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Shinawatra University MBA Program
As a well-rounded individual, I do of course have numerous other interests apart from the academic. However, not all of these will be discussed here; those that will be discussed include the following: Simulation
and Games We share an interest with many people in how we can understand life and society and development and a desire to determine ways in which we might be able to improve matters. We are also outraged by the futility and narrowness of the majority of economic or econometric modelling. So are there approaches to simulating human societies that might provide genuinely useful insights into future policy decisions? Tetworld The thought and work of the late R. Buckminster "Bucky" Fuller provide an important stream of thought in seeking to combine peace with development. Information about the ongoing project and the possibility of co-operating with it may be found here. Conway's Game of Life How did life evolve? Do apparently random proceses applied to non-living materials combine to make living entities? These questions apply not just to the creation of life on earth or indeed elsewhere but also to questions concerning the deliberate creation of artificial life forms. Conway's project adopts simple algorithms and then observes how simple states will then mutate and change. Download the game in Windows format from this site. A range of useful information about the project and various refinements is available here. Herman Hesse's Glass Bead Game Games playing can offer far more than simple entertainment or diversion. The German author Herman Hesse's wonderful work The Glass Bead Game (known also under other titles) describes a game in which the player places beads on a grid in which each bead represents a trope, a fragment of music, an idea from philosophy or another fragment. The game is to construct works on the grid which resonate with new or unanticipated beauty and meaning. Information about the game itself rather than the wider or perhaps deeper meanings of the work, including links to suggestions as to how actually to play the game in solitaire, competitive or co-operative mode may be found here. Sir Philip Sidney demonstrated long ago that the world was best understood through the work of literature or, at least, poesie. This view is less well regarded today but it is nevertheless the case that literature is the greatest of the arts and its finest works among the greatest creations of humanity (this view is not necessarily shared by all EWARC researchers). The following paragraphs provide links to some areas of particularly helpful inspiration and joy. Shakespeare One whose surname needs no further gloss. The complete works of Shakespeare together with other useful supporting information is available here. Eliot One might argue that T.S. Eliot is the greatest poet of this century (and this century ends at the beginning of 2001). Summarising his work and thought would be an invidious process within the confines available here and so one might usefully apply for a fine introduction to this site. Blake William Blake's was a radical voice and one for which almost endless amounts of misinterpretation is possible. As in most cases of literary criticism, close reading of the text will provide the most helpful and rewarding appreciation of the work. One might start by looking here. The Oxford Book of English Verse It is also possible to view this splendid anthology of verse
online without additional charges. While one might always quibble with certain
choices, this is nevertheless an enviably complete collection. It is available here. Reading Football Club Follow the lads to their inevitable triumph and promotion to Division One through the Hobnob Anyone? website here. Frankly, they might just as well admit us to the Premier League straight away. You Rs.
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