A fascinating course on the rise of social movements
October 14th, 2017 by Roger Darlington
Today I attended a one-day course on social movements held at London’s City Lit college. Social movements have a long history around the world, but over the past few years we have seen a significant rise. The day provided an opportunity to hear about, explore and discuss some of the key ideas of contemporary social movements, with speakers focusing on the changing landscape of ‘people movements’.
The first speaker was Dr Christina Julios, Honorary Research Fellow, Department of Geography, Birkbeck, University of London; and City Lit Sociology. She spoke on contemporary social movements focused on ‘honour’-based violence including forced marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). She will explore initiatives by Diasporas in Western countries as well communities in developing nations.
The second speaker was Dr James Chiriyankandath, Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London, and History/Politics tutor at City Lit. He spoke on the Arab Spring and its aftermath – exploring the people movements that started from the Arab Spring and the impact these have had in the North African and Middle East regions.
The third speaker was Zulfia Chynar-Satimbai who works with Amnesty International where she is currently responsible for supporting activist movement in countries in former Soviet space with no Amnesty’s presence. She spoke on her experience of working with activist groups in Central Asia – as a student activist, then aid/development agency employee then as member of an international human rights movement; exploring the multiple narratives about social movements and journeys of minority narratives towards change.
The fourth speaker was Dr Mark McQuinn, Convenor of the Aid and Development course on the MSc Development Studies course, Development Studies Department at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, and a Politics tutor at City Lit. He spoke on civil society, informal associations and social movements related to trade unions and labour across the African continent, with particular emphasis on his research in Ghana, Sierra Leone and Tanzania.
It was a fascinating and often inspirational day.
Posted in World current affairs | Comments (0)
Assessing the risk factors for dementia
October 13th, 2017 by Roger Darlington
Over the years, I’ve taken part in a number of health studies and trials. I like to contribute to the overall health of the nation and it does me no harm to be regularly checked across various health dimensions. I’ve now been invited to participate in a new trial to assess the risk factors associated with the onset of dementia.
The formal Protocol Title is as follows: Cognitive Health in Ageing Register: Investigational, Observational, and Trial studies in dementia research: Prospective Readiness cOhort Study (CHARIOT:PRO for short). Comparison of the ADCS-PACC and RBANS in Participants Asymptomatic at-risk for Alzheimer’s Dementia
For this substudy, the Neuroepidemiology and Ageing Research Unit (NEA) of Imperial College, London is inviting volunteers aged 60-85 years who are eligible and have no diagnosis of dementia. The substudy is planned to involve up to 500 people in 2 sites in London and Edinburgh, each followed up for 3.5 years.
This study involves lots of investigations, and so a high level of commitment is needed – usually 4 visits in the first 3 months, followed by one visit every 3 months thereafter. In order to take part, I must have a Study Partner, someone who knows me well and can accompany me to study visits approximately 4 times over the course of the 3.5 years. My sister has kindly agreed to be my Study Partner.
Why are they conducting the substudy?
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive degenerative disorder of the brain and the most frequent cause of dementia. The study plans to measure cognition, biomarkers indicating a potential risk of dementia, and lifestyles of individuals whose cognition is presently intact, over a period of several years in order to gain a better insight into the factors influencing cognitive decline. They hope that this substudy will provide important information that will improve our understanding of the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease before overt symptoms are made apparent. This will help to identify opportunities for the right kind of effective intervention with the ultimate goal to prevent or delay Alzheimer’s disease. This substudy will:
- Measure cognition (thinking, memory and function) and worsening over time.
- Study genetic and other biologic risks of Alzheimer’s disease and worsening over time.
- Examine how lifestyle (such as education, diet and exercise) may affect the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Explore if physical activity and sleep quality may affect the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
As well as exploring how genetic and other biological information is associated with changes of mental function over time, this substudy will in particular attempt to identify the most sensitive tests of thinking and function in people who have high Beta-amyloid (amyloid) levels in their brains compared to an equal number of those who have lower levels of amyloid in their brains. Amyloid is a protein that forms dense plaques on the outside of brain cells. While most individuals, over the age of 60, have variable amounts of amyloid in their brains, research indicates that it may be one of several risk factors associated with the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
It will be an interesting project …
Posted in My life & thoughts | Comments (1)
A review of the recent film “A United Kingdom”
October 12th, 2017 by Roger Darlington
This film is based on a fascinating story – both political and romantic – of which I was previously totally unaware. Tne kingdom in question is not Britain today but Bechuanaland (modern day Botswana) in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The unlikely romance was between the black lawyer who is a prince, Seretse Khama played so well by David Oyelowo, and the white, working-class Londoner, Ruth Williams ably portrayed by Rosamund Pike. Against all the odds, they defy opposition to their marriage from both the British colonial authorities and elements of Khama’s tribe led by his uncle who has been regent for so long.
