Ian Stevenson
Activity
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Ian Stevenson made a comment
There is a mathematical formula based on combinations.
With 4 people there are 6 different friendship pairs possible.
The number of networks with exactly 3 relations (say) is -
6C3 = (6 x 5 x 4) / (3 x 2 x 1) = 120 / 6 = 20.
The number of networks with exactly 4 relations (say) is -
6C4 = (6 x 5 x 4 x 3) / (4 x 3 x 2 x 1) = 360 / 24 = 15.
So, the total... -
Ian Stevenson replied to Naomi M
Interestingly, for me, it's usually to see the stage after the people in front of me stand up. Then the people behind me have to stand, then the people behind them ... a sort of reverse domino effect!
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Ian Stevenson made a comment
The electrical wiring diagram of a machine. It shows the electrical connections between the components (which are often shown as "black boxes"). Sometimes they are colour coded.
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Ian Stevenson made a comment
Something I have seen several times. Overly generous party invitations.
"Please come to our party and invite a friend if you wish" ... who invites a friend ... who invites a friend ... who posts it on social media.
As the police are trying to clear out the hundred 'strangers', many protest declaring (and believing) that they were invited. -
@MartinaMiljkovic and @RuudBeemsterboer This is far too late for you as I just joined the course but as @NaomiM suggested -
Change the person on 9 to a zero (initiator) then the whole group could join the protest with all thresholds satisfied. -
Ian Stevenson replied to Ananya C
@AnanyaC Thank you. I wait with bated breath!
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Ian Stevenson replied to Ananya C
@AnanyaC .
Q. Who wrote the course?
A. Warwick BUSINESS School. (nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more) -
@LyndaWhite
Lynda, I'm interested in whether 'The keys struck a chord with me' was a pun, a metaphor or ... an accident. -
@WitchkingofAngmar
Has your family also come to terms with your bald head and saffron robe? -
Ian Stevenson made a comment
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Agree!
I much prefer the bells of Mark Williams to those of Rebecca Crane. -
@SUSANMORRIS
Yes, indeed, Susan! HHHMMMM!
I, also, face a lot of rethinking from this perspective. -
Ian Stevenson replied to Helen Wolfe
@joed
Yes, Joe, my thoughts exactly.
I made a similar observation early in week one when talk was on having a 'support person' in case we had problems. -
Ian Stevenson replied to Ian Stevenson
@JanB
Yes, Jan, transferability is the key word here.
I find it works in crowded public transport stations especially with social distancing and vehicle quotas leading to longer delays and timetable changes. I find myself being much more calm and patient than I used to be.
Confined spaces don't bother me but I have had an MRI and I can imagine your... -
Ian Stevenson made a comment
In places of breathtaking beauty and tranquility, especially when alone or with a soul mate, the state of what I call Mindfulness, just happens without conscious effort.
The places where I actively practise Mindfulness, are sometimes the antithesis of what many people may consider the ideal places.
For example, every morning I attend the local YMCA gym (yes,... -
@LesleyCarey
Hi Lesley, I don't know what you mean by language and tone.
I was just sharing with you what I do. It is not a perfect solution but its better than getting 'angry to the point I switched off'.
To me the solution was 'obvious' because I can setup my laptop so I can touch the pause/restart with little effort. You may not be able to do this. -
@GerryByrne
Love your story and can really relate to it.
For me, it's more a case of Murphy's Law rather than a paradox. -
@LesleyCarey
I know I may be stating the bleeding obvious, but when I want to hold a particular thought or, in your case, focus on some sounds, I just pause the audio. -
Ian Stevenson replied to Haydn Blackey
@AnneDixon
'Lucky I'm retired and in lockdown!!' Now, that's one of the most positive comments I've heard in nearly a year. -
@AndrewNicholls
Andrew, I have a question.
What evidence do you have to support your statement that only humans are uniquely able to apprehend the imminence of their own death? -
Ian Stevenson replied to Gerry Byrne
@AnneTimmins I am sure that was you at 45 seconds into the video!
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Ian Stevenson made a comment
Perhaps I am incredibly naïve, but I just cannot envisage any outcomes from an online course that could be so psychologically traumatic that I would need to seek support.
