petemcewan

Crass . The support is implicit in the thread. You just have follow it up. Todorov is the Director of the CNRS in Paris . A more credible source I cannot think of. And who are you but a phone number (LOL Ting-a-ling ). Go and do some research.

I beg your pardon for the oversight. I'll give you one to be going on with. "Tzvetan Todorov, Honorary Director of Research at CNRS in Paris". http://www.atlantic books.co.uk. There you go.

I get your point clearly. But just a thought. A pillar of democratic society, is that the State remain untainted by religious interference. Was that not the case in Britain in 1939 to 1945 ?

It "appears to be " . I admire your emphatic , "No". It demonstrates a confidence not shared by political commentators such as Todorov. But, the hell, what does he know. So it goes.

I get your point about " politicians".

It's early days yet. I admire you confidence.

There are those ,with a sense of proportion ,who are better informed than you and I . Who do consider that there is a threat. ---------- Post added 06-01-2016 at 17:56 ---------- At the cost of stretching your attention. I did politics . Democracy is more than a voting systems. It's about :institutions and people's relationship to the State and the Law - just to mention a few Nuff said.

Given the rise in religious fundamentalism. Is "Western Democracy" under serious and grave threat of being overthrown and replaced by Theocracy ? The enemies of secular society are many . in the time of the "Enlightenment ", they were representatives of the institutional Church who drew inspiration from, the likes of "Bossuet" who wrote, "I have the right to persecute you because I am right and you are wrong". In my opinion, the enemies of secularism are out there,and they are legion. "Modern European history from the, Renaissance to the Enlightenment , from Erasmus to Rousseau, is the history of the strengthening of the separation between public institutions and religious traditions, and the growth of individual freedom" (In Defence of The Enlightenment.Tzvetan Todoro)". Are "Western Democracies" in danger of being toppled -from without and within- and replaced and governed by "Theocratic" regimes, peddling a: moral and ethical belief system that predates the "Enlightenment" ?

I shopped at Wades. The new one is ok.Not tried the pies yet though.

Of course they are not holding the "country" to ransom . They are participating in an action permitted by the "Law". "There are plenty of good medical staff in the world". Yes indeed. And the best of them are here. Mostly highly intelligent young people from our education system. Participating in an action to protect their: career , the welfare of their patients and the NHS. What do you take them for ? They are not idiots. Do you not think that everyone of them, has searched their conscience before voting , "yes" in the ballot. "Get rid" ! Terminate the career of some of the best brains in the country. Because they have the courage to stand up for themselves . In the long run, the welfare of patients and the NHS will be the better , for their courageous stand. It's not just about contracts. I support them. I hope they win;and I hope they win quickly. ---------- Post added 06-01-2016 at 07:14 ---------- Of course they are not holding the "country" to ransom . They are participating in an action permitted by the Law. "There are plenty of good medical staff in the world". Yes indeed. And the best of them are here. Mostly highly intelligent young people from our education system. Participating in an action to protect their: career , the welfare of their patients and the NHS. What do you take them for ? They are not idiots. Do you not think that everyone of them has searched their conscience , before voting , "yes" in the ballot. "Get rid" ! Terminate the career of some of the best brains in the country. Because they have the courage to stand up for themselves .

To, "ash". Don't be absurd. The participants are the most conscientious and dedicated group of professionals in the country. The current government plans to introduce anti-trade union law, that will make it almost impossible for a union to organise strike action. I suppose that would suit your view -down to the ground. Just so you understand how absurd your view is. Their proposed action is the result of a lawfully conducted ballot. So if you sacked them . The union would drag you before an Industrial Tribunal for "unfair dismissal" . The union would win.

Don't be absurd. The participants are the most conscientious and dedicated group of professionals in the country. There are moves afoot, by this government to introduce anti-trade union legislation, that will make it almost impossible to organise strike action. I suppose that would suit you down to the ground. Point of fact. Under current trade union law. If the action is the result of a lawful ballot and then the employer sacks the employee. The employee then has grounds for "Unfair Dismissal". You end up at a Tribunal . And that's not where an intelligent employer wants to be.

If I remember correctly. Doctors/Jr Docs worked to rule over a contracts dispute in 1975. They don't have a history of militancy. In my opinion,they've been pretty restrained in this dispute. I support their action unconditionally. I do hope they win.

Rootbooster. Not broken my word.Just a reference for you to read at your leisure. "Social Networking.Addictive, Compulsive, Problematic .Or Just Another Media Habit " Robert.. LaRose, Kim and Peng.

Christmas and New Year are a great time to celebrate and get sentimental. The college at which I was a teacher, shut down on the 19th of December and we returned to work on January 2nd. I could pool my "BH's and go off skiing. I preferred breaks during winter and spring-because they facilitated my leisure activities. For me-when I was working- the Christmas and New Year break seemed to "wizz" by, and before I new it I was back at work. The length of the break for the Christmas and New Year break ,in my opinion, is about right. Now I'm retired,it's all one long "BH" (chuckle).

