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McGann Freestone

The work of Jamie Freestone and Mathew McGann

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Category: Thoughts

Cat Links Thoughts

The anxiety over influence

Mathew Posted on February 12, 2016February 12, 2016

We fear that others will be adversely influenced by something that we want to censor: video games, porn, racist invective. But we want to influence others’ behaviour through advertising, campaigning, rhetoric. YetContinue readingThe anxiety over influence

Posted on October 5, 2015October 6, 2015
Cat Links Blog, Thoughts

Climate derange

Reading an article co-authored by a genuinely clever dude I know, Tom Swann, I had a few of my thoughts on climate change crystallise. Or maybe they glaciated. Apparently HarvardContinue readingClimate derange

Posted on September 26, 2015September 26, 2015
Cat Links Blog, Thoughts

Ye be judged

It’s both impossible and stupid to not judge others. This is too obvious for words, except that I repeatedly find myself being accused1)Somewhat judgementally. of “judging people” as though it were theContinue readingYe be judged

Posted on September 14, 2015September 16, 2015
Cat Links Blog, Thoughts

Our education system doesn’t learn

An opinion piece on education? I know. Don’t worry this is less than a thousand words. In rich countries the education system we currently have is frequently and enjoyably criticisedContinue readingOur education system doesn’t learn

Posted on June 11, 2015July 2, 2015
Cat Links Blog, Thoughts

Grand narratives

In a well anthologised quotation, the philosopher Jean-François Lyotard defined the postmodern condition as “incredulity towards metanarratives”. We all need more  incredulity, especially towards the large, totalising explanations of the worldContinue readingGrand narratives

Posted on August 11, 2014August 11, 2014
Cat Links Blog, Thoughts

Do what doesn’t make you sick

Many people say you should do what you’re passionate about. It’s an inspirational idea, espoused often in commencement and graduation speeches, and these are the most inspirational types of speeches.Continue readingDo what doesn’t make you sick

Posted on August 1, 2014August 1, 2014
Cat Links Blog, Thoughts

If we take Taleb seriously

To take Nassim Nicholas Taleb seriously one first needs to unsubscribe from his Twitter feed, then un-like him on Facebook and then read his books, especially Antifragile and Black Swan: hisContinue readingIf we take Taleb seriously

Posted on May 29, 2014August 1, 2014
Cat Links Blog, Thoughts

Reading

My man AC Grayling says, “To read is to fly.” I think that’s wonderful but I also think that to read (if done properly) is to continually run up againstContinue readingReading

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What this site is

This is a forum for the creative work of Mat McGann and Jamie Freestone. Hopefully you’ll find some good ideas on here that you won’t see anywhere else. There’s a blog, podcasts, satire, science communication, research, media appearances, a catalogue of our old stuff, etc.

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