h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A681158

Comments gratefully received. Even the ones telling me to get away from the keyboard and never write again

Excellent article.

*wishes she were a Scout now, so she could recommend this entry*

*recommends it anywway*

I say, steady on

I've added a sentence mentioning their non-profit status, as per your suggestion through MSNIM

How sweet of you to mention it. Sorry I could find any other holes to pick in it.

*must try harder*

*couldn't (weeps over keyboard in the over-whelming recognition of the fact that her typing is now so terrible that it really must be time for )

Vogonpoet has pointed out a sentence in this article which begins with 'But', which I think is fine. But he disagrees. Can anyone settle this dispute?

Very good. Definately a worthy addition to the guide. Can't think of anything needing done to it, approve it today I say.

Nicely done, Dr.Gonzo.
One quibble and it's a matter of persoanl taste, so feel frre to ignore it, "disenfranchised". Such a horrible word. It would suggest that most of the population is 'franchised'. Oh. I see your point...

Starting a sentence with 'But' works fine here, but I think a 'however' or a 'having said that' (cringe) would be more traditional. But's fine. Nice piece (the article, not the but. Although I'm sure your but is fine too).

My compact OED defines disenfranchise as 'deprive of right to vote, of citizen's rights, or of franchise held' - which is what I was trying to get across. I can't think of a better alternative Any ideas?

Alienate?
Discommunicate? (ie - remove from community?)

Nah - leave it.
Frogbit.

A very good article. But...

The street papers and NI are *not* the only published media to "take on" Corporate interests. Many mainstream broadsheets and some of the tabloids have done this before, I'm sure. It is true that sometimes they will be specific about who they are targetting, perhaps even on the orders of their owner. Target they will, however, none the less.

Point out the negatives - in the UK the Big Issue is often written in a quite amateurish style. This is an inevitable result of it being a cheap publication.

Otherwise, very fine

I've added a little footnote on ownership and control. It's a pretty complicated subject to go in to in depth, so I'm looking around for any articles to link to.

Get away from the keyboard and never write again.

...

No, actually, this is a very easy to read, informative article. I learned a lot. Thanks!

Sir Doug

Nice one Dr G.

There was a fairly long thread about using But, And, and other linking words at the start of sentences, and I think I will dig it up and polish it into an entry. Basicly the Greeks and Romans did it all the time. (On the other hand, they never used full stops). And if it is good enough for the translators of the King James Version, it is good enough for me. Use it as thou wilt. Or something.

More comments: it is dispassionately and fairly written, and has pace and clarity.

Keep typing!

Ben

Nice entry.

I've just one comment to add to what's been said before. Homelessness is a fairly complicated subject and from what I have seen, I gather that providing a home is sometimes not the only solution. There are issues such as personal organisation and the loss of the sense of freedom and cameraderie that can be found on the streets. (I'm not saying that being on the streets is fun, BTW.)

I have seen a couple of TV programmes following people given flats and their struggle to adapt after some years on the street. A sense of isolation was frequently cited and most of the people featured went back on the streets, some eventually being able to make the switch after a lot of support.

You might want to add something to this effect, or not, as the case may be!

Good point. I suppose it's a bit like prison - being unable to adapt to society's norms and values after internalising the 'prisoner role'.

What is actually in The Big Issue ?

Well, it depends. Like most newspapers, it's a mixture of news and features, but often with a homeless slant. I didn't want to get bogged down with the Big Issue specifically, as it's one of many street papers. But, if I grab an issue at random...
*does just that*
...there's articles on council housing in Glasgow, child labour in India, Homelessness as suffered by native Americans, plus film reviews, music reviews, stuff like that.

I've always wondered...

It's worth buying - don't be shy, help a wee homeless guy