Communication is what makes us human, and without the ability to communicate effectively, many people are not seen as being capable, and do not reach their potential. Thousands of people in the UK are denied the opportunity because there is NO statutory funding for communication aids; they live without his ability to express their thoughts.
The opening ceremony was a spectacular welcome to the athletes that have been sponsored by their nations and sent over to represent their best. Of all the changes and education of the last four years it was the athletes parade that gave us the greatest example of change. 4200 athletes have arrived to compete from 164 nations, more than ever before.
Yesterday was, for many physicists (and physics students), as a friend put it, "a bit like Christmas", and I think it is safe to bet that quite a few at CERN woke up today with a very Christmassy hangover. But, now that the party is over, a question arises (as often on the morning after): what exactly did happen yesterday?
It's been two or three weeks since The Apprentice finished and I'm not afraid to admit, I'm becoming a little twitchy.
Yesterday afternoon, I got an e-mail from a Jeff Lantern, who describes himself as "an enigmatic North East England based act" and who says: "I perform on the comedy circuit because no-one else will take me seriously".