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Maths can be fun – if only it’s taught properly

Mathematics should be one of the most useful subjects children learn in school – yet thousands leave school each year unable to use simple mathematical methods. Or, worse, they are traumatised by their experiences in maths classes. However Maths can be fun – if only it’s taught properly.

I think Clifford Stoll is the kinda guy that can make mathematics fun for the typical student.

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Bryan Talbot’s Grandville

From Bryan Talbot who bought us the excellent Alice in Sunderland and Luther Arkwright comes Grandville, his new steampunk fantasy adventure graphic novel which is due out this October 2009. Looks like a brilliantly rendered cross between Sherlock Holmes and Wind in the Willows.

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Sorry, we didn’t agree to that. Keira Knightley in anti-domestic violence ad

I knew what was coming but I was still quite shocked by this advert. Very powerful stuff that should work well at raising awareness and eliciting donations to Women’s Aid.

Sorry, we didn’t agree to that. That wasn’t in the script.

I think that the dialogue is pretty clever as it is working on two levels there victims of domestic violence never signed up for that when they started the relationship, it wasn’t in their script.

A friend of mine commented on it.

The ad is disturbing, but does it actually work as a message against domestic violence? I suspect a few will see it as wish fulfilment porn, while the rest of us will just be upset by it. Does it do anything more than temporarily draw attention?

I couldn’t imagine anyone who might dislike Keira Knightley would actually get off on it once they saw it.

But yes after a little searching I was unfortunately proved wrong as shown in this bunch of comments at The Onion’s AV Club which usually is pretty good source of intelligent commentary.

Some better discussions are going on at Feministing and Metafilter.

I think that a number of people are missing the point of the purpose of the advert though. I think it has primarily been designed to temporarily draw attention, start discussion and get people to donate to Women’s Aid. It was not designed to give the message that “it is never too soon to leave an abusive relationship. There are places for you to go”. Tackling domestic violence needs a multi-pronged approach and hopefully this advert will raise awareness and funds to enable another longer term low key campaign that will give practical advice to help women in these situations get out of them.

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Overwhelming sense of dread? You need Elder Sign

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Lost Generation

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Surveillance Uncategorized

The Big Brother State

The Big Brother State is an educational film about what politicians claim to be protection of our freedom but what we refer to as repressive legislation.

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Badass Trailer for Neo-Noir Sci-Fi Franklyn

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Say ‘Hebbo’ to Tarvuism!


Say Hebbo! from Torvakian on Vimeo.

Sod Tarvuism I’m converting to Barvuism.

Or to be more precise the Barvuist sect Temelmenty Barvul. Who could say not to the practice of free sex? And why not spend one’s Sundays blowing loudly through whistles to ward off Tarvu?

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Ninja cats and dogs.

Ninja cats and dogs.

So cute and amazing!

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Pick a lock with a bump key

Bump a Lock – Wired How-To Wiki

Also a video tutorial of how to do it.