-300 new photos of absurd (and sometimes hilarious) solutions for everyday problems The Brussels-based artist David Helbich started -Belgian Solutions- in 2006. He made photos of the peculiar (and comical) no-nonsense solutions to problems that that he spotted in his daily surroundings. Once he started to share his photos online on Facebook in 2008 (the Belgian Solutions page has over 25,000 fans), the project gathered speed, with contributions by 'Belgian Solutions' spotters all over the world. And because Helbich keeps receiving pictures, he keeps creating content - much to the joy of his fans.

This new volume in Policy Press's series of national explorations of policy analysis brings together a number of experts in policy research and analysis to focus on Belgium. Many of the contributions include new empirical data gathered specifically for this book through surveys and interviews with key figures within and outside government circles. The editors have taken care to create teams of contributors from both sides of the Belgian language border, which, along with the breadth of topics considered, helps make this easily the most comprehensive study of Belgian policy analysis to be published.

In 1996 physicist Alan Sokal published an essay in Social Text--an influential academic journal of cultural studies--touting the deep similarities between quantum gravitational theory and postmodern philosophy. Soon thereafter, the essay was revealed as a brilliant parody, a catalog of nonsense written in the cutting-edge but impenetrable lingo of postmodern theorists. The event sparked a furious debate in academic circles and made the headlines of newspapers in the U.S. and abroad. In Fashionable Nonsense: Postmodern Intellectuals' Abuse of Science, Sokal and his fellow physicist Jean Bricmont expand from where the hoax left off. In a delightfully witty and clear voice, the two thoughtfully and thoroughly dismantle the pseudo-scientific writings of some of the most fashionable French and American intellectuals. More generally, they challenge the widespread notion that scientific theories are mere "narrations" or social constructions.

Originally presented as the author's thesis (doctoral)--University of Lucerne, 2010.

DHM and Posturography explores the body of knowledge and state-of-the-art in digital human modeling, along with its application in ergonomics and posturography. The book provides an industry first introductory and practitioner focused overview of human simulation tools, with detailed chapters describing elements of posture, postural interactions, and fields of application. Thus, DHM tools and a specific scientific/practical problem – the study of posture – are linked in a coherent framework. In addition, sections show how DHM interfaces with the most common physical devices for posture analysis. Case studies provide the applied knowledge necessary for practitioners to make informed decisions. Digital Human Modelling is the science of representing humans with their physical properties, characteristics and behaviors in computerized, virtual models. These models can be used standalone, or integrated with other computerized object design systems, to design or study designs, workplaces or products in their relationship with humans. - Presents an introductory, up-to-date overview and introduction to all industrially relevant DHM systems that will enable users on trialing, procurement decisions and initial applications - Includes user-level examples and case studies of DHM application in various industrial fields - Provides a structured and posturography focused compendium that is easy to access, read and understand

A small book with great weight and urgency to it, this is both a history of democracy and a clarion call for change. "Without drastic adjustment, this system cannot last much longer," writes Van Reybrouck, regarded today as one of Europe's most astute thinkers. "If you look at the decline in voter turnout and party membership, and at the way politicians are held in contempt, if you look at how difficult it is to form governments, how little they can do and how harshly they are punished for it, if you look at how quickly populism, technocracy and anti-parliamentarianism are rising, if you look at how more and more citizens are longing for participation and how quickly that desire can tip over into frustration, then you realize we are up to our necks." Not so very long ago, the great battles of democracy were fought for the right to vote. Now, Van Reybrouck writes, "it's all about the right to speak, but in essence it's the same battle, the battle for political emancipation and for democratic participation. We must decolonize democracy. We must democratize democracy." As history, Van Reybrouck makes the compelling argument that modern democracy was designed as much to preserve the rights of the powerful and keep the masses in line, as to give the populace a voice. As change-agent, Against Elections makes the argument that there are forms of government, what he terms sortitive or deliberative democracy, that are beginning to be practiced around the world, and can be the remedy we seek. In Iceland, for example, deliberative democracy was used to write the new constitution. A group of people were chosen by lot, educated in the subject at hand, and then were able to decide what was best, arguably, far better than politicians would have. A fascinating, and workable idea has led to a timely book to remind us that our system of government is a flexible instrument, one that the people have the power to change.

This book explains how and why Belgium, a small but influential European country, was changed through its colonial activities in the Congo, from the first expeditions in 1880 to the Mobutu regime in the 1980s. Belgian politics, diplomacy, economic activity and culture were influenced by the imperial experience. Belgium and the Congo, 1885-1980 yields a better understanding of the Congo's past and present.