A Bookie Blog

This blog is based on the content of my HCJ, Feature Writing & Analysing Journalism lectures. I also blog football related issues regarding my local team Crystal Palace and my 6-aside team Dench United. Popular tags include 'HCJ', 'Dench', 'Feature Writing', 'Analysing Journalism' & 'CPFC'

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“Journalists are increasingly de-professionalised, becoming ‘news processors’ rather than news gatherers.” Critically evaluate this statement.

In David Randall’s ‘The Universal Journalist’, his forth chapter entitled ‘What Makes a Good Reporter’ reads; ‘What reporters do is find things out. They go in first, amid the chaos of now, battering at closed doors, often taking risks, to capture the beginnings of the truth’ (Randall 1996: 29).This interpretation of what makes a good reporter connotes a sense of courage and bravery, which is arguably a rather archaic view, however are the same attributes associated with the news processers who mediate the public interest in today’s society? Michael Bromley asserts that developments in most aspects of journalism have meant journalists must adjust in order to compete in today’s market. ‘My object in writing this article is to point out the extraordinary development of British journalism within the last half century, and to show how discoveries in science, improvements in machinery, alterations to social life, and changes in the character and tastes of the newspaper reader have transformed the old journalism into the new’ (Bromley & O’Malley 1997: 102) This quote taken from ‘A Journalism Reader’ (1997) refers to how social, mechanical and scientific developments have left journalism with no choice but to adapt.    

According to Anthony Giddens, ‘professionals gain their position largely from their possession of credentials – degrees, diplomas and other qualifications. As a whole they enjoy relatively secure and remunerative careers and their separation from people in more routine non-manual jobs has probably grown more pronounced’ (Giddens 2009: 314). From this reference I can deduce professionals acquire their prestige as a result of success throughout their education and as a result of this success, they’re likely to experience greater success in the future in terms of well-paid career opportunities. To reinforce this concept Max Weber postulates doctors and lawyers use professionalization to secure their market position. For instance the introduction of the British Medical Association in 1857 offered the opportunity for professionalization to medics within the UK. Although professionalization doesn’t appear to be as applicable to journalism as what it seems to medicine. As Michael Bromley writes; ‘Political and social changes in the last quarter century have produced contradictory and confusing repercussions. The anti-union legislation of the 1980s removed occupational and internal-promotion barriers, allowing new entrants without formal training to surge through the system often at the expense of older, more experienced hands, while at the same time, the drive towards mass education has appeared to ‘professionalize’ the industry with around 70 per cent of journalists attending university or college’ (Bromley 2001: 157). As a result of the anti-union legislation act put forward in the 1980s, the industry has become less incestuous allowing a greater range of writers into the field. In accordance with this information, it would appear journalists are becoming more professionalized, as opposed to de-professionalized. Anthony Giddens would have been an advocate of Michael Bromley’s analysis of the influx of graduate journalists into the industry - in relation to the industry becoming professionalized.

In ‘The Handbook of Journalism Studies’ chapter two written by Kevin Branhurst and John Nerone, entitled Journalism History  touches on the process of professionalization at the beginning on the twentieth century. ‘The professionalization project required a somewhat different form of journalism history. The new schools of journalism wanted a teachable history that could provide modern exemplars for aspiring professionals. The old Whig histories were somewhat useful, but only after being cleansed of their mavericks’ (Branhurst & Nerone 2009: 21). Again, highlighted by Branhurst and Nerone, a firm emphasis is asserted with education becoming a fundamental aspect of a journalists training; which again reinforces Giddens’ definition of what a professional is.  Branhurst and Nerone expand by elaborating on the confusion surrounding journalisms status as a profession - ‘Journalism as a work routine and as an alienated occupation mystifies class power. Post-capitalist media systems, therefore, should work to expose and then overcome class power. Such systems could re-imagine journalism in two contrasting ways. Journalism could devolve to the province of ordinary citizens, or journalism could become the mission of a vanguard. The former case would absorb journalism into daily lives of citizens, but the latter case would produce the opposite: an intense professionalization of journalism practice. As it happened, the media systems of the communist countries tended toward Party vanguardism’ (Branhurst & Nerone 2009: 22). A unanimous preference in communist countries for journalism to become professionalized was evident; however, there was a time when a journalist’s professional status was questionable.

‘During the period of the greatest expansion of media (since c.1880) journalists might have been expected to have been in the forefront of the competition among the emerging ‘professional class’ for income, power and status (Perkin 1990: 1-29). Yet as early as 1907 journalism divided formally into those who sought professional status through the Institute of Journalists (IoJ) and those who felt the need to collectivise as ‘wage earners’ in the National Union of Journalists (NUJ)’ (Bromley & O’Malley 1997: 330). Years later, the NCTJ (National Committee of Training Journalsits) – emphasised work place craft skills, as opposed “professional knowledge”. In 1977 The Royal Commission claimed ‘lowly paid, lowly educated’ journalists were becoming radicalized, but however were regarded as ‘professionals’.

