Flash Theory

Thanks to the Tom for showing me this story, "I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream" by Harlan Ellison. Presenting a disturbingly dystopic view of the future, it's gritty, dark, and written like a tidal wave. Read it and be thrillingly disturbed.

What a wicked site! Free music, well sorted, and reviewed by users - great stuff!

I found this guy there, who has some great songs, in message, wit and musicality. I particularly liked "Operation Iraqi Freedom, what does that spell? Operation Iraqi Freedom - O - I - L!"

Dear Student, I fully appreciate that you may be suffering deep concern given the possibility of disruption to your examinations at the end of this semester. Not only that, but some of you may be unable to graduate this coming June. I have considerable sympathy for you in this predicament, and I deplore the actions of those AUT members at the University of St Andrews which are overtly designed to threaten actual damage to your education and possibly to your future career. I recognise your right as a valued student at this University to a high quality education, and I am determined to do everything possible to allow you to fulfil your academic potential. As you may know, this is a national dispute which did not begin in St Andrews and will not be resolved by anything that happens in St Andrews. Since the beginning of this dispute, the University has attempted to achieve a difficult balance between the maintenance of good relations with its staff and its obligations to all of its other stakeholders, most importantly its students. Accordingly, the University management's position to date at all times been deliberately measured, bearing in mind first that the very substantial majority of academic staff have decided to commit themselves to the interests of our students and second, that on the whole relations with AUT have been good. We have taken no action to weaken the AUT's position in the hope that common sense will prevail. We have been seeking the sort of assurances that will enable us to make contingency plans for the eventuality that the dispute is not resolved soon, and help us to recover quickly when it is settled. In return, while the President of the St Andrews branch of the AUT, Professor Greg Woolf, has made some helpful recommendations, he has not yet delivered the sort of commitments that will let us make the robust plans that our students deserve. At a national level, UCEA and the AUT have now jointly asked ACAS to facilitate discussions and it is to be fervently hoped this results in suspension, at least, of the industrial action. I will write to you again in the event that this is not the outcome. In the meantime, I assure you that we will continue to prepare the actions and contingency measures that may be necessary to prevent, or at least limit, the damage intended. You should continue to follow the advice set out in my earlier letter to you and make no plans to depart before the end of the examination period.

Yours sincerely

Brian LangPrincipal and Vice-Chancellor

21 April 2006

In response to your email of Friday, April 21st:

"I have considerable sympathy for you in this predicament, and I deplore the actions of those AUT members at the University of St Andrews which are overtly designed to threaten actual damage to your education and possibly to your future career."

I have considerable sympathy for your position as Principal of the University of St Andrews, but I deplore the anti-union sentiments you express in this email, which are overtly designed to turn the student body against the AUT.

"As you may know, this is a national dispute which did not begin in St Andrews and will not be resolved by anything that happens in St Andrews."

Just imagine if every university said this - there would be no strike! Just imagine if everyone said this about every "dispute" - nothing would ever be changed! This is the logic of apathy and inaction! I support the AUT in their strike, just as I support all union actions. I hope you change your position, in the interests of your staff.

Yours sincerely,
Alex Hayes.

Striking an unorthodox pose:

This my first and only blog - let the fun ensue.