Stuff that occurs to me

All of my 'how to' posts are tagged here. The most popular posts are about blocking and private accounts on Twitter, also the science communication jobs list. None of the science or medical information I might post to this blog should be taken as medical advice (I'm not medically trained).

Think of this blog as a sort of nursery for my half-baked ideas hence 'stuff that occurs to me'.

Contact: @JoBrodie Email: jo DOT brodie AT gmail DOT com

Science in London: The 2018/19 scientific society talks in London blog post

Tuesday 31 October 2017

Cancer Act 1939 convictions in the UK - part two

In 2014 I wrote a very, very long detailed post about all the known-to-me convictions under the UK's  Cancer Act 1939 for which I could find information (see Cancer Act 1939 convictions on the UK).

I'm not aware of any new cases since then, other than Jerry Sargeant's from September 2017. There's not a great deal of information about his court case. An article from The Metro from 20 September, when he appeared in court, indicated sentencing would happen later that day but another article in the Daily Mail said that sentencing had been due on the day but would now happen on 8 November 2017, so not long to wait. Mr Sargeant is currently filling Twitter in a memely fashion with inspiring 'aphorisms' stuck on images of space.

Backing up a little bit to Summer last year we had Noel Edmonds making some odd claims on Twitter about a box and a mat which could, he felt, help with cancer. Not too surprisingly he received rather a strong response from pretty much everyone, for making misleading health claims. He didn't help his case much when someone with cancer challenged him and he replied that perhaps that person's negative attitude was why they had cancer. Oof.

Anyway, Tom Scott made this video about Why you can't advertise cancer cures in Britain, below. It's pretty clear, please don't do that.





Tuesday 24 October 2017

Amused and amazed at Chris Heaton-Harris' letter to universities re: Brexit

MP Chris Heaton-Harris has written to universities' vice-chancellors asking for...
"...the names of professors at your establishment who are involved in the teaching of European affairs, with particular reference to Brexit.

Furthermore, if I could be provided with a copy of the syllabus and links to the online lectures which relate to this area I would be much obliged."
Not surprisingly academic Twitter is up in arms about it, with heavy sarcasm. There's a piece about it in the Guardian from which I got the text of the letter above.

The academics quoted in the article, on either side of Brexit or Remain, have said that they don't push a particular angle and that their opinions are acknowledged as just that.

I think the letter fails on two counts.

1. It asks for 'professors' not 'lecturers'. I suspect many (most?) university classes are people called Dr, not Prof. The letter's imprecise wording narrows the scope considerably.

2. I think it asks to look in the wrong thing. Surely it's the admin emails (sent to everyone) which convey the uncertainty and concern about Brexit. The ones I've seen (I work at two universities) don't push any particular agenda but they don't have to, the Brexit process is unknown and the presence of the emails - let alone their content - communicates that. The emails are about providing people with support, advice (including legal), collecting examples, considering future EU funding applications etc.

I presume that these facts are obvious to Mr H-H and that his letter serves another purpose that I must have missed.

Perhaps the syllabuses contain more informative information than I'm imagining they do, but 'topics' are quite different from how they're framed.



Monday 23 October 2017

Christmas 2017: How to watch #Elf in London this December



Welcome to the annually updated 'Where to watch Elf in London' - 2017 edition.



Elf (2003), best Christmas film ever. Rarely seen on regular UK terrestrial television now, due to Sky buying the rights to it (or at least that's what I heard). Fortunately it is in plentiful supply in cinemas and there are many screenings in London over the next few weeks.

Film listing first, then organisations and venues list.

Saturday screenings are in bold. Any errors or omissions? Please let @JoBrodie know, thanks!

Also if you're just interested in this week and next week look at LondonNet's listings for Elf.

