TYRE PRESSURE
It's a truism to say that bicycles are dependent on air pressure. But that fact was brought home to me today with a vengeance.
On Tuesday I did 30km with the club at an average speed of just over 30 km/hour. However, I was struggling at times, even though there was little wind. I thought my tyres were a bit flat, so before today's run, I went round to a fellow cyclist and borrowed his foot pump, which has a manometer on it. Instead of the usual 7.5 bars on the front wheel and 8.5 on the back, mine registered a measly 2! It was if I had been running through treacle.
After pumping them up to the proper pressure, I was rolling. Not only did I have no difficulty in keeping up this evening, but I was even pulling at the front on occasion.
Walter Blotscher
Thursday, 31 May 2012
Wednesday, 30 May 2012
MEDIÆVAL QUEENS
The role of queens in the Middle Ages was ill-defined. On the one hand, although legal customs (eg the right to own property) varied from place to place, women were everywhere treated as second-class citizens. On the other, queens were the only people in the world guaranteed uninterrupted "face time" (to use a very un-mediæval expression) with kings, namely in the marital bed. True, this opportunity might only last until such time as the queen had produced a male heir. However, queens were often put in charge of their childrens' education; so if you could no longer influence the current ruler, then you might well be able to influence the next.
The uncertainty surrounding queens' status could thus be exploited by forceful women. One such was Eleanor of Aquitaine, who inherited the province from her father, and then proceeded to marry in succession the King of France, Louis VII (by whom she had only daughters) and the King of England, Henry II (by whom she had five sons and three daughters). Her influence over her sons was a constant thorn in Henry's side (see the film the Lion in Winter), and he had her imprisoned for supporting the revolt of the eldest. But she survived to become regent of England during Richard the Lionheart's time away on crusade, and lived to be more than 80, a remarkable age for the time. If Eleanor was an example of realpolitik, other queens obtained influence through religion. For example, Kunigunde of Luxemburg, the wife of the Holy Roman Emperor Henry II, was renowned for her piety, and was later made a saint by the Pope.
One thing everybody in the Middle Ages could agree on was that becoming a queen was by far the best career option for a girl. It was accordingly something that noble families tried very hard to exploit. The Habsburgs were good at it; but the winner's prize must surely go to Raymond Berenger V of Provence. A mere count in an era of emperors, kings and dukes, he had the misfortune to have four daughters and no sons. Yet the daughters married in turn King Louis IX of France, King Henry III of England, Henry's brother Richard (who became King of the Romans) and Louis' brother Charles (who became King of Sicily). They were fertile and lived long, thereby extending their influence into the next generation. And they used their position to secure titles and positions for their extended family, including an Archbishop of Canterbury and assorted bishops. An impressive example of social climbing.
Walter Blotscher
The role of queens in the Middle Ages was ill-defined. On the one hand, although legal customs (eg the right to own property) varied from place to place, women were everywhere treated as second-class citizens. On the other, queens were the only people in the world guaranteed uninterrupted "face time" (to use a very un-mediæval expression) with kings, namely in the marital bed. True, this opportunity might only last until such time as the queen had produced a male heir. However, queens were often put in charge of their childrens' education; so if you could no longer influence the current ruler, then you might well be able to influence the next.
The uncertainty surrounding queens' status could thus be exploited by forceful women. One such was Eleanor of Aquitaine, who inherited the province from her father, and then proceeded to marry in succession the King of France, Louis VII (by whom she had only daughters) and the King of England, Henry II (by whom she had five sons and three daughters). Her influence over her sons was a constant thorn in Henry's side (see the film the Lion in Winter), and he had her imprisoned for supporting the revolt of the eldest. But she survived to become regent of England during Richard the Lionheart's time away on crusade, and lived to be more than 80, a remarkable age for the time. If Eleanor was an example of realpolitik, other queens obtained influence through religion. For example, Kunigunde of Luxemburg, the wife of the Holy Roman Emperor Henry II, was renowned for her piety, and was later made a saint by the Pope.
One thing everybody in the Middle Ages could agree on was that becoming a queen was by far the best career option for a girl. It was accordingly something that noble families tried very hard to exploit. The Habsburgs were good at it; but the winner's prize must surely go to Raymond Berenger V of Provence. A mere count in an era of emperors, kings and dukes, he had the misfortune to have four daughters and no sons. Yet the daughters married in turn King Louis IX of France, King Henry III of England, Henry's brother Richard (who became King of the Romans) and Louis' brother Charles (who became King of Sicily). They were fertile and lived long, thereby extending their influence into the next generation. And they used their position to secure titles and positions for their extended family, including an Archbishop of Canterbury and assorted bishops. An impressive example of social climbing.
