The study of linkages is one of the broadest of all studies. In this site, I'm particularly concerned with the areas shown above but its scope is much wider, so it should be of interest to any 'intelligent general reader.' For example, the section 'Themes and Controversies,' which has its own map, includes amongst other things discussion of: bullfighting, factory farming and other matters to do with animal welfare, the death penalty and smoking. There's critical comment about the cult of celebrity and other matters on the page parerga. The education section, which has its own map, contains more critical comment. See, for example, Framework Science and critical examinations.

Most of the material on this site is non-technical, but a section thematic and other symbols is an exception. This is on the page which explains 'themes.'

I analyze linkages in many different fields and create completely new ones: a prominent theme is innovation. There are a large number of innovations here. Many of them are practical, in Web design and gardening. Others are concerned with poetry, for example, innovations in concrete poetry, (the page includes an 'exploding poem') in rhymed poetry (an aspect of 'linkage by sound'), and in a completely new form, which uses linkage by meaning. A glossary: poetry explains many of the main terms. I include a selection of my poems. Their range is very wide, from humorous (such as 'The worst restaurant in the world') to war poetry.

The innovations in Web design give new ways of navigating pages, which can be used in the long pages common in Web sites but also in the new form I call 'Large Page Design.' For a very short introduction, see Page travel and for a much more detailed account, Web design.

The section of the site concerned with gardening and green issues is extensive, with its own map.

The links of a website are examples of linkages, of course, but most linkages can't be created with the same ease. Some are very problematic, for example, the linkage between mind and body, or disputed: astrologers find a linkage between human personality and celestial objects whilst sceptics - and I'm one - find no convincing evidence. Scientific advances involve new linkages. For example, Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation established a linkage between all the bodies in the Universe. Darwin’s Theory of Evolution established new linkages between organisms.

Linkage and contrast provide a powerful way of viewing human personality in its frequent mixture of strength and weakness and the often grotesque contradictions to be found in societies and give new perspectives in ethics and politics. Many of my aphorisms are concerned with these things. Two plays illustrate some of the contrasts and contradictions of human nature, a comedy and a tragedy.

This site has been selected by The Rail, based in the USA, which chooses sites which are "interesting for a very general audience" and "visually appealing, entertaining, unique, highly informative or otherwise valuable from a quality standpoint."

Paul Hurt