The sustained attention paradox: a critical commentary on the theoretical impossibility of perfect vigilance

The human capacity for sustained attention represents a critical cognitive paradox: while essential for numerous high-stakes tasks, perfect vigilance is fundamentally impossible. This commentary explores the theoretical impossibility of maintaining uninterrupted attention, drawing from extensive interdisciplinary research in cognitive science, neuroscience, and psychology. Multiple converging lines of evidence demonstrate that sustained attention is constrained by neural, biological, and cognitive limitations. Neural mechanisms reveal that attention operates through rhythmic oscillations, with inherent fluctuations in frontoparietal networks and default mode network interactions. Neurochemical systems and cellular adaptation effects further underscore the impossibility of continuous, perfect vigilance. Empirical research across domains—including aviation, healthcare, industrial safety, and security—consistently demonstrates rapid declines in attention performance over time, regardless of individual expertise or motivation. Even elite performers like military personnel and experienced meditators exhibit inevitable attention lapses. This paper presents an argument against traditional approaches that seek to overcome these limitations through training or willpower. Instead, it advocates for designing human-technology systems that work harmoniously with cognitive constraints. This requires developing adaptive automation, understanding individual and cultural attention variations, and creating frameworks that strategically balance human capabilities with technological support

Murdoch’s MacKinnon: the grounding of metaphysics as a guide to morals

Whilst a good deal of space has been given to discussing the biographical connections between Donald MacKinnon and his most famous pupil, Iris Murdoch, little has been said of the influence of MacKinnon’s own theological writings, particularly Borderlands of Theology (1968) and The Problem of Metaphysics (1974), on the later philosophy of Murdoch. Using the extensive marginalia and notes in her copy of these works stored at the Kingston University archive, this chapter will attempt to outline the impact his thought had on her final work, Metaphysics as Guide to Morals as well as their shared affinities for the work of Kant. It is the contention of the chapter that his lasting impact provided the groundwork for her final work of philosophy

Georges Bataille Critical Essays Volume 2: 1949–1951

In the aftermath of World War II, French thinker and writer Georges Bataille forged a singular path through the moral and political impasses of his age. In 1946, animated by ‘a need to live events in an increasingly conscious way’, and to reject any compartmentalization of intellectual life, Bataille founded the journal Critique. Continuing the publication of his postwar writings, this second book in a three-volume collection of Bataille’s work collects his essays and reviews from the years 1949 to 1951. In this period of intellectual isolation and intense reflection, Bataille developed and refined his genealogy of morality through a sustained reflection on the fate of the sacred in the modern world. He offered a critique of the limits of existing morality, especially in its denial of excess, while sketching the lineaments of a new hyper-morality. Bataille’s wide-ranging reflections are true to the intellectual mission of Critique, which he founded as a space open to the broadest considerations of the present. As well as discussing significant figures like Samuel Beckett, André Gide, and René Char, Bataille also offers fascinating reflections on American politics, Nazism, existentialism, materialism, and play. The connecting thread in these diverse essays remains Bataille’s concern with the extremes of human experience and the possibilities of transcending the limits of societies founded on utility and restraint. His writings remain a provocative incitement to rethink the boundaries we impose on expression and existence

Bottom of the barrel

A sonnet reflecting on dating in later life

Rob's vignette - the Chichester practice-based MBA: emphasising relational learning

Several years ago, I designed an MBA programme to run as part of the UK Government’s apprenticeship scheme for senior leaders. As of 2025 it is now on its eighth cohort and has a loyal following with several local employers. The aim was to bring relational critical thinking alive in a programme of practice-based learning. In looking at other MBAs on the market I was concerned that many did not treat leadership and management as a practice that people do as part of their day to day lives. For example, there would be discreet subjects like HR, finance, strategy and the like. As a manager I knew that they did not sit in isolation, instead leadership/management was a holistic practice that included intellect, emotion, artistry, communication and so on in the practical real world of unfolding and unpredictable events. I became sceptical of the ‘case study’ that put students on the touchline of experience that encouraged them to think ‘why on earth would anyone …’, a privileged position that was divorced from their reality. I was also concerned by the focus of treating leadership and management as an academic subject, as opposed to a practice. For example, whilst I enjoy reading critical management studies papers, with their sharp critical theory and post-modern analysis, I do wonder how these insights help. In building a masters programme up from scratch I had the opportunity to weave relational critical thinking into the entire fabric. I must admit, I did not call it ‘relational critical thinking,’ or the methods ‘practice-based learning’ at the time. The words and practice followed in working with students, colleagues and particularly James Traeger on various organisation development programmes, research and books. I therefore do not take credit, but this is an explanation of my practice

Community sport coaching and youth work: relatability and effective practice in the context of austerity

The recent UK policy of austerity has resulted in significant funding reductions for a wide range of leisure services. Indeed, specific preventative services that operate within the context of participants’ leisure activities, such as community sport coaching and youth work that focus on positively intervening and preventing anti-social behaviour, have continued to decline, thus resulting in a range of negative consequences for disadvantaged young people. Given that both fields share a history and objectives by using leisure and recreational activities to support behavioural change, this paper explores the potential for shared good practices, methods, and possible guidelines/recommendations for practitioners through examining parallels in applied practice between community sport coaching and youth work. Using a qualitative method, data was collected via semi-structured interviews with 10 community sport coaches and youth workers. The findings suggest that both fields share significant similarities in approach and practice, and that meaningful approaches to facilitating engagement with service users can be made through actively promoting empathy and “relatability”, including sharing experiences, jointly constructing interactions, and regularly monitoring and supporting young service users