Obviously, I have underestimated the power of Mindfulness!
Let the games begin, release the hounds, it’s showtime! [I just love mixing metaphors]. -
@TatumAnderson Thank you for replying, Tatum, I was concerned that you may not have thought that my comment was serious.
I, as a student of history, wish you all the best in your exploration. I am not very optimistic in your finding that elusive point of – ‘the disappearance of shared objective standards for truth’.
Were your words ‘when belief and emotion... -
Ian Stevenson replied to john wakenshaw
@johnwakenshaw Welcome to the world of Politics and Advertising!
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@TatumAnderson Tatum, ‘literature and telling stories in a post truth world’, interests me.
Is ‘a post truth world’ a fictitious concept being used as a literary device or does it refer to a ‘real’ epoch in human history?
If the later, is it current (that is, including 2020)?
Also, ‘post truth world’ implies a preceding ‘truth world’. If so, when was the... -
Ian Stevenson replied to Ian Graham
I have read through your above comment several times and confirm that we seem to have shared a similar past and present and, perhaps, may share a similar future especially with writing.
You reviewed my little piece of flash fiction and I thank you for such an in-depth analysis.
Your suggestion, ‘dive deeper into scene setting, character background and use... -
Ian Stevenson made a comment
My story would not even make the short list of any of the numerous Flash Fiction Competitions, but it ticks most of the criteria boxes for this exercise.
It weighs in at just under 1000 words (including typos)
As far as editing goes, I used to subscribe to Murphy’s Law which states, in simple terms – ‘Whatever can go wrong, will.’ However, now, with more... -
Ian Stevenson made a comment
I have read hundreds of books which I have enjoyed at various levels and for various reasons. I have no favourites but dozens I could nominate as especially enjoyable. ‘Pick one!’
‘Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy’ by Douglas Adams (actually based on a radio play). The characterization is outstanding by having the main protagonist as a very bland earthling... -
Ian Stevenson replied to Alison Mann
It's not a race, Alison.
One advantage of being a little behind in the nominal timing is that one gets to read plenty of comments before tackling new topics. -
Ian Stevenson made a comment
Quite a challenge to write a reasonable story in under 1000 words.
I always remember the following 17th Century quote from Blaise Pascal, “I have made this [letter] longer than usual, only because I have not had the time to make it shorter.” It is about letter writing but the concept transfers easily to short story writing.
Or, while I’m on a roll with... -
Ian Stevenson replied to Alison Mann
@AlisonMann May I remind you of a quote from Novakovich that you seemed to be particularly taken with - “The trick is to be genuinely curious about the people populating your fiction.”
Rather than being concerned, you should be excited. -
Ian Stevenson replied to Cynthia N
@CynthiaN I read where Vlad the Impaler was a happy person by nature and used to laugh quite often, especially as his enemies (which were really people he didn't like) were impaled on stakes and left to die slowly. Honestly!
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Ian Stevenson replied to Cynthia N
Murderers or victims but not both.
Murder victim, you get only one shot at (pun intended) and from then on, potentially a ghost writer!
Such childish dribble I should not post, but I do.
I have been away in cyber-less space for many days and have much reading and writing to claw my way through. -
Ian Stevenson replied to Alison Mann
@AlisonMann Killer shrimp are nasty enough, but radioactive ones! You are going the full Monty with this one.
Maybe some grow to massive size [D. villosus gigantus], become salt tolerant, and invade the oceans. No ship is safe.
Godzilla on steroids!
Ishiro Honda step aside, here comes Alison. -
Ian Stevenson replied to Carol Gordon
@CarolGordon Firstly, it is NOT misogynist. The fact that the person carrying the Pekinese happened to be female was in the passage given by the course organizer, NOT me.
If, in the passage, this happened to be a male, I would have posted the same joke because it is not gender specific. You may remember the original joke was about a man carrying a pig. The... -
Ian Stevenson replied to Carol Gordon
@CarolGordon I didn’t respond sooner because I have been away for a few days. I would like to address your reply (27 OCT).
Just a correction first. I didn’t say the joke was offensive, I said it was sure to offend some people. That is not the same thing.
