Politics

Many seismic events happen in our countries, and our globalised world at large, that are largely incomprehensible to us all. Events such as 9/11 and the current financial crisis leave many of us with questions within ourselves, many of which are answered by an almost-scientific absorption of what we're told by the media coupled with an almost-religious absorption of conspiracy theories to fill in the blanks that the state can't or wont.

Why do we accept these answers rather than pursue ...

It's not just electronic toys (ahem, tools) I'm obsessed with, it's the electronics and, really, electricity, that goes with them. Being such a fan of electricity, I often think about where it actually comes from and how we all rely on such a centralised system for such an essential stimulant to modern life.

Electricity, you see, cannot be stored. Not in any meaningful amount. The National Grid actually has to balance electricity production to demand. This means the electricity supply ...

Occasionally in my working life I communicate with the police in order to respond to their requests for information.

Without going into details, information is usually sent back to the police via email.

Sometimes, due to the nature of the requests, the information contains swearing and other questionable language.

This is when insanity kicks in. The police have implemented a very Labour "wrap employees in cotton wool" filter that identifies ...