Walter Blotscher
Tuesday, 29 May 2012
PILGRIMAGE (2)
Because I went on this year's walking tour just after Easter, I was able to go on my wife's pilgrimage this Whitsun weekend (hence no blogging for three days). 65km over three days, in baking hot sunshine. It was tough towards the end, since I got a rather large blister under my toe towards the evening of the second day; but I made it.
A couple of observations. First, there are a lot of churches in Denmark. We walked through many small villages and nearly all of them had a church. Plain, whitewashed walls, wooden pews, and few or no pictures; but surprisingly well kept, both inside and in the churchyard. Secondly, a large proportion of priests in Denmark are women, particularly young women. It would not surprise me if they became the majority in x years' time; which would be remarkable, if you take a long view of the history of the church. Thirdly, although the churches are well kept, there are many derelict houses in these villages, particularly former grocers' shops. People are moving to the big cities, and small shops can't compete with the supermarkets. It is not easy to think of a solution to this problem, but if something is not done, then some of these villages will become deserted.
Walter Blotscher
Because I went on this year's walking tour just after Easter, I was able to go on my wife's pilgrimage this Whitsun weekend (hence no blogging for three days). 65km over three days, in baking hot sunshine. It was tough towards the end, since I got a rather large blister under my toe towards the evening of the second day; but I made it.
A couple of observations. First, there are a lot of churches in Denmark. We walked through many small villages and nearly all of them had a church. Plain, whitewashed walls, wooden pews, and few or no pictures; but surprisingly well kept, both inside and in the churchyard. Secondly, a large proportion of priests in Denmark are women, particularly young women. It would not surprise me if they became the majority in x years' time; which would be remarkable, if you take a long view of the history of the church. Thirdly, although the churches are well kept, there are many derelict houses in these villages, particularly former grocers' shops. People are moving to the big cities, and small shops can't compete with the supermarkets. It is not easy to think of a solution to this problem, but if something is not done, then some of these villages will become deserted.
Walter Blotscher
Monday, 28 May 2012
GIRO D'ITALIA (4)
Ryder Hesjedal was the surprise winner of this year's Giro d'Italia, winning the pink jersey by 16 seconds from Joaquim Rodriguez (in a race of more than 3,000 km, that gap is not much more than 200 metres!). The lanky Canadian was in prime position after his Garmin-Barracuda team decisively won stage 4's team trial. And although Rodriguez is undoubtedly the better climber, Hesjedal was able to cling to his wheel throughout the mountain stages and go into the final stage time trial only 31 seconds down. A gap he easily made up and more, despite Rodriguez' riding the time trial of his life.
The result showed again how important teams are in cycling. I had bet on Ivan Basso because of his strong Liquigas team. But although they controlled many of the uphill stages, their Polish super domestique Silwester Szmyd didn't function, presumably because of illness. The Liquigas tactics were for Szmyd to set a gruelling pace up the last mountain, with Basso in tow; after burning off the other favourites, Basso would be left on his own to finish the job. However, without Szmyd, all the half dozen or so favourites came to the finale together, and Hejsedal could hang in there.
When I announced Basso as my pick, my younger son suggested Hejsedal, until now a relative unknown in the top ranks of world cycling (he is the first Canadian to win a Grand Tour, for instance). I thought Hejsedal would do well, but I didn't think he could win it. Hats off to my son's judgement.
Walter Blotscher
Ryder Hesjedal was the surprise winner of this year's Giro d'Italia, winning the pink jersey by 16 seconds from Joaquim Rodriguez (in a race of more than 3,000 km, that gap is not much more than 200 metres!). The lanky Canadian was in prime position after his Garmin-Barracuda team decisively won stage 4's team trial. And although Rodriguez is undoubtedly the better climber, Hesjedal was able to cling to his wheel throughout the mountain stages and go into the final stage time trial only 31 seconds down. A gap he easily made up and more, despite Rodriguez' riding the time trial of his life.