After considering professionalization surrounding journalism, I’ll now explore the changes in techniques used by journalists in relation to gathering news. In order to maintain a dominant role in such a competitive market, news companies have employed certain tools in order to collate stories and gather news. For example, ‘the diary’ exposes the evolution of news gathering methods; ‘The dairy is a key document in any news office. It records predictable events that automatically merit coverage by their unquestionable public importance. It is also a register of less significant events vying for inclusion in the ‘automatic’ category. In a sense production of the diary is news production in advance’ (Golding & Elliot 1979: 112). The diary is a technique employed by the majority of newsrooms, although in recent years more sinister news gathering methods have been utilized such as phone hacking. Clive Goodman (News of The World: Royal Editor) and David Mulclaire (private detective) in 2006 were convicted for intercepting the royal families phone calls.        Police seized Mulcaire’s notes discovering 4,000 names, 4,000 mobile numbers, 5,000 landline numbers, near 4,775 potential victims however there were ‘no grounds for extending the investigation’. These more sinister techniques which enable journalists to gather exclusive information, demonstrate the lengths modern day news reporters are ready to go to, in order to meet deadlines or out do competition. Moreover, whilst it’s important in observing how news is gathered, the process of production is even more crucial with certain news companies maintaining a political bias or agenda.

‘In contrast, even a cursory glance at the academic literature which reports fieldwork undertaken by researcher examining news organisations, both in Europe and the USA, will reveal dozens of books and papers, with titles such as ‘Making the News’, ‘The Manufacture of News’, or ‘Putting Reality Together’. While these titles have been produced by academic researchers drawing upon a number of quite distinct theoretical approaches, from political economy through organisational theory to social constructionism, they all agree far from merely mirroring ‘what happens in the world’ , the practice of news journalism involves a process of manufacture or fabrication’ (Manning 2001: 49). From this reference it is made evident that a news companies agenda is perhaps more evident and ultimately determines what makes the news; this concept is also intrinsically linked with the Gatekeeper Theory.

After researching the professional status which is not so easy to connote with journalists, I maintain the view journalists are professionals, but in the last decade are starting to become de-professionalized. Through the process of education and training, graduates are able to apply there vocational knowledge into journalism. However, the competitive nature and pressures surrounding the industry, has forced journalists to utilize methods of news gathering which has tarnished a whole profession.                                  

Bibliography:

Bromley, M & O’Malley, T (1997). A Journalism Reader. London: Routledge.

Manning, P (2001). News and News Sources: A Critical Introduction. London: Sage.

Preston, P (2009). Making The News: Journalsim and News Cultures in Europe. Oxon: Routledge.

Randall, D (1996). The Universal Journalist. London: Pluto Press.

Tumber, H (1999). News: A Reader. Oxford: Oxford University Press

Wahl-Jorgensen, K & Hanitzsch, T (2009). The Handbook of Journalism Studies. New York: Routledge

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Enroute to wembley #cpfc it's #karmmm

May 14, 2013 | Enroute to wembley #cpfc it's #karmmm by 7YB on Keek.com

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A map of London boroughs in relation to supporters of London based clubs. Crystal Palace FC: purple

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Vince Hilaire

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Winch Sixes league tables at the end of Semester 2, with two domestic fixtures remaining. Dench have under performed in Semester 2, struggling to come to terms with the competitive nature of league; the likes of The Iron Lotus' & L1 Triangle have established themselves in the top half of the table, whilst new comers to the league Barcaboner have established themselves as Champions. May 11th is the only chance Dench Utd have at winning any sliver with the cup competition remaining.   

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"It's a roller-coaster, we just have to get on with it. There is a lot of talk about who we are competing with for the play-offs but we have to just get on with what we are doing and make sure from the final three games we can get in them."

Holloway's thoughts on promotion through the Play-Offs with three games remaining in the nPower Championship; Blackburn (A), Millwall (A) & Peterborough United (H)

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Maybe blogging about Palace isn’t so bad after all…

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Frege's Logic & Math

‘Natural numbers’ Frege claims are words used to count things. The process of counting creates an abstract group/ category. Producing a register and abstract symbols for plural classifications call for a system of number words (symbols), and a logical syntax for merging these number-words to infer additional or predicate number-words. This syntax formed is a rational system using rules of inference to modify the meaning of symbols. The most concurrent syntax's throughout history have been through numerical naturalism (evolutionary psychology), Pythagoreanism/Platonism, and Frege's 'Numbers as logical objects'.

                                                                           Numerical Naturalism (Evolutionary Psychology) This concept outlines the understanding there is a 0, a 1 and a value that is greater than 1. Simple pluralities like this are used amongst primates, as well as everyday life when we group to a few, crowded, hundreds etc - Similar to the typical activity at a fundraiser of guessing how many balloons are in a box. This varies from person to person but a person with good observation will be able to make a more accurate estimation.

