Yes?..er..maybe not..

[Pentlandpirate]

Mona, are you employed in the Scottish Universities Spin Department?

[MonaLott]

PP, are you employed by Longshanks?

[MonaLott]

e.g. pretty damn good! http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/sc ... -in-world-

[MonaLott]

If there are around 200 countries in the world hosting more than 17,000 universities, isn't it pretty much right to say that, with several unis in the top 200 depending on criterion, Scotland has some of the best?

[NickB]

e.g. pretty damn good! http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/sc ... -in-world-

Well now that is a very interesting article Mona. According to these (scientific) criteria Scotland actually has four of the top 100 universities in the world, rather different to Longshanks' assertion that there is only one.

Four Scottish universities have been ranked in the top 100 in a global league table measuring scientific performance.

St Andrews, Dundee, Edinburgh and Aberdeen universities all score highly in the Leiden ratings which rank universities according to their impact on sciences and involvement in scientific collaboration.

Only 15 UK universities made it into the Leiden Rankings top 100, meaning that Scots universities are disproportionately represented in the listing. Glasgow University also ranked high, although just outside the top 100.

Drawn up by experts at Leiden University in the Netherlands, the ranking system measures universities' performance according to advanced indicators of scientific impact, collaboration and the number of citations that research receives.

And a note on the Leiden ranking system:

-----------------------------------------------------
Differences with other university rankings

Compared with other university rankings, the Leiden Ranking offers more advanced indicators of scientific impact and collaboration and uses a more transparent methodology. The Leiden Ranking does not rely on highly subjective data obtained from reputational surveys or on data provided by universities themselves. Also, the Leiden Ranking refrains from aggregating different dimensions of university performance into a single overall indicator.
-----------------------------------------------------

So - Scottish universities are pretty good, and we DO have way more than our share of world class universities, just as the YES leaflet said. Be happy!

[jimcee]

Well, here is the "Big Wobbly Question Mark" putting another tuppence worth into this acrimonious debate - By the way the avatar was proposed by an ardent supporter of the YES brigade, who has given up the drumsticks for a rather slimy looking character from some science fiction movie.
But that is but idle chit - chat. What on earth has the relative merits or league table status of our universities got to do with the subject of independance?.
The relative merits or reputation of any particular university are purely a reflection of the pecking order which these educational establishments like to indulge in as a reflection of the class system which has permeated human behaviour since the demise of the dinosaurs (and they probably had a similar system).
The school which gave me an education was very fond of citing how many former pupils went on to study at Oxbridge, as if this was some form of kudos, rather than just turning out well rounded citizens who could keep their nose clean and make an honest living, stay out of the courts, and not be a burden on the state.

[DonnieC]

So, insult you do! Slimey, you infer?

From memory you were offered an avatar which refused you could.

But no - no imagination, you, no other option proposed, and, to you as a helpful gesture in your quandery accepted - no asked questions, to find unable - anything in the galaxy to promote your procrastinating confused mind I offerred a middle symbol of your doubt towards the only 'no brainer' ( apologies, it's not a Jedi Masterr's usual parlance - but suits you, the subject,) outcome to the refurendum!

Further avatars for you follow they will - like them I hope you do!

http://www.myrkothum.com/the-10-wisest- ... ster-yoda/

[jimcee]

While I find it difficult to follow the Klingon? language with all it's nuances, the general inference seems to be that this odd looking character offered me an avatar (which suited my indecisive state) and I gladly accepted.
So, no hard feelings?
However nobody seems to have leapt to the defence (or explain) the acrimonious debate over the relative pecking order of universities, as related to the subject of Scottish Independance.
Have I put a spoke in the wheel? - and possibly made them see the futility of this continual argy-bargy?
The ball is in someone else's court.

[DonnieC]

Klingon? Klingon? - stuffed them did we in 2401!

From the depths of space any opinions or statistic radically, can be,by another contradicted .

Seil Chat no different is, but, the acrimony fierce, like the Force, somewhat is strong on here!

Time I have not to use your google to compete with you all - so much mis-info - so many light years to travel!

