odespinner

  • Rallies

    Published by

    odespinner

    on

    There are certain advantages that a tennis player has if they stand 6 feet 6:inches tall and can serve at 130 mph. But if their ground strokes aren’t up to scratch they are not guaranteed the points on their serve. From the spectators’ point of view, tennis is more exciting…

    Continue reading →: Rallies

  • Grunting

    Published by

    odespinner

    on

    When did the grunting start? Was it the 80s or more recently? I have learnt to filter it out, but occasionally it becomes so intrusive I join in with the grunting and even shout out the plyers’ names in between games. “Come on Andy” didn’t help Murray get through the…

    Continue reading →: Grunting

  • Culture

    Published by

    odespinner

    on

    Who was it who said “whenever I hear the word culture, I reach for my revolver”? Often mistakenly attributed to Mussolini, I believe it was a Nazi fascist. It’s the Twelfth here in Belfast, a day of bonfires and Orange Order parades to commemorate the victory of King William III…

    Continue reading →: Culture

  • Variety

    Published by

    odespinner

    on

    Once I have discovered a new author I go a bit dullaly and read several of the author’s books, one after the other. I am finding out that this can dull the enjoyment. William Boyd has written some brilliant works of fiction and I really enjoy his way with words.…

    Continue reading →: Variety

  • What? even more philosophy?

    Published by

    odespinner

    on

    Yep, I have pre-registered for some more Philosophy with the Open University starting in October. There will be 6 course books and I have bought the recommended textbook, an anthology of Western Philosophy by John Cottingham. The course is in 6 parts: (1) the self (2) philosophy of religion (3)…

    Continue reading →: What? even more philosophy?

  • The wow factor

    Published by

    odespinner

    on

    We had a meeting with our builder/contractor yesterday. Our plans to open up the ground floor, replace the windows, change the heating and plumbing and maximise the insulation were discussed. It’s going to cost us quite a bit and the builder wants us to have the wow factor. So he…

    Continue reading →: The wow factor

  • Antigone

    Published by

    odespinner

    on

    This tragic play written by Sophocles in the 5th century BCE has resonated with modern audiences and been adapted by writers such as Seamus Heaney and Bertold Brecht. Nelson Mandela played Creon in the South African version called The Island. The ancient Greeks really knew how to write tragedies. First…

    Continue reading →: Antigone

  • Holy highways

    Published by

    odespinner

    on

    Moving statues, weeping Madonna’s and now miniature grottos. On my cycles around town I have noticed shrines carved into the asphalt at various locations on God’s highways. The depth of these grottos varies, but they are significantly hazardous to remind the ungodly that the path to salvation is not smooth.…

    Continue reading →: Holy highways

  • Move over Plato

    Published by

    odespinner

    on

    Having answered the Philosophy assignment question What is courage? I have moved on to cognitive psychology. The background to one of its founders is interesting. Daniel Broadbent joined the RAF aged 17 and noticed how the placing of levers under the pilot’s seat could cause accidents. One lever raised the…

    Continue reading →: Move over Plato

  • Are humans animals?

    Published by

    odespinner

    on

    I am reading Plato’s Laches dialogue as part of my distance learning course. The question posed for my assignment is ‘what is courage?’ One of the participants in the dialogue suggests that understanding is necessary for courage. Therefore animals like lions are not courageous, merely fearless and fearsome because they…

    Continue reading →: Are humans animals?

    Recent posts