  Pythagoreanism/Platonism The concept maintains a strong focus on Prime numbers. Prime numbers (non-divisible) are pre-existing, eternal supernatural forms that according to many show necessary pre-conditions for consciousness; termed ‘Logos’ or the language of God. All other numbers are rational combinations of prime numbers, suggesting these additional numbers are product of the prime numbers. This challenges Immanuel Kant’s premise 'Existence is not a predicate', thus for Platonism, being is a predicate of numbers and other external forms. ‘Primes exist in a non-human dimension as the ideal objects of aesthetic perfection and ratios of geometry’. (Frazer's Golden Bough).  For instance Islam exhibits cult around the none plural prime, one. Also a highlight in its teaching the importance of 5 and 7. Similarly in Christianity, the number 3 is preferred, such as the Holy Trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Pythagoras considered simply plurals as natural numbers so began counting with two. Zero for the Greek people of this time was unfathomable; as nothing was not a plausible concept. The concept of ‘Zero’ was initially presented in India through Islam teachings. The notion of a value which obtained no value was problematic with regard to Aristotle’s law of contradiction. Contemporary scholars of mathematics have therefore affirmed that zero is a natural number, logically derived as 1-1=0. It is also postulated by philosophers the difference in value between 0 and 1 is vast. Gottlob Frege's studies, links logic and arithmetic in a general system of philosophy of language, with arithmetic as a distinct case of language. A language according to Frege consists of vocabulary, syntax and grammr. He rejects John Stuart Mills’ numerological empiricism; the greater than 1 increase can be captivated as empirically consistent, hence numbers must be consequential of logic. Frege: Foundations of Arithmetic (1884) 'The Grundlagen'

Frege's Theory (Axiom): Two objects which are identical are always equivalent to each another. Thus the notion assumes that all things which are pairs are identical/equivalent to all other pairs. The class of pairs comprises all pairs, and this can be set a completely nominal symbol. One is the class of all things which are not related with other objects. Consequently zero is a class of all plausible objects which are not alike to themselves, this however is impossible, therefore there aren’t objects in this class, and ultimately zero becomes a word to describe something with no value. This notion raised by Frege enhanced technological world bringing about the introduction of Binary code.

For a broad historical encompassing of this topic, I recommend watching; Terry Jones: The Story of One

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Existentialism

This blog briefly considers the attitudes of contributors discussing the notion of consciousness and our perception of what is ‘real’. The concept of existentialism, in accordance with my HCJ module follows on from Freud’s analysis of the mind – which I find very fitting.

Freud In Sigmund Freud’s ‘Interpretation of Dreams’ (1900), suggested that dreams are not merely neurotic symptoms, but were a coded expansion of repressed sexual desires. This proposition goes against the grain that Freud considered himself a scientist over a philosopher as this ideology possesses a distinct lack of empirical support. In relation to Freud’s Tri-Part theory this would assume dreams are influenced by experiences in early life.

The Golden Age of the city of Vienna embraced many forward-thinking minds such as Freud; and saw the release Freud’s, ‘The Ego and the Id’ (1923). A fundamental proposition within this discourse was the notion, that the greatest part of our mind was the unconscious. Freud constructed a tool which would help define his Tri-part Theory; a component of three segments including, the Id, the Ego and the Super-ego.

The Id is the share of the mind which reacts in accordance with our instinctual impulses of sex and aggression.  The ego - the superficial part of our mind within which we hold, we are able to make conscious decisions whilst being fully aware of them; Freud suggested the Ego was the weakest component of the mind. Then the Super-ego, this develops after birth, and develops with regards to our surroundings and various situations everyday life throws at us.

  Husserl Edmund Husserl studied in Vienna during the Golden Age similarly to Freud. Another common characteristic the pair shared was the fascination surrounding the human mind. Husserl’s initial studies aimed to record a ‘data of consciousness.’ Another common trait Freud and Husserl identify is an empirical nature in relation to their observations of the mind. This ‘Data of consciousness’ was presented in his work - ‘Psychology from an empirical standpoint’ and within this work, differentiated between mental and physical findings. All through Husserl’s studies he preserves a clear division between what is logic, and what’s considered philosophy. Generally speaking, a Platonic type standpoint is employed by Husserl in relation to philosophy. Alike to hundreds of others before him, Husserl took a platonic outlook into consideration when dealing with philosophy. As a measure of Husserl’s differentiation between logic and philosophy, was his new definition which saw a separation between epistemology and philosophy. This came about through the implementation and development phenomenology.

The objective behind Husserl’s phenomenology was to perceive the immediate data of consciousness, without making reference to anything his consciousness could inform him; or in terms of Cartesian dualism, influence or distract him. Husserl’s theory states, ‘It makes no difference to an object presented whether it exists, or is fictitious.’ The example being I can think of a song in my head without hearing it and it still has an effect on me, although I find this problematic as the interpretation will never be as accurate as sensory perception. Similarly as we can envisage an image of an animal, however the detail would not be as specific as it would be, looking at the real thing. Husserl’s proposition of ‘Phenomenological reduction’ outlines the distinction between looking at something, and imagining looking at something whilst being under the impression this something is ‘real’.

