Issue 59
January 2001
Contents
Rocks in space
20th January 2001 — Issue 59
A government report recommended that we spend a great deal of money ensuring that a rogue asteroid or comet does not hit the Earth. An example of rocks in the head, rather than rocks in space, say some. Yet the case for action is compelling.
Sex on the net
20th January 2001 — Issue 59
Welcome to the singles bars and hotel rooms of the virtual city
America's tribes
20th January 2001 — Issue 59
The key to American politics is not ideology or class but ethnicity and culture. It all boils down to north v south
Dear Uncle Sam
20th January 2001 — Issue 59
Whoever is eventually declared the next American president will have to deal with a more assertive Europe
What is Russia?
20th January 2001 — Issue 59
Without a real sense of nationhood, Russians tried to make a homeland in their art. All Russian art circles the question: "What is Russia?"
The second fall
20th January 2001 — Issue 59
At the turn of the second millennium, humanity seemed set on a steady upward course. But homo sapians had no idea of the temptations that lay ahead
Microsoft's money
20th January 2001 — Issue 59
Big business and techie libertarians dominate debate about the internet. The rest of us need to catch up
Is Oxford a mess? (1)
20th January 2001 — Issue 59
John Kay is misleading: Oxford does have a problem but it's not the one he thinks it is
Is Oxford a mess? (2)
20th January 2001 — Issue 59
Further responses to John Kay's critique of Oxford, both for and against
Memoir and mystery
20th January 2001 — Issue 59
Does an unhappy childhood make for a good autobiography?
The Orwell of cinema
20th January 2001 — Issue 59
Celebrating the film-maker Humphrey Jennings and his wartime explorations of the British character. He was the Poet Laureate of 1940s cinema
A trade union obituary?
20th January 2001 — Issue 59
Admiring an unusual thing - a trade union history which isn't boring
Unenlightened England
20th January 2001 — Issue 59
Roy Porter is wrong to talk of an English Enlightenment
Andy's gift
20th January 2001 — Issue 59
Andy got himself for Christmas. But would his wife be pleased?
Reflections
20th January 2001 — Issue 59
Why do mirrors reverse left and our right but not up and down
Letter from Tokyo
20th January 2001 — Issue 59
Japanese gift-giving is governed by an alliance of commercial pressure and social obligation. It's better than novelty socks