34 Comments

Dear Mr. Sowden, as I cannot be associated with a known book felon, please cancel my subscription immediately and instruct the Google to erase all contacts I have had with you. I do have a reputation to protect.

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founding

Hurrah for libraries! And for research. Did you read that piece in Aeon by Sabine Hossenfelder about engaging with ... hm, let's say "people with slightly skewed perceptions of science"? https://aeon.co/ideas/what-i-learned-as-a-hired-consultant-for-autodidact-physicists

"I still get the occasional joke from colleagues about my ‘crackpot consultant business’, but I’ve stopped thinking of our clients that way. They are driven by the same desire to understand nature and make a contribution to science as we are. They just weren’t lucky enough to get the required education early in life, and now they have a hard time figuring out where to even begin."

One of my favorite library experiences was when I was studying abroad at St. Andrews and was introduced to short-term loans. Having a required book that I was only able to check out for 2 hours helped me learn to focus time, plus it was just fun to take it to a coffee shop and read intensively next to a peat fire while it rained outside. I mean, does life get better than that?

I enjoyed the audio! Very Douglas Adams-doing-Hitchhiker's Guide-on-the-radio vibes 😀

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:) I love this and I love that you were able to return that book, debt free!

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May 7, 2022Liked by Mike Sowden

This is fantastic. Thank you so much for sharing. I grew up in the library. I spend most days researching. (It's simply the best food for thought.)

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Libraries ARE awesome. Great post, Mike. I used to spend hours in the New York Public Library reading room when I lived in NY. Have a great weekend!

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May 7, 2022Liked by Mike Sowden

Great article Mike, and nicely read!

I used to spend hours in Hull Uni library finding journal papers and photo copying them - many hours at a time what would only take minutes now. I do wonder though - and I've found myself doing this - the ease of access to information online does sometimes lead me not to read things thoroughly, eagerly wondering what the next of the 100 links will show. Whereas when you go to a library - have spent the effort to find a reference I think you are more likely to give it a proper read. After all you've spent a fair amount of effort finding the book, pulling it down from the shelf, finding the page - reading it properly and giving it your full attention seems the least you can do after all that effort!

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May 7, 2022Liked by Mike Sowden

I think for women, research about medical issues is critical because we have to be able to advocate for ourselves. I've read articles that suggest that for cases like endometriosis for example, women see on average 7 doctors before they get a proper diagnosis. I can list so many other personal stories of women who have had to demand tests or even treatment that they have been refused because doctors won't believe them. I know of a couple of cases where personal research has kept people alive. We like to denigrate WebMD but there are so many brilliant sources of information online that empower people to at the very least ask good questions about their health and treatment.

(climbs off soapbox)

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May 7, 2022·edited May 7, 2022Liked by Mike Sowden

“If it happens in the Library it’s research.”

Part of a recent campaign by the British Lbrary, in which they advertise their on-site facilities as

* shops

* cafes

* the whole wealth of human knowledge, endeavour an experience to date

* events

* exhibitions

https://www.designweek.co.uk/issues/9-15-september-2019/british-library-campaign/

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How did you use substack audio feature. More like where is it.

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