Best Of
Re: Starmer hits a new low – politicalbetting.com
May I ask why?I find English Literature a more ridiculous subject than media studies. I was lucky enough that my school did not require it at GCSE and I sympathise with my daughters whise schools compel them to take it."The Death of English LiteratureThose who sneer at media studies should remember that English, when first introduced to universities, was seen as the media studies of its day. Novels were read for pleasure, or for women to discuss in their knitting circles, not the stuff of serious academic enquiry.
The rise and fall of my favourite subject
James Marriott"
https://jmarriott.substack.com/p/the-death-of-english-literature
Re: Starmer hits a new low – politicalbetting.com
Hmm... I think Maths can drift into a kind of unapplied, somewhat pointless, intellectual showing off.I agree with your number 1. Mathematics is the highest calling for the human intellect.OTTOMH, I would rank the subjects thus in order of my respect for them:Good literature is invaluable in teaching us about the human condition, how we might live our lives and organise society. Telling each other stories has been utterly central to the social development of our species for thousands and possibly hundreds of thousands of years.It's not even facts. It's just stories people have written. It's a very weird niche of all the information available to us. It's not wrong that it should be studied, but weird that it gets the prominence it does. Media studies at least looks at HOW things are communicated.May I ask why?I find English Literature a more ridiculous subject than media studies. I was lucky enough that my school did not require it at GCSE and I sympathise with my daughters whise schools compel them to take it."The Death of English LiteratureThose who sneer at media studies should remember that English, when first introduced to universities, was seen as the media studies of its day. Novels were read for pleasure, or for women to discuss in their knitting circles, not the stuff of serious academic enquiry.
The rise and fall of my favourite subject
James Marriott"
https://jmarriott.substack.com/p/the-death-of-english-literature
Maths
Physics
Biology/Chemistry
Languages*
Art/Music
Anything vocational/technical/PE
Geography/Economics/Psychology
English Language
History/Politics/RE
English Literature
Sociology
I should add that I did a degree in geography and politics so this isn't some scientist looking down on everyone else.
*sadly almost useless nowadays with AI, but impressively hard
True for other subjects too, I'd argue economics and possibly physica turned down a rabbit hole of more quantitative = better which is a mistake.
Biology and chemistry are subjects that have given humanity many of their greatest achievements, and continue to do so.
rkrkrk
1
Re: Is Donald Trump’s problem that he’s too good at his job? – politicalbetting.com
Trump has certainly delivered on deportations and border control and that is where his ratings remain highest, as well as pushing for women only bathrooms etc. He has also delivered the tariffs on foreign imports his core voters backed, the problem is that has also led to rising inflation which is the biggest reason for his declining approval rating.
Abroad his record is mixed, peace agreed in Gaza but not Ukraine but US voters rarely care much about nor vote on foreign policy, the economy is normally the biggest issue in US elections and that is where cost of living is hitting Trump and the GOP
Abroad his record is mixed, peace agreed in Gaza but not Ukraine but US voters rarely care much about nor vote on foreign policy, the economy is normally the biggest issue in US elections and that is where cost of living is hitting Trump and the GOP
HYUFD
1
Re: Starmer hits a new low – politicalbetting.com
From what I can gather, this man was not a British National until about five years ago, when he applied while in an Egyptian jail. This is the kind of Human Rights Lawyer nonsense that contributes to Sir Keir's unpopularity. There is talk that El-Fattah has never even been to the UK, although that is surely too far fetched. He had been calling for all kinds of terrible stuff to happen to Zionists etc before he was jailed though, why is Sir Keir (along with Yvette Cooper, David Lammy, generic Labour puppet MPs) so eager to tell everyone how happy he is about this? Government's "top priority?"
I’m delighted that Alaa Abd El-Fattah is back in the UK and has been reunited with his loved ones, who must be feeling profound relief.
I want to pay tribute to Alaa’s family, and to all those that have worked and campaigned for this moment.
Alaa's case has been a top priority for my government since we came to office. I’m grateful to President Sisi for his decision to grant the pardon.
https://x.com/Keir_Starmer/status/2004603692197036322?s=20
I’m delighted that Alaa Abd El-Fattah is back in the UK and has been reunited with his loved ones, who must be feeling profound relief.
I want to pay tribute to Alaa’s family, and to all those that have worked and campaigned for this moment.
Alaa's case has been a top priority for my government since we came to office. I’m grateful to President Sisi for his decision to grant the pardon.
https://x.com/Keir_Starmer/status/2004603692197036322?s=20
isam
1
Re: Is Donald Trump’s problem that he’s too good at his job? – politicalbetting.com
OT - For he is Ozymandias King of Kings, look upon his works and despair.Curiously the same analysis applies to Starmer. Far too focused on immigration and not enough on cost of living, which is what did for his predecessors too.