After reading a number of posts in this comment list, I really liked the way you stepped out of the... -
Ian Stevenson replied to Carol Gordon
@CarolGordon OK, Carol, that’s pretty wild. I can't just let that go.
An old joke sprung to mind which is sure to offend some fellow learners – so, readers, please be warned.
A woman on the bus today carried her Pekinese dog inside her handbag. It had a red bow on its head that matched her sweater.
As she moved down the bus, a passenger asked, “Where did... -
@MarkAnthony The greatest and most prophetic Science Fiction writers such as H G Wells, Isaac Asimov and Arthur C Clarke, to name but a few, spent all their lives studying and researching for their professions as scientists and for their chosen genre of writing.
I am not sure what type of Sci Fi you were thinking of. Perhaps you mean Fantasy disguised as Sci... -
Ian Stevenson replied to Jill Robinson
@JillRobinson It is a strange coincidence that I had just finished reading your review of my assignment then found your above comment at the top of the next topic's comment list.
So, I will thank you for your kind words and encouragement. -
Ian Stevenson replied to Ian Stevenson
@BrianMack Thank you for your comment, Brian.
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Ian Stevenson made a comment
@EdHogan @DerekNeale
I did not know who to address, so I included the Educators on this course that I am aware of.
This is about the editing exercise in Section 3.6.
I had some concerns about one of the submitted responses from a fellow learner and asked for clarification.
The reply was that I may have a point worth pursuing since a suggested edit by OU... -
Ian Stevenson replied to Bridget S
@BridgetS You seem to have pared down the passage very tightly. Well done.
I read your comments, especially about not adding or substituting different words when editing another author’s work. A good suggestion to keep in mind and I thank you.
I do have a question, though, about the care the editor must take to retain the original intent and... -
Ian Stevenson replied to Charlotte Morley
@CharlotteMorley
I enjoyed reading your story and anticipate reading it again after some editing, if you choose to do so.
I understand that it is in the interest of all course participants to read through a few submissions and offer some constructive comments.
I offer some to you, not as an experienced fiction writer, which I am not, but rather as an... -
Ian Stevenson replied to Ian Stevenson
@CynthiaN @BrianMack @DeniseR
Dear Cynthia, Brian, and Denise, thank you so much for your comments and suggestions.
What prompted me to write my above post was the interesting assumption that everyone had a radio. I was not even consciously aware that I do not have one until it was suggested that we “turn on the radio”. I subscribe to several sites which... -
Ian Stevenson made a comment
Now this is interesting, I do not possess a radio. I had not really thought about it until this exercise. I just do not have the desire to listen to one.
I don’t have a television either but I won’t say that because nobody will believe me. -
Ian Stevenson replied to Cynthia N
@CynthiaN Yes, I personally see the “Emma said …” and “I remember …” tactics as warmup exercises rather than part of my serious writing though they are very useful to give a little self confidence to beginning writers.
Also, as I mentioned in a previous post, they can sometimes produce some wonderful little gems of inspiration. -
@SuzanneErdbrink This is not "straying from the path".
This is crossing the road, stealing a Ferrari, and driving recklessly to Vegas.
You have raised the bar, Suzanne. -
@LynnCallan Looks like you'll be joining us on the comedy circuit Lynn, with your getting top billing. Very clever pun. (But I do hope YOU get published).
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Ian Stevenson replied to Brian Mack
When the story or theme is the driving force, I will construct it, narrate the story, and inhabit it with people.
Usually, though, I have characters who have a story to tell or act out and the writing is dialogue driven which carries the story. -
Ian Stevenson replied to Brian Mack
@BrianMack That was a clever response. Well done!
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Ian Stevenson made a comment
Another dot point in your preparation time should be WARMUP.
From the article above, “– but remember, sometimes the best inspiration comes after the first few pages.”, so don’t let these first few pages be something which you will have to rework or perhaps even cull. Instead, warm up with some stimulating writing exercises before getting into your story. No... -
Ian Stevenson replied to Brian Mack
I really enjoy Brian's minimalist writing. The full stop (or period), so pertinent in the current "climate".
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Ian Stevenson made a comment
The consummate couple they were not. She was so elegant with skin of fine white tissue carefully wrapped around a precious object whilst he was a crumpled brown paper bag full of potatoes.