Husserl does not affirm in ‘Ideas’, however he postulates that there is a non-phenomenal (neumonal) world, however, these objects should be of no-one’s concerns as they grant us nothing. This proposition reinforces the Platonic thought in Husserl’s thinking, resembling Plato’s ‘realm of the forms’.  Further re-enforcement to the prior argument that only consciousness has ‘absolute being’ - all other forms of being are dependent upon consciousness in order to exist. Ultimately suggesting prior to consciousness, there is nothing; and if there is, we have no opportunity to know it as we would have no consciousness to experience it.

  Heidegger Martin Heidegger’s ‘Sien und Zeit’ or ‘Being and Time’, claims Edmund Husserl’s ‘Phenomenology’ wasn’t quite cutting the cloth as it were. Heidegger stresses that Husserl had adopted Descartes framework of two realms, consciousness and reality as two separate entities, but had only actually addressed consciousness and completely ignored reality. Expanding, Heidegger elaborates to comment on Phenomenology as a whole, saying that its first duty was to observe ‘Being’, this form of ‘being’ pre-dates any notions of consciousness, as inconveniently how can we experience something, if we ourselves don’t exist? Consequently we must predate all previous philosophical thinking and vocabulary that we have come to accept.

It is this notion which eludes to Heidegger’s agenda against philosophical vocabulary. With the use of the word Dasein, now commonly used to mean one’s thing for exemplification in a sentence. ‘This is my jam’, could be classed as someone’s Dasein. But Dasein for Heidegger was more like a sense of being, or more accurately ‘being-in-the-world’. This is just being, just doing, a completely natural, perhaps habitual process; ‘going with the flow’ as it were. It is not a thinking thing, but a caring thing. The large majority of professional footballers for example would suggest when they step onto the pitch, they step into their Dasein. Despite this being their place of work, it’s also where they thrive and feel most comfortable and assured.

Objects that we interact with within this natural state are called ‘ready-to-hand’. For example, in the case of our professional footballer, he uses the ball to express his skill. His skill is the use of the ball and to him it comes naturally to pass/shoot/control/tackle.

From birth we enter into physical, cultural and historical context. Heigegger describes this entrance as being thrown into something; this ‘throwness’ as Heidegger calls it, is the ‘facticity’ of Dasein. The context in which we a ‘thrown’ into allow us to facilitate our Dasein, this is because despite challenging situations, there is always your Dasien which is second nature.

The notion of time is a crucial aspect within Heidegger’s philosophy; life is easily divisible into past, present and future. Heidegger states the past brings about feelings of guilt, the present resembles boredom: although if we are participating in our Dasein, we are not bored but ‘in the zone’. Finally the future brings anxiety. These notions associated with our past, present and future are coined by Heidegger as Attunement, Dasein and Directedness. Heidegger becomes the ‘father’ of existentialism, championing the school of thought after Husserl and Kant.

Sartre Sartre appears to summarise the concept of existentialism. An advocate of Heidegger, agreeing Husserl had not progressed enough with regards to phenomenological reaction, due to his reception of the Cartesian ego. Sartre considers that perception and imagination have no comparable variance. He claims being, is without reason, without cause, without necessity. Being, just is. It needs no explanation as it is defines its very nature.

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Seminar Paper: Freud's Tri-Part Theory & Dream Interpretation HCJ

Sigmund Freud differentiated the psyche between conscious, preconscious and unconscious. The conscious and preconscious comprise of rational thought, although the unconscious consists of unknown emotions, desires and memoirs. This was later advanced to form the Id, Ego and Superego.

The Id is what could commonly be described as our unconscious behaviour. The Id is motivated by the Pleasure Principle which attempts to meet needs and wants ASAP; if these requirements are not met, an unconscious sense of anxiousness is formulated. The Id is most obvious when observing the behaviour of babies, who cry instantly at the realisation of their needs which haven’t been met – such as a changed nappy. Nevertheless, as we grow and mature we can no longer expect every need and want to be satisfied instantaneously; hence the Id begins to cure the tension via the ‘Primary Process’, which pleases the ‘Pleasure Principle’ through psychological imagery. This imagery involves dreams, hallucinations and delusion. The gratification of needs/wants through this process is known as Wish Fulfilment. Tension can only be subdued through the Primary Process for only a certain amount of time, in time the Id’s needs must be contented.

