Theo Todman's Personal Page

(Text as at 19/06/2014)

• I was educated at the Crypt School Gloucester (Crypt School Gloucester, 1965-1972), and at King's College Cambridge (King's College Cambridge, 1973-6), where I substantially wasted my opportunities studying a subject (mathematics) for which I was ill-suited, but where I thoroughly enjoyed myself rowing, playing bridge and socializing. I was briefly a Carthusian¹ monk, and was subsequently, until the mid 1990's, an evangelical, fundamentalist, dispensationalist Christian². Now, I aim to be a philosopher. For a long time I was an enthusiast for Hi-Q societies - mainly Mensa (Mensa) and ISPE (ISPE). After a decade away, I've recently (as of April 2011) rejoined these organisations. I enjoy a (somewhat irregular) work-out at the gym and am occasionally persuaded to play the oboe extremely badly, somewhat improved by lessons which are currently in abeyance. I've also started to learn the piano. I used to enjoy playing chess and bridge, to the latter of which I returned³ at the end of 2007. As of the end of October 2010 I retired from a career in the central IT function at HSBC (HSBC). As for family, follow this this link⁴.
  
• From October 2000 to June 2004, I studied for a BA in Philosophy at Birkbeck⁵ College, University of London. This was a part-time course involving 2 or 3 evenings a week (together with all the outside study). I seem to be more fitted to philosophy than mathematics, and graduated with first class honours. I also expended quite a lot of energy running the Birkbeck Philosophy Society⁶for a couple of years, thereby meeting a lot of interesting philosophers.
  
• I started the Master in Philosophical Studies (MPhil Stud) degree at Birkbeck in October 2005, but intermitted in the following spring after my wife Julie had a nasty car accident that debilitated her for 6 months. She is now fully recovered, and I recommenced formal study for a PhD at Birkbeck in October 2007. My area of research was Personal_Identity⁷. Unfortunately, I found it difficult combining research with my work commitments and other interests, so this is also in abeyance. See my Philosophy_Page⁸ for the current status.
  
• From late September to end December 2010, I was at Heythrop College (Heythrop College London (Defunct)) studying for an MA in Philosophy and Religion. The document controlling these activities is here⁹. Unfortunately, I've continued my career as a serial academic drop-out, and dropped out. Basically, I've moved on psychologically from taught to research degrees, and don't like having to write superficial tripe to aggressive timeframes.
  
• So, the grand plan from now on is to write much more than is strictly required for a PhD under my own steam, and then see if I can get the work critiqued at a University.
  
• For the latest status report on my various projects, follow this link¹⁰.
  
• In lieu of completed structures on which to hang my pearls of wisdom, I've created an "Animadversions" notes-database for depositing thoughts pending the creation of the appropriate peg. If I find myself lying awake at night thinking about this or that, the remedy is to leap out of bed and blog it (but not in the official blog¹¹. For the Jump Table to the various thoughts, follow this link.
  
• Finally, I did make a start on an autobiography¹², but this has stalled. You will be able to see this developing (if it ever does) by following the link.
  
• All my Notes can be accessed via the following the jump-table.