|
I am a computer programmer turned author and translator who lives in Toronto since 1996.
As a translator, I specialize in IT-subjects, financial subjects and scientific subjects, mainly medical and pharmaceutical subjects. I translate from/into English and Dutch/Flemish.
As an author, I have written five books and co-authored two. I am currently working on another project.
I love technology, not because it is "cool" but because of what it can do for me.
My current passion is Japanese culture and language. I sing enka, practice Japanese classical dancing (nihonbuyou), kitsuke (kimono dressing) and wasai (Japanese tailoring).
I maintain a website with a mainly scientific and rational interest: thamno.com. I also do maintain a weblog for De Standaard, a major Dutch newspaper in Belgium (in Dutch). It can be found at this link.
I am the Toronto correspondent for Wereldnet, a program by the VPRO on Dutch state-owned radio. This is a link to most of the programs in which I have appeared between 2001 and 2008 (in Dutch). More recent programs are hosted elsewhere, but I still need to obtain a link.
|
News  |
|
|
The Netherlands Bazaar is a biennial charity event in Toronto, organized to collect funds to help needy people of Dutch extraction. It is also a good opportunity to learn more about an important and often invisible part of Canadian society.
Published Oct 5, 2009 by ■ Bart B. Van Bockstaele in Entertainment
| 2 comments
|
|
In the popular television programme "Wylde on Health", homoeopathic doctor Bryce Wylde claimed that 1% milk contains approximately 24%fat by weight. I investigate this surprising claim and come to different conclusions.
Published Jul 23, 2009 by ■ Bart B. Van Bockstaele in Health
| 6 comments
|
|
People are becoming increasingly afraid of "germs" on their food. Conventional wisdom has it that food is a natural product, and as a result, contamination with harmful micro-organisms is unavoidable. But Japanese companies have found a solution.
Published Jun 7, 2009 by ■ Bart B. Van Bockstaele in Food
| 54 comments
|
|
Homoeopathy is on the rise. People perceive it as a safe and natural alternative to the evils of modern medicine and pharmacology. What they usually ignore, is that homoeopathy is no better than a placebo, and Gloria Sam has paid the ultimate price.
Published Jun 5, 2009 by ■ Bart B. Van Bockstaele in Health
| 10 comments
|
|
Randall Terry of Operation Rescue has issued a reaction to yesterday's murder of Dr. George Tiller, one of only a handful of doctors to perform late-term abortions.
Published Jun 1, 2009 by ■ Bart B. Van Bockstaele in Religion
| 7 comments
|
|
The Brown County District Court issued an order clarifying the situation in the case of Hodgkin's disease patient Daniel Hauser, whose parents refused to give proper treatment.
Published May 28, 2009 by ■ Bart B. Van Bockstaele in Religion
| 6 comments
|
|
Daniel Hauser, the boy who was heading for disaster because his parents refused treatment for his Hodgkin's disease, is going in for a first round of chemotherapy today. What is the plan?
Published May 27, 2009 by ■ Bart B. Van Bockstaele in Religion
| 10 comments
|
|
The mother of Daniel Hauser, a 13 year-old Hodgkin's disease sufferer, says that she wants her son to have "alternative" treatment, but will abide by the orders of the court if it rules differently.
Published May 25, 2009 by ■ Bart B. Van Bockstaele in Religion
| 2 comments
|
|
Daniel Hauser, the boy whose parents refused to treat for Hodgkin's disease, has returned to Minnesota and is being checked out at a hospital in the Twin Cities.
Published May 25, 2009 by ■ Bart B. Van Bockstaele in Religion
| 19 comments
|
Many people, especially Americans, believe that the creation story in the first chapter of the Bible, the Book of Genesis, is literally true. Dr. Michael Shermer looks at the story and interprets it in the light of current scientific knowledge.
Published May 25, 2009 by ■ Bart B. Van Bockstaele in Religion
| 11 comments
|
|
This weekend, it was time for a Toronto tradition: Doors Open Toronto, a unique opportunity to see buildings that are often not normally accessible to the public, and a good reason to learn something about them.
Published May 25, 2009 by ■ Bart B. Van Bockstaele in Arts
| 12 comments
|
|
The Public Prosecutor in Arnhem has started a criminal investigation in the death of a baby who was treated by a craniosacral therapist.
Published May 24, 2009 by ■ Bart B. Van Bockstaele in Health
| 17 comments
|
|
This is the slogan that was put on 25 buses in Chicago this week, as a part of the Indiana Atheist Bus Campaign. The bus ads will be seen cruising all over Chicago through the month of June.
Published May 23, 2009 by ■ Bart B. Van Bockstaele in Religion
| 62 comments
|
|
In the court case against the alternative healers that allowed well-known Dutch actress Sylvia Millecam to die from cancer, the Public Prosecutor has asked that spiritual healer Jomanda be given a two year practice ban and a suspended 12 month jail term.
Published May 22, 2009 by ■ Bart B. Van Bockstaele in Health
| 3 comments
|
|
A "massive" measles outbreak in Wales has the health authorities worried. The numbers this year are already four times the highest number of the past 13 years. Officials are asking parents to vaccinate their children.
Published May 21, 2009 by ■ Bart B. Van Bockstaele in Health
| 7 comments
|
|
The parents of a 13 year old child, who has not been getting medical treatment for religious reasons, had been ordered by a judge to provide that care. The mother has now been found in contempt of court and an order has been issued for her arrest.
Published May 19, 2009 by ■ Bart B. Van Bockstaele in Religion
| 11 comments
|
|
Donald Rumsfeld, US defence secretary under George W. Bush, adorned top secret intelligence documents on the war in Iraq with quotes from the Bible.
Published May 18, 2009 by ■ Bart B. Van Bockstaele in Politics
| 15 comments
|
|
Daniel Hauser is a 13-year old boy with cancer who is refusing treatment for religious reasons. A judge has now decided that he is medically neglected and must undergo treatment.
Published May 16, 2009 by ■ Bart B. Van Bockstaele in Religion
| 13 comments
|
|
The Science and Rationalists' Association of India has issued a challenge to astrologers. If an astrologer correctly forecast the results of the 2009 parliamentary elections, he or she will be awarded $50,000 USD.
Published May 14, 2009 by ■ Bart B. Van Bockstaele in Science
| 4 comments
|
|
Goedele Liekens, a Flemish sexologist who publishes her own magazine, appears on the cover dressed as a nun. The buyer also receives a little bag with hosts with her image and a card with the text "Take, eat; this is my body."
Published May 14, 2009 by ■ Bart B. Van Bockstaele in Religion
| 9 comments
|
apis-127520 apis-123647 apis-121162 apis-121120 apis-120886 apis-120655 apis-120615 apis-120528 apis-120523 apis-120487 apis-120446 apis-120427 apis-120463 apis-120325 apis-120256 apis-120193 apis-120141 apis-120087 apis-120071
|
|
