Posted: 07 May 2010 11:56 AM PDT

Noam Chomsky said he was deeply disturbed at the decision to close the Middlesex University philosophy department. Photograph: Rex Features

More than 60 internationally renowned academics from across the globe have written to the dean of Middlesex University urging him to reverse the decision to close the philosophy department.

Alain Badiou, Judith Butler, Slavoj Žižek and Noam Chomsky were among those who condemned the decision.

Chomsky said he was "deeply disturbed to learn of the decision" and that he hoped it would be reversed "for the sake of the university, the intellectual life in the UK, and not least the future of this ancient and indispensible discipline worldwide".

Michael Hardt, from Duke University in North Carolina, US, said: "I can think of no other philosophy department in the US, UK, or Australia that rises to the level of Middlesex [in the study of continental philosophy]."

The students were informed by email of the decision to close the department on 28 April. They set up a meeting with the dean of arts and education, Edward Esche, and the deputy vice-chancellor, Margaret House, for 4 May but Esche and House cancelled the meeting, saying it clashed with student coursework deadlines.

On Tuesday the students decided to take matters into their own hands, and occupied the Mansion House building on the Trent Park campus, where they remain.

First-year undergraduate Nilza Apareida Bento said: "I am absolutely devastated. I was so enthusiastic at the beginning of the course. I've been working so hard and all of a sudden I received an email saying that it was going to close.

"We paid so much money and now we are not going to be able to finish the course. It is absolutely appalling. I have nowhere to go, and no idea what is going to happen next.

"I have been here for nearly 48 hours. I slept here last night, and we will stay here until we get an answer from the dean. It is not fair just to send an email and tell us the department will close." Second-year student Johann Hoiby from Norway said: "I am extremely angry at this decision. I paid £9,200 for each year for this course. I came to the UK because the staff that teach at Middlesex are so well known. The university tells me that I can finish my course but I have no idea who will be teaching us."

A spokesman for the university said that current students will not be affected. The university will ensure students can complete their courses and will receive the support they require from the university.

Social media campaigns have sprung up in an attempt to save the department – the Facebook page of the Save Middlesex Philosophy group has almost 10,000 friends.

The university spokesman said the decision to close the department was a reflection of falling demand for philosophy degrees and the need to cut costs. "Over recent years there has been insufficient demand from students to study philosophy at Middlesex, making ongoing provision of courses unviable," he said.

"For the forthcoming academic year the university has received only six firm acceptances of a place on its BA philosophy course."

He explained that, although recognised for its high-quality research, the Centre for Research in Modern European Philosophy at Middlesex does not receive any funding from external research bodies and earns only 5% of the university's total Hefce quality-related grant, which does not cover the research costs incurred by philosophy staff.

The department has a "disproportionately high level" of staffing compared with student numbers, and a higher ratio of professors to other academic staff than any other subject, he added. "Philosophy is only able to operate with subsidies from other subject areas in the university. The university has no choice but to address this issue, particularly in the context of announced, and further anticipated, public funding cuts."

But Professor Peter Osborne, head of the philosophy research centre, dismissed these calculations. "The management are saying that this is a financial decision and that there is insufficient demand, but this is not true. At the point recruitment was suspended in March undergraduate applications were up 118% on last year, and we are in any case primarily a postgraduate teaching group," he said.

"Philosophy has six members of staff, who between them bring in 5% of the university's Hefce research revenue. Given that Middlesex employs 733 lecturers in total, this means each member of the philosophy staff generates over six times the average research income.

"What is amazing is that the timing of this closure means that almost a million pounds of Hefce monies awarded to the department as a result of the recent RAE could be paid after its closure."

House, Esche and the deputy vice-chancellor of research and enterprise, Waqar Ahmad, yesterday held an initial meeting with the students to explain their decision and discuss their concerns but it ended without resolution.

The students vow they will continue the occupation until they get a satisfactory explanation for the closure.

