Being and Blogging
I saw this cartoon in The Oldie (which I buy for the crossword) and it really struck home. I can think of quite a few occasions when I’ve met a complete stranger who, by being a reader this blog, seemed to know more about me than I do!
There have been a few times when I’ve posted personal things on here that I probably should have kept to myself. On the other hand, a lot of things have happened over the last ten years or do that I haven’t even mentioned on here. Believe me, you don’t want to know!
I know I’ve also written tactless items about things I would have been wiser to have left alone and have sometimes caused offence as a result. Everybody makes mistakes, of course, but if you make them on the internet they’re in the public domain forever. Part of the problem is that it’s do easy to forget that people actually read this stuff!
On the other hand, I do think at least some of the items I’ve posted have had a positive effect and that, in my mind at least, far outweighs the negatives.
Anyway, this rambling post is just a product of the process I go through from time to time, wondering how much longer I want to keep this blog going. I still don’t know the answer..
In the Dark 
August 16, 2018 at 10:14 pm
Do whatever you think is necessary. You can always let go and get back later. x
August 16, 2018 at 10:27 pm
We are evolved animals and ignorance is our main shortcoming. This makes people stepping on the heads of others to keep their own head above the water. The more different and the more vindicative you are, the more you will see ignorant people trying to step on your head. It was once a good defense mechanism to promote your genes, but as our brain evolved it becames a major fault obscuring the future of all humanity. Even though I cannot put myself in your boots, I sympathize with you. People who are not gay should step forward and defend your rights because it is not a gay cause, it is a human cause. Everybody on this planet is a victim of this shortcoming, because everybody is different…
August 17, 2018 at 2:10 pm
20th century Europe was the first culture in history to systematically educate all of its people, and far more was known than ever before (eg science), yet Europe still spawned two world wars and communism with its enormous death toll in Russia and China. To say that the problem is ignorance is clearly wrong. The problem is in the human heart, not the human head.
August 17, 2018 at 2:19 pm
Communism *and* fascism.
August 17, 2018 at 6:10 pm
I factored fascism into my mention of WW2, Peter. Be assured that I am not ignoring its evil.
August 17, 2018 at 6:15 pm
Phillip: Maybe, maybe not, but Pinker’s claim is not actually relevant to my point.
August 18, 2018 at 2:28 am
Anton, but what is in your heart is in fact in your head. Only teasing you…
August 18, 2018 at 9:14 am
My heart is in my mouth…
August 17, 2018 at 5:52 am
Peter, sorry for OT comments, but any comments on Sarkar et al ‘s latest paper arguing that evidence for acceleration from SN only two sigma?
August 17, 2018 at 12:46 pm
I want to know how you are adjusting to Ireland! Your blog is interesting to me as a Brit moving to Ireland. I started a blog called From Kerry to Connemara, to focus on my family history and culture, for several generations, my family moved between UK and Ireland. However, I do use my name, as Gaeilge, on social media for some privacy, though pretty obvious.
August 17, 2018 at 4:25 pm
I’d miss this blog. But if you do stop, as is your right, many thanks for all the years of stimulation.
August 18, 2018 at 8:29 am
Yes, please continue writing if possible.