Journal Entries
John Borden Rawls (21/02/21 - 24/11/02)
Posted Dec 3, 2002
John Rawls died last week. He was 81. Rawls was the greatest political philosopher of the 20th century, and my MPhil is one just aspect of his work. Rawls was a great philosopher, and (judging by the obituaries) a great man.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/obituaries/story/0,3604,848488,00.html
I must finish my MPhil, and finish my guide entry on "A Theory of Justice". I rather suspect that the latter will have rather more impact on the world......
Otto.
In the Original Position.
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Latest reply: Dec 3, 2002
"Printing Started!"
Posted Nov 10, 2002
.... annouced my printer in a jolly American accent. It then politely asked for some more paper (and even said please!). I'm not sure about the "genuine people personalities" thing for computer peripherals (another DNA prediction - or perdiction as I nearly typed - that has appeared to come true).
It's not so much the talking printer I object to so much as the cheerfulness. My mouse might be a cheerful thing, but not printers. Printers are neither cheerful, cooperative or merry. Printers are nasty, grudging and curmodgeonly bits of machinery, and should speak like Dwarves in computer roleplaying games or in Tolkien films, mixing grudging cooperation with non-specific threats of violence.
But the reason that "printing started" is that the first draft of my MPhil is due to be handed in tomorrow, and it's as finished as it's going to be, because I'm tired and don't care any more. 114 pages and 52,000 words. Plus one table and no pictures.
The end, if not in sight, is at least concievable. Which is more than I can say for 114 pages of printing.
Otto
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Latest reply: Nov 10, 2002
Isn't it ironic?
Posted Oct 29, 2002
Okay, how's this?
Friday last week:
PM: Co-authored article on Long Distance Relationships on the front page.
EVE: Girlfriend decides to return to Australia.
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Latest reply: Oct 29, 2002
Ah, Freshers' Week......
Posted Oct 3, 2002
They're back! The calm is shattered by the return of the undergraduates, and the Fresher Invasion. Fresher Invasion is a good name for a band. My band is currently called Marmite Overdose. I'm the only one in it so far, but the first album is going to be Rogue Gladstones.
Anyway, they're back, wandering around, being lost, believing all the urban myths, and entering the final few laps of growing up.
I don't envy them *at all*. It's tough being an undergrad these days - fees, debt, social pressures. 'cos it's supposed to be the best time of your life, isn't it? And if your life is not a 24 hour hedonisitic binge, then you're "missing out". It's strange - pressure to have fun. What's that all about? I've watched them for a number of years now, and the hype seems to get bigger every year.
It's tough being asked to replace your mates of many years with a collection of next door neighbours, flatmates, the person next to you in lectures, random encounters and friends of friends. Been there, done that. Glad to be out of it. Glad to be "allowed" by peer pressure to have a quiet pint, be intellectually curious, and not dress stupidly.
Otto
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Latest reply: Oct 3, 2002
1st anniversary
Posted Aug 2, 2002
It's my first anniversary on H2G2 on Monday!
On my first visit, I wrote the diary entry at the bottom, a few bits of my personal space which I haven't modified, and the first draft of "Long Distance Relationships", which has now been sitting in peer review FOR OVER THREE WEEKS! It's acquired a co-author and many comments and suggestions on the way, and it would be great if it were picked on Monday. But I can't see it happening!
My life has changed a lot in the last year - job, mortgage, korfball, and a lawnmower. Curiously, it's the lawnmower that bothers me the most.
In one year on H2G2, I've met (sort of) some interesting people and found an outlet for my creativity. And I've got a scouts badge, which I'm very proud of. And an occasional column in the post. Who'd have thunk it?
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Latest reply: Aug 2, 2002
Back to Otto Fisch ("Stop analysing Strava.... and cut your hedge")'s Personal Space Home
Otto Fisch ("Stop analysing Strava.... and cut your hedge")
Researcher U182089
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