Category:
Opinion
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18th October 2011I Am a NerdThe popular understanding of what is it to be a ‘nerd’ is not right. I’m not saying that people are using the word differently than defined: I’m saying that I don’t think the current definition is quite what it should be. Google calls a nerd: “an intelligent, single-minded expert in a particular technical discipline or profession”. Wikipedia says: “Nerd is a term that refers to an intelligent but single-minded person obsessed with a nonsocial hobby or pursuit”. My definition of nerdiness (which I believe I came to through Marco) is along the same lines. But it’s a bit simpler. As far ...
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9th July 2011The Future of RAF LeucharsUPDATE: RAF Leuchars has lost its battle for survival. I'm deeply disappointed and saddened by this news. I've lived close to the RAF station at Leuchars during the 9 months that I've been at university. Leuchars is about 6 miles from St Andrews by road, but it's much closer as the crow flies - according to Wikipedia, "Leuchars [is] about 3.3 miles North West of St Andrews town centre". The eastern end of the runway, where landings and take-offs mostly happen, is barely a kilometre away from my favourite place in St Andrews, the far end of West Sands ((You'll often find ...
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1st May 2010The TelephoneMarco found a quotation by Rick Webb that I want to share: The telephone was an aberation in human development. It was a 70 year or so period where for some reason humans decided it was socially acceptable to ring a loud bell in someone else’s life and they were expected to come running, like dogs. This was the equivalent of thinking it was okay to walk into someone’s living room and start shouting. It was never okay. Read the whole thing. It's exactly what I've been thinking and feeling for a long time and now I've finally got around to expressing ...
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1st May 2010WiBu TimeWiBu left a comment: How did you vote if you do not mind me asking? You definitely seem like an SNP guy to the core, it flows through your veins (but I guess you voted Liberal). Thanks WiBu, that's an excellent question. I'll answer it here so all my loyal readers can get to know me a bit better. One thing: I can't tell if you're being serious in the second sentence ((Is it another Cher lyric?)). Do you actually think I seem like an SNP guy? And why do you think I voted for the Liberal Democrats? (I suppose my Twitter stream ...
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20th March 2010Is The Internet The Antichrist? (Hint: No)I've had some thoughts about technology and change bouncing around my head for quite a while now. I think it started when I read one of Scott Simpson's posts, "That Essay Would Have Been Terrible Anyway": "A friend is going through a tough time right now. Last night I consoled him and offered advice, while simultaneously browsing for a new camera case on my iPhone. It occured to me to write a long essay about how that scenario points to the increasing fragmentation of our attention and the threat that technology poses to real-world relationships. But really it just ...
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About Wilf's Blog
I'm a mathematician, but apart from that, I'm a fairly normal guy. I used to write a blog - this blog. I write (wrote) about whatever is on my mind. It can get quite personal sometimes.