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Ian Stevenson made a comment
At the end of the first paragraph, I thought I knew the character of Victor – a Nerd, an academic who lived a cloistered life, but one who wanted the world to believe he was a little more conventionally masculine than he was.
Reading into the second chapter, I realized I had fallen into the trap of judging a character too prematurely. He is gradually revealed... -
Ian Stevenson made a comment
The image of Spicer, well past his prime, shuffling along and muttering to himself is cleverly animated. There is something seriously wrong and he is very worried. A criminal undercurrent is obvious by his being in the “game”, his killing Fred and not grassing, “unless I had to …”. There is extra tension with the photographer and the paper Spicer was given as...
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Ian Stevenson made a comment
We are continuously bombarded with an enormous amount of sensory information. It is impossible to process it all, so we concentrate on small parts of it usually through filters based, largely, on expectations and past experiences (this is the source of the so-called frequency illusion).
It is like entering a poorly illuminated room with a torch; where to... -
@ShivanthiBalasuriya, when you determine how to recreate this "most fertile place for a germ of an idea to flourish" in a "London terraced house", let me know. I want to be your business partner then move over Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates.
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Ian Stevenson made a comment
Second edition.
Jamie was the product of a cultural group so individualistic that they dressed, communicated, and behaved exactly the same.
His hair which appeared neither washed, nor brushed nor deloused for several months was the product of two hours in an expensive salon.
The carefully crafted apparel purchased from a boutique had the appearance of... -
Ian Stevenson made a comment
The extract from Notes from a Scandal by Heller is a wonderful piece of writing. As I read through it for the third time, the character of Sheba came alive for me both in appearance and physicality. With an amazing economy of words, Heller draws an animated picture of her character leading the reader to need to know more of this amazing creature.
So much too... -
Ian Stevenson made a comment
Orwell gives us insight into the character of Flory by the way he would maneuver his body to hide his birthmark. I have encountered people with disfigurements and disabilities. The more they try to hide or disguise them, the more prominent they appear. However, if the owner accepts it and, in some cases, even flaunts it with a, “this is me, warts and all”...
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Ian Stevenson made a comment
He was the product of a cultural group so individualistic that they dressed, communicated and behaved exactly the same.
The hair which appeared neither washed, nor brushed nor deloused for several months was the result of two hours in an expensive salon.
The carefully crafted apparel had the appearance of the rags culled from discarded clothing as unsuitable... -
Ian Stevenson made a comment
I am a teller of stories.
Performance is usually the way these stories are delivered, and I use these stories to entertain, to inform and to teach.
When I entertain, I am entertained. When I inform, I reinforce that information for myself. Sometimes I am corrected which I welcome and repair my errors. When I teach, I learn.
Travel is a passion of mine and I... -
Ian Stevenson replied to Cynthia N
Well, @TedBeausire, it is my personal goal to live forever; so far so good!
However, the best laid plans of rodents and humans can be thwarted by a speeding bus or a nasty little virus where I read somewhere is abroad.
Shuffling off this mortal coil can be unpredictable and swift – not always time to “get your affairs in order”.
The odd hasty indiscretion... -
Ian Stevenson made a comment
One must be skeptical of the validity of every piece of information one obtains, even things that we personally “eyewitness”.
We are exposed almost continuously to advertising and propaganda.
Libraries, computer data banks and people’s memories are full of misinformation which found its way there by false perception, accident, carelessness, malicious intent,... -
Ian Stevenson made a comment
My eyes first opened in a small terrace house in Cowgate, Edinburgh from which, as a wee lad, I ran away to sea to experience the world. Eventually, I found my home in Nova Scotia, Canada, where my good Scottish name of Ian Stevenson sits comfortably.
Actually, I changed my surname to honour the great Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson following the lead... -
Ian Stevenson made a comment
What about the story line, “Someone doesn’t want something but has trouble not getting it”.
Of course, the pedant could argue that not wanting something is actually wanting something which could lead into a circular argument. -
It can also be tricky in an historical screenplay where the ending is expected.
Of course, for those who don’t know the history, the expected may be unexpected.
