Latest news with #UmbertoEco
Times
4 days ago
- Science
- Times
Librarians breathe easy as tool spots toxic book pigment
In The Name of the Rose, a poisonous book was used to murder several monks in a 14th century abbey. Far-fetched, one might think — but toxic books are a real problem for those handling historic works. Now scientists have devised a tool to identify hazardous books with green bindings which contain arsenic. While exposure is unlikely to lead to horrific deaths with blackened fingers and tongues, as in the novel by Umberto Eco and the film of the same name starring Sean Connery, the toxic pigment can be harmful. Publishers used arsenic to create a vibrant colour known as emerald green. Academics say that the risk to the public is low but frequent handling of the books can lead to health problems, including irritation of the eyes, nose and through — and potentially more serious effects. Libraries and collections around the world have prevented access to parts of their book collections, including the French National Library last year. Many institutions have forbidden access to all suspect green books from their collections as a precaution. Last year Bielefeld University isolated about 60,000 books, with other German universities following suit. The University of St Andrews, which has developed the tool, said that testing had until now been a specialised, costly and time-consuming process, leading institutions to isolate swathes of books. The device, developed in collaboration between the university's libraries and museums and its physics department, can quickly and cheaply detect the presence of toxic pigment in book bindings. It said that this would make it easier to distinguish hazardous books from those which are safe to handle and display. Dr Graham Bruce and Dr Morgan Facchin, from the physics department, developed a portable tool to identify the poisonous books. It shines different colours of light onto the book, and analyses how much is reflected to provide a 'fingerprint' of pigments. Bruce said: 'It is handheld and allows us to screen an individual book for the presence of emerald green pigment in a fraction of a second. It has been exciting to see it being used in libraries and collections across Scotland. Our team has been asked to look at thousands of books, of which over 100 have been identified as containing emerald green pigment.' Historic wallpaper and textiles coloured green may also contain arsenic. Dr Pilar Gil, a heritage scientist who led the research, said the starting point was a device used to detect minerals in rocks and the 'eureka moment' was discovering the unique reflective pattern from emerald green pigment. Dr Jessica Burdge, assistant director of libraries and museums at St Andrews, said: 'This work is a brilliant example of how universities and research can solve real problems. The emerald green detection tool is the result of a collaboration that plays to the strengths of different expertise across the university.' An exhibition, titled Poisonous Books, Dangers from the Past, which explores the project has opened at the Wardlaw Museum in St Andrews. Mark Lorch, professor of public engagement and science communication at the University of Hull, wrote recently: 'During the 19th century, as books began to be mass produced, bookbinders transitioned from using expensive leather covers to more affordable cloth items. To attract readers, these cloth covers were often dyed in bright, eye-catching colours.' Dyes quickly adopted for use in various items, including book covers, clothing, candles and wallpaper had a significant drawback, he said. 'They degraded easily, releasing poisonous and carcinogenic arsenic. The frequent reports of green candles poisoning children at Christmas parties, factory workers tasked with applying paint to ornaments convulsing and vomiting green water and warnings of poisonous ball dresses raised serious concerns.'
