Guardian journalist and BBC presenter Adam Rutherford was back on presenting duties for Radio 4's week science magazine programme BBC Inside Science. He began by reporting on that fascinating study into the genetic history of the British 'Caucasian' population which hit the headlines this week.
It showed, as you are probably aware: (a) that Britons have barely moved from where they has settled in around 600 AD over the course of 1,400 years; (b) that almost all 'Caucasian' Britons have a significant genetic inheritance from the original inhabitants of these isles; (c) that all of these ancient communities can be linked to specific communities in other Western European countries (especially France and Germany); (d) that the Celts are a diverse bunch with less in common with each other than they have with, say, the English; (e) that ancient regional/county dividing lines reflect the DNA evidence (especially the one between Devon and Cornwall); and (f) that the conquerors (the Romans, the Vikings) had very little genetic impact.
All very interesting. I couldn't help getting the feeling, however, that Adam Rutherford was using the study on today's BBC Inside Science to make a point, to get across a particular message - and that he was doing so with all the subtlety of a pumped-up Viking warrior on a big night-out.
Can you spot what message he might have been trying to get across from his introductory and closing remarks?:
But first, the election is looming and one of the perennial topics is immigration. Well, believe it or not, we're absolutely a nation of immigrants and over the last 10,000 years there has been wave after wave of immigrants coming over here, taking our jobs, breeding with our women.
Great Britain - a nation of marvellous migrant mongrels! - by a long shot my favourite study of the year so far.
And there was far more where that came from.
Some Guardian writers/BBC presenters just can't stop themselves from pushing an agenda it seems, courtesy of the BBC.
Some Guardian writers/BBC presenters just can't stop themselves from pushing an agenda it seems, courtesy of the BBC.
It looks as if there is another attempt to brainwash here (14h15 today) :-
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04cfkv4
"The new head teacher of a secondary school based in a Midlands town is eager to include and accommodate all faiths and cultures, given a large proportion of the students are from a Muslim community – but she finds herself at odds with one of the parent governors."
DeleteThe comments (in advance) at the production company's website give a possible clue as to what it's going to be like:
"Brilliant Drama, certainly. But no less brilliant was the portrayal of starkly differing views, and notwithstanding those, the attempts of at least some to understand others. A refreshing contrast to the hysterical, black and white “reporting” of so much of our print media."
http://www.goldhawk.eu/recent-events-at-collington-house
The attempts "of at least some" to understand others? Wonder who the baddies will be then?
Yes. I referenced that on a previous thread.
DeleteIt's actually more balanced and realistic than you might expect in as much as it is not pretending (so far - Episode1) that Sharia is compatible with liberal democratic values. It ended on the Sharia nut parent governor shopping the head teacher to the Police on a charge of racism.
I think it's a sign that the liberal-left are beginning to realise that Sharia threatens them - artists, women, gays, liberals, teachers, government officials - individually and specifically.
That's encouraging. Especially following Sarfraz Manzoor's documentary earlier in the week.
DeletePlease keep us posted on the second episode, if you find the time.
As a global wanderer, often across vast continents where Ingrit is spoke, I was often amazed how far one could travel before an accent could be heard to change, vs. here in the UK where often a couple of villages would see notable variations.
ReplyDelete