The result showed again how important teams are in cycling. I had bet on Ivan Basso because of his strong Liquigas team. But although they controlled many of the uphill stages, their Polish super domestique Silwester Szmyd didn't function, presumably because of illness. The Liquigas tactics were for Szmyd to set a gruelling pace up the last mountain, with Basso in tow; after burning off the other favourites, Basso would be left on his own to finish the job. However, without Szmyd, all the half dozen or so favourites came to the finale together, and Hejsedal could hang in there.
When I announced Basso as my pick, my younger son suggested Hejsedal, until now a relative unknown in the top ranks of world cycling (he is the first Canadian to win a Grand Tour, for instance). I thought Hejsedal would do well, but I didn't think he could win it. Hats off to my son's judgement.
Walter Blotscher
Friday, 25 May 2012
COOKIES
Cookies are small data files, that allow websites to recognise and track users. They attach themselves to a visitor's computer, a bit like a limpet to a boat. Advertisers love them, since they allow adverts to be more precisely targeted to potential customers. They are one of the reasons why Facebook and Google have such enormous market valuations.
However, the use of cookies involves difficult issues of privacy, not least because many internet users are unaware, or perhaps only vaguely aware, that they are being tracked. In order to tackle these issues, the E.U. has introduced regulations which affect all European websites. The crucial element is that a website must notify a visitor what cookies are being placed on their machine. Today is the last working day in the U.K. before the new regulation takes effect.
The consensus seems to be that most websites will not be compliant come Monday. One reason is that it is unclear what is required in order to comply. The BBC, a big and popular website which I often look at, has solved the problem (from yesterday) by asking viewers for their consent via a pop-up. However, the BBC's website is both free and not trying to sell anything; companies which use them as a sales tool may well balk at raising an issue of which many, if not most, of their potential customers are ignorant.
Non-compliance can in theory lead to fines of up to £500,000. The question is whether this rather draconian option will be invoked "pour encourager les autres", or whether the authorities will go easy during an initial transition period. Given that the Government's own websites are unlikely to meet the deadline, I suspect the latter.
Walter Blotscher
Cookies are small data files, that allow websites to recognise and track users. They attach themselves to a visitor's computer, a bit like a limpet to a boat. Advertisers love them, since they allow adverts to be more precisely targeted to potential customers. They are one of the reasons why Facebook and Google have such enormous market valuations.
However, the use of cookies involves difficult issues of privacy, not least because many internet users are unaware, or perhaps only vaguely aware, that they are being tracked. In order to tackle these issues, the E.U. has introduced regulations which affect all European websites. The crucial element is that a website must notify a visitor what cookies are being placed on their machine. Today is the last working day in the U.K. before the new regulation takes effect.
The consensus seems to be that most websites will not be compliant come Monday. One reason is that it is unclear what is required in order to comply. The BBC, a big and popular website which I often look at, has solved the problem (from yesterday) by asking viewers for their consent via a pop-up. However, the BBC's website is both free and not trying to sell anything; companies which use them as a sales tool may well balk at raising an issue of which many, if not most, of their potential customers are ignorant.
Non-compliance can in theory lead to fines of up to £500,000. The question is whether this rather draconian option will be invoked "pour encourager les autres", or whether the authorities will go easy during an initial transition period. Given that the Government's own websites are unlikely to meet the deadline, I suspect the latter.
Walter Blotscher
Thursday, 24 May 2012
WIND POWER
Denmark has long been in the forefront of wind power. And in the forefront of that forefront, so to speak, has been Vestas, still the world's biggest producer of power windmills. The company's charismatic boss, Ditlev Engel, has been a constant at world climate conferences, Davos, and similar meetings of the great and the good. Wind is good for the world, was the message.
Yet Vestas is in trouble. Roughly four years ago its market value was kr.130 billion; today it is just kr.7.7 billion. Part of that fall can be attributed to the financial crisis; but a large part is due to the company's own problems. It made an operating loss of kr.447 million in 2011, and a staggering kr.1.2 billion in the first quarter of 2012. That is despite having an order book worth some kr.75 billion.
There are three basic problems. First, wind power is still uneconomic when compared with that from other fuel sources, so orders are heavily dependent on subsidy regimes in different countries. Secondly, Danish production costs, particularly labour, are some of the highest in the world. Thirdly, what was once a technologically difficult product to make is no longer so, meaning that there is fierce competition from Chinese and Indian producers. The result is that sales are just not profitable.