For the sceptical historians who know that history is never truly known, it will be expected that the expected will be unexpected, and the unexpected will be expected. -
Ian Stevenson made a comment
One can spend years and a lot of money learning how to write, then with great dedication, spend many more months or even years to write a script. With perseverance and a lot of luck this script may, just may, be provisionally accepted. Many rewrites and much editing later, it may, just may, be the basis of a screen work which could, after much blood, sweat and...
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Ian Stevenson made a comment
Kindness
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It is my understanding that the “coffee coloured people” reference in popular music some decades ago was from the song “Melting Pot” (1969) by Blue Mink not from John Lennon.
Of course, it is a common term which was probably used by Lennon, but I would not actually attribute it to him.
Not trying to be pedantic, just accurate. -
Ian Stevenson made a comment
I have a cartoon which I would like to share but cannot post because of copyright.
I will describe it instead.
SCENE – A female Affirmative Action representative is interviewing the manager of the ACME CHICKEN GUTTING WORKS.
CAPTION – “Of course we discriminate against women. They’re the only ones we hire.” -
Ian Stevenson made a comment
"War Is Not an Accident: A Profile of Radical Pacifist A.J. Muste," author David McNair.
The Rev. A.J. Muste (1885-1967), American pacifist and socialist Christian, was a remarkable figure on the world stage who was one of the brightest minds and most tireless spirits that had animated the nonconformist left.
During the Vietnam war, one of his forms of... -
Ian Stevenson made a comment
I am free if I feel comfortable in my harness.
I do therefore I am. -
Ian Stevenson made a comment
I have just completed the course “Empire” through the University of Exeter.
The words “propaganda” and “Ideology” were used often by course facilitators and fellow learners usually under the assumption that most readers knew what they meant (including themselves).
Well, not this little Black Duck.
I have 1200 characters; I will concentrate on... -
It is interesting that you chose the Cricket World Cup as an example of the globalisation of sport by the British Empire since the inaugural tournament was not until 1975.
It is my understanding that the first international sporting event of the modern world was a cricket match between the United States and Canada in 1844. -
Ian Stevenson replied to Niall Griffin
Absolutely! I have experienced, personally, that the donning of British police uniforms changed the attitudes of those wearing them to be more harassing and abusive?
I have also heard it rumoured that it occasionally happened in Africa. -
In the ‘Analysis’ of the film “DISTRICT OFFICER” by Colin MacCabe (2008), there appears the following sentence which basically says it all.
“What is interesting about this particular film is how it portrays the liberal imperialist dream of India ruling itself without any British direction but in a completely British manner.” -
Download the LATEST version of Adobe Flashplayer.
I run Windows 10 and it worked for me.
This suggestion is probably too late (or unsuitable) for you but it may be picked up by some other students. -
Ian Stevenson made a comment
I am not sure if it was intentional, but ‘My Town’, seems to contain, to a greater or lesser extent, every suggestion to enhance a song on place that was described in Section 1.9 ‘Writing lyrics about place’.
Some examples include :
“Now time’s a thief”, a universal.
“fish slow in the river Don”, use of detail.
The enduring potency of nostalgia. Most of... -
It was the very firm “to dominate”, coupled with the views of Bernard Porter (though strongly contested by some) that ‘Britain was an imperial nation … [but] was never a genuine imperial society’ that made it difficult for me to vote.
Based on literature, media and oral anecdotes, it seems that most British were very aware of their Empire and were proud of... -
Ian Stevenson replied to Molly Oglethorpe
Molly, I was reluctant to write this because who am I to suggest that others ought to rethink their comments.
However, I have a problem with ‘There is a natural desire to be better than other people, … ‘
You may have this desire to be better than other people and share that desire with many others, but it is not a universal or natural trait.
I, personally,... -
Ian Stevenson made a comment
I was going to reply to Sharon McGonigle 25 April but decided to write this as a comment.
It is interesting that Sharon mentioned ‘Around the World in Eighty Days’, written by the Frenchman Jules Verne. First published in French in 1872, the English translation followed one year later. Most British people who read the book, would consider the English... -
Ian Stevenson replied to Pete Ellis
You have to read the book. The important political substance has been left out of the film.