NOVEMBER 2017
  1. Wednesday 22 November, 12.30pm - Backyard Cinema: The Snow Kingdom, Mercato Metropolitano, Borough (from £17) SOLD OUT
  2. Friday 24 November, 7.45pm - Backyard Cinema: Winter Night Garden, Winterville, Clapham Common (from £17) SOLD OUT
  3. Saturday 25 November, 7pm. Time Out: Lost Rivers Elephant (£17)
  4. Sunday 26 November, 4pm - Backyard Cinema: The Snow Kingdom, Mercato Metropolitano, Borough (from £17) SOLD OUT
  5. Wednesday 29 November, 4pm - Backyard Cinema: The Snow Kingdom, Mercato Metropolitano, Borough (from £17) 
  6. Thursday 30 November, 3.35pm - Backyard Cinema: Winter Night Garden, Winterville, Clapham Common (from £17)
  7. Thursday 30 November, 7.30-9pm - Bow Church: note that this is a clips and discussion rather than a screening, on the topic of 'Anticipation' as part of their Advent series
DECEMBER 2017

The Berkeley is screening Elf (or Miracle on 34th Street) every night during December 2017 at 5.15pm and / or 7.30pm. The first guest, or member of the public, to book a time slot for a particular day gets to pick which movie, so it is not straightforward to add this to the listings. Many of the screenings are already booked too but more information here. It's £70 adults, £50 child.
  1. Friday 1 December, 6.30pm - One Aldwych (£55 screening, champagne & dinner) 
  2. Friday 1 December, 8.30pm - Backyard Cinema: The Snow Kingdom, Mercato Metropolitano, Borough (from £17) SOLD OUT 
  3. Friday 1 December, 9pm - Battersea Power Station, Luna Cinema (tickets on sale 24 Nov)
  4. Saturday 2 December, 12.30pm, Gaucho London, Charlotte Street (£55)
  5. Saturday 2 December, 3.45pm - Backyard Cinema: Winter Night Garden, Winterville, Clapham Common (from £17) SOLD OUT
  6. Saturday 2 Decdember, 6pm - Charlotte Street Hotel, W1T 1RJ
  7. Saturday 2 December, 6.30pm - One Aldwych (£55 screening, champagne & dinner)
  8. Sunday 3 December, 12.30pm, Gaucho London, Charlotte Street (£55)  
  9. Sunday 3 December, 4.30pm - One Aldwych (£55 screening, champagne & dinner) 
  10. Sunday 3 December, 5pm - Nomad Cinema, Leadenhall Market (£15)
  11. Monday 4 December, 6.10pm - Prince Charles Cinema (quote along screening)
  12. Monday 4 December, 8.30pm - Backyard Cinema: The Snow Kingdom, Mercato Metropolitano, Borough (from £17) SOLD OUT 
  13. Tuesday 5 December, 7pm, St Katherine Dock SOLD OUT
  14. Tuesday 5 December, 8pm - Battersea Power Station, Luna Cinema (tickets on sale 24 Nov)
  15. Thursday 7 December, 4pm - Backyard Cinema: The Snow Kingdom, Mercato Metropolitano, Borough (from £17) SOLD OUT
  16. Thursday 7 December, 6.30pm - Prince Charles Cinema (regular screening)  
  17. Friday 8 December, 11.30am - Exhibit B, Streatham - Parent & Baby (sold out, poss tix on door)
  18. Friday 8 December, 12.30pm - Backyard Cinema: The Snow Kingdom, Mercato Metropolitano, Borough (from £17) SOLD OUT
  19. Friday 8 December, 1.30pm - Exhibit B, Streatham - Parent & Baby (sold out, poss tix on door)
  20. Friday 8 December, 3.45pm - Backyard Cinema: Winter Night Garden, Winterville, Clapham Common
  21. Friday 8 December, 7.45pm Backyard Cinema: Winter Night Garden, Winterville, Clapham Common (from £17) 
  22. Friday 8 December, 8.30pm - Pop Up Screens, Hackney Showroom, Hackney Downs
  23. Saturday 9 December, 12.30pm, Gaucho London, Charlotte Street (£55)
  24. Saturday 9 December, 3.30pm - Soho Hotel
  25. Saturday 9 December, 4pm - Backyard Cinema: The Snow Kingdom, Mercato Metropolitano, Borough (from £17) SOLD OUT
  26. Saturday 9 December, 5.30pm - Pop Up Screens, Hackney Showroom, Hackney Downs
  27. Saturday 9 December, 7pm - Soho Hotel
  28. Sunday 10 December, 12.30pm, Gaucho London, Charlotte Street (£55) 
  29. Sunday 10 December, 1pm - Prince Charles Cinema (quote along screening)
  30. Sunday 10 December, 2pm - Electric Cinema, Portobello (booking opens 3 December)
  31. Sunday 10 December, 8.30pm - Pop Up Screens, Hackney Showroom, Hackney Downs
  32. Monday 11 December, 6.40pm - Prince Charles Cinema (regular screening
  33. Monday 11 December, 7.45pm Backyard Cinema: Winter Night Garden, Winterville, Clapham Common (from £17) - SOLD OUT 
  34. Tuesday 12 December, 8pm - Battersea Power Station, Luna Cinema (tickets on sale 24 Nov)
