Comments for Slimming for the Beach http://blog.philipcasey.com Philip Casey’s news, views, musings Sun, 14 Mar 2010 12:46:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Starling by Starlight « Blog Archive « North Atlantic Skyline http://blog.philipcasey.com/starling/comment-page-1/#comment-37708 Starlight « Blog Archive « North Atlantic Skyline Sun, 14 Mar 2010 12:46:50 +0000 http://blog.philipcasey.com/starling/#comment-37708 [...] is a poem by Philip Casey called Starling – the link also an amazing clips of huge flocks of starlings flying at sunset. [...] [...] is a poem by Philip Casey called Starling – the link also an amazing clips of huge flocks of starlings flying at sunset. [...]

]]> Comment on The Book-Thief’s Heartbeat by Philip http://blog.philipcasey.com/the-book-thiefs-heartbeat/comment-page-1/#comment-37706 Philip Mon, 04 Jan 2010 13:30:19 +0000 http://blog.philipcasey.com/?p=567#comment-37706 David, I didn't realise you'd published so many novels. (for interested readers, David's Audible page is at http://url.ie/4hug) Yes, the moral argument I certainly get. In fact it's the only one that is unequivocal, as far as I can see. Every other argument has too many digital ifs buts and ands. David, I didn’t realise you’d published so many novels. (for interested readers, David’s Audible page is at http://url.ie/4hug)

Yes, the moral argument I certainly get. In fact it’s the only one that is unequivocal, as far as I can see. Every other argument has too many digital ifs buts and ands.

]]> Comment on The Book-Thief’s Heartbeat by David Hewson http://blog.philipcasey.com/the-book-thiefs-heartbeat/comment-page-1/#comment-37705 David Hewson Mon, 04 Jan 2010 12:36:18 +0000 http://blog.philipcasey.com/?p=567#comment-37705 Well I know they say 'I wouldn't buy the book so what am I stealing' but frankly I don't believe them. They can't all be stealing something they'd never have bought. Given that they can get the audio even for next to nothing on Audible it's not a lot to ask. Also I just have a moral issue with people who take things that don't belong to them. Well I know they say ‘I wouldn’t buy the book so what am I stealing’ but frankly I don’t believe them. They can’t all be stealing something they’d never have bought. Given that they can get the audio even for next to nothing on Audible it’s not a lot to ask.
Also I just have a moral issue with people who take things that don’t belong to them.

]]> Comment on The Book-Thief’s Heartbeat by Philip http://blog.philipcasey.com/the-book-thiefs-heartbeat/comment-page-1/#comment-37704 Philip Sun, 03 Jan 2010 22:46:01 +0000 http://blog.philipcasey.com/?p=567#comment-37704 Thank you for commenting so graciously, David. When you put it like that, I agree with everything you say. The only thing that niggles me is the point about depriving the author (and in your case the production team behind your audio) of revenue. If these people won't buy a book, or audio in the first place, how does that deprive one of revenue? I only ask because I'm pedantic by nature, I'm afraid. Thank you for commenting so graciously, David.
When you put it like that, I agree with everything you say. The only thing that niggles me is the point about depriving the author (and in your case the production team behind your audio) of revenue. If these people won’t buy a book, or audio in the first place, how does that deprive one of revenue?
I only ask because I’m pedantic by nature, I’m afraid.

