Sense as the liturgical orientation of a work does not arise from need. Need opens up a world that is for me; it returns to itself. Even a sublime need, such as the need for salvation, is still a nostalgia, a longing to go back. A need is return itself, the anxiety of the I for itself, egoism, the original form of identification. It is the assimilation of the world in view of self-coincidence: in view of happiness.

— Emmanuel Levinas, 'Meaning and Sense'

Labels: dunedin, levinas, manchester, newzealand

Last night I went to my first ever blog meetup thanks to Richard Fair and the people at the BBC Manchester Blog. We went to the Pavilion (big tent) at the Manchester International Festival, a fortnight of cultural type stuff happening in the city this year. It was great fun to meet up with fellow bloggers, although a shame I had to disappear early!

I managed to take a few snaps, but you're probably best looking at other people's, since many had cameras with very long bits which looked like they cost lots of money. Although I did manage to get a new angle on the Beetham Tower by walking the back way from the G-Mex Metro stop:

Tags: bbcmanchesterblog, blog, manchester.

Labels: blogging, manchester

I have just been to a very pleasant Independence Day party at my friend's very pleasant flat in the Northern Quarter. However, the reason for this post is to fulfill my need to record the fact that, as we were leaving, her friend called me a "man-sized man". As I have never been called this before, and certainly never will be again, it was important to ensure that the event did not dissolve into the stew on the slow cooker of long-term memory.

Labels: humour, manchester

Robert Putnam came to Manchester today to give his inaugural public lecture as part of the Harvard-Manchester project (basically a branding exercise intended to ratchet up the latter's international profile a bit). I spent a year studying Putnam's work a few years ago, and I suppose what he had to say quite predictably issued from the same framework as Bowling Alone. The title of today's paper (which was recycled from one he gave when accepting the Skytte (pronounced "Shitty") Prize last year) was, "E Pluribus Unum: diversity and community in the twenty-first century".

Putnam is an excellent, engaging and witty public speaker, which after the Giddens & Hutton experience last month was quite refreshing. It is a shame his talk was recycled, but he did adapt it to the circumstances and integrate it with points about British politics. His argument was based around a large survey he conducted across the United States in 2000, which measured people's attitudes towards people of other ethnic/racial backgrounds. His findings revealed that more ethnically/racially diverse areas are, the less people trust and relate to both those of their own "group" and those of other groups. In other words, there is a correlation between social diversity and individuals "hunkering down" (as Putnam put it). Putnam's solution? Well, he was keen to point out that he believed in the generally positive and creative social and economic potential of immigration, and that his paper was not an argument against it in any way. But he suggested that forming national identities along civic, rather than ethnic/racial lines, is the way forward — and he highlighted that Americans' "worship" of the flag began only in the 1890s when the first round of mass immigration happened in America (since independence). Moreover, such veneration of national identity was thought up by socialists and progressives at the time, seeing the imminent danger of racial fragmentation.

I like Putnam, the empirical thoroughness of his work, and his obvious belief that, with a bit of thought and hard work, social problems can be overcome. In fact, he wouldn't be out of place in Gordon Brown's cabinet. Who knows! However, I think there are some very big question marks to be placed above his work. The thing that has always got me is that he seems to presume all correlations to be necessarily linked causatively. For instance, he started out by positing the premiss that modern societies (and he gave examples of a number of OECD countries) experience/are experiencing greater and greater levels of migration, and that this is likely only to continue rising. Later in the talk, as I said, he presented evidence that localities with high levels of immigration experience a decline in social networks and trust of all kinds. These two things are surely each true, and each correlates with the other. But that does not necessarily mean that it is immigration which causes this decline. Rather, both international migration and a decline in social/civic virtue could share a common cause of which they are each an effect. It seems to me that this criticism casts a shadow over much of his work, because it presents the possibility that in trying to formulate "policy" to redress this collapse in civic virtue, he, and politicians, really set up a straw man.