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Ian Stevenson replied to Paul G
About as subtle as the proverbial sledgehammer.
A very serious condemnation of Stalinism rather than just communism. -
Ian Stevenson replied to Matthew Downs
ALMOST a prototype! WAS a prototype!
And why not? -
Ian Stevenson made a comment
Easy!!!!!?????
I think I am in the wrong course.
Does the University offer a beginner's (or a remedial) group? -
Ian Stevenson made a comment
I “feel” songs as a love affair between words and music - melodic poetry.
But beware, not all good poems make good songs, and some good songs make terrible poems. -
Ian Stevenson made a comment
Actually, I started this course last week, but a few things got in the way. I am sure quite a few of you have had some disruptions to your “normal” lives recently. Enough said.
I am an amateur stage performer in musicals, drama and comedy and a choral singer.
I sometimes work on cruise ships (not at the moment, obviously) performing poetry.
My musical... -
Ian Stevenson made a comment
Travelling to the antipodes of a different Empire, namely French Polynesia in the late 19th Century, many people gave personal reports of various degrees of authenticity about the culture of Polynesians, especially their sexuality.
Pierre Loti whose semi fictional autobiography, ‘The Marriage of Loti’ (1880) was extremely popular and greatly influenced the... -
Also, we have ‘Vaka sa lewa lewa’ in Fijian culture. This refers to men who may present themselves, or live their lives as, women and may also be considered a third gender. Historically, these people were always well accepted by the community. Unfortunately, they now face discrimination from the more fundamentalist Christians.
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Ian Stevenson made a comment
Mahatma Gandhi’s use of symbolic clothing was unique in being the complete antithesis of the extravagant apparel often worn by public figures.
After assuming leadership of the Indian National Conference (1921), Gandhi chose to wear the Indian loincloth, and a shawl when cold, woven with hand-spun yarn.
Gandhi’s symbolism was complex, but the essence was one... -
Yes, Sharon, the heading “The dressed body of Lady Mary Curzon” is rather clever.
I expected a description of her burial robes as she “shuffled off this mortal coil”.
So it was, “Read on McDuff” and I was pleasantly surprised.
Not just the pure POWER of the garment but all the symbolic associations. After a century it still speaks and demands our attention.... -
Ian Stevenson made a comment
The Lady’s an explorer and has thrown away her skirts!
Don’t criticise, you’ll find her not seraphic:
She has no time for babies, or for mending other’s shirts;
Step aside my lads for a worthy geographic. -
Ian Stevenson made a comment
I found an interesting quotation by Lionel Gossman (2003) discussing the relation of small stories and anecdotes to more formal history.
“They have also always stood in a close relation to the longer, more elaborate narratives of history, sometimes in a supportive role, as examples and illustrations, sometimes in a challenging role, as the repressed of... -
Ian Stevenson made a comment
After reading most of the comments from the previous section, I expected a much higher NO VALUE vote.
Perhaps some people had time to reflect before submitting the above vote. -
Ian Stevenson replied to Peter Ma
Yes, Peter, that's why we are both doing it.
Let us see what will happen in a month or so! -
Ian Stevenson made a comment
It is quite common in many cultures for female field workers to strap their children (from birth) to their bodies whilst they work. As the child grows, or is replaced by a younger sibling, it walks but keeps close to its mother and helps (sometimes hinders) with the work. By the age of three, healthy children can make a significant contribution to the...
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Ian Stevenson replied to Peter Ma
You just gave a list of some of the best musical story tellers that I know. I look forward to your stories (especially if you have role models like these).
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Ian Stevenson made a comment
Greetings friends. I am a traveller, but my current home is at Redland Bay, Australia.
I was encouraged when Adam White, in our introductory address, said that one great appeal of songs is that they tell stories.
I am a singer and a writer of stories.
As a singer, I have sung other people’s stories.
I want to sing my own. -
Ian Stevenson made a comment
Since I am a person who believes that nothing is impossible, I had to vote YES in the poll. A fourth alternative like HIGHLY UNLIKELY would have received my vote (and, I suspect, the vote of many others).
From birth, we are indoctrinated in the workings of our culture and are often taught to be wary of other cultures. The depth of this indoctrination depends...
