In the dark

A kilo or more of salt is essential when viewing the Top Gear "news", including the latest report that a scientist is calling for UK street lights to be switched off, which I think is based on a Telegraph news item from 27 November.

The report in question, Artificial Light in the Environment, makes no such recommendation. In fact, it says the opposite - that some evidence suggests lighting doesn't always make much difference to the accident rate, but that the causes of accidents are complex and it's not clear how much lighting (and when, and where) is helpful and how much is useless and even dangerous. What the report does actually recommend is research into the best way to light roads and other public places, to get the best result (and cause the least harm) for the taxpayer's money. (For example, there's no point in aiming part of the street light's illumination into the sky!)

Similarly, testimony that criminals can use over-bright lighting alternating with pitch darkness to remain unseen comes from a representative of the Institute of Lighting Engineers; the report recommends not switching off lights, but using "lower levels of more uniform lighting" to improve security and safety.

Google fail, I say. Especially since if you Google the chair's name you get a jillion image results.

(no subject)

This is so weird. I'm pretty sure this is the first day in 23 years that I haven't taken any Questran at all. I keep remembering to take it, then remembering not to. But so far, the OTC drugz I've substituted seem to be working fine - just one Immodium and one Colofac this morning. Blimey! Early days yet, but I'm full of hope instead of bile acid sequestrant. :)