A week ago, I did a posting about an essay I have written for my web site entitled “The Case For Evolution”. I felt that the web was missing a short and accessible – and accurate – guide to this most important of scientific thoughts. Since then, the essay has benefited from a number of revisions as a result of detailed and helpful comments from my scientific friends Nick Hobson and Phil Holt.

Now we have to hope that people will read and think about the essay. In that earlier posting, I wrote: ‘One test of the extent to which this essay meets a need will be how long it takes for a Google search on the words “case for evolution” to bring my work onto the first page of results.’

Well, just one week on, if you put inverted commas around those three words in a Google search, the clever search engine brings it up on the first page. Don’t you just love the power of the web?

On the other hand, if you use those three words without inverted commas, the top item is a piece putting the case against evolution. This highlights the need to know good search techniques.

Posted in Science & technology | Comments (0)

This year’s Darlington Christmas letter

December 11th, 2010 by Roger Darlington

It’s written and this weekend we start sending it out with our Christmas cards to friends around the world. But you can read it now – and with hyperlinks.

It’s the famous Darlington Christmas letter and here is the 2010 edition. This is the 15th such letter to go online and, if you read all of them, you’ll be an expert on my world.

Posted in My life & thoughts | Comments (0)

Happy anniversary Angry Birds

December 10th, 2010 by Roger Darlington

It’s one year to the day since the launch of Angry Birds, the world’s most popular mobile application for casual gaming. You didn’t know that? That’s why you come to NightHawk – for fascinating insights into our complex world 🙂

I’m one of 36 million players of Angry Birds and currently I’m frustrated because I’m stuck on level 7-11. So, for a change, I’ve downloaded the Christmas version which is really rather difficult too – but just as addictive.

Don’t understand the craze? Read this piece.

Posted in My life & thoughts | Comments (0)

Forgotten World (230): Ceuta & Melilla

December 10th, 2010 by Roger Darlington

Ceuta (pop. 75,000) and Melilla (pop. 73,000), fragments of Europe on north Africa’s Mediterranean coast, came under Spanish control around 500 years ago. Spain insists that the urban enclaves are integral parts of the country, but they are surrounded by Morocco, which views the Spanish presence as anachronistic and claims sovereignty.

Improving relations were jeopardised in November 2007 by Spanish King Juan Carlos’ II first visit to the territories in more than 30 years, which King Mohammed VI strongly condemned.

Spain also controls a scattering of islets along the north African coast, including uninhabited Perejil, which was at the centre of a spat in 2002 when Moroccan soldiers occupied it before being removed by the Spanish army.

Posted in World current affairs | Comments (0)

Happy anniversary “Coronation Street”

December 10th, 2010 by Roger Darlington

This evening, “Coronation Street” – the world’s long-running television soap – marked 50 years of broadcasting in a dramatic special episode.

The show is based on Manchester, the city where I grew up [my notes here] and, three years ago, I was able to visit the set of the television series [my blog posting here].

So well done to everyone involved in such a special look at working class life.

Standing second from left
– that’s me outside the “Rover’s Return”

Pulling a pint in the “Rover’s Return”

Posted in Cultural issues | Comments (1)

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