The British establishment – both politicians (including Clement Atlee and Winston Churchill) and civil servants – come out of this narrative as much more concerned with collaborating with apartheid South Africa than with respecting the wishes and interests of the people of the Protectorate of Bechuanaland. But the end titles assure us that the marriage survived and the nation thrived, so this is an uplifting message of endurance and justice.
Much of the film is shot in glorious terrain in Bechuananland and the house occupied by Khama and his bride is the actual property where they lived. For some at least of the creators of this enjoyable work, the project was personal: the director Amma Asante (previously best-known for “Belle”) is both female and black (how often can you say that of a director?) and David Oyelowo is himself married to a white woman (who actually has a small acting role in the film).
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My congratulations to Nobel prize winner Richard Thaler
October 10th, 2017 by Roger Darlington
US economist Richard Thaler, one of the founding fathers of behavioural economics, has won this year’s Nobel Prize for Economics. Professor Thaler, of Chicago Booth business school, co-wrote the global best seller “Nudge”, which looked at how people make choices. To mark the award, I reproduce below my review of his seminal book.
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“Nudge” by Richard H Thaler & Cass R Sunstein (2008)
Like “Predictably Irrational” by Dan Ariely (which I read first), this is a work essentially about behavioural economics from an American academic stable – Thaler is a Professor of Behavioural Science and Sunstein is a Professor of Jurisprudence, both at the University of Chicago – but it is a duller read than Ariely’s book, although it covers broader ground in being concerned with non-economic as well as marketplace decisions.
Thaler & Sunstein present their writing as about choice architecture which they describe as “organizing the context in which people make decisions”. The choice architecture which they advocate is what they call “libertarian paternalism”: the libertarian element derives from their stance that people should be free to do what they want and to opt out of undesirable arrangements if they wish, while the paternalism bit lies in their claim that it is legitimate for choice architects to try to influence people’s behaviour “in a way that will make choosers better off as judged by themselves”. The means of achieving this is what they characterise as a ‘nudge’ which is defined as “any aspect of the choice architecture that alters people’s behavior in a predictable way without forbidding any options or significantly changing their economic incentives”.
What sort of ‘nudges’ do Thaler & Sunstein suggest? Options include simplification of choices, careful presentation of choices, provision of relevant and timely information, early and useful feedback, application of peer pressure, use of priming, application of default options, and use of incentives. The authors review the use of such ‘nudges’ in a whole variety of contexts including selection of a mortgage, use of a credit card, selecting a prescription drug scheme or a social security plan, choosing a pension plan and paying into it over its life, deciding how much to invest and where to do so, designing an organ donation programme, and even the privatisation (as they term it) of marriage.
In terms of when and where ‘nudges’ can be most useful and appropriate, they argue that ‘nudges’ are necessary when decisions are difficult and rare (such as chosing a mortgage or a pension arrangement), for which they do not obtain prompt feedback (such as diets and long-term investments), and when they have trouble translating aspects of the situation into terms that can be easily understood (such as the implications for the environment of consumption choices).
The main messages of this valuable work are that people do not make wholly rational choices based on what classical economics and traditional economists predict or politicians and policymakers expect, decisions can and should be shaped or influenced by a wide variety of ‘nudges’, and – since ‘nudges’ cannot be avoided – we should use choice architecture that is based on the principle of libertarian paternalism. It is a practical and pragmatic stance which should appeal to both conservatives and liberals.
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If you’re interested in how we take decisions, check out my essay on “How consumers and citizens make choices”.