]]> Comment on The Book-Thief’s Heartbeat by David Hewson http://blog.philipcasey.com/the-book-thiefs-heartbeat/comment-page-1/#comment-37703 David Hewson Sun, 03 Jan 2010 21:20:27 +0000 http://blog.philipcasey.com/?p=567#comment-37703 Thanks for the comments, Philip, and thanks for buying the book. I'm not against sharing between people who know each other. But I think that's a very different thing from people cracking commercial material and putting it on the torrents for anyone in the world to steal as they wish. Coelho and Doctorow are very vocal on this subject but really they're in a unique position. The idea that what works for them will work for everyone else doesn't stand up to much scrutiny. Lots of struggling writers who deserve bigger royalty cheques are going to find themselves deprived of the income they deserve because someone, somewhere has ripped off their work on a torrent and helped others steal it. I can't see any justification for that. It's also worth pointing out that some of the most serious piracy of my work, and that of many other authors, is of the audio editions - audio books some 18-20 hours in length which are now available in their entirety out there. That doesn't just cheat me out of income, but also the production team behind it and Saul Reichlin, the very talented actor, who voices my books. We'll never stop the thieves but I do think it's worthwhile explaining to the public that widespread book theft will impact the very people who write the books they are consuming, and that one day good authors will just think 'sod it' and do something else. As I said in the article, my current paperback costs £4.69 on Amazon, half what it cost when that book first appeared in 2001. Anyone who thinks it's not worth paying that kind of money for an author's work really can't be very fond of books at all. Cheers David Thanks for the comments, Philip, and thanks for buying the book. I’m not against sharing between people who know each other. But I think that’s a very different thing from people cracking commercial material and putting it on the torrents for anyone in the world to steal as they wish.
Coelho and Doctorow are very vocal on this subject but really they’re in a unique position. The idea that what works for them will work for everyone else doesn’t stand up to much scrutiny. Lots of struggling writers who deserve bigger royalty cheques are going to find themselves deprived of the income they deserve because someone, somewhere has ripped off their work on a torrent and helped others steal it. I can’t see any justification for that.
It’s also worth pointing out that some of the most serious piracy of my work, and that of many other authors, is of the audio editions – audio books some 18-20 hours in length which are now available in their entirety out there. That doesn’t just cheat me out of income, but also the production team behind it and Saul Reichlin, the very talented actor, who voices my books. We’ll never stop the thieves but I do think it’s worthwhile explaining to the public that widespread book theft will impact the very people who write the books they are consuming, and that one day good authors will just think ‘sod it’ and do something else.
As I said in the article, my current paperback costs £4.69 on Amazon, half what it cost when that book first appeared in 2001. Anyone who thinks it’s not worth paying that kind of money for an author’s work really can’t be very fond of books at all.
Cheers
David

]]> Comment on Slim Links November 19, 2009 by Demure Lemur http://blog.philipcasey.com/slim-links-november-19-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-37697 Demure Lemur Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:21:10 +0000 http://blog.philipcasey.com/?p=540#comment-37697 Thanks for the link! That De Valera book sounds very interesting. A possible Chrsitmas present for the history nerds in my life. Thanks for the link! That De Valera book sounds very interesting. A possible Chrsitmas present for the history nerds in my life.

]]> Comment on A scientific explanation for homeopathy? by Skepticat http://blog.philipcasey.com/a-scientific-explanation-for-homeopathy/comment-page-1/#comment-37621 Skepticat Sun, 04 Oct 2009 19:47:34 +0000 http://blog.philipcasey.com/?p=489#comment-37621 Umm....you seem to have a curious understanding of the word 'scientific'. "It’s just that those who dismiss homeopathy as quackery without having experienced it are not being scientific themselves." Really? How so? I have tried homeopathy and after I tried it, I dismissed it as useless and a waste of money. Is that "scientific" enough for you? Because actually, trying something for oneself and then deciding that it does or doesn't work, is scientifically worthless. There have been hundreds of trials of homeopathy and there is NO good scientific evidence that it works better than placebo. There is a role for placebo in medicine but most doctors prefer not to promote a therapy that is based on prescience ideas we now know to be false and which pretends to be something it isn't. As Garry Schwartz is not a scientist, he can be forgiven for not being up to speed on research into water at a molecular level but but his 'feedback loop' suggestion is risible. Umm….you seem to have a curious understanding of the word ‘scientific’.

“It’s just that those who dismiss homeopathy as quackery without having experienced it are not being scientific themselves.”

Really? How so?

I have tried homeopathy and after I tried it, I dismissed it as useless and a waste of money. Is that “scientific” enough for you? Because actually, trying something for oneself and then deciding that it does or doesn’t work, is scientifically worthless.

There have been hundreds of trials of homeopathy and there is NO good scientific evidence that it works better than placebo. There is a role for placebo in medicine but most doctors prefer not to promote a therapy that is based on prescience ideas we now know to be false and which pretends to be something it isn’t.

As Garry Schwartz is not a scientist, he can be forgiven for not being up to speed on research into water at a molecular level but but his ‘feedback loop’ suggestion is risible.

]]> Comment on A scientific explanation for homeopathy? by Philip http://blog.philipcasey.com/a-scientific-explanation-for-homeopathy/comment-page-1/#comment-37619 Philip Sun, 04 Oct 2009 09:36:00 +0000 http://blog.philipcasey.com/?p=489#comment-37619 Thank you, Debby. Nice site Thank you, Debby. Nice site

]]> Comment on A scientific explanation for homeopathy? by Debby Bruck http://blog.philipcasey.com/a-scientific-explanation-for-homeopathy/comment-page-1/#comment-37618 Debby Bruck Sun, 04 Oct 2009 08:08:23 +0000 http://blog.philipcasey.com/?p=489#comment-37618 There will be many theories, philosophical discussions, and ideations to understand how homeopathy works. Do we really know how anything works? Really? Scientists continually find out new information as we learn about the world around us. As people interact they discover more about relationships and new dimensions from outer space to inner space. The universe is dynamic and so are we. Two things mentioned in your blog make sense to me. One, that two can co-exist. That means more than one theory or approach to understanding and solutions can exist simultaneously. What works for one person may not work for another person. There is more than one path to a solution. The only way to find out is to try. Point two, relates to healthy skepticism and keeping an open mind. A true scientist will actually test a theory, rather than decide on a stance without undergoing extensive testing. And, what about listening to the experience of other people. Everyone lives with their own perspectives and truths. Wishing everyone in your family excellent health and quick recovery. I have been there and have survived. <a href="http://twitter.com/DebbyBruck" rel="nofollow">Debby</a> <a href="http://homeopathyworldcommunity.com" rel="nofollow">HomeopathyWorldCommunity</a> There will be many theories, philosophical discussions, and ideations to understand how homeopathy works. Do we really know how anything works? Really?

Scientists continually find out new information as we learn about the world around us. As people interact they discover more about relationships and new dimensions from outer space to inner space. The universe is dynamic and so are we.

Two things mentioned in your blog make sense to me. One, that two can co-exist. That means more than one theory or approach to understanding and solutions can exist simultaneously. What works for one person may not work for another person. There is more than one path to a solution. The only way to find out is to try. Point two, relates to healthy skepticism and keeping an open mind. A true scientist will actually test a theory, rather than decide on a stance without undergoing extensive testing. And, what about listening to the experience of other people.

Everyone lives with their own perspectives and truths.

Wishing everyone in your family excellent health and quick recovery. I have been there and have survived.

Debby
HomeopathyWorldCommunity

]]> Comment on The Tailor and Ansty (new run) by Margaret http://blog.philipcasey.com/the-tailor-and-ansty-new-run/comment-page-1/#comment-37106 Margaret Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:31:39 +0000 http://blog.philipcasey.com/the-tailor-and-ansty-new-run/#comment-37106 Hi Philip I have just finished reading the Tailor and Ansty . It is a shame on me that I have not read it earlier, it was in the to do pile for way too long. It made me laugh, cry, think and understand. My Dad was from West Cork as were his Mam and Dad. They had stories and sayings that were echoed in the book. My Dad died in 2007, the overidings memory I have is his live of West Corkm the people, the chat, the stories etc. It is a lovely book with many wise words. By the way I have live away for 23yrs and came back because as I got older I got more and more homesick. I love this Island. Hi Philip

I have just finished reading the Tailor and Ansty . It is a shame on me that I have not read it earlier, it was in the to do pile for way too long. It made me laugh, cry, think and understand. My Dad was from West Cork as were his Mam and Dad. They had stories and sayings that were echoed in the book. My Dad died in 2007, the overidings memory I have is his live of West Corkm the people, the chat, the stories etc. It is a lovely book with many wise words. By the way I have live away for 23yrs and came back because as I got older I got more and more homesick. I love this Island.

