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via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
"The good mechanic knows how to take a car apart," says Neil Simon. "I love to take the human mind apart and see how it works"... more
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
It's a trillion-dollar Ponzi scheme, and you are in it up to your eyes. The U.S. government issues more and more debt to pay off previous debt. One day, we'll wake up... more
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
Free trade and a never-ending exchange of ideas offers us an inexhaustible river of invention and discovery. Matt Ridley on wealth and growth... more
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
Intelligence, self-possession, and a sense of maturity. If this be wisdom, will we learn more about it from literature and history, or from neuroscience?... more
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
A perception of unfairness is a major driver of anger as a human emotion. It is not too far, David Barash suggests, to speak of our having a fairness instinct... more
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
You didn't intend to plagiarise. In fact, your unconscious did it. Sure. And try telling the cop your unconscious was speeding... more
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
How the British see themselves and the world is not easy to grasp. A good place to begin is to consider what the Second World War did to Britain... more
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
Events of 1989 are often depicted as a failure of socialism. Though this powerful view has served to discredit alternatives to capitalism, it remains in doubt... more
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
The human brain, for all its power, is quite suspicious of difficulty. Effective marketers, politicians, and sales people all know to keep it simple... more
Friday, 13 August 2010
Conceptualizing ‘precarious prosperity’: ...
Empirical and theoretical elements for debate
an article by Monica Budowski, Wiebke Keim and Michèle Amacker (University of Fribourg, Switzerland) and Robin Tillmann (Centre of Expertise in Social Sciences (FORS), Switzerland) published in International Journal of comparative Sociology Volume 51 Issue 4 (August 2010)
Abstract
Empirical studies have recently pointed towards a socio-structural category largely overlooked in social inequality research: the dynamic positions of households adjacent to those of the poor and yet not representing those of the established, more prosperous positions in society. These results suggest that the population in this category fluctuates into and out of poverty more often than moving into and out of secure prosperity. This category – still lacking theoretical conceptualisation – is characterised by both precariousness and a certain degree of prosperity; despite a restricted and uncertain living standard it holds a range of opportunities for action. We seek analytical elements to conceptualise ‘precarious prosperity’ for comparative empirical research by subjecting various concepts of social inequality research to critical scrutiny. We then operationally define ‘precarious prosperity’ to screen for this population in three countries. Based on qualitative interviews with households in precarious prosperity, we present first analyses of perceptions and household strategies that underline the relevance of the concept in different countries.
Hazel’s comment:
This is an interesting view of inequality – that those on the edge of poverty cross the line into and out of prosperity with a regularity that makes the prosperity precarious and short-lived. The concept implies that an increase in income has allowed some clearing of debt and possible increase in living standards which then results in falling below the poverty line again.
an article by Monica Budowski, Wiebke Keim and Michèle Amacker (University of Fribourg, Switzerland) and Robin Tillmann (Centre of Expertise in Social Sciences (FORS), Switzerland) published in International Journal of comparative Sociology Volume 51 Issue 4 (August 2010)
Abstract
Empirical studies have recently pointed towards a socio-structural category largely overlooked in social inequality research: the dynamic positions of households adjacent to those of the poor and yet not representing those of the established, more prosperous positions in society. These results suggest that the population in this category fluctuates into and out of poverty more often than moving into and out of secure prosperity. This category – still lacking theoretical conceptualisation – is characterised by both precariousness and a certain degree of prosperity; despite a restricted and uncertain living standard it holds a range of opportunities for action. We seek analytical elements to conceptualise ‘precarious prosperity’ for comparative empirical research by subjecting various concepts of social inequality research to critical scrutiny. We then operationally define ‘precarious prosperity’ to screen for this population in three countries. Based on qualitative interviews with households in precarious prosperity, we present first analyses of perceptions and household strategies that underline the relevance of the concept in different countries.
Hazel’s comment:
This is an interesting view of inequality – that those on the edge of poverty cross the line into and out of prosperity with a regularity that makes the prosperity precarious and short-lived. The concept implies that an increase in income has allowed some clearing of debt and possible increase in living standards which then results in falling below the poverty line again.
Information risk management
Well, what do you know about it?
What do I know about it?
I don’t know the answer to the first question. How could I? I don’t know who you are in any detail and I have not asked you this question previously.
The answer to the next question is, “considerably more than I did an hour ago before I started reading Bulletin: of the records management society (Issue 156 (July 2010)).
And, what is more important, I know who knows lots more than I do and where to find him. Interestingly, from my point of view, is that not only can I find Robin Smith from his email address but could after a short bus ride from home search out the physical Mr Smith at his place of work.
That aside, the article about information risk management is an edited extract of Robin's new publication, Information risk management: valuing, protecting and leveraging business information, which is available from the Ark Group.
Table of contents and an executive summary (PDF 6pp) is available
Full publication
Amazon price £295 (free p&p but none in stock)
Same price from the publishers but p&p = £7.50
Sorry, but with the best will in the world I cannot recommend that any small business should purchase a book that costs that much!