Posted in Consumer matters, Social policy | Comments (0)
My weekend films: the rather different “Blade Runner 2049” and “The Lego Ninjago Movie”
October 9th, 2017 by Roger Darlington
“Blade Runner 2049”
You really need to have seen the original 1982 “Blade Runner” to appreciate this long-delayed sequel because the new film is not a self-contained story but – and all the more satisfying for being so – a clever development of the earlier narrative. For this, we must thank Hampton Fancher, the co-writer of both works. Fortunately I’ve seen and massively admired the classic first movie four times, including “The Director’s Cut”, which meant that I was familiar with the back story but anxious about how the new work would turn out. In minutes, my fears were dispelled because “2049” delivers just about all that fans could expect.
It is not just the plotting that is so consistent with the original movie. French Canadian director Denis Villeneuve (“Arrival”), British cinematographer Roger Deakins (“Sicario”) and Canadian production designer Dennis Gassner (“Skyfall”) have created a visually stunning world with some awe-inspiring sets and sequences that resonate convincingly the dystopian Los Angeles of Ridley Scott’s earlier work. Even the music, from Benjamin Wallfisch and Hans Zimmer, while having having its own compelling character echoes the Vangelis soundtrack of old.
While in our world we’ve had to wait an astonishing 35 years for this second film, rather neatly in the cinematic world the action has moved forward three decades. The central blade runner this time is Officer K – Ryan Gosling in an ideal piece of casting – who is tasked with terminating replicants who have gone rogue and, unlike last time when it was merely hinted that Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) was himself a replicant, we are clear that the runner is an android who, initially at least, understands exactly who he is and what he needs to do.
Although women have not been flocking to see “2049”, the film does have four fascinating female characters: K’s virtual girlfriend Joi (Cuban Ana de Armas), his boss Lieutenant Joshi (American Robin Wright), his intended nemesis Luv (Swiss Sylvia Hoeks), and dream-maker Dr. Ana Stelline (Swiss Carla Juri). And, of course, it’s no secret that Harrison Ford is back. Plus we have more musing on the nature of humanity and identity. What’s not to like?
One of the many other delights of the movie though is that it offers some surprises and concludes in a manner that sets us up nicely for a third segment. Hopefully this won’t take 35 years to arrive because I can’t imagine being around that long. Meanwhile I’m going to see “Blade Runner 2049” again because, although it is long (164 minutes) and often leisurely, it is so rich in visuals and narrative that it invites repeat viewing. If I have a reservation about the work, it is that it lacks some of the iconic action scenes of the original, but I can imagine a final part of the trilogy with more vigour and a “Spartacus”-like exposition subtitled “The Replicant Rebellion”.
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“The Lego Ninjago Movie”
“The Emoji Movie”, an attempt to emulate the success of “The Lego Movie”, was released just weeks before “The Lego Ninjago Movie”, the third construct in the popular plastic brick film franchise. “Emoji” was a disappointment, whereas “Ninjago” continues the winning formula of the Lego series.
Many children will already be familar with the Ninjago television series and, like “Power Rangers” (another recent film based on a television series), we have a set of heroes with their own colours and powers and, for those are unfamiliar with them, there is a quick exposition of the the six members of the Secret Ninjago Force. Like “The Lego Movie”, the story is neatly book-ended by some live action.
“Ninjago” does not have the originality of the first film in the franchise, but my 10 year old companion really enjoyed it and we can be sure that Lego characters will be back on the big screen sometime soon.
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Young people communicating less by post
October 9th, 2017 by Roger Darlington
A poll of 2,000 people finds 43% of millennials (those born between the early 1980s and the early 2000s) have never sent a handwritten letter, thank you card or parcel to someone they know. However, 80% are sad that these are not sent as much anymore, according to the research which was carried out for ipostparcels .
A research study for Citizens Advice found 45% of people aged 18-34 use post (letters, cards or packages) to contact others. In contrast, 67% of those aged 55-74 use post for personal communications. However despite these findings, recent Citizens Advice research confirms 98% of people aged 16-30 are using post offices for postal services.
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An up-date of the 71 countries that I have visited
October 7th, 2017 by Roger Darlington
I am half English and half Italian, so it might seem inevitable that I love travelling to other countries and meeting people from other cultures. In fact, I grew up in a working class, single-parent household where overseas trips were rarely on the agenda. My Italian mother took us – by train – to her home city of Naples when I was four and again when I was almost 14, but this was the only foreign travel of my childhood.
When I was 18, I was fortunate enough to be selected for an educational tour of western Canada, but essentially I did not start to travel until I was a university student. My first independent trip was as a 21 year old when I spent a bitterly cold Christmas 1969 in Amsterdam.
