News thread

JayMoyles wrote:

Could someone with a better grasp of physics explain that article to me in plainer terms? I get the gist but I don't understand the finer points of it.

That person isn't me, I'm afraid. I just went "Ooh, no Big Bang, quantum stuff, fascinating." I mean, I can understand some of the other bits with effort, but physics isn't really my forte. I was always more of a pure maths chap.

Fair enough! I'm a words and literature guy, so I'm even further removed from the field than you! It's certainly interesting though - considering how fundamental the Big Bang was to many theories, this really shakes up the scientific world.

At age 83, Leonard Nimoy has passed away. Rest in peace, sir.

Saw that on Twitter earlier - sad stuff indeed. I never watched the original Star Trek, but from my brief exposure to him in Fringe and the JJ Abrams Star Trek films, he certainly had an obvious presence.

Very sad news

*sigh* he always seemed like a nice, down-to-earth, guy (ironically).

Very sad. I love Star Trek and Mr Spock has always been a hero of mine. Will probably watch a few of his classics this weekend but I'm not sure I'll be able to finish Wrath of Khan with dry eyes to be honest.

I was quite stunned when I heard about this & even though I'm not the biggest fan of Star Trek I did like his work especially his role in Fringe, we have a lost a true sci fi legend.

RIP.

Sir Terry Pratchett is dead. Small gods speed.

This tweet made me very sad. I loved Discworld - one of the most unique fantasy worlds in literature and with such a wonderfully off-piste sense of humour. He'll be missed.

There's an open evening at work in about an hour and I'm so sad about Terry Pratchett that it'll be a real challenge to be bright and positive. 2015 has seen some bright stars wink out so far and no mistake.

I was really shocked when I heard this news earlier on in the day. I have no love for his books, but I know that millions of people do and he was so young.

Reading Pratchetts books has always been something I meant to do and there'll be a tinge of sadness to it now. Not looking like a good year for my heroes

So what do we all think about Jeremy Clarkson being suspended from Top Gear?

I personally think he is somewhat of a knob, rather boorish, overly arrogant and only occasionally funny. I have seen a bit of Top Gear, but I am not a petrol head, so it isn't my thing. However, he is really popular with his fans and I think that is all that matters. I don't have to watch him, and I don't, but I wouldn't want to deprive his fans of being able to watch him. I don't think any of the stupid things he has said are so bad he should be taken off television and I doubt he is singularly guilty of the fracas with the producer.

In short, I think it is a storm in a teacup.

Also, I had no idea he was exactly the same age as me, as man, he looks a lot older. He must have lived a full life.

Erm... I was going to post this link before Mas posted his picture.  No offence meant... http://www.newstatesman.com/sarah-ditum/2015/03/we-live-world-stupid-and-jeremy-clarkson-its-king

He does do stupid things but some of the things he does say makes sense and he's a entertainer and Top gear isn't really about the cars it's about the entertainment the three of them bring to the show. With out one of them there's is no show.

I don't know why they just didn't fine him or something instead.

I understand and agree that Jeremy cannot see himself as being bigger than the show or the BBC and has to be taken to task if he steps over the line, but surely if a show isn't live, truly live, anything he says that goes to air is the responsibility of the editor/producer? Unless of course he has that power himself. Surely they can check what he says is suitable for broadcast.

A fight is another matter, and I think we all need to withhold judgement on that until it is investigated.

Again, I don't care for him myself, but I think there are worse things than being mildly offensive. He does generate a lot of hate, and I am never sure how that works, as we as viewers can literally ignore him.

Totally depends what he did - "fracas" is somewhat vague, although one can assume that means a fight. If he's scrapped with a producer, then he should be fired. If it had been the other way around, the producer would be gone in a heartbeat. Clarkson shouldn't get special treatment based on his celebrity status. If "fracas" means some nasty words have been exchanged, a fine should probably suffice. I think there's been physicality though.

Apparently Clarkson was the one that reported it, so you would think that the producer was in the wrong.

Also yeah most places you would get fired if violence but in celebrity / sports word that's not the case. I remember Balotelli through a dart at a academy player all he got was a fine.

He's supposed to have punched one of the producers. In most jobs, if you punch someone, you lose your employment. There should be no other way to see this. The only issue I can see the BBC having is that if Clarkson is fired (or if he quits), nearly every other channel will welcome him with open arms to star in Not Gear (or whatever). And that's a bit sad.

Unfortunately like I said it doesn't like that with things outside of the normal work place.

Yeah wouldn't be surprised if he does go, he goes somewhere else but your need all three of them for #bantz.

Yeah, read about him punching the bloke and attacking him based on his nationality - no excuses, Clarkson has to go now.

This seems to be a bit of Chinese Whispers as first he just swore at the guy over something to do with food and now he's attacking a guy for being a different nationality.

If the producer is a different nationality he might just be playing the race card.

I suppose that's what the investigation will uncover. I wouldn't put it past Clarkson to attack someone based on their nationality, though.