Canute's

Organisers have learned Canute's lesson: the event is going ahead come rain or shine.

Radiohead fans: Thom Yorke needs you ... to form a human sculpture of King Canute Sean Michaels 2010

Even if a bearded Viking monarch is not a typical environmental icon, Canute's legend makes him a perfect metaphor for the climate-change battle.

Radiohead fans: Thom Yorke needs you ... to form a human sculpture of King Canute Sean Michaels 2010

Given protectionist sentiment in the EU and the US, Brown's call for free trade will resemble King Canute's call for the tide to turn back.

Archive 2008-05-01 2008

UPDATE: I see that Matt Zeitlin, blogging again, I'm pleased to say, after something of a hiatus, takes down the dreadful Naomi Klein who, like Monbiot, seems to be one of King Canute's courtiers and not half as wise as the leaders they exhort to do more than is actually possible.

John Terry’s sacking as England captain tells us something interesting... 2009

UPDATE: I see that Matt Zeitlin, blogging again, I'm pleased to say, after something of a hiatus, takes down the dreadful Naomi Klein who, like Monbiot, seems to be one of King Canute's courtiers and not half as wise as the leaders they exhort to do more than is actually possible.

John Terry’s sacking as England captain tells us something interesting... 2009

The danger comes when the President agrees with them and lacks Canute's wisdom.

John Terry’s sacking as England captain tells us something interesting... 2009

The danger comes when the President agrees with them and lacks Canute's wisdom.

The Washington Delusion 2009

Canute's spirit was back in business this week at the G-8 summit in Italy, where the assembled leaders declared that the world's temperature shall not rise: "We recognize the scientific view that the increase in global average temperature above pre-industrial levels ought not to exceed 2 degrees [Celsius]," or 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit, said the summit declaration.

King Canute at the G-8 2009

UPDATE: I see that Matt Zeitlin, blogging again, I'm pleased to say, after something of a hiatus, takes down the dreadful Naomi Klein who, like Monbiot, seems to be one of King Canute's courtiers and not half as wise as the leaders they exhort to do more than is actually possible.

George Monbiot's Alternative Universe 2009

The danger comes when the President agrees with them and lacks Canute's wisdom.

The Washington Delusion 2009