The Ego functions in accordance with the Reality Principle which struggles to guarantee that the Id’s urges are confronted in a socially acceptable manor. The Ego ultimately comprises of a cost/benefit analysis of impulses and endorses a concept of delayed gratification; discharging pressure when and where appropriate. It also utilizes the Secondary Process, which seeks physical objects in the material world we live in, to substitute mental imagery fashioned during the Primary Process. Freud states, “The ego is not sharply separated from the id; its lower portion merges into it”. The Superego develops at roughly the age of five and entails innate morals. The development of the Superego comes about through the guidance of parents and educators, or for that matter anyone who holds any form of authority which is relevant to the individual. There Superego is then divided into two main elements; the Ego Ideal and Conscience. The Ego Ideal comprises rules and values for good behaviour. Following the Ego Ideal will ultimately lead to feelings of reward and pride through praise from those who possess authority, and approve of good behaviour. The conscience contains evidence about things seen as morally bad by parents, teachers etc. Acting on prohibited feelings will lead to guilt, remorse and risk of punishment. The Superego works to cultivate us and subdue impulses of the Id. Simultaneously it strives to make the Ego act upon Idealistic Standards rather than Idealistic Principles. Managing the conflict between the Tri-Type part theory and maintaining a equilibrium will result in a healthy personality.

Freud’s theory of the psyche is similar to Plato’s Tripartite Soul. The Tripartite Soul is Rational (Superego), Spirited (Ego) and Appetitive (Id). It associates to the social classes within society - guardians, auxiliary and workers. Plato’s Republic claims, The‘guardian’ class represents rationality and is made up of ‘Philosophical Kings’. The ‘auxilliary’ class consists of soldiers who police the rule of the Guardians and ensure obedience; these are mere puppets used to disguise the real ‘elite’. Plato believed the rational part of the mind controls the appetites of the mind, e.g. Physical pleasures. Plato gives ananalogy of a charioteer and two horses to describe this notion. To achieve a synthesis between Freud and Plato through Hume is not irrational- reason should be dominant, but only to an extent as it is emotions which give us a motive to act at all. Freud and Plato are not the only ones to propose a tripartite structure. Prehaps not associated to ‘the mind’ but the Holy Trinity formulated by Christanity – sorry Chris, suggests an omnipotent God in three forms; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Freud suggests in, The Interpretation of Dreams, dreams are a type of Wish Fulfilment. They are attempts at resolving conflict between the Ego and Superego. Dreams -“the royal road to the unconscious” through intense interpretation can apprise on the constructions of the unconscious. This is due to the fact dreams must be permitted licence through a pre conscious censor; they become distorted and are therefore not what they seem. There are a number of problems in analysing dream symbols, such as the “phenomenon of condensation” where symbols have many meanings and hence require very meticulous analysis.

 Dream interpretation is fixated with physical desires for Freud; where hollow objects symbolise the womb and elongated objects symbolise the penis. He was criticised as a sexist and recluse for his alleged obsessiveness concerned with the nature of instinct. However, it’s significant to note that in ‘Beyond the Pleasure Principle’ Freud deliberates dreams that do not seem to be a form of wish fulfilment. Freud’s self-analysis appears to reiterate this, “Irma’s Injection” is an example of one of Freud’s dreams which avoid wish fulfilment and urges which could be associated with the Id. Dream interpretation is a component of Psychoanalysis. Ink Blot tests, Freudian Slips and Free Association are other methods of psychoanalysis employed by Freud - the most substantial of these being Free Association, where patients talk freely about what comes to their mind. Intense emotional experiences through Free Association supplied Freud with discernments into the patients rational. In spite of this, the practice is futile if the patient shows unwillingness.

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Dench United: Semester 1 Season Review

 Guys, Thank you very much for your involvement in what has been a great 3rd season for Dench United. I feel that we have really come of age over the past year and a half and I look forward to next season. Special mentions have to go to Vice-captain Harvey Taylor and our wonderful social secretaries Sean Slater and Dan Rosewell. As you all know we finished the season in a very respectable 2nd place only 4 points of a top and maybe on another day we could of got the win but once again I’m very proud of everyone involved, we’ve had our ups and downs but I hope you’ve enjoyed playing and are keen to push on next term.

Here is a review of how our most successful season to date went:

 Week 1 – Dench United 1 – 2 Business Management FC

 As Dench players I’m sure you all know the significance of this fixture. Our first ever game was against these schmucs when we got a hard fought 1-0 victory (god knows how). Our first game back in the top flight since we suffered relegation was a tough one. The major talking point was Drew’s battle was Bryan Augustine who got lemon as he couldn’t handle our rough approach. The ref had to step into stop a bust up and I felt we were worth a point until Bryan (Ryan) had the last laugh poking the winner past and unresponsive Sean Slater in goal. We felt we deserved more but we’re still buoyant for next week’s fixture.

 Week 2 – Dench United 2 – 8 L1 Triangle

 We all knew this would be a tough game against the reigning champions, and they proved their worth. We went out there trying to play our own game, not letting them dictate the play. We were level for a lot of the game and then after going behind we pushed forward. Unfortunately this left space at the back and with their pace and good work rate they put a fair few past us. After the first two games we were left with nothing and heads were down, we knew we needed to turn this around…… FAST!

 Week 3 – Winchester Bullets 1 -4 Dench United

Unfortunately I wasn’t playing due to family commitment so Harvey took over and led the team to the first win of the season. This was a HUGE six pointer and we knew that defeat would leave us staring down the barrel of the gun. Tom Hunt stepped up and bagged a hat-trick and from all accounts it could have been more than 4. The team spirit was on the up and we knew we could now put together a string of results.

