3 Years In Salford: A Student’s Account
July 11, 2012 Blog Daniel Swanson
Arriving in Salford as optimistic undergraduates in 2009 changes were for all to see. From the wide scale political backdrop of the incoming coalition government, to the more local developments in and around Salford, like the regeneration of Chapel Street and the construction of MediaCityUK, the University in particular looked to be on the up more than ever. Read More »
Music Will Save Us All
July 5, 2012 Blog Daniel Swanson
That’ll do for attention grabbing headlines me thinks… For those who have seen ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ one scene that sticks out above most is when the warden’s office is breached and the music from an Italian opera rings throughout the prison bringing, what is to the officers, unwanted and unparalleled order – it essentially brought a sense of freedom to the incarcerated men.
But in practice, what actual forms of musical rehabilitation are available? And how effective are they? Read More »
Football: Philosophy and Fanship
July 2, 2012 Blog Daniel Swanson
As this blog continues to paint a portrait of myself as an English stereotype (Drinking Culture, Irrational Tendencies), I now find myself writing in the defense and appreciation of our national game, Football. Read More »
Making Sense of our Irrational Tendencies
June 23, 2012 Blog Daniel Swanson
Living in contemporary British society one might consider the way we go about our business a touch too cautious. The health and safety procedures, red tape and bureaucracy this country breeds can at times stagnate the produce of an otherwise efficient, well-ran nation. But we haven’t always been so ‘controlled’. Read More »
Drinking Culture: A Cocktail of Affluence and Disorder
June 18, 2012 Blog Daniel Swanson
Please pardon the pun. Many sociologists claim the rapid expansion of the nighttime economy, which is a huge asset to towns and cities across the UK, can be seen as to fill the void left by Britain’s decaying manufacturing base. With the intent of creating a more benign, European drinking culture, licensing laws passed in 2003 have not succeeded, creating widespread concerns that crime and disorder is rampant across city centres every Friday and Saturday night.
What is the English identity?
June 17, 2012 Blog Daniel Swanson
Flags… we see them everywhere, but what purpose do they serve in our society? Last week in a speech made concerning calls for independence in Scotland, Ed Miliband encouraged discussion on English identity. Whilst seemingly rejecting a supposed choice between identities, he suggested we are rather better off embracing many. The debate proceeds amidst a backdrop of national events in England, where our most patriotic tendencies surface. But the notion of identity is slightly more complex than getting Gary Barlow to put on a show. Or is it? Read More »
5 ways to Fail and be Unhappy
June 12, 2012 Blog Daniel Swanson
Having been an Internet user since a relatively youthful age, I have seen the changes and developments; it’s use has expanded beyond any of our comprehension. One thing I have noticed is the rise in (and demand for) self-help, from the paranoid hellhole of NHS Direct, to what has turned into a depressing endeavor in the Stumble Upon mental health option. However, the limitations of this style of help is rarely raised considering the widespread use. Read More »
What to do about trolling
June 10, 2012 Blog Daniel Swanson
It is hard to turn on the television these days without having someone demand you tweet them. In the digital age the distance between the general public and public figures has been significantly reduced, but these affluent new technologies do not come without their byproducts. Read More »