Z-DAY from Peter Thomas on Vimeo. "In late October 2009 a meteor crashed into St Werberghs, Bristol U.K. While the initial damage was contained efficiently and promptly by the authorities, Solanum-based particles from the meteor quickly spread on the wind, infecting many of the local population and causing a class-2 zombie infestation/outbreak. Within hours, the walking dead had descended on Broadmead Shopping Centre in search of meat and brains... Few survived and many souls were lost that day, however a blood-stained video tape from a local underground film-maker was recovered from the wreckage... Following a press black-out, this film documents the fateful event (dubbed "Z-Day" by locals), and provides a rare and privileged insight into a full-scale zombie attack on a densly populated urban area."
Flavorwire » Blog Archive » DJ /rupture’s Favorite Cities and Songs "Bristol is amazing, and it’s especially amazing for all sorts of different types of bass music. For a track, it’s hard to say, because there’s so much dub, dubstep, UK garage, reggae, as well… all this stuff coming out of Bristol. But my favorite spot in Bristol, I think it’s a Sunday night party, is at this place called Cosies."
BHA on BBC Consultation "We want an end to the privileged status and position of religions and religious broadcasting by the BBC, and for some programmes about humanism or from a humanist perspective to be broadcast. In spite of legislation making clear that religions and beliefs, including non-religious beliefs such as Humanism, should be treated equally in terms of broadcasting, the BBC continues to resist doing so. We want the BBC to fulfil its obligations and include Humanist programmes in its broadcasting!"
Radio 4 Front Row from Tues, available to stream for a week "Lord Mandelson recently announced the government's plans for tackling illegal file sharing online. Under new measures, repeat offenders who ignore warning letters could have their internet connection removed. High-profile figures including Lily Allen and Radiohead's Ed O'Brien have been weighing into the debate over what approach the government and music industry should take to tackle the problem. Minister for Digital Britain Stephen Timms, CEO of UK Music Feargal Sharkey and Cory Doctorow, the journalist and supporter of copyright liberalisation, discuss the issues surrounding the file sharing debate." Plus a report on Health & Safety vs cartoon violence.
:: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 :: What do humanists eat?
"Thank you to members who responded so helpfully earlier this year to Marilyn Mason's appeal for humanist views on food. Predictably there was no consensus, but the varied perspectives contributed to an interesting article, which is now published at http://www.shapworkingparty.org.uk/journals/index_0910.html. You may be interested to read how your food ethics and preferences compare with those of other humanists, as well as with those of other beliefs."
:: Friday, September 25, 2009 :: The Atheist’s Guide to Christmas
"This is a brand new book I’ve edited called “The Atheist’s Guide to Christmas”, featuring writing from 42 brilliant atheists including Richard Dawkins (with his first ever piece of fiction), Derren Brown (on how we can all be kinder), Ben Goldacre (on the power of ideas), Charlie Brooker (on God’s sense of humour), as well as David Baddiel, Josie Long, AC Grayling, Julian Baggini, Richard Herring, Simon Singh, Brian Cox and many, many more. All royalties from the book are going to the UK HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust, providing testing, medical and legal advice and emotional support to people living with HIV – and we really need your help to make this book a success!
"The book launched today and will receive its first chart position this Sunday, based on pre-orders. It would be truly brilliant if we could reach the Top 10 bestsellers, giving atheism a mainstream presence in bookshops in the UK, and raising as much for THT as we did for the Atheist Bus Campaign. However, we need to sell 5,000 copies over today and Saturday to do this – and we’d be very grateful if you could help us.
"Sinister things are afoot at the United Nations, with an alliance of countries moving to change the UN Human Rights Council's mission to one prohibiting the criticism of religion. The alliance is comprised mostly of Islamic countries, though China, Russia and Cuba are notable by their presence. (It can only be presumed that they are doing this out of the principle of supporting repression wherever it rears its head.) I heard that the Vatican may also be involved, though this is unconfirmed.
"For what it's worth, if you live in the UK, you can petition the Prime Minister to oppose this; if enough people do so, maybe, just maybe, he will."