Rhetoric

Why Abstract Propositions are of Utility, by way of Jabberwocky.

Why Abstract Propositions are of Utility, by way of Jabberwocky.

To illustrate the utility of abstract propositions, consider that Jabberwocky, in talking of ‘slithy toves’, references two fictional worlds, fw,...

Poll reporting and Margin of Error.

Poll reporting and Margin of Error.

For good or ill – well, ill – polling has become a cornerstone of the Australian political process. This is...

Defining Propaganda: criteria and examples

Defining Propaganda: criteria and examples

The term ‘propaganda’ has negative connotations in modern communications, meaning that it sometimes seems to equate to ‘bad’ or ‘unethical’...

A Sceptical method of inquiry

A Sceptical method of inquiry

Consider a question in the light of a conclusion, theory, or argument that seems right. The theory ought to be...

On media bias

On media bias

It would be useful to have a set of broadly acceptable criteria for media bias so that it might be...

Where Credibility Fails in Advocacy Journalism

Where Credibility Fails in Advocacy Journalism

[these considerations prompted by discussion  that formed part of the Bradley Manning court-martial on and prior to July 10th 2013....

On Credibility of Sources – notes for a tutorial

On Credibility of Sources – notes for a tutorial

1. Is there any source (written by a human) that we can trust absolutely? Answer is no, or at least...

Fight Club and Revolution Fantasy

Fight Club and Revolution Fantasy

“A comfortable, smooth, reasonable, democratic unfreedom prevails in advanced industrial civilisation..” (Marcuse, 1967 p19) In 1947 the leading exponents of...

note on Aristotle and the Organon

note on Aristotle and the Organon

          ‘The original is unfaithful to the translation. — Borges, On Henley’s translattion of Beckford’s Vathek,...

Figures of Displacement

Figures of Displacement

Allegory A story or fable employed for its similarity and symbolic portent for a real-world situation. e.g An army of...