Tag Archives: human-rights

Persecution and the Art of Writing the return to an ancient problem

Posted on April 24, 2015 by lawrence serewicz

The story of the Bangladeshi writers who were hacked to death has not drawn as much attention as the Charlie Hebdo attack even though they share some similarities. The Bangladeshi writers wanted to write about atheism and to question the … Continue reading →

Posted in censorship, education, philosophy | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The NSA surveillance state and the illusion of privacy

Posted on July 3, 2013 by lawrence serewicz

The news of the NSA surveillance programme has been met with strong criticism in Europe. The European governments have publicly expressed their concerns about the invasion of privacy and its effect on US-EU relations. The statements, though well meant, ring … Continue reading →

Posted in censorship, Government, privacy, statesmanship, transparency, war | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

What Lord Tebbit shares with Islamists: Woolwich, Islam and the struggle with Liberalism

Posted on June 5, 2013 by lawrence serewicz

The attack in Woolwich has raised questions about how the UK will manage its relationship with its Muslim citizens.  More generally, the call for more surveillance power for the state raises questions about how all citizens will be treated. Therein … Continue reading →

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Does social media make us less than human? Human nature as a social object

Posted on August 4, 2012 by lawrence serewicz

I was fascinated by the idea of social object as used on this blog. The author developed the idea to include the concept of being in the world.  In this idea, our understanding is shaped by being as subject and … Continue reading →

Posted in philosophy | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Something or Nothing? Fundamental questions that shape how we live

Posted on July 28, 2012 by lawrence serewicz

According to Aristotle, in the Metaphysics, we desire to know.  The desire to know expresses our humanity; it makes us human. By asking questions, we try to understand our world and ourselves.  Questions such as “Who am I” and “What … Continue reading →

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To have privacy you must kill God

Posted on June 13, 2012 by lawrence serewicz

I was commenting on Paul Bernal’s excellent blog on privacy, and the title of this blog came to me.  I was arguing, on the blog, with Bruce Shneier and I realized there was a connection, perhaps spurious, in political philosophical … Continue reading →

Posted in censorship, privacy, transparency | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Why we need governments in cyberspace: a response to the Strongest Tribe article

Posted on June 5, 2012 by lawrence serewicz

In the article, you set out a serious of arguments, implicit and explicit, about the need, or lack thereof, for governments in cyberspace.  In particular, you argue that the United States is the strongest tribe. There are some concerns with … Continue reading →

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Empty Archives: hollow men and the fear of accountability?

Posted on April 23, 2012 by lawrence serewicz

In their recent visit to the Justice Select Committee Lord O’Donnell and Lord Hennessy talked about the possibility of “empty archives”.  Lord Hennessy mentioned that Cabinet minutes were not as explicit as they were in previous generation. He said that … Continue reading →

Posted in FOIA, Government, statesmanship, transparency | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

In defence of frivolous requests: FOIA and political accountability.

Posted on April 10, 2012 by lawrence serewicz

The FOIA is under post legislative scrutiny by the justice select committee.  The written and oral evidence provided showed a concerned for frivolous or time wasting requests.  I write here to defend one of these requests and show that they … Continue reading →

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Educating ourselves to particpate in politics: what is the best way to live?

Posted on March 10, 2012 by lawrence serewicz

The following is based on comment, I posted on http://adragonsbestfriend.wordpress.com/2012/03/09/knowledge-is-porridge/ The challenge for educating our young to take part in politics, is that teaching is no longer about educating.  Moreover educating is no longer about teaching someone to think or … Continue reading →

Posted in censorship, education, Government | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments