Thursday, March 12, 2015

World University Rankings 2015

Thames River, Oxford
Business Insider March 11

Cited

'Harvard University has the best reputation in the world, according to a new ranking from Times Higher Education (THE).

The US dominated the list, with 43 universities in the top 100, including eight in the top 10.

THE reports that 10,507 scholars participated in the 2015 invitation-only Academic Reputation Survey. According to THE, world reputation rankings "are based on the number of times an institution is cited by respondents as being the best in their field."'

Cited

The rated top ten

'Harvard University

University of Cambridge (United Kingdom)

University of Oxford (United Kingdom)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Stanford University

University of California at Berkeley

Princeton University

Yale University

California Institute of Technology

Columbia University'

End Citations

The overall reputation of an educational institutional is important, but in my view for the individual student his/her academic needs and requirements takes priority over the reputation of a University.

At the course work academic level, which institution best suits the academic requirements for the student and in my case, formerly working on British research theses only degrees, which program and advisor (s) would work best within an academic program.

I considered attending Cambridge, but their representative required me to complete a Graduate Records Exam, which would have taken months of study, and was outside of my academic subject areas, before beginning Doctoral research.

In contrast, the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, at Lampeter, although a much smaller University, required MPhil and PhD theses, which was much more beneficial to me in the academic process.

It therefore, in my opinion, was more reasonable to work with Wales, which I signed with eventually after a brief time at Manchester,

Wales also at the time was highly ranked in specific areas of learning relevant to my academic career such as in the Complete University Guide published in association with The Independent newspaper; the Department of Theology & Religious Studies at the University of Wales Lampeter was ranked 13th in the UK.

In December 2008, the Research Institute for Theology & Religious Studies was rated 9th in the UK for its research strength by Research Fortnight magazine in its RAE 2008 Analysis Power Rankings.' 'Then in February (2009),

The Guardian newspaper placed the Department in first position in the UK for the number of postgraduate distance learning students.

While looking for academic employment I have asked for feedback from academic institutions and what I have been told is that teaching subjects are a priority and having those fit within an institution, therefore, in my case those would be the problem of evil, theodicy, free will, determinism, the nature of God.

Being as I earned my Doctorate within the United Kingdom academic system, which would be the same system as 'Oxbridge' my subjects of expertise would be significantly more important than where I earned my Doctorate.

This employment philosophy is likely similar for others within academy in the Western world.

Sunday, March 08, 2015

Mutual Respect



Interesting from Business Insider...

Telegraph March 8

Cited

'A female television presenter brought an interview with an extremist cleric to an abrupt end after he told her to "shut up" and said that he did not respect her. 

Rima Karaki, an anchor on Lebanon’s Al-Jadeed TV, was interviewing the London-based Islamist Hani Al-Seba'i when the argument started.'

''Al-Seba'i was being asked about reports that some Christians are joining Islamic State fighters, when he went off on a tangent and started talking about the history of Christian involvement in the Middle East.

"Dr Al-Seba'i, let's focus on the present," Karaki suggested, adding that time for the discussion was limited.'

"Listen, don’t cut me off. I will answer as I please … what kind of behaviour is this?" Dr Al-Seba'i asked.

When Karaki reiterated the time constraints, Al-Seba'i lost his temper and told her to: "Shut up, so I can talk."'

'"It’s beneath me to be interviewed by you, you are a woman who ..." he continued, before his microphone was cut off.

"Either there is mutual respect, or the conversation is over," Karaki said, as she terminated the interview.'

End Citations

A lack of respect for females and women is documented at times by the Western media as coming from the Islamic world which is very male-dominated.

Therefore this story is not surprising in an Islamic cultural context.

It should be noted that the full context of the dialogue of the interview is not provided.

From a Christian, Biblical worldview females and women should be respected and views females and woman as equal in ontological (existence) value and importance and this includes within conversation and dialogue. 

This would be based on the Biblical concept of male and female made in the image and likeness of God the Creator (Genesis 1: 26-27) and the respect and love required which can also be seen in Biblical commandments in both the Hebrew Bible and New Testament.

All persons should be respected within conversation and dialogue.

In regard to equality of male and female, Christianity and reasonable secular ethics have ethical, moral and philosophical agreement.



Thursday, March 05, 2015

Robot Orchestra?



BBC News March 4

Cited

'Retired engineer Seth Goldstein has created a "kinetic sculpture" that can replicate digital music files and play them on a violin. The machine uses software to analyse the digital files and generate numbers to control the electronics and power the machine's motors - enabling the violin to produce the same notes as were originally played.'

End Citations

As I noted on Facebook, I view this robotic classical music as artistically superior, to a lot of music; by this I mean a lot of the popular music that has been released in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries which lacks significant creativity, artistic merit, and to a lessor extent in importance, complexity.

To me the robot or robotic classical music still sounds genuinely classical, even as not human, and that is still more creative and artistic than much pop music...

My bias is that although I do not dislike all popular or pop music, I generally like music that is not mainstream, is more creative, more artistic and more complex.

My iTunes therefore mainly features progressive and art rock, jazz rock (fusion) and classical.

On a related note...the other week at D and A's, the Princess wanted to prove to D, that she was a classically trained singer and that D was wrong and that she could sing higher than the a-ha vocalist that was after all a male, on the highest note in the classic song 'Take On Me'.

She proved D wrong, and just about shattered the glasses in the kitchen and my eardrums...

Facebook
441,883 Views
This robot can play the violin http://bbc.in/1DTTVsl
London, trekearth

Tuesday, March 03, 2015

Ugly Stories

Facebook






















Telegraph March 3

Cited

'Di Maria was allegedly sold by Real Madrid for being “too ugly” by Darren Richman'

Telegraph



















Cited '

Why was he moved on? Well, according to Barcelona’s assistant Director of Football, Carles Rexach, the reason is an unusual one: Florentino Perez looks at the world market and wants a team of Galacticos for everyone to admire. Do you understand what I mean? Ronaldo is the flagship of the club. Perez is selling an international brand. Vicente del Bosque and Di Maria are too ugly for Real Madrid. They are different from Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez.

Yep, apparently the Argentina international was sold because he’s not handsome enough. Or so says one man who works for their bitter rivals.'

End Citations

The trillion dollar satirical question is therefore...

Have I not received work as a Theology or Philosophy professor as of yet because I am not a 'pretty boy' like Ronaldo?

I had rhinoplasty surgery after being bottled in the face in central Manchester back in 2001, in regard to my sleep apnea treatment, but perhaps it just was not enough...
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Daily Mail March 2

Cited

'Infatuated US teen found almost frozen to death on bank of Chinese river after travelling 7,000 miles to be rejected by girl he fell in love with over the internet'

End Citations

'Fell in love' over the internet? Yes, a sad story.

This person needs a reality check and to meet people in person first before being 'in love'.

However, for balance I can understand web interest, but mutual lurking and dialogue, if it occurs, does not equal being 'in love'.

A potential for love, exists perhaps.

James 1:5-8 English Standard Version (ESV)

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.