Category Archives: Phlyarology

Marcus Brigstocke on Religion: Part Two of Two

Posted on June 21, 2020 by

I have to admit, I did swear a bit myself this week. I was reading the Daily Express newspaper — I say ‘newspaper’, that’s overstating it a bit, unless Princess Diana’s mysteriously easy to explain death is still news; however, … Continue reading →

Posted in ... wait, what?, Culture, Just for laughs, People, Phlyarology | Tagged , | 3 Comments

The paradox of expertise

Posted on June 20, 2020 by

I’ve long maintained that the deal that’s been struck by computer makers with computer users about security is very one-sided. It assumes that the user always has the nouse to deal with their end of the bargain, and that’s simply … Continue reading →

Posted in ... wait, what?, Communication, Education, Games, illusion, Phlyarology | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Goon morning!

Posted on June 16, 2020 by

In these bizarre days, I think we could all use a good laugh. The coronavirus brings to mind — because of the association in my head with an episode called ‘The Spon Plague‘ — the inimitable Goons, all of whom … Continue reading →

Posted in ... wait, what?, Just for laughs, People, Phlyarology | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Marcus Brigstocke on Religion: Part One of Two

Posted on June 15, 2020 by

Hello! I’d like to start this week with a request, and this one goes out to the followers of the three Abrahamic religions: to the Muslims, Christians and Jews. It’s just a little thing really, but do you think that … Continue reading →

Posted in ... wait, what?, Culture, Just for laughs, People, Phlyarology | Tagged , | 10 Comments

Teleporting newts

Posted on June 14, 2020 by

In my garden, there’s a pond. The pond currently has lots of tadpoles in it. Now, back in February I heard the frogs doing their ‘ribbit’ thing, so I knew that they were having fun, and I expected to see … Continue reading →

Posted in ... wait, what?, Just for laughs, Phlyarology | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Like, Mad?

Posted on June 12, 2020 by

What message does a ‘like‘ send? One of the things about blogging (and other aspects of Internet life) that puzzles me more than a little is ‘the like’. How can one like this? Or this? Or this? There are, quite … Continue reading →

Posted in ... wait, what?, balance, Communication, Computers and Internet, memetics, Phlyarology | Tagged , | 9 Comments

Winners create history

Posted on June 6, 2020 by

Those who cannot learn from history are destined to repeat it. (– various attributions) Great quote. But learning from the past can be tricky… While thumbing through a copy of New Scientist I came across a reference to a German … Continue reading →

Posted in ... wait, what?, Communication, Computers and Internet, Education, memetics, People, Phlyarology, Science | Tagged , , , , , , | 16 Comments

The Lorax, by Dr Seuss

Posted on May 29, 2020 by

With thanks to Dr Bob Rich, for reminding me That we need to speak up for the truffula trees

Posted in ... wait, what?, art, balance, Biodiversity, Climate, Communication, Core thought, Economics, Education, Environment, Health, Phlyarology | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

The centrepiece

Posted on May 27, 2020 by

“No, it’s not the colour, the colour’s just fine.” “Is it the lights? I could add more lights.” “No, no… there are just the right number of lights.” “Too many fountains? Too few?” “That’s not it.” By this time, I … Continue reading →

Posted in ... wait, what?, art, balance, Flash fiction, Just for laughs, Phlyarology | Tagged , , , | 30 Comments

The Multiphasic Phlyarological University

Posted on May 26, 2020 by

Here’s a question I’ve never been asked: What exactly is The Multiphasic Phlyarological University? Well, in a nutshell, it’s a virtual school for studying nonsense. Why ‘nonsense’? Because nonsense is such fun! Think of Jabberwocky, for example: … or Vogon … Continue reading →

Posted in ... wait, what?, Education, Just for laughs, Phlyarology | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments