Why Science Matters

Listen to David Hesmondhalgh discuss the arguments at the core of 'Why Music Matters' with Laurie Taylor on BBC Radio 4's Thinking Allowed here. In what ways might music enrich the lives of people and of societies? What prevents it from doing so? Why Music Matters explores the role of music in our lives, and investigates the social and political significance of music in modern societies. First book of its kind to explore music through a variety of theories and approaches and unite these theories using one authoritative voice Combines a broad yet theoretically sophisticated approach to music and society with real clarity and accessibility A historically and sociologically informed understanding of music in relation to questions of social power and inequality By drawing on both popular and academic talk about a range of musical forms and practices, readers will engage with a wide musical terrain and a wealth of case studies

Why Victorian Literature Still Matters is a passionate defense of Victorian literature’s enduring impact and importance for readers interested in the relationship between literature and life, reading and thinking. Explores the prominence of Victorian literature for contemporary readers and academics, through the author’s unique insight into why it is still important today Provides new frames of interpretation for key Victorian works of literature and close readings of important texts Argues for a new engagement with Victorian literature, from general readers and scholars alike Seeks to remove Victorian literature from an entrenched set of values, traditions and perspectives – demonstrating how vital and resonant it is for modern literary and cultural analysis

The first book to provide an introduction to the new theory of Net Locality and the profound effect on individuals and societies when everything is located or locatable. Describes net locality as an emerging form of location awareness central to all aspects of digital media, from mobile phones, to Google Maps, to location-based social networks and games, such as Foursquare and facebook. Warns of the threats these technologies, such as data surveillance, present to our sense of privacy, while also outlining the opportunities for pro-social developments. Provides a theory of the web in the context of the history of emerging technologies, from GeoCities to GPS, Wi-Fi, Wiki Me, and Google Android.

Morality still matters, argues philosopher Roger Trigg, in this accessible introduction to moral thinking. Written for general readers with no background in philosophy. Argues that we need a shared moral vision in order to live together, both nationally and internationally. Considers the need for a shared morality in relation to subjects of vital importance such as human rights. Stresses that private behaviour cannot be kept separate from public choices. Discusses matters of topical debate on both sides of the Atlantic.

Combining empirical evidence with indices to measure mattering, Family Matters: The Importance of Mattering to Family in Adolescence explores the inverse relationship between mattering and dysfunctional behavior in adolescence. Defines mattering and distinguishes among the three ways that people can matter to others: awareness, importance, and reliance Utilizes empirical evidence from a quantitative analyses of data from a nationwide survey 2,004 adolescents to support author’s assertions Explores the impact of structural and demographic factors such as family structure in developing of a sense of mattering in adolescents. Includes helpful indices, including his Mattering Index and Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Index Suggests how parents, teachers, and other significant people in the lives of adolescents can work to instill a sense of mattering in those under their care

This is a celebratory volume in honour of Professor T.R. Miles of the Bangor Dyslexia Unit. Among the papers offered by known specialists in the field are «Differential Diagnosis of Developmental Dyslexia», by P. Aaron, and «Evaluating Teaching Methods», by Michael Thompson.

This book provides a practical approach to harnessing knowledge in organizations. Its focus is on knowledge sharing, tacit knowing, and a view of knowledge as an accomplishment in social interaction. The aim of this book is to explore and show how the phenomena of trust, risk and identity, as contexts constructed by speakers themselves, influence and mediate knowledge sharing in organizational encounters. The research particularly reveals how tacit knowledge (knowing), affects the scope and directions of everyday conversation. The first part of the book presents a comprehensive critical appraisal and analysis of the field of organizational knowledge management, followed by an introduction to the theory and methodology of discourse analysis, and a view of tacit knowing drawn from studies in implicit learning. The second part reports the detailed analysis and findings of original field research, investigating how participants in regular organizational meetings, including a discussion forum, manage the business of sharing knowledge. From the perspective of the research methodology, drawing on Discursive Psychology, knowledge is approached as an accomplishment in social interaction, with talk and text shown to be constructive, functional and action-oriented. Presents a rigorous, evidence-based approach to Knowledge Management using original research Approaches discourse as the location of knowledge work, and the site to which knowledge management practice should be focused Positions the actions of knowledge work in everyday talk and text, thus giving practitioners a ready toolset to improve their strategies, practices and understanding of knowledge within organizations Knowledge and Discourse Matters: Relocating Knowledge Management’s Sphere of Interest onto Language is a great reference for organizational leaders, knowledge managers, and human resource managers. Dr. Lesley Crane is an independent consultant specializing in knowledge management, and technology supported learning for adults (e-learning). Much of her consultancy work involves providing strategic advice and research on the effective use of e-content, e-tools and the use of new technologies in the delivery of teaching and learning. Prior to working as a consultant, Lesley was Managing Director of her own SME business specializing in creative e-learning design and development for public and private sector organizations.

Measure What Matters to Customers reveals how to capitalize on Key Predictive Indicators (KPIs), the innovative measures that define the success of your enterprise as your customers do. If you want to increase your company's profits by working smarter, this is the book for you.

Find out how modern IPTV technologies will change your experience of television. Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) is rapidly being deployed as a compliment service to existing distribution technologies. Why IPTV? traces the changes in Internet Protocol Television since the mid-1990s and examines what IPTV means today. The author analyzes what delivery of TV over an IP network means, both in terms of possibilities for new services, and in terms of the impact on the network and how it has to be managed. In addition, Why IPTV? helps you understand how introducing IPTV into the Web 2.0 world will impact the new services. It looks at the current trends in the consumer electronics industry as well as the network industry, and describes how the new technology can enhance and extend the existing business models in the TV industry, particularly in advertising; and also how it creates new possibilities, for instance, through personalization. Why IPTV? Interactivity, Technologies, Services: Provides an accessible introduction to IPTV. Covers the technology to build IPTV systems, and shows what lies beyond traditional business models and existing distribution technologies. Considers how IPTV technologies can exploit and change the current trends in consumer electronics and network industry. Explores how the merging of Web 2.0 and IPTV will open new opportunities for services. Addresses hot topics such as IPTV Interaction and Channel Switching, Networking and Streaming with Information Management Systems, Advertising and Personalization of IPTV. Why IPTV? will provide engineers in networking, TV broadcast companies, technology specialists in content creation companies and people in the IPTV industry (including management) with an engaging and insightful reference into Internet Protocol Television.

Fantasy and science fiction are both involved in the process of innovation in techno-scientific societies. Long regarded as a hindrance to rationality, and to science, science fiction has become the object of praise in recent decades. Innovative organizations use science fiction to stimulate the creativity of their teams, and more and more entrepreneurs are using its influence to develop innovation. Scientific practice relies in part on an imaginary dimension. The mapping of the technical imagination of science fiction has become an important strategic issue, as has its patentability. The conquest of space, the construction of cyberspace and virtual reality, biotechnologies and nanotechnologies are all at the center of futuristic fictions that participate in scientific speeches and discoveries.