Tags: manchester, harvard, putnam, robertputnam, robertdputnam, bowlingalone, lecture, project, university.

Labels: manchester, politics, university

The amusing saga of Manchester Metropolitan University students being barred from Manchester University's library continued recently, with a permit system reminiscent of the Israel-Palestine arrangement:

Access to John Rylands University Library reinstated

New procedures for access in place

The Librarian of the JRUL (the University of Manchester's Library) has today reviewed the position in respect of MMU, and generously agreed to continue to allow access to students provided they are in possession of a SCONUL Research Extra card (available to post-grad research students) or a UK Libraries Plus card (for other students).

Students already in possession of one of these cards may continue to use the JRUL, while others will need to visit an MMU Library to obtain one. For the weekend of 12th and 13th May (and possibly for a day or two beyond until supplies of cards can be made available at other MMU sites) you will need to go to the Sir Kenneth Green Library at All Saints with your current MMU ID card. Your borrower record and other manual files will be checked to ensure that you are in good standing at MMU - cards will not be issued to students who have loans or fines outstanding at MMU or who have previously been ejected for continual talking, use of mobile phones, etc.

To use the JRUL Library you will then need to take both your UKLP and MMU ID card to the main JRUL site, and provided everything is in order (eg you are not recognised/identified as someone who has misbehaved in the past) your application will be processed and you will be given a card authorising temporary access (maximum to 31 August 2007 for the time being). It may not be possible to process your application the same day, but in the meantime you will be given a day pass. Please note, however, that access will be withdrawn immediately and permanently for anyone who behaves inappropriately whilst using the facilities.

It must be stressed that MMU students are guests when using the JRUL and have no automatic right of access to that library. We ask you to respect the JRUL and its staff (and indeed our own MMU facilities and staff) and to note that inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated.

Admittedly, there is a high degree of schadenfreude implicit in my reproduction of this story, which was further increased by the fact that MMU students were barred in the middle of the exam period — and, of course, their own library chooses not to stock most books because they are available at the JRUL.

I do, however, fear that this could be taken to the UN.

Tags: manchester, university, metropolitan, library, mmu, ban, students.

Labels: humour, manchester, university

We ended up in Cloud 23 again last night, but this time it was light. Here's one of the views over Manchester, looking out towards Old Trafford football stadium.

Tags: cloud23, manchester, beethamtower.

Labels: manchester, photography

Today was much more positive and substantial at the conference: six speakers compared to yesterday's three, and they each engaged much more competently and interestingly with the issues on the table: ten years of New Labour, faith, morality, and governance. Nevertheless, the biggest disappointment was again the biggest name: Will Hutton, whose paper suffered from some similar faults to Giddens, although none of Giddens' twattishness was evident in Hutton. Common to Giddens' and Hutton's talks and delivery was a fuzziness of logic, an undisciplined and uncritical approach to terminology, and an attempt to avoid discussion by elevating highly contentious propositions to the level of assertion, or even unquestionable fact. I don't think that in either man this was a particularly deliberate or pernicious gesture, but simply a consequence of having spent so much time in journalism and politics — a realm that thrives on the soundbite, the convenient phrase which sounds authoritative but really hides a great deal of confusion and lack of intellectual rigour.

The particular highlight for me was a very well prepared presentation given by Jess Steele, which addressed very well a wide range of issues associated with urban regeneration and the values implicit and necessary in achieving regeneration goals. There was also an interesting paper given by John Atherton on the "happiness hypothesis" which seems to be fashionable (particularly amongst David Cameron's drones). Atherton's basic argument was that politicians do need to pay more attention to the emotional, psychological and general well-being of people as well as their economic status, but that also the language of the "happiness hypothesis" was somewhat deficient and lacking in the clarity required to express the diversity of factors making up human wellbeing. I found myself disagreeing quite strongly to the discussion at all, though; it seems to me that striving for "happiness" is quite anachronistic, and not obviously compatible with a Christian worldview. As I've written before, a state of contentment, satisfaction, or general "happiness" can be stultifying, and it is no place (utopia) to think from. Happiness can be just as negative as depression; it inhibits our ability to respond with a range of emotions and attitudes to the world, and therefore diminishes our imperative to act in the world. While there is so much injustice left in our society both locally, nationally, and globally, it seems to me that seeking "happiness" for its own sake is a particularly pernicious and selfish ambition, and it is in any case unrealistic, since human nature does not seem thus inclined. Furthermore, that there could be a political incentive for government to produce and distribute happiness is a prospect I find deeply disturbing.

