Archive for March, 2010
The data deluge
March 15th, 2010 by Roger Darlington
I write a regular column on Internet-related issues and I’ve devoted the most recent one to the data deluge. I’ve looked briefly at the mind-blowing volume of data that is now available and the scary pace at which this volume is increasing, how all this data is used and how it can be abused, and […]
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A case of affluenza
March 14th, 2010 by Roger Darlington
“Complex economic formulas developed by two professors of economics, Curtis Eaton and Mukesh Eswaran, and published in the current edition of the Economic Journal, suggest that greater affluence can seriously damage a nation’s health. Based on their mathematical modelling, the economists advance the theory that once a country reaches a reasonable standard of living there […]
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The tragedy of gendercide – and the wonder of friendship
March 13th, 2010 by Roger Darlington
“In China and northern India more than 120 boys are being born for every 100 girls. Nature dictates that slightly more males are born than females to offset boys’ greater susceptibility to infant disease. But nothing on this scale.” This is a quote from a feature in “The Economist” which suggests that worldwide at least […]
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In praise of John Lewis
March 12th, 2010 by Roger Darlington
A very good friend of mine works for the John Lewis Partnership at their head office in London and we meet regularly for lunch or dinner and a chat. Last night, we had dinner together. Earlier that day, John Lewis had announced that every one of their 70,000 partners (that is, staff) is to receive […]
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My 20th short story
March 10th, 2010 by Roger Darlington
Last summer, I set myself the objective of writing five short stories and managed it. My good friend Ivan told me then: “I know you, Roger. You’ll continue writing …” He was right and today I’ve put on my web site my 20th story. It’s called “It Isn’t Over …” Please have a read and […]
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Happy birthday London Eye
March 10th, 2010 by Roger Darlington
The London Eye is 10 years old today. Originally owned by British Airways, it was opened to celebrate the new millennium and intended to operate for up to five years, but it is now a permanent and iconic feature of the London skyline. I’ve been on it several times and will no doubt go again […]
Posted in Miscellaneous | Comments (0)
Now it gets really interesting
March 9th, 2010 by Roger Darlington
In an exclusive, the “Times” today reveals the results of a poll of political opinion in 100 key marginal seats. Populus, who conducted the poll, puts both Labour and Conservatives on about 38 per cent in the seats it examined. The article points out: “The poll shows that the switch of voters from Labour to […]
Posted in British current affairs | Comments (1)
Should governments regulate the Net?
March 8th, 2010 by Roger Darlington
A poll for the BBC World Service surveyed more than 27,000 adults across 26 countries to assess their attitudes to the Internet. It found that almost four in five people thought that access to the Net should be a basic right. But, in a report on the findings, it is revealed: “Web users questioned in […]
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Worldwide growth of access to the worldwide web
March 8th, 2010 by Roger Darlington
This BBC map – based on data from the International Telecommunications Union – shows the growth of Internet users in each country from 1998-2008.
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The great mall of China
March 8th, 2010 by Roger Darlington
The largest shopping mall in the world is in China – which might surprise you. It called the New South China Mall and is located in the city of Dongguan, which has a population in excess of 10 million and is located in southern China. The mall can accommodate 2,350 stores. However, you might be […]
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