  35. Tuesday 12 December, 8.30pm - Pop Up Screens, Hackney Showroom, Hackney Downs
  36. Wednesday 13 December, 4pm - Backyard Cinema: The Snow Kingdom, Mercato Metropolitano, Borough (from £17) SOLD OUT
  37. Wednesday 13 December, 9pm - Prince Charles Cinema (quote along screening)
  38. Thursday 14 December, 6.30pm - Prince Charles Cinema (quote along screening)
  39. Friday 15 December, 3.50pm - Prince Charles Cinema (regular screening)
  40. Friday 15 December, 6.10pm - Prince Charles Cinema (quote along screening
  41. Friday 15 December, 7.45pm Backyard Cinema: Winter Night Garden, Winterville, Clapham Common (from £17) - SOLD OUT   
  42. Friday 15 December, 8.30pm - Backyard Cinema: The Snow Kingdom, Mercato Metropolitano, Borough (from £17) SOLD OUT
  43. Saturday 16 December, 12.30pm, Gaucho London, Charlotte Street (£55) 
  44. Saturday 16 December, 1.15pm - Prince Charles Cinema (quote along screening)
  45. Saturday 16 December, 6.30pm - Prince Charles Cinema (quote along screening)
  46. Saturday 16 December, 6.30pm - The Exhibit (£6 cinema only, £16 with post-film meal) 
  47. Saturday 16 December, 7pm - Clapham Grand, Elf with live choir (!) £tbc Click 'Going' on their Facebook event page to be notified when tickets go on sale.
  48. Saturday 16 December, 8.45pm - The Exhibit (£6 cinema only, £16 with post-film meal)
  49. Sunday 17 December, 12.30pm, Gaucho London, Charlotte Street (£55) 
  50. Sunday 17 December, 1pm - Pop Up Screens, Hackney Showroom, Hackney Downs
  51. Sunday 17 December, 1.30pm - Prince Charles Cinema (quote along screening
  52. Sunday 17 December, 2.45pm - Electric Cinema, Shoreditch (booking opens 10 Dec)
  53. Sunday 17 December, 6.30pm - The Exhibit (£6 cinema only, £16 with post-film meal)
  54. Sunday 17 December, 8.45pm - The Exhibit (£6 cinema only, £16 with post-film meal)
  55. Monday 18 December, 4.20pm - Prince Charles Cinema (regular screening)
  56. Monday 18 December, 6.15pm - Prince Charles Cinema (quote along screening
  57. Tuesday 19 December, 12.30pm - Backyard Cinema: The Snow Kingdom, Mercato Metropolitano, Borough (from £17) SOLD OUT
  58. Tuesday 19 December, 2pm - Prince Charles Cinema (regular screening)
  59. Tuesday 19 December, 6.25pm - Prince Charles Cinema (regular screening
  60. Wednesday 20 December, 3.45pm Backyard Cinema: Winter Night Garden, Winterville, Clapham Common (from £17) - SOLD OUT 
  61. Wednesday 20 December, 4.20pm - Prince Charles Cinema (regular screening)
  62. Wednesday 20 December, 6.40pm - Prince Charles Cinema (regular screening)
  63. Wednesday 20 December, 8.30pm - Pop Up Screens, Hackney Showroom, Hackney Downs
  64. Thursday 21 December, 4.10pm - Prince Charles Cinema (regular screening)
  65. Thursday 21 December, 6.30pm - Prince Charles Cinema (quote along screening
  66. Thursday 21 December, 7.45pm Backyard Cinema: Winter Night Garden, Winterville, Clapham Common (from £17) - SOLD OUT 
  67. Thursday 21 December, 8.30pm - Backyard Cinema: The Snow Kingdom, Mercato Metropolitano, Borough (from £17) SOLD OUT
  68. Friday 22 December, 4.15pm - Prince Charles Cinema (regular screening
  69. Friday 22 December, 6.10pm - Prince Charles Cinema (quote along screening)
  70. Saturday 23 December, 12.30pm, Gaucho London, Charlotte Street (£55) 
  71. Saturday 23 December, 3.35pm - Prince Charles Cinema (quote along screening
  72. Saturday 23 December, 3.45pm - Backyard Cinema: Winter Night Garden, Winterville, Clapham Common (from £17) - SOLD OUT
  73. Saturday 23 December, 5pm - Pop Up Screens, Hackney Showroom, Hackney Downs
  74. Sunday 24 December, 12.30pm, Gaucho London, Charlotte Street (£55) 
  75. Sunday 24 December, 2pm - Charlotte Street Hotel, W1T 1RJ
  76. Sunday 24 December, 3.25pm - Prince Charles Cinema (quote along screening)  
  77. Sunday 24 December, 7pm - Pop Up Screens, Hackney Showroom, Hackney Downs
  78. Thursday 28 December, 4pm - Backyard Cinema: The Snow Kingdom, Mercato Metropolitano, Borough (from £17) SOLD OUT
  79. Friday 29 December, 7.45pm - Backyard Cinema: Winter Night Garden, Winterville, Clapham Common (from £17)
JANUARY 2018
  1. Thursday 4 January, 4pm - Backyard Cinema: The Snow Kingdom, Mercato Metropolitano, Borough (from £17)

