Tag: United Kingdom
Out of random noise, scientists use consumer choice to create musical masterworks
Scientists in the United Kingdom wanted to see how consumers and evolution influence music. So they took random bits of noise and asked people to rate them one to five, bad to good. The best were then mixed with each other and sent back out to be rated. After just a few generations, those random bits of noise had become actual music....
Queen's Diamond Jubilee a sign of the evolution, rise of the British monarchy
After enduring years of scandal and declining public respect, the British monarchy is once-more at the top of its popularity. That will be on display this week with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebration, marking 60 years since she took the throne....
VIDEO: Former Liberian dictator Charles Taylor sentenced to 50 years
Charles Taylor, 64, the former leader of Liberia, convicted war criminal and American college student, will very likely spend the rest of his natural life in prison as punishment for the role he played in the violent crimes during the Sierra Leone civil war....
Britain's long drive to eradicate class may have led right back to the start
Britain has a love-affair with class. It's enshrined in its monarchy and system of lords and titles. But in the 1980s and 1990s, the government tried to drive class away. Now, though, some are beginning to declare that class never could have disappeared, except from the language of politicians....
Some London Olympic torches turning up for sale on eBay
The Olympic torch relay is underway in the United Kingdom right now. More than 8,000 people will carry the torch some distance across Britain before the Olympic games start. But some of them are choosing to take the torch and sell them....
In the U.K., life's course dictated by results of a test taken at age 11
From the 1950s through the 1970s, the United Kingdom administered a test to all of its 11-year-old. Students who passed got the golden ticket, grammar schools, college and social mobility. Those who failed, the vast, vast majority, were ticketed to less prestigious schools and careers in factories, as garbage collectors and other blue collar positions....
Cryptozoologist explains his studies of mysterious creatures — like the Loch Ness Monster
The first reported sighting of the Loch Ness Monster made the local news May 2, 1933. Since then, more than 40 sightings have been reported. But that's not the only mysterious sea creature that has been reported but never conclusively proven to exist....
U.S. pitching in to help British city make special pie for queen's diamond jubilee
In the United Kingdom, the city of Gloucester has a tradition of presenting a pie to the king or queen. But this isn't just any pie, it's a pie made with lamprey. Unfortunately, lamprey were fished nearly to death in the U.K. and are a protected species now. So Gloucester has to look to the former colonies to get the pie's key ingredient....
Londoners facing prospects of major disruptions as Olympic games near
London residents are being asked to give blood, ride their bikes and make deliveries in the dead of night, just some of the inconveniences they're being asked to consider as the city tries to prepare for the upcoming Summer Olympics. Keep calm and carry on, as they say....
Dull, Boring set to become sister cities
Two small towns, one in Oregon the other in Scotland, are considering becoming sister cities. They're not exactly linked by trade, nor are they culturally significant. It's really the towns' names that have the two communities considering linking up....
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