Author: Dilip

I'm a scholar, writer and teacher; and my blog is designed for intellectual exploration. It carries no advertisements and requires no cash subscription

In Rafah, we sit in flimsy tents as the bombs fall. There is no escape: we can only wait for the worst

Bahzad Al-Akhras I’m a doctor and psychiatrist, and before the war in Gaza, my days followed a reliable routine. I would go to work in the clinic, visit my friends and spend time with my family. I lived a normal life. Now, my family and I are refugees in Rafah, after the Israeli army ordered us… Read More In Rafah, we sit in flimsy tents as the bombs fall. There is no escape: we can only wait for the worst

Dilip

Farmers are in revolt. Europe’s climate policies are crumbling. Welcome to the age of ‘greenlash’

Paul Taylor Ursula von der Leyen surrendered to angry farmers last week faster than you could shake a pitchfork or dump a tractor-load of manure outside the European parliament. The European Commission president, expected to announce her candidacy for a second term heading the EU executive next week, told lawmakers that the commission was withdrawing a bill to halve… Read More Farmers are in revolt. Europe’s climate policies are crumbling. Welcome to the age of ‘greenlash’

Dilip

The ‘debate of the century’: what happened when Jordan Peterson debated Slavoj Žižek

I did see “the debate of the century”, the debate of our century. It was full of the stench of burning strawmen. A big deal, with huge numbers, and really very little underneath. First posted April 20, 2019 Stephen Marche The controversial thinkers debated happiness, capitalism and Marxism in Toronto. It was billed as a… Read More The ‘debate of the century’: what happened when Jordan Peterson debated Slavoj Žižek

Dilip

6-Year-Old Gaza Girl Hind Rajab Found Dead With Massacred Family, Rescue Workers

GAZA casualties live statistics Rajab drew worldwide attention following the publication of her desperate plea for help as she sat surrounded by relatives slain by Israeli troops. Two paramedics sent to rescue the child were also killed by Israeli forces Six-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab was killed along with five relatives and two medics sent… Read More 6-Year-Old Gaza Girl Hind Rajab Found Dead With Massacred Family, Rescue Workers

Dilip

In the Depths of the Digital Age: Five books on psychological life in the internet age / We Are Hopelessly Hooked by Jacob Weisberg

First posted June 19, 2016 Reviewed by Edward Mendelson Pressed for Time: The Acceleration of Life in Digital Capitalism – by Judy Wajcman Exposed: Desire and Disobedience in the Digital Age – by Bernard E. Harcourt Magic and Loss: The Internet as Art – by Virginia Heffernan Updating to Remain the Same: Habitual New Media… Read More In the Depths of the Digital Age: Five books on psychological life in the internet age / We Are Hopelessly Hooked by Jacob Weisberg

Dilip

Watch Brian Cox read ‘If I Must Die’ by murdered Palestinian poet Refaat Alareer

GAZA casualties live statistics On December 7, the beloved Palestinian poet, writer, literature professor, and activist Refaat Alareer was killed in a targeted Israeli airstrike that also killed his brother, his sister, and four of her children. In the week of mourning since, tributes to Alareer’s life, writing, mentorship, and activism have flooded in from around the… Read More Watch Brian Cox read ‘If I Must Die’ by murdered Palestinian poet Refaat Alareer

Dilip

Netanyahu’s position becoming uncertain as he rejects Hamas deal to end war

GAZA casualties live statistics THE CONVERSATION The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has rejected a ceasefire plan put forward by Hamas, calling the terms “delusional”. Claiming that an Israeli victory in Gaza is “within reach”, Netanyahu has vowed to fight on until Hamas is completely destroyed. But the US, which is involved in negotiation efforts along with… Read More Netanyahu’s position becoming uncertain as he rejects Hamas deal to end war

Dilip

Mahsa Amini’s uncle sentenced to five years in jail over Iran protests, rights groups say

The uncle of Mahsa Amini, the young Iranian-Kurdish woman whose death in custody sparked months of protests, has been sentenced to more than five years in jail for his criticism of the government in 2022, rights groups have said. Safa Aeli, 30, was sentenced to five years and four months in prison by the revolutionary court… Read More Mahsa Amini’s uncle sentenced to five years in jail over Iran protests, rights groups say

Dilip

Bharat Ratna to Advani, Free Speech Ban for Critics as Police File FIR Against Journalist Nikhil Wagle

Incidentally, there is no IPC section which criminalises ‘insults’ against individuals, regardless of what position they hold or have held. ‘Insulted’ individuals have the right to file a defamation case if they wish but third parties or the police cannot do so. Pune police have filed an FIR (first information report) against journalist Nikhil Wagle… Read More Bharat Ratna to Advani, Free Speech Ban for Critics as Police File FIR Against Journalist Nikhil Wagle

Dilip