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The Philosophy of 4 - OpEdNews.com

Posted: 07 May 2010 08:00 AM PDT

By Ethan Indi (about the author) Page 1 of 2 page(s)

opednews.com Permalink

For OpEdNews: Ethan Indi - Writer

The noblest aspect of all the ideas the U.S.A. as a whole represents, or claims to represent, is one of political and social hybrid vigor. People adopt the best attributes of cultures from across the globe and conjoin them with those of others. Whether it is food or philosophy, people in the United States join ideas of differing cultures and fuse them together. People and philosophy might unite in commonality in the U.S.A. The following is such a fusion of independent yet correlating philosophy which can lead to a better understanding of mentality through exploration of their universality.

The number 4 is symbolic for completion. Through the number four the most complicated subjects can be broken down into the simplest presentation. There is an eternal, natural and social polarization of all situations great and small. Polarization occurs naturally with day and night. Polarization or, pairing of opposites, occurs socially with the politics of the right and left. This polarization of politics into the right and left is a global and perhaps timeless phenomenon. On the other hand, social polarizations are not necessarily naturally occurring, but normally amplified and utilized by politicians themselves.

The oldest symbols in the world present the concept of extreme duality. The yin and yang, which can be traced back to at least 1100 B.C., displays the eternal polarization of positive and negative. The yin and yang present polarization in two main parts, but there is a total of four distinct features in the circle. The two swirling positive and negative portions each contain a part of the other within.

The cross is a similarly ancient and influential archetype. It has been used by cultures distinct from and preceding Christianity. It is simply two crossing lines, but it conveys complex symbolism. When shed of other symbolism it is simply two perpendicular and intersecting lines. When two lines intersect four parts are made. When two polarized ideas intersect, four basic parts are made as well.

From Socrates to Donald Rumsfeld philosophers and politicians have posited there are four types of information. Socrates' proposed there are four types of information in accordance to a polarization. In the Analogy of the Divided Line, Socrates proposes that information is first polarized between the tangible and intangible and that this polarization leads to four types of information. It is proposed there is tangible information and reflections of the tangible, like one's reflection in water. Then there is intangible information, numbers for instance, and reflections of the intangible, like mathematical theories.

Former Secretary of State, Donald Rumsfeld made a relevant and somewhat poetic speech, unintentionally pointing to another polarization of information in the form of knowns and unknowns. "There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we now know we don't know. But there are also unknown unknowns. These are things we do not know we don't know."

The fourth part of the polarization, Donald's omission, is unknown knowns. This type of information left unmentioned by Donald is ironically based on going unmentioned. It is information that some have and others are unaware of entirely. It is information that is acted on and held onto, normally held by politicians or equally oligarchical and institutionalized individuals, which the majority are ignorant of. Unknown knowns are secrets known by few among many. Donald and those of his ilk, would rather one not consider there is information falling into the unknown known category. In typical form, Donald left the unsaid type of information unsaid.

The number 4 looks like a cutter with a handle. And Four is Occam's Razor. Conceptualizing conditions with four assists in slicing away the superfluous and enables getting to the bottom of a situation, understanding. Occam 's razor is representative of the theory that entities must not be multiplied beyond necessity. Scientists and philosophers use the theory to better understand conditions, however Albert Einstein may have summed up the notion best "Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler."

Various cultures have basic philosophy in which the number four is intrinsic. The original four characters in the first story of the Bible; Adam, Eve, Serpent and God further exemplify the significance of four. The Hopi creation story where four different colors of people, related to the four colors of corn, (red, purple, yellow and white) rose out of the destruction of the fourth world also exemplifies the significance of four throughout the four corners of the globe.

Now the Hopi philosophy is not one of racism, it simply acknowledges differences in appearance. The Hopi explain that each color is empowered by one of the four elements and their presentation serves not to degrade whatsoever. The Hopi concluded that all people are brothers despite slight differences.

The Hopi proposed there are four types of people based on a polarization of appearance. This is no way to judge anyone completely or near accurately. It is just an interesting polarization and notion of the implied impotance of four as presented in the Hopi creation as well as Genesis. I am from the U.S.A. and renounce all racists, racism and prejudiced conjured biases in total. I acknowledge polarizations equating to four including the Hopi presentation which is an affirmation of brotherhood. Anyone who might make some racist declarations using Hopi ideas has the mentality of a feral caveman for the Hopi ideas are of unification.

