like … Continue reading Bookstart was/is good for publishers & writing/reading industry, too @jockox3

The austerity agenda is thus not just a gamble on squeezing another few years of growth out of the neoliberal accumulation model, but a defensive project against the Left. via leninology.blogspot.com interesting twist in the tale. Another loop to the complexity of what is going on. Posted via email from George's posterous

Educational Technology and the Adult Learner via wikieducator.org This might be a useful resource for a seminar that my tutorial group is planning in the new year. They are wondering about how and if learning technologies, particularly VLEs and their discussion forums can lead to greater inclusion of students, particularly when the students are working … Continue reading Davecormier/Books/Educational Technology and the Adult Learner – WikiEducator #pcthe

http://www.dark-mountain.net/wordpress/2010/12/20/let-down-and-hanging-around/ Sent to you via Google Reader Posted via email from George's posterous

What we have witnessed in our own time is the death of universities as centres of critique. Since Margaret Thatcher, the role of academia has been to service the status quo, not challenge it in the name of justice, tradition, imagination, human welfare, the free play of the mind or alternative visions of the future.via … Continue reading The death of universities via Terry Eagleton in The Guardian

"A blue social bookmark and publication sharing system"bibsonomy.org I am not sure what "blue" means in the site title, but I have imported my Delicious bookmarks into BibSonomy. The UI is more homegrown looking than Delicious - but then the Delicious UI wasn't always easy. That said, it appears to do at least all of … Continue reading I have moved my bookmarks into BibSonomy