Doctor Who and a link or two

[heliopausa]

Links first!

The Royal Society has been publishing in science matters for 350 years, and is celebrating by flinging all their online archives open free until the end of November.

Here's an interesting and fun interview with a Tourette's Syndrome activist. (about ten minutes, you tube.)

Here are some great photos of Kazakh eagle hunters -

Comments

[todayiamadaisy]

That whole Cup winning story was lovely, wasn't it? I particularly liked how frank she was about saying that some of the owners didn't even want her to ride - not pointing fingers at them, just like 'yep, this is what I deal with'. (My local paper will go berserk tomorrow, because the Cup winner is a local horse (well... is stabled just out of town and is actually one of the horses I often walk past on the beach).)

(I generally do not understand a single thing that happens in Doctor Who.)

[heliopausa]

Good heavens, yes! (about your town - or possibly the whole of western Victoria) going wild. Happy days for the local news media. :) (Still on a high from the musical demo, I expect, too!)
and yes, beautifully frank! I liked her "I want to say to everyone else, get stuffed, because women can do anything." Words from the heart. Go, Michelle!

[asakiyume]

The eagle hunters really are magnificent, aren't they. Some time ago there were photos going round of a 12-year-old girl (I think that was her age...) from the region who's training in that skill--so lovely.

I don't like great lolloping dobs of didacticism mixed in with light entertainment, especially if the light entertainment in question doesn't think its own stories through --Yes, I agree with you about this. When the didacticism is really heavy, the lesson often gets flattened and simplified, and while principles can be simple (be welcoming to strangers), situations on the ground can be complicated and shades-of-gray, and the didacticism can feel condescending or irrelevant--or just tedious.

[heliopausa]

Tedious, condescending. :(
On the other hand, I would hate (do hate) entertainment which ignores moral realities, or is covertly - or unconsciously - contributing to a less just world, or preaching damaging or cynical messages.
But the banging of the didactic drum, even when it's something I totally agree with - yep. Can be very tedious - and a patronising tone is a real turn-off., Very tricky - especially when it's in something which is aimed at both children and adults.

[wellinghall]

Ooh, very nice eagle hunters. Thank you!

[heliopausa]

You're welcome! :) I'm glad you liked them!

[heliopausa]

You're welcome! I'm chuffed that you enjoyed them! :)