Fantastic article in The Economist about technology, automation and the impact on jobs and society:
http://www.economist.com/node/21536460
Picture of a robot writing an article about robots
Archive for the 'Society' Category
I’ve seen several interesting plays on punctuation recently, but this one is by far the best, and it certainly led to quite an interesting debate on Facebook when I posted it:
A lesson in punctuation: "A woman without her man is nothing." or "A woman: without her, man is nothing."
Today has been a solemn one full of thoughts for those directly affected by the devastating terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre in NYC that took place 10 years ago.
Few can fail to remember where they were when the news of the first aeroplane striking the North Tower. I was in my office at Agency.com in Crinan Street preparing for a pitch with a number of my colleagues from New York.
The images were so confusing that I didn’t know what to make of them at first. It had to be an accident, but how could a pilot accidentally crash into one of NYC’s greatest landmarks?
When the second plane hit the South Tower just over 17 minutes later, it was obvious that this was no accident and a wave of shock rippled through the office; people were genuinely speechless.
World Trade Centre after being struck by hijacked aeroplanes
Today, 10 years on, the world has changed forever and the moving tributes remind us of how much this terrorist attack has shaped the world – leading to two wars, countless lives lost and a loss of innocence.
Many things impressed me about the dignified nature of the memorials around the world, and something in particular made me think:
This afternoon in London, I was amazed to see a group of Islamic Extremists burning the Stars & Stripes during the 9/11 memorial in Grosvenor Square, taking advantage of the very freedom of speech that they would happily deny others.
At first it made me angry as it reminded me that not everyone is united in grief, and that there are some very unpleasant people out there, but then it was also a reminder how tolerant our society is to rightly allow them their freedom of expression, no matter how distasteful.
Our protection of the right to free speech is one of the things that makes our society so great, and the terrorists clearly failed in their attempt to undermine that.
God bless America , God bless the United Kingdom and God bless those who died in the attack, and as a result of the devastation.
Image of a 911 Memorial Stone
Very rarely does a remake surpass an already outstanding original, but this is one of those rare occasions; D’Angelo’s version of the Smokey Robinson classic, “Crusin’”.
D’Angelo – Cruisin’ on MUZU.TV
(You may have to tolerate a brief advert that runs before the music video!)
I’m told by a reliable source that this is true, in which case this story is very funny, but potentially one that supports the argument for better gun control in the USA!
Get out of the car! Carjacking with a difference!
All joking aside, it could have ended rather horribly…
Already, it’s time for the Dr. Who mid-season finale and I just cannot wait – surely Saturday 4 June will see one of the most eagerly-anticipated episodes of a TV drama for many years: “A Good Man Goes to War”.
Dr. Who with his beautiful sidekick Amy Pond (BBC)
This season of Dr Who has just gone from strength to strength, and the new doctor (Matt Smith) has really surprised me with his excellent grasp of the role – and who can object to watching his beautiful assistant, Amy Pond (Karen Gillan), exercise those long legs on their adventures around the universe”
The next episode “A Good Man Goes to War” promises to be a real corker – I cannot wait to see the mystery of Amy’s baby revealed, but I do wonder what it will all mean for her husband Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill) who upset me last episode by deserting Amy to look after one of the Gangers.
Role on Saturday 4 June – 18:40 on BBC1!
I’m intrigued by the negative reaction that some have had to Twitter’s decision to release the personal information of a South Tyneside councillor who had attempted to tweet under a veil of digital anonymity.
Twitter’s behaviour is entirely consistent with its terms and conditions and user agreement – nowhere does it say that Twitter allows you to post anonymously, or that it will not comply with the law when directed to do so.
Whilst many Internet users hold the popular misconception that they can be ‘anonymous’ on the Internet, those in the know understand that this is very rarely the case; even when setting-up a free email account and using an Internet café, web users create a unique digital footprint that experienced digital forensic investigators can use to identify them.
People who believe that on-line services like Twitter give them the power and permission to write and publish inaccurate, inflammatory or libellous material are mistaken.
The perceived anonymity of the Internet doesn’t give people carte blanche to behave in a way that negatively affects others.
Personally, I think that people posting on Twitter should identify themselves – if they are going to judge and make comments about people who are happy to reveal their identities, why shouldn’t they?
The Internet privacy developments of the last few days mark an important milestone in the maturing of the Internet and I believe that Twitter was absolutely right to comply with the law of the land and reveal the personal information of an allegedly libellous anonymous tweeter.
Now that the world has seen the death of Osama Bin Laden confirmed, it is obvious that President Obama will get a much needed boost for achieving what the two presidents before him failed to do.
His decision to focus the CIA on the apprehension of Bin Laden was clearly the right call, and the whole world will benefit from the Al Qaeda’s loss; he should be congratulated for this.
The picture below sums what this means for President Obama beautifully!
President Obama: "Sorry it took so long to get you a copy of my birth certificate, I was too busy killing Osama bin Laden"
The alleged architect of the 9/11 atrocity, Osama Bin Laden, has been confirmed dead – killed days ago in a firefight with US-led forces.
President Obama has confirmed it in a moving speech highlighting the attack on America nearly ten years ago on 9/11, shown in the video below.
Spontaneous celebrations have broken out across America and this a wonderful day for the American people.
This is a major development in the War on Terror!
Wow! What a day! Never have I felt prouder to be British – or to be Londoner!
Today’s events remind us why the Royal Family is so important to Britain and to the world; more than a million people lined the streets of Central London helping to cap-off what was an incredibly emotional wedding and celebration that unified not just the country, but the world.
Two billion people are estimated to have tuned-in, and Twitter and Facebook reflect the fact that the whole world is watching this wedding with great interest and affection.
The dress was beautiful, and the only thing that nearly stole the show was Princess Catherine’s sister, Pippa, who looked simply stunning in her Maid of Honour outfit – I was breathless for a moment!
Prince William and Princess Catherine kissing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace - with the cutest bridesmaid ever looking a little annoyed by the Lancaster Bomber overhead!
The rendition of ‘Jerusalem’ brought a tear to my eye, as did the first kiss of the beautiful couple on the balcony.
Princess Catherine, the new Duchess of Cambridge, has been incredibly composed and poised throughout what must have been an incredibly demanding and tiring day; she is going to make a brilliant princess.
I am incredibly happy for both of them, but also for the nation that has come together once again thanks to a wonderful royal event highlighting the importance of having a first family that exist above politics and our day-to-day lives.
Royal Wedding Fly Past over Buckingham Palace for Prince William and Princess Catherine - Lancaster Bomber with two World War II fighters.
It’s a terrible day for republicans, as so eloquently put by Conservative blogger Tim Montgomerie on Twitter:
“Marriage + Monarchy + Military uniforms + Church + Pomp + Big crowds + Tory PM + Boris = Horrible day for Lefty republicans!”
I’m not the world’s most emotional person, but even as I write this I can feel quivers of emotion- not just in response to the beautiful wedding, but because of the way in which it has brought together hundreds of millions of people around the world.
The role of the Royal Family as a unifying force has never been more important; at a time when the world is in turmoil and Britain slowly recovers from the economic problems caused by the last recession, the positive impact of today’s events couldn’t be more welcome.
They ended the public part of their wedding in the most amazing way – with Prince William driving his new princess to Clarence House in his father’s pimped-out 1970 Aston Martin Convertible. Only in London!
I send them my congratulations and best wishes for the future – they are an amazing couple and we thank them all for letting us share their special day!
Prince William driving Princess Catherine from Buckingham Palace to Clarence House in his father's Aston Martin