Trump's issue is that he believes he was elected on immigration when he was actually mainly elected on the economy. So by going hard on immigration the issue died AND he damaged the economy. Allied with tarrifs it has taken a reviving economy and ruthlessly crushed those green shoots. The comparison with a 'Hard Brexit' is obvious.
FF43
1
Re: Starmer hits a new low – politicalbetting.com
Well, you could say that applied Mathematics is essentially Physics. I ended up doing Fluid Dynamics three times at University: in Maths, Astrophysics and Atmospheric Dynamics.No law, no medicine? Or are they to be found within the "vocational/technical/PE" disciplines. Computing? Business? Accounting?OTTOMH, I would rank the subjects thus in order of my respect for them:Good literature is invaluable in teaching us about the human condition, how we might live our lives and organise society. Telling each other stories has been utterly central to the social development of our species for thousands and possibly hundreds of thousands of years.It's not even facts. It's just stories people have written. It's a very weird niche of all the information available to us. It's not wrong that it should be studied, but weird that it gets the prominence it does. Media studies at least looks at HOW things are communicated.May I ask why?I find English Literature a more ridiculous subject than media studies. I was lucky enough that my school did not require it at GCSE and I sympathise with my daughters whise schools compel them to take it."The Death of English LiteratureThose who sneer at media studies should remember that English, when first introduced to universities, was seen as the media studies of its day. Novels were read for pleasure, or for women to discuss in their knitting circles, not the stuff of serious academic enquiry.
The rise and fall of my favourite subject
James Marriott"
https://jmarriott.substack.com/p/the-death-of-english-literature
Maths
Physics
Biology/Chemistry
Languages*
Art/Music
Anything vocational/technical/PE
Geography/Economics/Psychology
English Language
History/Politics/RE
English Literature
Sociology
I should add that I did a degree in geography and politics so this isn't some scientist looking down on everyone else.
*sadly almost useless nowadays with AI, but impressively hard
Isn't physics at degree level essentially applied mathematics?
A bit of a half-hearted and pointless list if you don't mind me saying so.
It made a bit more sense the third time than the first, but still. Turbulence. Why?!?
Re: Is Donald Trump’s problem that he’s too good at his job? – politicalbetting.com
I, in turn, think it has been doing a terrible job (seen purely from a US viewpoint).I have no problem saying I think Trump’s government on the whole has been doing a remarkably good job. For sure there is still a lingering faux pas in saying you think so, wouldn’t be a huge surprise if the polls are off..As I was saying.And yet 4.3% year on year gdp growth in q3…Americans are tired of so much winning, as Trump predicted from the start.Americans tired of Trump winning at their literal expense, yes.
The USA’s long-term strategic interests are being undermined, by its own government. Tariffs are imposing higher prices, on US consumers and businesses. The rule of law is ignored by an administration, which functions as a kleptocracy.
Sean_F
10
Re: Is Donald Trump’s problem that he’s too good at his job? – politicalbetting.com
I hope Trump’s poor ratings are as much to do with disgust at his corruption and imbecilic behaviour as with the economy. Firstly because that would say something good about the American people. Secondly because if it's mainly about the economy it leaves open the chance of a bounceback. There's no way he's going to get less corrupt or become less of an imbecile. That's unidirectional and only going to get worse. The US economy, however, is a beast of awesome size, strength and resilience. I can easily imagine it picking up and motoring for a period under any president including this one.
kinabalu
7
Re: Is Donald Trump’s problem that he’s too good at his job? – politicalbetting.com
Which was nice.RIP Brigitte BardotHer "Pony-tail girl" look was taken from Picasso's still-surviving muse, Sylvette David.
https://www.wallpaper.com/art/exhibitions-shows/picasso-girl-with-the-ponytail-sylvette-david-interview
Sylvette still paints, living just a few miles from me in South Brent, Devon. One of her paintings was a Christmas present a couple of years back.
boulay
5
Re: Is Donald Trump’s problem that he’s too good at his job? – politicalbetting.com
RIP Brigitte BardotHer "Pony-tail girl" look was taken from Picasso's still-surviving muse, Sylvette David.
https://www.wallpaper.com/art/exhibitions-shows/picasso-girl-with-the-ponytail-sylvette-david-interview
Sylvette still paints, living just a few miles from me in South Brent, Devon. One of her paintings was a Christmas present a couple of years back.