]]> Comment on Far Cry in Dunamaise by PaulSweeney http://blog.philipcasey.com/far-cry-in-dunamaise/comment-page-1/#comment-35965 PaulSweeney Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:50:19 +0000 http://blog.philipcasey.com/?p=418#comment-35965 Mmm, I've come across very weak people in all walks of life, but the arts seems to breed of duplicitous people. Total honesty is the only radical, long term, and sustainable response. Mmm, I’ve come across very weak people in all walks of life, but the arts seems to breed of duplicitous people. Total honesty is the only radical, long term, and sustainable response.

]]> Comment on Dwyers: 19th Century coachbuilders by Philip http://blog.philipcasey.com/dwyers-19th-century-coachbuilders/comment-page-1/#comment-24498 Philip Sat, 28 Feb 2009 13:41:24 +0000 http://blog.philipcasey.com/?p=280#comment-24498 For those who are interested, Michael Dwyer's descendants are listed here http://www.geocities.com/dwyergenealogy/d1.htm For those who are interested, Michael Dwyer’s descendants are listed here
http://www.geocities.com/dwyergenealogy/d1.htm

]]> Comment on Dwyers: 19th Century coachbuilders by Philip http://blog.philipcasey.com/dwyers-19th-century-coachbuilders/comment-page-1/#comment-22352 Philip Fri, 20 Feb 2009 14:18:23 +0000 http://blog.philipcasey.com/?p=280#comment-22352 Thanks, Aisling. I should have mentioned that I knew Dwyer was from the Glen of Imaal. I know his political history quite well. But there is a story linking one of his descendents to Mayo, and this is what I'm interested in. Thanks, Aisling. I should have mentioned that I knew Dwyer was from the Glen of Imaal. I know his political history quite well. But there is a story linking one of his descendents to Mayo, and this is what I’m interested in.

]]> Comment on Dwyers: 19th Century coachbuilders by aisling http://blog.philipcasey.com/dwyers-19th-century-coachbuilders/comment-page-1/#comment-22348 aisling Fri, 20 Feb 2009 14:03:56 +0000 http://blog.philipcasey.com/?p=280#comment-22348 Michael Dwyer the 1798 hero was born in the Glen of Imaal in 1772. remote glen, deep in the Wicklow Mountains no Mayo Michael Dwyer the 1798 hero was born in the Glen of Imaal in 1772. remote glen, deep in the Wicklow Mountains no Mayo

]]> Comment on Competence and responsibility is valued in US again. by Jay Taber http://blog.philipcasey.com/competence-and-responsibility-is-valued-in-us-again/comment-page-1/#comment-22083 Jay Taber Thu, 19 Feb 2009 17:08:18 +0000 http://blog.philipcasey.com/?p=256#comment-22083 It may be what we value, but it's not what we got. Now that Obama has nearly finished looting our treasury for the credit cartel, he has set his sights on slashing Social Security, thereby starving our senior citizens. It may be that politicians are supposed to lead, but as we all know, leadership is more likely to come from poets and philosophers, which seem to be in short supply on this side of the Atlantic. It may be what we value, but it’s not what we got.

Now that Obama has nearly finished looting our treasury for the credit cartel, he has set his sights on slashing Social Security, thereby starving our senior citizens. It may be that politicians are supposed to lead, but as we all know, leadership is more likely to come from poets and philosophers, which seem to be in short supply on this side of the Atlantic.

]]> Comment on James Liddy RIP by John Dey http://blog.philipcasey.com/james-liddy-rip/comment-page-1/#comment-9531 John Dey Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:48:22 +0000 http://blog.philipcasey.com/?p=254#comment-9531 James poured knowledge and poetic substance into us students as ale is patiently poured into a pint glass. He will be missed, and often thought of and prayed for. Nora, and Jim, prayers for you also, always. I want the world to know James by patient and kind remarks here and there evangelized me back to mother Church, and am grateful. Lift the glass! James poured knowledge and poetic substance into us students as ale is patiently poured into a pint glass.

He will be missed, and often thought of and prayed for.

Nora, and Jim, prayers for you also, always.

I want the world to know James by patient and kind remarks here and there evangelized me back to mother Church, and am grateful.

Lift the glass!

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