@amcunningham queries the use of derogatory language in public spaces.

Good overview of latest Orson Scott Card controversy #fb

On the importance of paper books for those who can't afford gadgets.

"We have taken to the moon the wealth of this Nation, the vision of its political leaders, the intelligence of its scientists, the dedication of its engineers, the careful craftsmanship of its workers, and the enthusiastic support of its people. "We have brought back rocks. "And I think it is a fair trade."

My article for yesterday's Tele.

Trouble at the top of my least favourite telecoms company!

Guidelines for (Indian) government officials on professional use of social media.

I get quoted in the Belfast Telegraph.

"He ended the terror of living in the South."

"Despite spending nearly twice as much, our results compared to other nations are disappointing. Take infant mortality rates. Studies show we have some of the worst results in the developed world. We pay for a Porsche but get a Yugo."

(1) She's not a sidekick, arm candy, or a damsel to be rescued... (2) Ripley isn't a fantasy version of a woman... (3) The character is strong enough to survive multiple screenwriters... (4) Ripley was lucky enough to be played by Sigourney Weaver.

"In the unlikely event that a woman does not want to become a prostitute, my theory, which is mine, recognises there are other ways a woman can cash in on her erotic capital."

"there’s a solid argument for spending money while you have it, because deferring gratification now for gratification later on is intrinsically something of a gamble."

Yet another book list.

Looking mainly at Doctor Who and Star Trek.

Brooks, runs, branches, rios, etc - fascinating.

What a load of nonsense!

Notes from my radio appearance on Sunday.

1)  Military peacekeeping has grown in scale … yet lost operational impact. 2)  Peacekeeping is cheap …  but it is also still too expensive. 3) All peace operations are political … but not all are guided by credible political strategies and few peacekeepers are good at politics. 4)  Peacekeepers promote democracy and justice … but democracy and ju…

A modern constitution needs to be legitimate in the eyes of the people, but achieving this is a challenge. Often national and international constitution-makers feel out in the cold as there has been no comprehensive resource on the options for constitution-making and reform. The design, implementation and management of these processes, in an inclu…

How long is a link “alive” before people stop caring?

Brilliant on-line atlas of the history of war.

Gender in the new Libya

The future for the political Right in Scotland. (Bleak.)

The International Space Station as bringer of doom.

I was able to leaf through these in a bookshop last month, and they are all brilliant - particularly the introductions.