Week 4 – Dench United 3 -1 Shola Ameobi

 News filtering through pre kick off was that Shola’s captain and lynch pin Dan Hayden had gone home for the weekend. Although we backed ourselves this put the extra spring in our step and we romped to a 3-1 victory. As this game was long time ago I have forgotten the details but Rosewell has just informed me he got 2 (probs not though). Another win for the Dench and we moved up the table and with only 2 goals conceded in 80 minutes we had turned stopped the leaking tap that was our defensive record and with one of the league’s best strikers spearheading our attack we were on the up (as we would show in the next two games).

Week 6 – Dench United 7 – 1 The Iron Lotuses

After kick off having to be delayed by 10 minutes due to the oppo squad not turning up Dench start the game 2-0 up against a 5 man Lotuses’ squad. They still had there blonde striker on the pitch but without anyone to support him they looks out of there depth against our tika-taka football. We had bought in a larger than life character in Jon Lewis – we’d been scouting him since his days at Esher College and after a check of a bank balance and a postponed return trip to Wales, pen was put to paper. With some acrobatic stops than I couldn’t have done myself we knew all we needed to do was go down the other end and score, and score we did. Making the extra man count we notched up 7 which was our biggest win to date and made MOTD that night twice as sweet!

Week 7 – Business Management 3 – 6 Dench United

Biggest game of the season. After a rest day for Drew he knew that this was his big moment. Never have I seen someone so focused before kick-off, unfortunately Bryan didn’t show up. Geoff Shreves reported on a slight knock but we know he was scared, against a weekend BM team we opened the flood gates putting in 6 and although we conceded 3 we scored more so we won. The big news regarding the Dench squad was the early news that Dan Rosewell had been dropped, I regret this decision hugely and after I recalled him he showed me why he is so highly rated throughout Europe and big on the 6a-side scene bagging 2 goals with a Heskey, Zamora, Holt & Lambert display.

Week 8 – L1 Triangle 8 – 2 Dench United

With morale high we knew a win would put us top of a league with two games remaining. We had trained well by getting smashed on Friday and were buzzing for the game (no pun intended). After our last defeat against them we knew what to do but once again we fell behind and after trying to force the play and get back in the game we conceded. I’m sure it could have been less than 8 but we like to attack leaving us open at the back.

Week 9 – Shola Ameobi 1 – 2 Dench United

This was a defensive master class from Dench with stats showing Shola has 63% of possession. With Shola pilling on the pressure we hit them on the break with Drew showing he holds both attacking and defensive traits with a brace, scoring both goals in a superb win. After last week’s defeat we had dropped down to forth with the UEFA cup looking likely but this win propelled us back into second. It showed the great spirit we possess, being able to grind out the win under pressure. Mentions have to go out to the whole team except for Dan who had had “one too many Doombars” (Hirsch, J 2012).

Week 10 – The Iron Lotuses 2 – 3 Dench United

Another defensive master class with everyone putting in a shift. Going in 1-0 up at the break we knew we had to get behind the ball and soak up the pressure and we were doing this well until a lapse in concentration allowed them to get back in the game. They thought they would then kick on for the 3 points and romp us, however Jeff had over ideas. Picking the ball up on the left, he spun their right back with a great skill hitting a firm shot past the keeper. Again they piled on the pressure and after a dowie goal that squirmed in off Ollies’ foot it was squeaky bum time once more. Then a moment of brilliance: Picking up the ball in mid field he spun, dribbled, skinned then… BANG! Come’th the hour, come’th the man – Sean Slater. A vital goal and after more great defensive work (Jeff taking one in the face) the final whistle went. Cue the greatest scenes ever on a football pitch. Not really as we are used to winning we shock hands, went to maccy d’s and watched MOTD (modest).

Performance of the season: 3-2 win over Iron Lotuses

 Dick of the Season: Lewis Mc for wearing high vis jackets and shooting from miles away.

Goal of the Season Shortlist: Dan (back heel), Joe (Banger from 20 yards), Jeff (Turn and finish), Sean (Great solo effort)

 Winner: Sean – His amazing solo effort against Iron Lotuses to win the game 3-2 and seal 2nd place.

Player of the Season: Shortlist: Ollie, Drew, Dan, Luke, Sean

 Winner: Drew – Showing he can both defend and attack the award has to go to Drew. Hopefully he can impress next season, and it’s good to see healthy competition for the forward position!

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The Pitch: Feature Writing

The Pitch

For my feature I’ve chosen to write for ‘Shoot’ – an informative, football based magazine published in the UK. The proposed feature consists of an interview with Wilfried Zaha a professional footballer who plays for Crystal Palace F.C. The interview will offer an insight into Zaha’s plans for the future; as far as his international career with either England or the Ivory Coast is concerned. The feature is topical as the 20 year old was named in the full England squad in last Wednesday’s friendly fixture against Sweden. The time has come in Zaha’s career when he must choose between the country where he was born and the country in which he has lived since the age of four.

I will be able to conduct the interview through a contact who is a mutual friend of mine and Wilfried Zaha’s. This feature will appeal to Shoot’s market as the piece is based around an up and coming England international. The international form of the game is the highest standard any player could aspire to play at, and for me - as a fan; to discuss this potential would be an opportunity of a life time.     

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Wilfried Zaha: Feature Writing

HOTSHOTS

Wilfried Zaha

Wednesday, 12/12/2012 by Sean Slater

Club: Crystal Palace FC Position: Midfielder Birth Date: 10/11/1992 Birth Place: Abidjan, Ivory Coast

“He’s just too good for you… He’s just too good for you…” echoes from the Homesdale end around Selhurst Park, as the Crystal Palace faithful celebrate their talisman Wilfried Zaha. The Twenty-year-old, Ivorian born, attacking mid-fielder has fast become one of the ‘Npower Championship’s’ most wanted. Interest has been shown from the country’s top clubs such as Arsenal, Liverpool and Premier League Champions Manchester City; as well as an interest shown abroad by Antonio Conte, manager of ‘Serie A’ Champions Juventus.

Zaha being in such popular demand has been marketed at a speculated price tag of Fifteen million pounds.  The offer is suggested what Manchester City are prepared to bid in the January transfer window, in order to bring Zaha to the Etihad. With four goals in nineteen appearances this season, Zaha has proven himself as a goal scorer as well as a creative winger. Notorious for terrorising wide defenders, Zaha exploits his pace and strength whilst throwing in one of his traditional step overs or flip flaps.

Wilfried Zaha was born in the city of Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Here he spent his early years, until the age of four when his family left to live in England. Thornton Heath in the London borough of Croydon was home to the Zaha family. Here, Wilfried’s footballing potential was spotted by local, South London club Crystal Palace. A product of the youth system, Zaha has been on Palace’s books since he was twelve. Fast forward to 27thMarch, 2010 Zaha made his first team debut at Selhurst Park, in a league fixture against a victorious Cardiff City. After spending four seasons in the first team set-up Zaha has seen his club go through the good, the bad and the ugly times - the bad times predominantly due to matters off the pitch. The reign of former chairman Simon Jordan came to a close as Crystal Palace football club went into administration in 2010. Luckily for Palace fans, local consortiums Steve Parish and Martin Long saved the brand by buying out the football club and Selhurst Park taking, the club out of administration. It must be said, since the investment from Steve parish and Martin Long the Championship club has flourished. A ‘Carling Cup’ run saw the Eagles beat Manchester United 2-1 at Old Trafford, before being dumped out on penalties over two legs, in the semi-final to whom else but Cardiff City.

Zaha was a fundamental figure in Palace’s cup run putting in a ‘man of the match’ performance against a star-studded, United team. After embarrassing the likes of Patrice Evra, Park Ji-Sung and Refael Da Silva, Zaha looked as if he was ready to compete in the Premier League. Were it not for persistence of the board and, manager at the time, Dougie Freedman, Zaha was looking likely to sign for Bolton Wanderers. However, this was not to be. Zaha remained with Palace over the summer and has come into this 2012/13 season with high expectations. The departure of former manager Dougie Freedman saw the appointment of Ian Holloway as new Eagles boss who spoke to Sky Sports News stating, "He has got the world at his feet. Every time I have seen him play he looks like a top player and the people I have spoken to at Palace say that it's only a matter of time that he's in the Premier League.” Holloway later presented the Npower Championship ‘Player of the Month’ award to Wilfried Zaha for November 2012. Consistent club form convinced Roy Hodgson to give Zaha his debut England cap in the friendly fixture against Sweden last month. As the fixture was only a friendly, Zaha still has the choice as to whether he wants to be an English or Ivorian international. It has been alleged Didier Drogba has been in talks with Zaha, in an attempt to persuade him to play for his place of birth; just goes to show he’s in high demand in all forms of the game.

All Crystal Palace fans will be hesitant going in the transfer window in January, with a burning question on everyone’s mind; what’s next for Wilf? The latest youngster from a long list of Palace products will hope to emulate a success similar to that of Victor Moses’. Nevertheless, until January 31st, hold your breath Crystal Palace fans!        

Word Count: 697

 A Separate Note;

My piece is a detailed feature based on the future of Crystal Palace footballer Wilfried Zaha, as far as his club and international career are concerned. The magazine I’m attempting to emulate is called ‘Shoot’. The magazine was established in 1969 and is distributed through monthly subscription. The ‘Shoot’ website has a page dedicated to up and coming, young, talented footballers. Derby’s Will Hughes is the latest ‘hotshot’ as you can see by following this link; http://www.shoot.co.uk/news/hotshots_article/will_hughes The style guide from what I can deduce is fairly informal whilst the body of the text is made up of factual evidence. These facts are used to analyse the individual’s accolades.                     