Ammon
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Ammon
Hate Crimes in the Digital Age
About a year ago, I wrote an article that posed the question of whether hate crimes were spreading across our digital platforms and turning into a 'social fever.' As with any article, I sent the link to several friends. One of them responded almost immediately: 'Yes, we are suffering from hate crimes on our digital platforms, and we must acknowledge it.' Today, in our digital world, hate crimes have become more widespread and dangerous than ever before, fueled by the growing influence of social media. Racism and incitement to violence are no longer marginal rhetoric confined to closed circles. Instead, they now dominate the public sphere, amplified by the rapid spread of content on platforms like X and Facebook. This phenomenon accurately reflects the warning issued by the Italian philosopher and novelist Umberto Eco, who once said: 'Tools like Twitter and Facebook grant the right to speak to legions of fools—people who used to speak without causing any harm to society and were immediately silenced… But now they have the same right to speak as a Nobel Prize winner… It is the invasion of fools.' These words shed light on one of the most pressing challenges of the modern age: the ability of anyone—regardless of their awareness or sense of responsibility—to spread hateful and incendiary ideas to the public without any real barriers. Hate speech is no longer just an opinion voiced in private; it has become accessible to everyone, engaging thousands, perhaps even millions, transforming it from an individual viewpoint into a public discourse that can shape entire societies. What is even more alarming is that traditional media used to have some level of filtering and editorial oversight before publishing any public discourse. Today, however, anyone can write a post or a tweet that gets widely shared within minutes, turning into a perceived 'truth' for some—despite being nothing more than malicious falsehoods. Moreover, social media platforms are designed to capture attention through sensationalism, making hate speech and incitement spread faster than moderate or analytical content. Numerous studies indicate that false news and hate speech receive more engagement than balanced content, further amplifying their danger. The algorithms governing these platforms promote content that generates the most interaction, without distinguishing between what is incendiary and what is constructive. As a result, users find themselves surrounded by hate speech without realizing how it shapes their views and beliefs. Recognizing the severity of this phenomenon, many countries have enacted legislation to combat online hate speech. However, the practical enforcement of these laws remains complex, particularly due to challenges in assigning legal responsibility, especially when inciters operate anonymously. Yet, the real solution is not merely strict legal enforcement. On a societal level, digital hate crimes deepen divisions within communities, turning public discourse into a battlefield rather than a means of dialogue and understanding. Repeated exposure to such rhetoric normalizes it, reducing our sensitivity to its dangers and increasing its acceptance. Therefore, the most crucial step is raising public awareness about the risks of hate speech by organizing community discussions and empowering academics, media professionals, and legal experts to actively address this issue. Promoting balanced discourse is essential for building more tolerant and cohesive societies.
The Guardian
27-02-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Don't take the pistachio out of Sicilian pesto
'I saw a recipe recently for 'pistachio pesto' – nobody wants that,' writes Emma Brockes (Everyone has gone nuts for pistachios. But they're just an upmarket green peanut, aren't they?, 26 February). Pistachio pesto is actually a delicious traditional Sicilian recipe. It should be properly made with pistachios from the town of Bronte, which are of the highest quality. The cultivation of pistachios was probably introduced to the area by Arabs in the Middle Ages; locally the pistachio is known as frastuca, a name derived from MussiRome, Italy We in the Green party campaigns committee have taken up Umberto Eco's baton (Letters, 25 February) and produced a set of 'how to spot a fascist' beermats. On the other side are suggestions for what to do about fascism when you spot it. They've proved very popular. Maybe the Guardian could consider beermats in the future, to replace HarrisLondon Tell you what, I'll stop eating kebabs if the government stops building runways (UK urged to act now on net zero – and skip two kebabs' worth of meat a week, 26 February).Nick RogersBaldock, Hertfordshire When did it become appropriate for a visitor to the Oval Office in the White House to keep their hat on, as Elon Musk did? Another example of declining standards?Hugh CraigEdinburgh In the late 70s, one of my history teachers described me as laconic (Letters, 26 February). Being a man of few words, my da had to look it up. Polly LlwyndedwenAberhonddu, Powys 'It is impossible to assess Alison's work as she has not done any.'Ali CrusoeGoudhurst, Kent Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
The Guardian
25-02-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
How to spot a fascist the Umberto Eco way
Umberto Eco wrote an essay on how to spot a fascist – a skill of which he had personal experience as a boy in the 1940s (Letters, 21 February). Eco lists 14 criteria, none of them to do with fancy dress or raised-arm salutes. Some of them are quite familiar: the 'cult of tradition' and the belief that the world was better at some unspecified earlier time; a racist 'fear of difference'; an obsession with conspiracies, leading to xenophobia; a scorn for the weak; the use of Orwellian newspeak to hinder complex and critical reasoning; and a cult of machismo, involving contempt for women and a condemnation of nonconformist sexual habits. Other characteristics follow: the belief that all was known in an ideal past leads to a rejection of modernism; a conviction that learning cannot advance; and a suspicion of culture, science and intellect. Fascist rule appeals to frustrated people who are humiliated by wealth and power. Such people form a monolithic entity that is not consulted, but whose will is intuited by fascists. Donald Trump qualifies on all counts, with one exception, since he is a coward: the 'cult of death'.Philip SteadmanLondon Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