Organisations and venues
Backyard Cinema: The Snow Kingdom, Mercato Metropolitano, Borough, 42 Newington Causeway, SE1 (Elephant & Castle)
Backyard Cinema: Winter Night Garden, Winterville, Clapham Common, Windmill Dr, SW4 9DE
The Berkeley - hotel, Knightsbridge
Charlotte Street Hotel Cinema, W1T 1RJ (Firmdale Hotels)
Clapham Grand
Electric Cinema - Portobello and Shoreditch 
Exhibit B - Streatham 
Exhibit Bar and Restaurant Cinema, Balham
The Gaucho - Fitzrovia / Goodge St: 60A Charlotte Street,W1T 2NU
Luna Cinema - Battersea Power Station
One Aldwych - Aldwych! hat tip Londonist
Prince Charles Cinema, Leicester Square
Pop Up Screens - Hackney Showroom, Hackney Downs, Studios Amhurst Terrace, E8 2BT
Soho Hotel (Firmdale Hotels) 
St Katharine Docks - Christmas Floating Film Festival
Time Out - Lost Rivers Elephant, Elephant Road, Elephant & Castle London, SE17 1LB
Where is the Nomad? - Various venues

Have previously screened Elf but don't seem to be doing so this year
Regent Street Cinema - 309 Regent Street, W1B 2HW
Electric Theatre Cinema, Peckham - Winter Film Club 
Rooftop Film Club - Kensington Roof Gardens
St Swithun's Church Hall, SE13 6QE
Underground Film Club - Vaults, Lower Marsh, Waterloo