Graphic Images on Cigarette Packets

Yesterday I was glad to see the UK government (which has in recent times caught up to other countries as regards smoking regulations) has decided to put quite graphic images on smoking packets. These include* pictures of people with cancerous growths, damaged lungs, damaged hearts, etc.

As was pointed out to me these images might not stop smokers smoking. Smokers know that they shorten their life expectancy with every puff but they smoke because they enjoy it. Well I would contest that they smoke due to addiction but we’ll move on. I would also contend that all smokers actually do know just how much smoking is affecting their health.

What might very well work with this campaign is that less people might take up smoking. These gruesome images might well stop younger people becoming tomorrow’s smokers. It’s worth a try.

* I didn’t put up the images here (in case you have a weak stomach) but they can be found here.

STFC Astronomy Summer School, Durham

My first task as a PhDer is to attend the STFC Astronomy Summer School in Durham. In the past weeks the details have become clearer. I will be staying in Grey College which I am told by my girlfriend is (unfortunately) up Cardiac Hill (if you don’t know what this is you are better off). Ah well!

Also, the programme for the school has been finalised. Each day is jammed packed with talks and the evenings have many exciting activities arranged. These include dinner in Durham Castle as well as a river trip in Newcastle as well as the obligatory pub quiz! I will write about the talks once I’ve been! I am looking forward to this week and the chance to mingle with many people in the same boat as I am (i.e. lost, confusd and hoping they can do a PhD!).

I will be heading to Durham on Sunday (19th) directly from London where I am going next weekend to see Prince in concert which of course will be great!

Starting My PhD II

As I have said I start my PhD in the coming weeks. I have been having a wander around my new city and university also. I even managed to find the building in which I will be based – the Alan Turing Building. This new building will be home to the astrophysicists from Jodrell Bank Observatory, the Photon Science Institute and the Mathematics dept. The astronomers are yet to move in – August 30th is the move date I’m told and I will be rporting for duty on the following Monday, the 3rd of September. The building is quite nice* but will no doubt be much nicer once all us astro folk move in(!).

* It even has showers – it beats NUIG and Cambridge’s fancy CMS in that respect then …

Where is Evan?

There has been a bit of a delay since my last blog post. I have moved to Manchester and am waiting for the BT and Sky people to hook me up with phone and broadband facilities. Until then I am restricted to blogging in an internet cafe! More lengthy posts to follow (on Manchester, my Durham summer school and more) when I sort things out!

Evan