Comments for After Our Time http://www.afterourtime.com Discussion, debate and commentary about Radio 4's In Our Time Wed, 05 Nov 2008 20:17:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 Comment on Welcome Feedback listeners! by Jane Gregory http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CommentsForAfterOurTime/~3/443613743/ Jane Gregory Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:40:53 +0000 http://www.afterourtime.com/?p=17#comment-658 I just happened to notice 'After Our Time' on the 'In our Time' website so thought I would have a quick glance. Well done for taking the trouble. To me, the programme is an oasis. I am in full agreement with everything that has already been so eloquently written so won't repeat it but as a woman who presently climbs the walls of motherhood I would add (or should that be 'confess'?) that I feel a sort of tacit camaraderie with the other loyal listeners. This programme represents real integrity - kept warmly human by the 'bright as buttons' Melvyn. Like others, I feel a heartfelt gratitude to Melvyn, James Cooke and the team. IOT is the only programme I know I can depend on enjoying (apart from some of the 6.30 comedy slots but even then I don't remember to listen).Thanks again for being enterprising enough to create this website. Best wishes to all Jane I just happened to notice ‘After Our Time’ on the ‘In our Time’ website so thought I would have a quick glance. Well done for taking the trouble. To me, the programme is an oasis. I am in full agreement with everything that has already been so eloquently written so won’t repeat it but as a woman who presently climbs the walls of motherhood I would add (or should that be ‘confess’?) that I feel a sort of tacit camaraderie with the other loyal listeners. This programme represents real integrity - kept warmly human by the ‘bright as buttons’ Melvyn. Like others, I feel a heartfelt gratitude to Melvyn, James Cooke and the team. IOT is the only programme I know I can depend on enjoying (apart from some of the 6.30 comedy slots but even then I don’t remember to listen).Thanks again for being enterprising enough to create this website. Best wishes to all Jane

]]> http://www.afterourtime.com/2008/06/11/welcome-feedback-listeners/#comment-658 Comment on Welcome Feedback listeners! by IAN BARRETT http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CommentsForAfterOurTime/~3/443613745/ IAN BARRETT Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:30:06 +0000 http://www.afterourtime.com/?p=17#comment-655 This is perhaps more feedforward than feedback I am saddened by the paucity of interest there is in the subject of the origins, history and uses of RADAR. partiicularly as this is a major development made by Britain Winning the Battles of Britain and The Atlantic; Kickstarting electronic computers and the Electronic and Digital Ages; Safety in the air and at sea; Satellite comms; Microwave cookers, Mobile phones, even Transistor develpment started from radar silicon components etc.etc There is no public section on radar or defence comms. to be found in the Imperial War Museum nor in the Science Museum. There are no Service BRs (books of reference) about the equipment in the British Library now released after 30+ yrs. from classified secret and confidential status. Schools do not generally teach anything of the History, the use or the Technology nor use the subject to llustrate the use of Maths and Physics. Few subjects compare with the importance of this one by which the Nation won freedom and which has happened "IN OUR TIME". The situation is actually very desperate as there are but fewremaining related components and systems. and there seems to be no money to preserve them or interpret and show them off. A penny fm./on each Air and Sea ticket would help! We can spend millions with Tony Robinson digging up old pots and stones yet fail to save our own radar heritage stuff for the benefit of future generations. Is this yet another example that the government and people of this country have got their priorities wrong? An effort is being made to form a Centre and log the remaining bits but it needs interest as well as effort and funds to operate. Mervyn, BBC, MOD and Depts of Culture,M&S and M. of Ed please act to assist. WHAT DO YOU THINK? You can find out more about DEHS and HMS COLLINGWOOD Radio Museum on websites. IAN BARRETT This is perhaps more feedforward than feedback I am saddened by the paucity of interest there is in the subject of the origins, history and uses of RADAR. partiicularly as this is a major development made by Britain
Winning the Battles of Britain and The Atlantic; Kickstarting electronic computers and the Electronic and Digital Ages; Safety in the air and at sea; Satellite comms; Microwave cookers, Mobile phones, even Transistor develpment started from radar silicon components etc.etc
There is no public section on radar or defence comms. to be found in the Imperial War Museum nor in the Science Museum. There are no Service BRs (books of reference) about the equipment in the British Library now released after 30+ yrs. from classified secret and confidential status. Schools do not generally teach anything of the History, the use or the Technology nor use the subject to llustrate the use of Maths and Physics.
Few subjects compare with the importance of this one by which the Nation won freedom and which has happened “IN OUR TIME”.
The situation is actually very desperate as there are but fewremaining related components and systems. and there seems to be no money to preserve them or interpret and show them off. A penny fm./on each Air and Sea ticket would help!
We can spend millions with Tony Robinson digging up old pots and stones yet fail to save our own radar heritage stuff for the benefit of future generations. Is this yet another example that the government and people of this country have got their priorities wrong? An effort is being made to form a Centre and log the remaining bits but it needs interest as well as effort and funds to operate.
Mervyn, BBC, MOD and Depts of Culture,M&S and M. of Ed please act to assist.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? You can find out more about DEHS and HMS COLLINGWOOD Radio Museum on websites.