Vestas is shedding expensive Danish jobs - fast - and trying to get a better grip on costs. But foreign investors who once thought that Mr. Engel walked on water are selling out in droves; the proportion of shares held by foreigners has fallen from 70% in 2008 to less than 50% today. Unless somthing radical happens, it would not surprise me if one of Denmark's flagship companies is gobbled up by a supposedly third world producer within the next five years.
Walter Blotscher
Denmark has long been in the forefront of wind power. And in the forefront of that forefront, so to speak, has been Vestas, still the world's biggest producer of power windmills. The company's charismatic boss, Ditlev Engel, has been a constant at world climate conferences, Davos, and similar meetings of the great and the good. Wind is good for the world, was the message.
Yet Vestas is in trouble. Roughly four years ago its market value was kr.130 billion; today it is just kr.7.7 billion. Part of that fall can be attributed to the financial crisis; but a large part is due to the company's own problems. It made an operating loss of kr.447 million in 2011, and a staggering kr.1.2 billion in the first quarter of 2012. That is despite having an order book worth some kr.75 billion.
There are three basic problems. First, wind power is still uneconomic when compared with that from other fuel sources, so orders are heavily dependent on subsidy regimes in different countries. Secondly, Danish production costs, particularly labour, are some of the highest in the world. Thirdly, what was once a technologically difficult product to make is no longer so, meaning that there is fierce competition from Chinese and Indian producers. The result is that sales are just not profitable.
Vestas is shedding expensive Danish jobs - fast - and trying to get a better grip on costs. But foreign investors who once thought that Mr. Engel walked on water are selling out in droves; the proportion of shares held by foreigners has fallen from 70% in 2008 to less than 50% today. Unless somthing radical happens, it would not surprise me if one of Denmark's flagship companies is gobbled up by a supposedly third world producer within the next five years.
Walter Blotscher
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
HAPPY CHAPPIES
International surveys regularly record that Denmark is the happiest country on earth, and the latest one, carried out on behalf of the U.N., did the same. But why?
The Scandinavian welfare model certainly helps. All four Nordic countries were in the top 10, as well as egalitarian societies such as the Netherlands and Canada. So too do riches. All of the top 10 countries were rich, whereas all of the bottom 10 were dirt poor, usually in Africa. Clearly if you have to struggle in order to survive, it is going to be difficult to be happy.
However, although Danes say that they are truly happy, is it true? I have to admit to having doubts. My wife, for instance, has a business helping troubled teenagers with their problems and insecurities; she doesn't seem to be short of clients. There also seem to be a lot of people going down with stress; the numbers receiving "førtidspensioner" (pensions given to people of working age, who are no longer able to work) have shot up during the past decade. And unemployment, particularly youth unemployment, has rocketed, though it is still lower than in other E.U. countries like Spain and Greece. Since the young tend, in general, to be more optimisitic than their more grizzled elders, this ought to be reflected in the figures.
Whatever the truth today, I predict that Denmark will not be top of the list in 10 years' time. Research has shown that happiness is closely correlated with economic performance. Since that is forecast to be modest, if not worse, expect more unhappy Danes in the future.
Walter Blotscher
International surveys regularly record that Denmark is the happiest country on earth, and the latest one, carried out on behalf of the U.N., did the same. But why?
The Scandinavian welfare model certainly helps. All four Nordic countries were in the top 10, as well as egalitarian societies such as the Netherlands and Canada. So too do riches. All of the top 10 countries were rich, whereas all of the bottom 10 were dirt poor, usually in Africa. Clearly if you have to struggle in order to survive, it is going to be difficult to be happy.
However, although Danes say that they are truly happy, is it true? I have to admit to having doubts. My wife, for instance, has a business helping troubled teenagers with their problems and insecurities; she doesn't seem to be short of clients. There also seem to be a lot of people going down with stress; the numbers receiving "førtidspensioner" (pensions given to people of working age, who are no longer able to work) have shot up during the past decade. And unemployment, particularly youth unemployment, has rocketed, though it is still lower than in other E.U. countries like Spain and Greece. Since the young tend, in general, to be more optimisitic than their more grizzled elders, this ought to be reflected in the figures.
Whatever the truth today, I predict that Denmark will not be top of the list in 10 years' time. Research has shown that happiness is closely correlated with economic performance. Since that is forecast to be modest, if not worse, expect more unhappy Danes in the future.
Walter Blotscher
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