---------- Post added 03-01-2016 at 01:51 ---------- If I've come across to you as "dismissive" I apologise. Taking stock,reflecting on and examining all aspects of our position in the social fabric of life, is a worthy exercise. Because it enables us to correct our shortcomings and enhances the quality of our interactions with people. What I've endeavoured to point out, is that the nature of friendship is more complex than we ordinarily credit to it. Some of the wisest people who ever lived ,have found the concept of friendship worthy of deconstruction and examination. In my opinion , for some people the "intersection" between real life and social media is invisible and for them social media is real life ! An aside;some multimedia experts have suggested that "virtual relationship" are a valid alternative reality ! Looking for guidance and following guidance on how one conduct one's life is not evidence of social pathology . This is the last on this thread from me (I mean it this time). It appears to me , that you have taken some of the "rubbish" to heart. So it goes. PS. This is not meant to "set you off". I would have given my friend the phone. Not sold it to him.......steady on ! Ting-a-ling. Happy New Year !

What's the point. All they will do is put on makeup and talk <REMOVED> -while the country slowly sinks into watery oblivion.

Foxy Lady. Very good idea.Fat chance that this government will enact such a thing. It looks like the government is incapable of coming up with a long term solution to flooding.

Tinfoil hat, To be honesty my own words cannot do it justice. That's why I invoke cleverer people. Friendship strengthens with mutual awareness and time. To shorten this discussion-so I don't bore you. I'll reach for the Greek word ,"Philia". That for me goes some way in expressing what I've learnt (up till now) about the concept of friendship". An enduring relationship that is tolerant of a person's shortcomings and their virtues.A relationship that shares with other , the same moral and ethical value system. I cannot be friends with a crook-for want of a better example. A relationship that promotes trust and loyalty and honesty. A relationship that can be left for awhile without terrible consequences.Because it is built on the accumulation of past experiences,and not the fickle and vulnerable promises of future ones. Now that's it. Without sounding pompous ; I think that few people examine their "friendship" in depth -let alone seek guidance from "Emerson" -et- al. This thread is now a long way from the original one-but ,so it goes. And if you're wondering, I do have some friends -who don't think ,"I'm full of it" (LOL). ---------- Post added 29-12-2015 at 14:33 ---------- I beg your pardon Don't be silly. I've said all along that one must examine your friendships . I'm glad you agree with me. In one post I said, " A friendship unexamined is a friendship not worth having"-and the rest. Get it. Go back and read my contribution carefully. That's me finished on this thread.

That's insightful and revealing innit (LOL). One can quote from some of the wisest commentators on a concept and it's interpreted as "struggling". I hazard a guess -and my apologies if I'm wrong- you've never read or reflected on the meaning of friendship. I'm not struggling . I'm searching. So it goes. NB, Not " searching " for friends -that is . Just a point of information. Aristotle invoked 3 categories of " friendship". Go and have a look. You'll find it edifying . ---------- Post added 29-12-2015 at 11:25 ---------- [/color] Throughout this thread I've been polite towards you. However, you can't cope with a discussion that goes a little deep . And you just don't get it. And when you don't get it you stoop to sarcasm ("you're full of it " ). I suggest you pick up just one of the sources I quote (a book) and undertake a journey of evolvement. If trying to shed some light on a concept is "being full of it ". Then fair enough matey- I'm full of it. In conclusion, I figure you always like to have the last word. I mean 60,000 posts ! You should get out more on your bike. And what do you want in a thread . Some dumbed down drivel . As I've said before. Some people take a difference in opinion ,as some kind of personal insult.You are clearly in that category. It's a discussion mate. It's not a competition . But if you like to win-and clearly you do. I'll say it for you. You win. And anybody reading this thread, "He's won " ! There you go -that should increase your standing on the Sheffield Forum (Like anybody cares ). Tinfoil hat asked me to say what "is friendship ". I'll do that for him. But I'll leave you with it first . The answer is "Philia " (Greek- it's a gem of enlightenment) You can "Wiki" it and ponder its import. Now off you go and scour the rest of the Forum. Ps. You don't have to come back-that's because you've won. 60000 posts I ask you ! What are you doing to your life ! Everybody ! He's won ! Ting-a-ling.