In every situation there is polarization and the variations formed by their intersection. This is simple yet stunningly significant in recognizing conditions and problem solving. The most divisive and seemingly unsolvable problems might be stripped away of all distracting irrelevance and simplified in order to better understand them. The most ageless problems can be better understood, deciphered and sometimes overcome when simplified and deciphered through the polarization of four.

Take one of the most persistent and divisive problems of all time; racism. There are four forms of racism. Racism is not limited to simply this or that. There are hundreds of nations, each containing people who differ in obvious or obscure appearances, beliefs, histories, names, and other nuances by which they are judged by neighbors and foreigners alike. There are endless examples of racist perspectives of course, being that there are billions of us. People are taught these endless racist perspectives and make their own conclusions as well, but generally people are taught to have racist perspectives. I need not remind anyone of the endless variations of stereotypes, clichés and racist prejudices.

The four types of racism are based on positive and negative polarization of judgment based on appearance. The commonality the four types of racism share is racist preconceptions based on appearance. The particular variations of racism are endless, but sadly the predominant form of racism is white against those they deem not white. This is historically evident. The forms of racism presented are to explore mentality of individuals in general which can be used universally. This in no way calculates or decodes the institutionalization of racism in total, or the most commonly taught form of racism, it only points to individual thinking.

Racism is nowhere near as overt as it once was, but when it is apparent, it arrives in polarization of help or hinder, respect or disrespect, involve or exclude, or worse. The commonality is a positive or negative reaction based on appearance, or any such qualification or conjuration. The polarization presents two more common types and then two less common types. To simplify, for and against are used.

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Debt crisis: It's time the EU had a new economic ... - The Guardian

Posted: 07 May 2010 04:18 AM PDT

The German chancellor, Angela Merkel is not given to rhetorical hyperbole. So, when she says that the Greek debacle has put into question "the future of Europe and the future of Germany within Europe" she should be taken very seriously – not least by the heads of government of the 16 EU nations who share the euro and who meet in an emergency summit in Brussels this evening. The fact that Chancellor Merkel and the Berlin government has – until the last few days – been behaving as though the Greek turmoil was something affecting "a far away country of which we know little" does not reduce the force of her alarm call.

It is difficult to exaggerate the importance of the decisions that face the EU leadership (both the EU institutions and member state governments) if the Greek firestorm is not to spread. If it does spread, the very foundations of European economic and monetary union could be undermined – as the distinguished American economist, Joseph Stiglitz, has already warned. But if that happens no one should be surprised when, subsequently, the other sinews tying the EU countries together – the single market and the union itself – also gradually begin to crumble.

None of this is inevitable. But in Merkel's own words it will take "more Europe and not less" to confront the epidemic of financial speculation which is now sweeping through European financial markets. In sounding her warning she should have added that what is needed is "more Europe but a different Europe". The toxic confluence of financial crisis, deepening economic crisis, emerging social crisis and an overhanging planetary environmental crisis will not be overcome by mere tinkering at the edges of the euro currency system.

The events in Greece are, first and foremost, a terrible judgement on a corrupt and deceitful establishment in Greece, which was able to wangle its way into the euro system by deploying fraudulent statistics manufactured (with help from major international banks) by the previous Greek conservative government. But the Greek near-bankruptcy also demonstrates the terrible consequences of settling for a half-built construction for what is called "European economic and monetary union". Monetary union is a reality. Economic union is still a fiction.

The current system for running the euro structure is so toothless that the euro-area statistics authority did not even have the authority to veto the false figures presented from Athens. In that sense, the Greeks are now paying a heavy price in social injustice for so-called Greek national sovereignty.

National governments are not obliged to work within a coordinated euro-area wide economic strategy. They pay no penalty for breaking the rules of the euro system. They are not even obliged to ensure in advance that national economic decisions will not adversely affect their fellow euro area colleagues – even though everyone is profoundly affected the decisions taken by everyone else.