IAN BARRETT

]]> http://www.afterourtime.com/2008/06/11/welcome-feedback-listeners/#comment-655 Comment on Antimatter by David Leibniz http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CommentsForAfterOurTime/~3/420472002/ David Leibniz Tue, 14 Oct 2008 10:58:00 +0000 http://www.afterourtime.com/2007/10/07/antimatter/#comment-558 Addendum/corrigendum: if one counts IOT as half a science-based programme, the output has been reduced by 3/7 or 43%, not 50% as I said. Addendum/corrigendum: if one counts IOT as half a science-based programme, the output has been reduced by 3/7 or 43%, not 50% as I said.

]]> http://www.afterourtime.com/2007/10/07/antimatter/#comment-558 Comment on Antimatter by David Leibniz http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CommentsForAfterOurTime/~3/420472006/ David Leibniz Tue, 14 Oct 2008 10:46:52 +0000 http://www.afterourtime.com/2007/10/07/antimatter/#comment-557 IOT may or may not be the best arts programme on radio or television but, in my opinion, it's definitely the best science programme. There are two reasons for this: first, it's the only science-oriented programme I can think of that hasn't yet been hit by the "happy-chatty" bug that swept the broadcasting media about 10 years ago and, second, Melvyn always selects real experts in the field to discuss the topic. There were once three other good science-oriented programmes on Radio 4. As I remember them, these were on weekday evenings, repeated over the weekend. I believe they were called "Science Now", "The Natural World" and ""Costing the Earth". At one fell swoop, when the powers that be revised the R4 schedule, all three went. It's true that Costing the Earth remains and we now have The Material World and Leading Edge, but these are pale shadows of their predecessors and, as far as I can tell, they are not repeated,so, not only has the quality diminished, the output has been halved also. I don't find scientists on air either incomprehensible or boring, quite the opposite in fact, but then I am a mathematician with interests in science & biology. I find I have to concentrate when listening to one of IOT's non-scientific discussions but, even when I get lost, as happens sometimes, I always find the experience rewarding, which seems to be the mirror image of the experience of your arts-based listeners, so I don't think there's any evidence to support the thesis that scientists are poor at explaining themselves, only the opinion of the arts-based majority of the Radio 4 community (IOT listeners excepted, of course). IOT may or may not be the best arts programme on radio or television but, in my opinion, it’s definitely the best science programme. There are two reasons for this: first, it’s the only science-oriented programme I can think of that hasn’t yet been hit by the “happy-chatty” bug that swept the broadcasting media about 10 years ago and, second, Melvyn always selects real experts in the field to discuss the topic. There were once three other good science-oriented programmes on Radio 4. As I remember them, these were on weekday evenings, repeated over the weekend. I believe they were called “Science Now”, “The Natural World” and “”Costing the Earth”. At one fell swoop, when the powers that be revised the R4 schedule, all three went. It’s true that Costing the Earth remains and we now have The Material World and Leading Edge, but these are pale shadows of their predecessors and, as far as I can tell, they are not repeated,so, not only has the quality diminished, the output has been halved also.

I don’t find scientists on air either incomprehensible or boring, quite the opposite in fact, but then I am a mathematician with interests in science & biology. I find I have to concentrate when listening to one of IOT’s non-scientific discussions but, even when I get lost, as happens sometimes, I always find the experience rewarding, which seems to be the mirror image of the experience of your arts-based listeners, so I don’t think there’s any evidence to support the thesis that scientists are poor at explaining themselves, only the opinion of the arts-based majority of the Radio 4 community (IOT listeners excepted, of course).

]]> http://www.afterourtime.com/2007/10/07/antimatter/#comment-557 Comment on Welcome Feedback listeners! by Gardner Campbell http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CommentsForAfterOurTime/~3/418131641/ Gardner Campbell Sat, 11 Oct 2008 20:23:17 +0000 http://www.afterourtime.com/?p=17#comment-533 I heartily second what Alison eloquently writes; "you have the joy of listening to erudite experts discussing topics close to their hearts, ably mediated by an eloquent interlocutor." Erudition, passion of long standing, and an interlocutor whose eloquence is matched by an apparently bottomless curiosity and sense of wonder. As a professor (in the US) of literature and media, I find IOT indispensable to my own continuing education, to my work in the classroom, and to my sense of hopefulness about the very possibility of education. I've shared it with my colleagues and my students, many of whom are now ardent fans as well. If there's anything I can do to help AOT become the community it can be, I am only too glad to assist. Perhaps I can in some small way repay the enormous debt I feel to Melvyn, his guests, and the BBC for providing this ongoing exercise in the finest liberal education. I heartily second what Alison eloquently writes; “you have the joy of listening to erudite experts discussing topics close to their hearts, ably mediated by an eloquent interlocutor.” Erudition, passion of long standing, and an interlocutor whose eloquence is matched by an apparently bottomless curiosity and sense of wonder. As a professor (in the US) of literature and media, I find IOT indispensable to my own continuing education, to my work in the classroom, and to my sense of hopefulness about the very possibility of education. I’ve shared it with my colleagues and my students, many of whom are now ardent fans as well.