What do I know about it?
I don’t know the answer to the first question. How could I? I don’t know who you are in any detail and I have not asked you this question previously.
The answer to the next question is, “considerably more than I did an hour ago before I started reading Bulletin: of the records management society (Issue 156 (July 2010)).
And, what is more important, I know who knows lots more than I do and where to find him. Interestingly, from my point of view, is that not only can I find Robin Smith from his email address but could after a short bus ride from home search out the physical Mr Smith at his place of work.
That aside, the article about information risk management is an edited extract of Robin's new publication, Information risk management: valuing, protecting and leveraging business information, which is available from the Ark Group.
Table of contents and an executive summary (PDF 6pp) is available
Full publication
Amazon price £295 (free p&p but none in stock)
Same price from the publishers but p&p = £7.50
Sorry, but with the best will in the world I cannot recommend that any small business should purchase a book that costs that much!
Cuts are fatal for jobs and society, says Scottish TUC
With labour market statistics published this morning set to show another rise in overall and long-term unemployment, and growth in Scotland estimated to be zero during the first quarter of 2010, the Scottish Trades Union Congress is renewing its call for the government to end its policy of immediate and deep cuts in public spending.
The number of 18-24 year olds claiming Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) for over 6 months has increased in 20 of Scotland’s local authorities since last year and fallen in only 7 according to a TUC analysis published ahead of the latest ONS unemployment statistics.
Full story
Thanks to Ekklesia.co.uk Daily Email Bulletin on 10th August
Hazel’s comment:
Ekklesia is an independent, not-for-profit think-tank which examines the role of religion in public life and advocates transformative theological ideas and solutions. It also looks at the operation of beliefs and values in society and politics more widely.
Whilst the word Ekklesia (or ecclesia) is primarily associated with the Christian church the organisation itself is concerned with society as a whole and the place that faith (or the lack of it) has in that society.
And, like most not-for-profit organisations, Ekklesia could do with some financial support!
The number of 18-24 year olds claiming Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) for over 6 months has increased in 20 of Scotland’s local authorities since last year and fallen in only 7 according to a TUC analysis published ahead of the latest ONS unemployment statistics.
Full story
Thanks to Ekklesia.co.uk Daily Email Bulletin on 10th August
Hazel’s comment:
Ekklesia is an independent, not-for-profit think-tank which examines the role of religion in public life and advocates transformative theological ideas and solutions. It also looks at the operation of beliefs and values in society and politics more widely.
Whilst the word Ekklesia (or ecclesia) is primarily associated with the Christian church the organisation itself is concerned with society as a whole and the place that faith (or the lack of it) has in that society.
And, like most not-for-profit organisations, Ekklesia could do with some financial support!
Thursday, 5 August 2010
Carer's Credit
People who provide care for one or more disabled people for a total of 20 hours or more each week, and who do not receive Carer’s Allowance, can now claim a Carer’s Credit. The credit will help to protect a carer’s National Insurance record to ensure there are no gaps from having to undertake caring responsibilities.
Details and guidance can be found on the DWP website at http://tinyurl.com/y4qzx68
Grateful thanks to Adviser from Citizens Advice.
Details and guidance can be found on the DWP website at http://tinyurl.com/y4qzx68
Grateful thanks to Adviser from Citizens Advice.
Sunday, 1 August 2010
Local Area Labour Markets statistics
via The Scottish Government News Online - Latest on 28 July
A National Statistics Publication for Scotland
Scotland's Chief Statistician today published statistics from the Annual Population Survey (APS).
The APS is an annual version of the Labour Force Survey (LFS) and the official source of many labour market and lifelong learning indicators for Scotland and its local authority areas. The publication provides a summary of data covering key indicators such as employment rates, unemployment rates, rates of young people not in education, employment or training and qualification breakdowns.
Read the full press release together with links to the data
A National Statistics Publication for Scotland
Scotland's Chief Statistician today published statistics from the Annual Population Survey (APS).
The APS is an annual version of the Labour Force Survey (LFS) and the official source of many labour market and lifelong learning indicators for Scotland and its local authority areas. The publication provides a summary of data covering key indicators such as employment rates, unemployment rates, rates of young people not in education, employment or training and qualification breakdowns.
Read the full press release together with links to the data
Has been missing – now found
What have I found?
Why, lots and lots of saved emails sent to the Blogger drafts folder.
Obviously the news items that were in the very long list are no longer news and have been deleted but the fun, trivia and interesting non-work items that have accumulated while I’ve been “away” are, in the main, still fun, trivia or interesting but there’s a lot of them so I must bring you at least two a week for quite a while in order to reduce the backlog.
Why, lots and lots of saved emails sent to the Blogger drafts folder.
Obviously the news items that were in the very long list are no longer news and have been deleted but the fun, trivia and interesting non-work items that have accumulated while I’ve been “away” are, in the main, still fun, trivia or interesting but there’s a lot of them so I must bring you at least two a week for quite a while in order to reduce the backlog.
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