There are other glaring deficiencies. There is no adequate system for transfers of resources to compensate the less competitive EU regions and countries for the inevitable effects of economic integration such as exists in all other economic and monetary unions (such as the United States). There is not even a symmetrical obligation on those euro-area countries that are strongest to stimulate consumption and growth and thus to balance measures by weaker economies obliged to curb consumption and employment because of excessive budget deficits and state debt.

The EU is still only discussing the promised, but long overdue, European-wide system for regulating the wilder frontiers of the cowboy banking system – including the currency speculators. The former president of the European Commission, Jacques Delors, warned years ago about all this – but he was ignored.

Most euro-area governments, including Germany, now concede that major steps to create a euro-area "economic governance" must now be taken rapidly. The EU leaders in Brussels tonight will not sign off on any detailed measures. But they should unambiguously signal their intent to make European economic union a reality by give euro-area decision-making bodies real decision-making powers over fiscal policy, discipline and balanced economic growth.

If this includes a European monetary fund with teeth, as Merkel has pointed out, a new EU treaty may be needed. It will be a treaty that only really affects those countries in the euro-area. So, no British government would have the remotest justification for seeking to veto a treaty which had the support of all the euro-area states. In the meantime, the EU as a whole must accelerate plans for tough European wide regulation of financial markets, banks and speculators something which whoever forms the next British government would do well to support with sterling potentially vulnerable to being sucked into the current financial chaos.

In truth, the very foundations of the global neo-liberal system, which emerged from the Reagan-Thatcher inspired capitalist economic blitzkrieg of the last 25 years is now discredited. The EU as a whole also needs a new economic philosophy based on green and sustainable growth and which encourages social cohesion and not short-term economic growth, reduces excessive dependence on the financial and carbon energy sectors, and which actively promotes greater social equality. The time to strike out in a new direction is now – before it is too late. Where Europe leads, the world may well now want to follow.

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Vail Valley Bizwatch: Personalized Motorcycle Services - Vail Daily News

Posted: 07 May 2010 11:35 AM PDT

Business name: Personalized Motorcycle Services.

Location: Eagle Vail Industrial Park, U.S. Highway 6, near and sort of behind the NAPA store.

Date opened: June 2003.

Owner: Bob Bailey.

Contact info:

Phone: 970-949-6561.

E-mail: vailhd@msn.com.

What goods or services do you provide? American-made V-twin high-performance motorcycle parts and service.

What's new or exciting at your place? This season we will have a full complement of personnel including factory trained technicians and an experienced service writer. We're also trying to put together some informal Sunday rides from the Route 6 Cafe this summer. We need to ride, too!

What strategy do you use to differentiate your business from your competition? The strategy that differentiates Personalized Motorcycle Services from others is our focus on performance tuning. As Eagle County's only authorized Power Commander Tuning Center, we have sophisticated diagnostic equipment which allows us to perform unique services.

What philosophy do you follow in dealing with your customers? What can your customers expect from you? Our philosophy with customers is to make every effort to exceed their expectations. We also give each customer the personal attention to make their repairs as simple as possible.

We make their bikes look prettier, run faster and turn more heads than they ever expect.

Tell us a little about your background, education and experience: Our technical team has over 102 years of combined motorcycle riding experience and have been operating motorcycle related businesses for 14 years including four years with a Harley-Davidson dealership and MMI Certifications.

What is the most humorous thing that has happened at your business since you opened? Practical jokes abound in a bike shop. One of our technicians bought a new Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster early one season. The first day he rode to work he made the mistake of leaving his new baby out of his sight. A shiny new bolt and a large amount of motor oil were left in a puddle under the new bike. Upon returning to the scene, we witnessed all levels of anguish, profanity and threats of bodily harm. We were roaring with laughter.

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Philosophy

Friday, May 7, 2010

“International academics protest at Middlesex philosophy ... - The Guardian” plus 3 more

“International academics protest at Middlesex philosophy ... - The Guardian” plus 3 more

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