If there’s anything I can do to help AOT become the community it can be, I am only too glad to assist. Perhaps I can in some small way repay the enormous debt I feel to Melvyn, his guests, and the BBC for providing this ongoing exercise in the finest liberal education.

]]> http://www.afterourtime.com/2008/06/11/welcome-feedback-listeners/#comment-533 Comment on Welcome Feedback listeners! by Oliver Dickson http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CommentsForAfterOurTime/~3/415193911/ Oliver Dickson Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:42:42 +0000 http://www.afterourtime.com/?p=17#comment-524 Am I the only one unable to 'listen again' to the 'Miracles' programme on 25th September: the link is there, but it does not work - for me at least. Am I the only one unable to ‘listen again’ to the ‘Miracles’ programme on 25th September: the link is there, but it does not work - for me at least.

]]> http://www.afterourtime.com/2008/06/11/welcome-feedback-listeners/#comment-524 Comment on Welcome Feedback listeners! by Anne B http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CommentsForAfterOurTime/~3/414220559/ Anne B Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:03:45 +0000 http://www.afterourtime.com/?p=17#comment-521 As a follow up to the election of the 'Greatest Philosopher' why not next elect 'The Philosopher of the Year' - what fun that would be! Anne As a follow up to the election of the ‘Greatest Philosopher’ why not next elect ‘The Philosopher of the Year’ - what fun that would be! Anne

]]> http://www.afterourtime.com/2008/06/11/welcome-feedback-listeners/#comment-521 Comment on Welcome Feedback listeners! by Giovanni MacCormack http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CommentsForAfterOurTime/~3/341060004/ Giovanni MacCormack Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:55:02 +0000 http://www.afterourtime.com/?p=17#comment-283 At last the recognition this programme deserves. As John Dillon says it is the most fascinating programme on the airwaves. Well done to all especially Melvin. At last the recognition this programme deserves. As John Dillon says it is the most fascinating programme on the airwaves. Well done to all especially Melvin.

]]> http://www.afterourtime.com/2008/06/11/welcome-feedback-listeners/#comment-283 Comment on Welcome Feedback listeners! by Colin Robinson http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CommentsForAfterOurTime/~3/322304400/ Colin Robinson Sat, 28 Jun 2008 21:41:12 +0000 http://www.afterourtime.com/?p=17#comment-282 I’ve decided to open a bottle of wine, log on to AOT and slouch in my chair while I enjoy a stimulating evening of conversation….. .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... ....Oh well, early days still, I’ll drink the wine anyway. Nevertheless AOT is a wonderful idea; after listening to IOT I can’t discuss the programme with my neighbours; with them I have to discuss ordinary things like gardening, or their bad back, or house prices, or their pending court case. I am not an aloof intellectual, I accept that these things are important, well apart from bad backs of course, the NHS has finite funds and there are more serious things to treat; so a bad back just isn’t important is it? Anyway I don’t know what my neighbours would think if I started talking about the music of the spheres. I’m sure that things here at AOT will eventually get going, I’ll just have to change my itinerary for this evening, perhaps a bit of gardening. I’ve decided to open a bottle of wine, log on to AOT and slouch in my chair while I enjoy a stimulating evening of conversation….. …. …. …. …. …. …. …. …. ….Oh well, early days still, I’ll drink the wine anyway.

Nevertheless AOT is a wonderful idea; after listening to IOT I can’t discuss the programme with my neighbours; with them I have to discuss ordinary things like gardening, or their bad back, or house prices, or their pending court case. I am not an aloof intellectual, I accept that these things are important, well apart from bad backs of course, the NHS has finite funds and there are more serious things to treat; so a bad back just isn’t important is it? Anyway I don’t know what my neighbours would think if I started talking about the music of the spheres. I’m sure that things here at AOT will eventually get going, I’ll just have to change my itinerary for this evening, perhaps a bit of gardening.

]]> http://www.afterourtime.com/2008/06/11/welcome-feedback-listeners/#comment-282 Comment on Welcome Feedback listeners! by Nick http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CommentsForAfterOurTime/~3/322304401/ Nick Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:59:08 +0000 http://www.afterourtime.com/?p=17#comment-281 Anyone know by the way of anyone's doing a similar site/wiki aimed at Fooc? That's a show that really could benefit from having a full searchable index. Anyone know by the way of anyone’s doing a similar site/wiki aimed at Fooc? That’s a show that really could benefit from having a full searchable index.

]]> http://www.afterourtime.com/2008/06/11/welcome-feedback-listeners/#comment-281