Tags: remoralising, britain, willhutton, will, hutton, anthonygiddens, anthony, giddens, contentment, happiness, happinesshypothesis, hypothesis, manchester, university, conference.

Labels: manchester, politics

Earlier today I attended the first day of a conference in Manchester, "Remoralising Britain? Ten Years of New Labour: Faith, Morals and Governance". The big name for today was Anthony Giddens, Labour peer, sociologist, eminent academic, and one of the architects of New Labour, and particularly "third way" thinking. With such a reputation I was expecting a really inspiring lecture — and I expected to agree with much of what he would say, since I am basically a New Labour supporter and agree with the rationale of the "third way". It was therefore a huge disappointment, and a big surprise, to discover just how shallow Giddens' lecture turned out to be.

Aside from the obvious fact that Giddens didn't want to be at the conference at all — he turned up late and then had to get a train back to London before he could answer more than two questions — his speaking was just straightforwardly weak. He was due to speak on "New Labour and Multiculturalism", but actually failed to address anything about New Labour or its record, aside from saying that "Gordon Brown needs to continue to pursue a policy of multiculturalism". He spoke in the most general terms possible about multiculturalism in Britain, and relied on a set of political, racial, and national stereotypes to form what "argument" there was in his speech, and there was precious little of that. He did not read from notes, which leads me to believe he probably just jotted down two or three bullet points on the back of an envelope on the train. In short, Giddens proved to be the worst public speaker and least rigorous thinker I have ever heard speak. I could literally not believe how many absurdly obvious criticisms he seemed completely blind to. I am amazed that he has had such influence given how watery his language and air-brained his methodology.

The positive side of this is that Giddens actually made me recoil so strongly against his idiotic speech that it produced some motivation in me to bring the severe deficiencies of his thinking into the open, and convinced me that there really are people still around in politics and academia who are quite genuinely rubbish, that they are unfortunately quite close to those responsible for running the country, and that there is therefore something to fight for here.

Let's hope tomorrow's speakers prove rather more constructive than Giddens...

Tags: giddens, anthonygiddens, manchester, university, remoralising, britain, conference, speech, anthony, lecture, politics.

Labels: manchester, politics

Urgh. One thing after another. Little things, not important or particularly consequential things, just little things that you know you shouldn't moan about, but when added together become one big moan which might end up really being a big shout like all the little things which added up to the shouty Panorama man losing it at the Scientologist. All that summery promise of a fortnight ago has been replaced by rain, I feel sluggish on my bike, and suddenly driving around feels right again and I'm in one of those moods where my brain doesn't register the danger of driving around the M60 far too fast, or of eating take-aways every day for a week.

In other news, the Bishop of Manchester visited church yesterday as part of his "Run the Race" "pilgrimage" around the diocese. I was, I admit, quite cynical about the event, and the whole idea, before he came, but in the end it was much better than I had imagined. It succeeded in getting people together from all parts of the community (about 250 people came to the service in the evening), and, as the Bish said, visiting means that when discussions are had about the church at diocesan or deanery level, he will actually know what's being talked about. Given my repeated complaints about the distance between the central institution (embodied by cathedrals and bishops) and parish life, it would be stupid if I didn't welcome this gesture, even if it was still very much a top down exercise. I will try to write more about this when I've got time.

Labels: manchester, urgh

Over a pint in Kro Piccadilly earlier, I misread a line in Polly Toynbee's column today in the Guardian: "great political coroner" for "great political crooner". It must be the Marxist dyslexic in me.