I don't assume anything. I think you don't get it. Ralph Waldo Emerson described friendship as a means of being more fully oneself. "The soul environs itself with friends,that it may enter into grander self acquaintance or solitude. A friend,therefore, is a sort of paradox in nature. I who alone am, I who see nothing in nature whose existence I can affirm with equal evidence to my own, behold now the semblance of my being,in all its height,variety and curiosity,reiterated in a foreign form; so that a friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature..... Guard him as thy counterpart. Let him be to thee forever a sort of beautiful enemy untamable , devoutly revered".( The Esoteric Emerson). Substitute "her" for "him",if you like -and it stills works. So you see "friendship" is a little more deep than having :a laugh down the pub, sharing a pint, having a kick about,going to the footie,playing games,chatting on the internet,being invited to weddings,funerals and christenings etc. So endeavour as much as you like on the internet. You will never develop a friendship that approaches anywhere near the depth and breadth of that described by :Emerson, Augustine, Cicero, Oakshott and Aristotle. As I've said before. To have a friendship requires that you Know what friendship is in the first place. So it goes. Happy New Year by the way. PS. The internet may place you in contact with "potential " friends. The rest has to be worked at. A friendship unexamined is a friendship not worth having. (Someone said something like that about life-i forget who).

Thank you so much for the reassurance . I will sleep soundly tonight. What a devilishly cunning solution. What are they retailing at and can I get one at Tescos, or "Tinternet" or that there "ebay"? As we are all "living longer" presumably there will be more of us falling over. Consequently , there's an investment opportunity in their manufacture- just waiting to be snapped up. Whatever new thingy-majigs will they think of next ! Keep up the good work. You are the Barnes Wallis of the search for a technological solution ,to pensioner instability. Upsadaisy ! So it goes.

Thank you for your comments.It's been interesting.

First off.I don't disagree with the idea that Facebook -et-al, has a purpose in terms of communicating. However, the idea that one can generate meaningful friendships is a conceit. Many individuals join to make "friends". The word "friend" crop up endlessly in all the post made in this thread. The 20th century has almost no theoretical explanation of friendship. No exposition of what it means,no defense of it or even attack on it. Those modern writers who have ventured there to deal with the concept of friendship ,have often done so in passing-a brief lecture by Kant. A rant by Kierkegaard. A sublime description by Oakeshot. The first and last serious treatment of the matter was Montaigne's essay "De l'amitee" You have to journey way back, to ancient and medieval times, to glimpse a word where the relationship was given due account-and seen as worth examining;"as a critical social institution, as an ennobling moral experience, as an immensely delicate but essential interplay of the virtues required to sustain a fully realised human being" (Andrew Sullivan, Love Undetectable ). It's an intellectual conceit to suggest that writers like Aristotle have little to tell us about friendship because there wasn't Facebook or social media or the phone etc. Aristotle's "Nicomachean Ethics " commits 50% of the "Ethics" to the description of the concept of friendship. That old geezer knew a "thing or two about a thing or two" when it came to reflecting on what "is friendship". One of the greatest -dare I say,poetical-expressions of friendship was Tennyson's "In Memoriam ". I suggest you and "Cyclone" read it. The essay by Montaigne was written about a friend that had been wrenched bitterly away from him at an early age. Cicero's classic writings on friendship was written in honour of a dead friend. Augustine's expression of grief about the death of a friend is the first time Augustine expressed such sentiments about his loss of a friend. These ancient commentators have a thing or two to teach us about what we think is the nature of friendship. Augustine was one of the most remarkable men that ever lived. He described friendship as "sweet beyond all the sweetness of life " . So when his friend died of a sudden illness.His grief was of such an intensity that today we reserve for one of our immediate family. "It starts "Grief darkens my heart......" I suggest you go and find it and read it. So profound friendship is deeper that sharing a few things in common : like football, rugby,running, climbing,cycling,history and social media. M. Oakshot has the following to say on friendship ,"A friend is not somebody one trusts to behave in a certain manner, who supplies certain wants, who has certain agreeable qualities, or who holds accepted opinions, he /she is somebody who engages the imagination,who excites contemplation ,who provokes interest ,sympathy delight and loyalty simply on account of the relationship entered into" (Rationalism in Politics and Other Essays. Indianapolis Library Press 1991). So Facebook and social media provide networks of communication-and that's all. Real human relationships -like "Friendship- have to be struck up by human interaction. The coming together in the same physical space. Social media facilitates the evolvement of acquaintances . How can one strike up friendships if one doesn't know what it is in the first place ?

I don't mean to be rude. But of course I understand how Facebook etc works. I'd suggest that a review of what constitutes "friendship" might be enlightening. Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics is a place to start. Friendship has to be practiced to be of value. It cannot be done at a distance. A sociological review of Facebook reveals -what is called - a "weak network " of acquaintances . Acquaintances are not friends. "Perhaps the central quality of some of my oldest friendships is that they have endured long periods of being apart" ( Love Undetectable , Reflections on Friendship, Sex and Survival , Andrew Sullivan ,p 194). Making lasting friends requires more than wittering on -on Facebook-about what we had for breakfast ! So it goes . I'm now off down the Sheath to make a whole cabal of new friends by buying them beer. Ting-a-ling (We laugh).