Category Archives: Technology

Climate Emergency: A Temporary Quick Fix

Posted on January 13, 2022 by odeboyz

During the 1970s the Saudis led the OPEC group of nations as they massively increased oil prices in retaliation for European and American support for the Israelis. The USA responded by introducing a speed limit of 55 mph to reduce … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, environment, Politics, Technology | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

John von Neumann:* aversion to exercise

Posted on January 10, 2022 by odeboyz

Equally, von Neumann had no interest in sport and, barring long walks (always in a business suit), he would avoid any form of vigorous physical exercise for the rest of his life.  When his second wife, Klari, tried to persuade … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography, History, Mathematics, Technology | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The long transition from Victorian technology

Posted on October 28, 2021 by odeboyz

The transition from Victorian technology is accelerating. Their technologies are embedded into 21st century Britain, which has been shaped by them. The transition will be revolutionary, disconcerting and will be resisted by broad swathes of society. Background Victorian technologiesare pervasive: … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, History, Politics, statistics, Technology | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Lockdown! Bring it on

Posted on July 8, 2021 by odeboyz
Posted in education, Humour, School, Technology | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Daniel Kahneman, Olivier Sibony and Cass R Sunstein ~ Noise: A flaw in human judgment (2021)

Posted on July 8, 2021 by odeboyz

Reviewing this book puts me in a difficult situation. All I want to do is swoon at the feet of the authors proclaiming their genius. This makes me a groupie. However I’ll try to write something that looks like a … Continue reading →

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Film Review: The Apartment ~ Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine (1960)

Posted on March 22, 2021 by odeboyz

Billy Wilder, the director, cast a satirical eye over the sleaze and corruption of office work in New York. In the hands of another director it could have been very dark. The fundamental misogyny of American life at that time … Continue reading →

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President Kennedy’s Favourite Nazi

Posted on March 15, 2021 by odeboyz

The Allies had an amoral attitude towards Nazi scientists. They were an intellectual elite and were helped to leave Germany thereby by-passing the Nuremburg Trials. Many would have been convicted and, some, would have been sentenced to death. They had … Continue reading →

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The Politics of Obesity in Britain, 2010-20

Posted on August 13, 2020 by odeboyz

“purpose of government is not to do good,” but to “secure the rights of human beings to go about their lives peaceably, knowing that they will not be aggressed against by others.” “eat, drink and be merry” [for tomorrow we … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Health, Politics, statistics, Technology | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Vladimir Putin’s favourite joke

Posted on June 4, 2020 by odeboyz

A KGB colonel visits a Siberian youth prison , “Why are you here?” He asked the first youth. “For the past week my clock woke me up early so I got into work early. I’m convicted of being a spy … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Michael Bollen ~ Earth Inc. (2008)

Posted on May 11, 2020 by odeboyz

When I first read this in 2008 I hugged myself with delight, took careful note of the author’s name and waited for the next display of brilliance. I’m still waiting. He’s a one hit wonder like Procol Harum’s A Whiter … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour, Literature, Technology | Tagged , , | Leave a comment