Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

  • Bush's War

    As usual, neo-Darwinist writer Richard Dawkins does some straight talking. He cuts out all the bullshit – and says exactly what he thinks. The timing alone indicates that the real reason for war is neither of the two offered by Tony Blair. If it had been, all this would have blown up long ago. It…

  • Why now? – The threat is real: Julian Lindley-French

    Julian Lindley-French, a member of the faculty at the Geneva Center for Security Policy, argues that Europeans should stop their “security vacation“. He also argues that it is the job of European leaders to their people back to “strategic reality”. I think Julian is mistaken – I think it is the job of European leaders…

  • History is always important

    Tristram Hunt, who teaches history at the University of London, expresses his concern at the decline of history as a subject in British schools. Of late, the Prince of Wales, has also expressed his concern, calling for a more coherent curriculum. Worth the read.

  • Why the Left is wrong

    David Aaronovitch expresses the view that an attack on Iraq is justified.

  • War will have worse affect than 1973 oil crisis

    The world will suffer a bigger oil crisis than that during the Arab-Israeli conflict of 1973 if the US declares war on Iraq, according to leading US investment Goldman Sachs. This could send the price of a barrell of crude (Brent) up to $50. God.

  • Cannabis a boon to economy

    Cannabis smokers just want to stay on the sofa and snack, spending hours engrossed in home entertainment. Red Bull and smoothies, ‘Munchie’ snacks such as Mars bars and Haribo jellies. Pizza chains. Video stores. Games consoles. Multichannel TV. And what scares them… Shiny, noisy places with too many choices such as Starbucks and McDonald’s High-alcohol…

  • Joan Didion: War is Bush's fixed idea

    An excellent piece, clearcut in its view, and accurate in the chronology of events last year that have led to where we are now – inevitable war. I absolutely agree with her – the reasons to go to war are few and far between and it was noted: James R Schlesinger, who is now a…

  • Iraq war plans

    British and American forces planning war against Iraq have revealed details of their plans to topple Saddam Hussein, which will start with a devastating bombing campaign ahead of a massive ground attack by thousands of troops from Kuwait. Defence and intelligence officials have told The Observer that they have drawn up a list of targets,…

  • 10 good reasons not to go to war

    Tom McGurk again this week on Iraq. In his piece he gives ten good reasons why war with Iraq is foolhardy.

  • US responds to shuttle disaster

    From what I have read on the net since the disaster it now appears to me that the reason the accident took place at all was simple – NASA cutbacks. Since Bush came to office cutbacks have had a serious effect safety, indeed Bush received a report not too long ago warning of a potential…

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