Daily archives: November 28, 2013


An architectural wander around Pendleton

Pendleton

At noon and six pm (and around 10 am on Sundays) church bells play a tune over Pendleton. I think this church, St. Thomas, is the culprit.

Heading east from St. Thomas, I found the first evidence of what would become a recurring theme.

Pendleton

The Pendleton Cooperative Industrial Society put their name to a lot of buildings in the area.

Post-industrial Pendleton seems to have mostly gone over to recycling based businesses. In its run-down, faded way, it reminded me of Ancoats and canal-side Manchester in the nineties and early noughties, though I’m not sure it will ever be rehabilitated and gentrified in the same way.

Pendleton

Laundry Street is just as sad and abandoned as the sign suggests.

Pendleton

This spire standing by itself in the middle of a housing estate intrigued me. Why was it left when the rest of the church was knocked down?

Pendleton

The rest of this building has been demolished, so all you get is the end of its name.

Pendleton

….and two different dates.

There are more images in the Pendleton Architectural Wander set, and more to explore. I’ll get on the bike some day and have a longer wander around the area.


Inside the minds of conspiracy theorists

I’ve argued with conspiracy theory believers, and been called all sorts of names because I’ve pointed out the implausibility of their claims. However, it’s these people who like to crow about being the only ones who can see the “truth” who are the most gullible. The distrust in authority or “the mainstream” (and everyone else) that they foster, makes them more likely to accept without question ridiculous, and often contradictory, ideas so long as they show the Establishment in a bad light. It’s a sad way to live, and I often find myself feeling sorry for them at some point during our exchanges.

Inside the minds of the JFK conspiracy theorists – opinion – 22 November 2013 – New Scientist.


Feel-good graphene condom development to be funded by the Gates Foundation (Wired UK)

The future of condoms could come from Manchester! Okay, the intention- improved sexual health, particularly in the developing world- is serious, but it’s hard not to make funnies about condom research.

With all the students in town, it shouldn’t be hard to get volunteers to test them out. (I think I did it again.)

Feel-good graphene condom development to be funded by the Gates Foundation (Wired UK).


Treasure hunt for £4m worth of Bitcoins buried on hard drive at landfill site – Telegraph

This is the potential setup for some sort of caper movie or slapstick chase film, with people finding, and then losing or having stolen, a hard drive loaded with Bitcoins (or made up filmic equivalent).

Treasure hunt for £4m worth of Bitcoins buried on hard drive at landfill site – Telegraph.