The essay was completed this morning, though not particularly well. I celebrated with a jacket potato at the Titchy Coffee Co in The Triangle. If you're a fan of proper jacket potatoes (for only £2.50), it's the place to go.

Tags: toynbee, blair, coroner.

Labels: manchester, politics

1. The pathetic, shoddy future of social housing in New Islington

2. From atop Cloud 23, where my glass of Pinot Grigio cost £9.75

Tags: manchester, view, newislington, cloud23.

Labels: manchester

As you may have gleaned from the update to the last post (not the piece of music), Stuart and I went to Odder last night, the acclaimed new bar on Oxford Road opposite the BBC building. I first went in there a couple of months ago with a friend on a Friday night. It was stupidly loud, considering we were only there are about 8pm, but I let it go, since it was, after all, a Friday night. But after our experience last night, I felt they justified a bad review. Aside from the frosty, stony-faced welcome at the bar, the beer was truly appalling, which only goes to reinforce the prejudice that such a high-gloss enterprise as Odder may be able to deliver some pretty ornaments and expensive lighting, but is incapable of understanding how to deliver a quality product. Stuart's Leffe had clearly come from dirty lines and was served in a dirty glass. (Dirty lines are inexcusable on a Monday...) My first pint — Ginger Marble, a delicious pint from the Marble Brewery — was scraped from the bottom of the barrel. I should have asked for it replaced, and I suppose that was my prerogative, so again they should perhaps be let off. But my second pint — Timothy Taylor's Landlord — was also poured through disgracefully dirty lines.

I won't be going back in a hurry.

Tags: odder, odd, manchester, bar, pub, review, oxford, road, oxfordroad, southern, quarter, southernquarter, conference, conferencequarter, northern, northernquarter, beer, marble, ginger, ale, realale, bad, failure, service, poor, culture.

Labels: beer, manchester, pubs

Five cups of too-strong coffee are keeping me awake, lying in bed thinking about all kinds of things. There's just a few days to go now until I move out of this lovely house; I'm packing my stuff into foldable plastic crates, which now half-fill the study. I've learnt by now that it's silly to invest too much emotionally in a new place, in a new flat, in a new routine; but emotions are incorrigible, and it is only human to dream about new experiences, new ideas, and new ways of living. My first project — if I survive the move both physically and financially — is to take my car off the road. This is both an environmental and an economic gesture, and my move has been chosen partly to facilitate day-to-day life in Manchester by bike. Chorlton is only seven miles from church, and a negligible three miles from university, so there will genuinely by no need for me to drive. Therefore, if there's anyone reading looking for a T reg 1999 black Fiat Punto with a completely new set of tyres, new timing belt kit, new part exhaust, six months' tax and MOT, and a snazzy Kenwood radio, I'm your man...

Tags: chorlton, manchester, car, fiat, punto, forsale, moving, coffee, environmentalism

Labels: chorlton, manchester, stockport

This is a photo of an assiette of delicious desserts Mark and I shared last weekend when he came up to do a recital here. The food at Room was great, and cheap to boot. Only if you go before 7pm, mind, so get along there at 5.30pm Monday to Saturday for early bird main courses. The style of food was quite haute-cuisine I guess, so don't expect massive portions, but do expect a good range of imaginative dishes served quickly and stylishly.

Tags: room, manchester, restaurant

Labels: eating, manchester

Hurrah! Today I have effectively finalised my move to Chorlton, which is both scary and exciting. Scary because it's going to increase my rent by £125 a month, exciting because it is an opportunity to waste even more money than that with trips round Manchester's new Ikea and Ilva stores. Scary because it means living alone for the first time, exciting because I will be able to frequent such bars as the Marble beerhouse and indulge my primitive bohemian streak. What's more, a friend told me the other day that Quentin Crisp died in Chorlton not far from where I live. So I might even meet his ghost.

Tags: chorlton, marble, quentincrisp.

Labels: chorlton, manchester