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

Just thought I'd leave you a message to say that I think you were right to stand your ground over that ridiculous argument about originality over on the CA group. I don't know what was going on with Amy, but I'm somewhat less than impressed by the tone of her postings.

It's perhaps a little spineless posting this here rather than on the group, but I don't want the messages list to become a long running battle about this one.

Anyway, keep at it. I think you may be one of the few people with any drawing skills in the group as most of us are just Photoshop monkeys of some description.

At least you're an honest coward.

I wasn't about to let the libellous accusations pass unchallenged any more than the astounding ignorance of science. The only valid argument the BBC could possibly have in this case is the subjective "we don't like it" which would be fair enough as a personal opinion. The source of the libel is particularly fine irony given the gallery juxtaposition of my graphic which doesn't break copyright from one which I think does (or at least breaks the spirit of it).

Never mind, we just keep on laughing back here on planet correct (as STA2 calls it). Though this is usually only done where the deluded ones can't see us (for politeness' sake and to avoid any rocks being thrown).

So tell me, how come you're our resident scientist. Hobby or job?

I'm mostly a scientist by natural inclination. You either think that way or you don't. I'm not just a scientist though. I'm more of a renaissance man (or polymath, as the current popular term seems to be). I have the talents/skills and qualifications in lots of areas and have won competitions and/or earned money in most too. Then I retired unbelievably early as a life-choice (following some research and algebra I did when I was 8). So you could say I'm really a non-person since I fall almost totally outside the system. I never fitted in before anyway, but now at least it's official!

An excellent reply SEF, particularly as it manages to completely avoid answering the question . With this in mind I shall expect you to converse confidently about any number of topics in future.

In a way I know exactly what you mean. I'm an architect, which means that some days I have to wear my artists hat, other days I wear my scientists hat, not forgetting the politician, psychologist, historian, engineer, diplomat and philosophers hats. In a lot of ways my career is like a Tommy Cooper sketch. You have to be able to laugh otherwise you'd cry.

And by the way, suprised to discover you're male - your Yahoo e-mail address suggests you are more feminine, Susan.

I'm neither, so you can't be wearing your scientist hat (very well) to make assumptions like that or your diplomat hat to even mention private details on a public forum. Therefore you'd almost certainly qualify as a politician.

I thought I had answered the question insofar as it was answerable. I can't claim to be the only scientist around (or even resident on h2g2) which is implicit in the question. My references to scientific attitude and being retired, should have told you that it goes beyond being a hobby but is no longer a job.

There are quite a few architects and artists in my family. You might even know some but not by my Yahoo details unless you are one of them!

Being a philosopher and psychologist are also more states of mind than anything else. In one field I'm an engineer and in another a bit of an historian. People are always so determined that everyone should fit into nice neat little pigeon-holes. I want mine to be padded with total air pressure/content control, assorted musical instruments, paper, crayons, books, computer access and ... oh dear, it's burst at the seams again!

I never suggested that I suited all the hats I have to carry, I'm just forced to keep them with me and put them on quickly as a disguise when necessary. With any disguise there is a certain amount of bluffing.

I'm sorry if I offended with my comment about your Yahoo address. I didn't think I'd released enough info to cause concern.

I'm still stunned by the ridiculous situation about your graphic. You're doing very well not to have just thrown in the towel. If it's getting you down and you need somewhere new to visit and cheer yourself up, try www.everything2.com. I just discovered it a couple of days ago, I think you'll like it.

If you ever need that padded pigeon-hole designed, feel free to give me a shout.

The really nasty bit is that the BBC staff have taken to sending their comments in "private" email rather than being up front on the site - as if that somehow makes it OK. The only people posting irrelevant opinions (and this is all they are without the relevant knowledge), until Wotchit of course, have been making them accusations and insults rather than specific points/questions or suggestions. Even Wotchit has missed the point with the DNA quote though. I'm the one saying "look how nice the world could be and this time it would work" and it's the current institution which is trying to nail me to a tree for it.

I don't really get the everything2 site (too much bad language). I like www.improb.com for scientists at play.

You're right there is some bad language, but after witnessing your experiences with the institution, I actually find the lack of censorship appealing. I'm starting to think that everything2.com is a lot closer to DNA's vision than h2g2 is these days. The quality of the writing is generally pretty high as there is a very active editorial team. The inter-linking between articles is pretty intelligent too.

Thanks for the link, improb.com is great, just been enjoying a piece on 'Thong Laterality Theory'

If we're into trading sites, give this a try www.bookcrossing.com

It's for swapping books with complete strangers and then charting there journey around the world as they get passed on. I've registered a couple (1984 and Homer's Odyssey) and will be releasing them soon! It's pages like this that help me keep my faith in the value of the internet.

Keep banging the rocks together.

Note the stealth tactics being employed. The front page being advanced one day (has been saying Thursday all morning because it is the one for the 27th). The actual outcome of Mina's "asked another artist" which ostensibly implied internally. The immediate rejection of exactly what they'd asked for while pretending it wasn't and the acceptance of an offer of an illegal image from a particular source...

Ho-hum, insane humans and their power-gaming...

Actually SEF, I did the Front Page this morning so the cock-up is all mine!

F47997?thread=251867

I'm really looking forward to my long weekend...

Oh and about the issues raised here - Mina has dealt with the issue perfectly and in accordance with BBCi guidelines.

I posted here to clarify the culpability of the mistake on the Front Page this morning, but realise my not commenting on the main discussion here might be considered consent of what you are discussing.

...and the official hate-mail just keeps on coming (on and off-screen).

Strange that many of the researchers round here actually find me really helpful. Selective spying or memory of events?

Sorry SEF, I really never meant to come across as hostile.

I just wanted to clear up the confusion over my error on the Front Page this morning.

No offence intended.

You have my apologies.

I really don't think I can accept the apology given that, while you (collectively/individually) may not have intended to appear hostile in the public arena, this is far from the case behind the scenes. It may well be the case that you don't realise the situation or what the off-site words/actions convey but that doesn't make it better. There is a clear pattern of behaviour emerging. It is an interesting phenomenon for study quite apart from being outrageous in its own right.

Have a fun weekend anyway though.

*sigh*

I tried.

I'm unsubscibing from this thread as it seems to have reached a dead end.

Was that just someone passing through in an attempt to save thread numbers?

If you haven't already panicked and run for cover, e[version], I realise you did rather miss out on a specialist subject area too.

Nope, still here. There was obviously no need to feel spineless about posting my opinions here. There's plenty of surveillance to ensure that my views get aired. Hi Ashley, nice to meet you

How do you mean 'missed a specialist subject area' - was there a graphic that would have suited me?

You were just foolishly spineless in the wrong direction. Someone else emailed me directly instead. This is riskier in one way (if I were the nastay person as alleged) since I then get their email address but safer in the other way (less traceable to spies). I wouldn't like to claim Yahoo couldn't be hacked to capture email passing through but it certainly limits spying to those who can do it.

I thought the architecture element appealed to you as the (wilfully misunderstood) maths appealed to me. At least the lettering suggestion got used (though not acknowledged of course) rather than an inappropriate representation.