Random Thoughts

Discovering A Viking Hoard: A Day In The Life Of A Metal Detectorist

Credit: mikecogh, CC BY-SA By Suzie Thomas, University of Helsinki ...

Article - The Conversation - Oct 19 2014 - 8:00am

Home, Workplace, Tomb – Fury And The Reality Of The World War II Tank

Shia LaBeouf, Brad Pitt and more less cramped outside their tank in Fury. image by Sony Pictures By Clifford Williamson, Bath Spa University The latest corner of World War II to be dramatized for the big screen is small. Cramped, even. In Fury, starring B ...

Article - The Conversation - Oct 24 2014 - 8:27am

Lithotomy: A Painful Operation Inspired The 18th-Century Equivalent Of A Horror Movie Soundtrack

...

Article - The Conversation - Oct 30 2014 - 10:37am

The Perks And Perils Of Writing A 50,000 Word Novel In A Month

Ready, set, type! Maksim Kabakou /Shutterstock By Sally O'Reilly, The Open University ...

Article - The Conversation - Nov 1 2014 - 12:54pm

Peer Review Is Not What It Used To Be- Unless It Is

Open access journals charge a fee to publish an article and make the content free to read. Traditional journals charge a subscription- they say the cost is needed because of 'added value' and that open access publications like PLOS One are not do ...

Blog Post - Hank Campbell - Nov 11 2014 - 12:53pm

Wired World In 2015- Read My Prediction

Wired magazine devotes a special issue each November to a "What's Next?" for the upcoming year- and that means it is time to think about what will happen in the world of science in 2015. Wired asked me to make a solid prediction, kind of lik ...

Blog Post - Hank Campbell - Nov 13 2014 - 3:03pm

Violence, Sex And Taboo: The Original Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales Back In Print

Jacob and Wilhelm were Grimm. Wikimedia Commons By Marguerite Johnson, University of Newcastle Fairy tales have a tumultuous and fragile history. They originated as tales told by “folk”. They were passed down over generations to while away long winter nig ...

Article - The Conversation - Nov 24 2014 - 8:49pm

2014 Retrospective: In Defense Of Treble, It's Not Really All About That Bass

In a popular pop music song called "All About That Bass", accomplished songwriter Meghan Trainor took center stage in a video and America by storm. With an engaging 1940s sound (1) and a positive body image message, it was quickly embraced. Well, ...

Blog Post - Hank Campbell - Dec 9 2014 - 9:52pm

Thanksgiving Science 2014

Tomorrow I will be eating and science will barely be on my mind. It will be on some minds. Some people will be trying to find a creative way to make vegan turkey, or free-range stuffing, and generally avoid all chemicals. Good luck with that. Thanksgiving ...

Article - Hank Campbell - Dec 3 2014 - 12:23pm

Why I'd Say "Yes, Yes!" To The Bad Sex Award

Best to keep it under the covers? Lisa S. By Sally O'Reilly, The Open University ...

Article - The Conversation - Dec 4 2014 - 8:51pm