Subsequently I have spent most of my holidays abroad, initially visiting European cities but, more latterly, venturing further afield. I have only ever lived in Manchester and London – both large cities – and therefore I love going to cities for holidays. Not for me lying on a beach wasting time and risking skin cancer!
Top of my bucket list is the wish, so long as I have sufficient health and wealth, to have visited as many countries as my age. I am now 69 and I recently visited my 71st country (Georgia) thanks to the invitation to attend the launch of a book by my good friend Eric Lee.
You can see a map and a list of the countries that I have visited here.
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My congratulations to Nobel Prize winner Kazuo Ishiguro
October 6th, 2017 by Roger Darlington
I am delighted to hear of the award of the Nobel Prize for Literature to English writer Kazuo Ishiguro. I have enjoyed two of his works.
“The Remains Of The Day”
“Never Let Me Go”
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Nine reasons why coffee can benefit your health
October 5th, 2017 by Roger Darlington
I drink a lot of coffee so I was interested to see this analysis of the health benefits of the drink. Cheers, mate!
Posted in Miscellaneous | Comments (1)
A review of “The Experiment: Georgia’s Forgotten Revolution 1918-1921” by Eric Lee
October 4th, 2017 by Roger Darlington
So many events in history are said to be unknown or forgotten, or at least under-researched and/or under-appreciated, and for me at least this Georgian revolution was one of them. But no more, thanks to this well-researched and lucidly written book by Lee, an American now living in Britain who has wanted to write this work for some 30 years. The publication in 2017 is timely, since we are marking the centenary of the Russian revolution and it was the civil war following that revolution that allowed the Georgians to conduct their experiment but the victory of the Bolsheviks in Russia that sealed the fate of the Mensheviks in Georgia.
Lee starts his history by reminding the reader that Georgia was a province of Tsarist Russia from 1801 until almost the end of the First World War and the seeds of the Georgian revolution were sown in the peasant rebellion in the country’s western district of Guria from 1904-1906. The Georgian revolution was led by the Social Democrats, headed by Noe Zhordania, with overwhelming support from the peasants as well as intellectuals and a genuine commitment to the sort of land reform that had been initiated by the ‘Gurian Republic’.
What did the Georgian revolution look like? Above all, even though the Social Democrats were Marxists, it was a functioning democracy, with free elections and a multi-party system. Women had the vote many years before most other countries. Elections to the Georgian Constituent Assembly in February 1919 involved 15 political parties, although the Social Democrats won 109 of the 130 seats. There was a free media and freedom of assembly and, as Lee explains in two dedicated chapters, a thriving trade union movement and a strong role for co-operatives. Civil society was vibrant.
What did the Georgian revolution achieve? Lee argues that “Nothing the Georgian Social Democrats did could compare in importance to their agarian reform”. Land was not nationalised or collectivised but given to the peasants. Unlike in Russia, there was no war between city and countryside, no famine, no starvation.
Yet, from the very beginning and throughout these three years, Georgia was faced by severe challenges. First the Germans and then the British had military forces in the country. There was the threat of a Turkish invasion, a short war with Armenia in December 1918, and incursions from the White Army in the Russian civil war. The local Bolsheviks – although small in number – constantly challenged the government with overt support from the party in Russia and even attempted coups in November 1919 and May 1920.
Then – as now – Georgia was seriously troubled by ethnic divisions, most notably in Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Adjara, and Lee concedes that “For all its achievements, the Social Democratic government was tarnished by its crude and brutal attempts to suppress some of Georgia’s ethnic minorities”. Meanwhile the country was in economic crisis.
In all the circumstances, it is remarkable that the Georgian experiment lasted as long as it did, achieved as much as it did, and overall was relatively peaceful. But the experiment was a work in progress and the Constituent Assembly only completed work on the 1921 Constitution as the Red Army was entering the capital of Tblisi (then known as Tiflis) and, following a review of this remarkably progressive document, Lee notes poignantly that the Georgians “imagined a society unlike any which existed in the world at that time or since”. He does not disguise his support for the type of democratic socialism represented by the Georgian revolution but equally he is not uncritical of the weaknesses and failures of the experiment.
This important historical work has contemporary relevance as it explains why Georgia today looks to the European Union and not to ‘mother’ Russia.
Posted in History | Comments (0)