The Hobbit thought I good for avatars but tthe Dark Forces to attend I must.

Precious, Precious..........?

Canu...........Are you out there????

[jimcee]

So big green pointy ears is at a loss for words, or using them in a peculiar order.
It is difficult to get a coherent message out of these ramblings, but maybe it is not easy to follow the mindset of extra - terrestials - it is only recently they have come on the scene.
However, whoever he/she is, they obviously have a musical bent, as that is suspiciously like a set of bagpipes they are toting - give us a tune pointy ears.

[Foxglove]

Can tha play....Land Of Hope And Glory..

[DonnieC]

Nay Lass, but from the depths of the Cosmos Empire for you and Jim many a ditty can I offer- especially from the H2SNebula, "The Rafter Cloud" commonly known as.

Offer I can, for start a 'The Cleansing of Darth Vadars Crematorium' by followed, 'The Radio Active Hills of Moleigh' and finally 'The See You Jimmy Rant.'

Your choice - and 'May the Farce be with yous,' as they say in deepest Heidparkparadisiumvulgaris!

Deep in Hyperspce now so Lightspeed employ must. Even Jedi Masters a kip need. All aboard the Mellenium Falcon - intense somnambulation need.

The Dark Side calls!

[jimcee]

Given my affinity with the name, I would be interested to hear the words of the "See you Jimmy rant " since I have come across this opening gesture many a time here on earth and would be interested to hear how it is interpreted by a Jedi Master (whatever that is).
Perhaps out resident Jedi representative (how does one become a master?) could oblige us with a line or two of the ditty once he recovers from somnambulism aboard that big spaceship thing up there near the bridge.

[DonnieC]

"A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...." I remember spoke I to a Pipe Major Montgmery Scott - resplendant in his Star Fleet tartan highland dress he was.

After your last ice age this was.

He had just won the Francium Medal at the Intergalactic Callisto and Ganymede Gathering and to me explained he did that a bagpiping 'rant' an insrumental was, so no words.
But, he did from memory say he recalled a thing 'Tintranet' and an ancient, acrimonious communication device 'Seil Chat' was called. Closed, thought he, it was for members defending and writing writs! Remembered he a lay written by a member about a rant. It is here;

The See You Jimmy Rant;

One day on the web our Jim did look
For a bargain or two - a coat or a book

He found a deal in underwear
Promoted by a chap with combed back hair

A handsome chap, phaser in hand,
Tight fitting clothes he looked quite grand

Kinky boots and on his knee
A fit lieutenant for 'company'

An engineer - 'See me, See you'
Bones the Doc could diagnose flu

A pointy eared git for knowledge and logic
And green faced aliens to make him sick

But to our tale of the ebay purchase
His bid was good - a smile on his face

'Went too cheap!' our lad did think.
They arrived, stripped, green and pink,

Yellow and brown - all a queer shade,
In Indonesia, they were made,

And, so many are there still to buy,
So many, that it made him cry

Cos when he read the product discription,
He realised a misconception.

Don't be hasty buyer beware
When you are buying underwear

Jimmy then had a series of rants,
when he realised the label said 'Shatner Pants!'

Recalled he also other piobaireachds at the time by name 'The Long Lament for Longshanks,' 'The Sinking of the RMS Congleton in the Pentland Firth' and 'O'er the Sea with Nick MacB'

Himself, a composition was on working called 'Up Yur Pipe.' A lament it was for the loss of his native Gaelic language following Independence in 3014 :- Norwegian, Scots now speak!

[jimcee]

Obviously there is a Blarney Stone somewhere aboard that Millenium thingy, thinks me.
Ears pointy your language catching is.
But kidding and swanking aside as is our wont here in Caledonia *(wild and stern), look you .
A wasted talent there is in Jedi folklore - there's no Irish blood in your stock? - all that greenery about the phisog must mean something.
So, bilious countenance you, your master's reputation is at stake,
Up your sleeve (commodious) there are ditties to be had, on other worthies that grace these pages.
Hinted you have at the recipients of these rants in store - why not let the wider galaxy enjoy these pearls of wisdom and wit?
Bated the breath is.