[adeslater]

Economics & Keynes HCJ

Firstly it must be noted that Keynes was an advocate of capitalism and his approach to Economics convey these attitudes. His ‘General Theory’ was written during the Great Depression, a time in which Keynes’ writings came under some scrutiny. Propositions put forward by Keynes, in the General Theory, were inconceivable during this time period; four main premises should be highlighted. Firstly, economies can and do suffer from an overall lack of demand - leading to unemployment. Secondly, economies’ inclination to correct shortfalls, if at all, is painfully slow. Furthermore Government policies increase demand rapidly, but may not last for an extended period of time. Finally, increasing money supply isn’t enough to encourage spending (sometimes); Government expenditure must intervene sooner or later.

The discourse initiates with Keynes preparing his readers for their economic worlds to be turned upside-down. As previously stated, the General Theory was unthinkable at the time and it ultimately challenges the widely accepted ‘classical model’ of economics. The classical model is a post-Keynesian attempt to reason pre-Keynesian concepts.

Economists of the time like Malthus were incapable of explaining the cause of deficient or excessive demand – and simply observed it. Keynes was aware of the need for provision of alternative manufacture of the economy, one which described demand through the use of specific data analysis.

It should be considered the General Theory didn’t seek to fix and debate the validity of the classical model, but instead offered a whole new system. It’s largely concerned with Say’s law which suggests that supply generates its own demand, simply due to the fact income must be spent. This made sense back then, when the value of money seems alien in comparison to modern times. Keynes defied the debateable concept that wage cuts will increase rates of employment. His critical advance was the destruction of Say’s law and the classical theory of interest rates.

Economists of this time were looking in the wrong places. Gottfried Haberler in his book ‘Prosperity & Depression’ asks why in economies booms are followed by busts. The question in hand, during this time period, should be as to how can mass unemployment come about. Keynes’ economical peers were occupied with the highs of a boom instead of discovering the procedure of a bust. He saw it as his job to explain why the economy sometimes operates below full employment and explored how more jobs can be made.

Modern monetary policy is laid out in the general theory, so we are very much product of Keynesian teaching; although there’s more still to deduce from Keynes’ insights. The general theory consults empirical judgements to consider certain circumstances. This is part of the progression of empiricism and Keynes’ means may be perceived in Karl Marx’s notions as well as Freud’s and a vast compliment of empirical philosophers/scientists/economists etc.

Keynes has been criticized for mistaking the great depression as a trend, but similar state of affairs were only ever seen again in 90’s japan, and even then it wasn’t quite the measure of the great depression. Inflation comes into play and makes the General Theory seem inappropriate, yet at the same time it can be attributed to Keynes himself. This is because bodies such as the Bank of England and the Federal Reserve have objectives of persistent low inflation in order to avoid the ploy described by Keynes.

[adeslater]

Missing out on the WinchSixes Title. Congratulations to L1Triangle, the best team over the course of the season - we'll see you in January. Up the Dench  

[adeslater]

“It is ideas, not vested interests, which are dangerous for good or evil”

Keynes, J.M, 2008. The General Theory. United States of America: Classic House Publishing.

[adeslater]

Dench Match Report vs Iron Lotus'

Firstly I would like to congratulate the whole squad on a very good season, that was typified by the best performance of the season this evening. Tonight was a battle to say the least, getting heated at certain points in the game, however when the going got tough, the Dench got going and produced a stunning 3-2 victory!! It was a proud performance, a prime example of the good ole counter attack.

The game started very cagey, with the iron lotuses having the better of the play, but as soon as the Dench fashioned a chance, it was taken. It began with great interplay between myself and McHarg, releasing me one on one with the keeper, the keeper pulled off a good save and Tennant was there to stick in the rebound. It was then backs against the wall yet again for us, but we managed to hold on until half time, due to a superb defensive unit, with Ollie Anderson as the centre point alongside the ever present McHarg.

The second half started sloppy for the Dench, conceding an early goal, however heads did not drop. Jethro pulled off a worldly turn leaving the Lotuses' wanker of a player stranded, before finishing confidently into the top corner. 2 chances and 2 goals, brilliant stuff. Joe Hirsch was his usual self in goal, keeping the boys in the game with a number of top draw saves. Harvey Taylor and Slater were putting in one hell of a shift in the middle of the park, however this was to no avail as the prats pulled another back and equalised. 2-2. But, yet again, another counter attack was about to be witnessed. Ollie Anderson played the ball out wide to me, who back heeled the ball into Slater's path, who finished with the type of composure you'd expect of a Filipo Inzaghi in his prime. 3-2 to Dench. The boys were then put under immense pressure in the closing 10 minutes, with a number of corners conceded, but the defence stood strong and the might Dench held on for a massive victory, which secured 2nd place in the league table.

M.O.M- not one single player can be singled out for the award, so the whole team will be chosen.

Dick of the Day- Sean Slater, for slipping on his arse and getting lemon with the opposing team. Good boy.