Invisible on campus: exploring predictors of perceived student ostracism

Ostracism is known to result in a range of negative psychological consequences for those who perceive they have been socially excluded. Given the importance of social inclusion and belonging to academic and psychosocial success and good mental health at university, the present study aimed to examine the strongest predictor of perceived university student ostracism from theoretically relevant variables (rejection sensitivity, attachment orientation, social anxiety, and self-esteem) across the literature on social exclusion. A cross-sectional correlation design was employed with university students (N =127). Contrary to expectations, in a multiple linear regression it was found that the only significant predictor of perceived student ostracism was attachment avoidance. The findings underscore the importance of further investigating the psychological precursors of perceived ostracism in students, particularly given that seemingly theoretically important individual difference variables such as rejection sensitivity and social anxiety did not predict perceived student ostracism in our sample. We suggest it is crucial that higher education institutions continue to foster socially inclusive academic environments, particularly for students with avoidant attachment styles

Testing the validity of 360-video for analysing visual exploratory activity in soccer

Extended reality (XR) technologies present new opportunities to measure sports performance in 34 immersive, representative environments. This study aimed to i) assess the construct and face validity 35 of a 360-video simulation for capturing visual exploratory activity (VEA) in women’s soccer and ii) 36 understand players’ perceptions of acceptability and tolerability of the simulation. Eleven sub-elite 37 women’s soccer players and eleven novices viewed 40 soccer videos in a head-mounted display. 38 Footage was recorded using a stationary GoPro 360 Max camera at eye height in six pitch locations. 39 Participants verbalised and acted out an action response. VEA was measured by the number of ‘scans’ 40 away from the ball before it reached the 360-video camera. Participants answered open-ended 41 questions on acceptability, physical fidelity, and tolerability. Mann-Whitney U tests compared scan 42 frequency and actions per trial between the two groups. Results supported construct and face validity, 43 with good acceptability, tolerability, and physical fidelity. Soccer players (Mdn = 0.31 scans/s) had 44 significantly higher scan frequencies than novices (Mdn = 0.06 scans/s, p < 0.001) and generated 45 significantly more detailed responses per trial (p < 0.001). 360-video offers a valid, acceptable method 46 for capturing VEA. Future work should assess its efficacy for skill development

Individual responses to encapsulated caffeine and caffeine chewing gum on strength and power in strength-trained males

Background: Liquid-dissolved and encapsulated powder are two popular ways to consume caffeine for performance-enhancing effects. Caffeine in other delivery methods, such as chewing gums, orally dissolvable strips, gels, mouthwashes, energy drinks, and nasal sprays, is believed to be absorbed more quickly into the bloodstream. Inter-individual responses to caffeine's enhancing effects are recognized. The present study examined the inter-individual responses to the acute effects of encapsulated caffeine and caffeinated chewing gum on the lower-body isokinetic and isometric strength and power in strength-trained males. Method: A randomized, cross-over, placebo-controlled study was conducted with fifteen strength-trained males (age: 25±4 years, height: 176±7 cm, weight: 75±11 kg, habitual caffeine intake: 66±15 mg·day⁻¹). Participants were randomly assigned to three conditions: i) caffeinated chewing gum (CG), ii) caffeine capsule (CC), and iii) starch capsule as a placebo (PLA). Participants consumed approximately 3 to 4.5 mg·kg⁻¹ of caffeine 60 minutes before testing. The washout period between conditions was one week. Participants performed the Sargent jump test, followed by a 5-minute active recovery (walking). Subsequently, isokinetic strength and power (60°/s and 180°/s) and isometric strength (45° and 60°) parameters were measured for knee extensor and flexor muscles. Data were analyzed using one-way repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests, with significance set at P ≤ 0.05. Responders to the caffeine conditions were identified using the smallest worthwhile change (SWC) analysis. Results: In knee extensors, 1) average peak torque and power at 60°/s were higher in CC (P=0.045; +11.22% and P=0.038; +14.15%) and CG (P=0.044; +7.32% and P=0.015; +11.42%) compared to PLA with a co-response rate of 60% and 66%, 2) maximum voluntary isometric contraction at 45° (MVIC-45°) was higher in CC compared to PLA (P=0.031; +10.15% ), and 3) MVIC-60° was higher in CG compared to PLA (P=0.037; +10.15%) with a co-response rate of 60%. In knee flexors, 1) time to peak torque at 60°/s was higher in CG compared to PLA (P=0.011; +18.28%) with a co-response rate of 46%, 2) average rate of force development at 60°/s was higher in CC (P=0.007; +24.14%) and CG (P=0.050; +20.69%) compared to PLA with a co-response rate of 53%, and 3) average power at 180°/s was higher in CC compared to PLA (P=0.033; +18.08%) with a co-response rate of 46%. However, there were no differences between other strength indicators in the knee extensors and flexors between the different conditions. Vertical jump height (VJH) was higher in CC (P=0.001; +5.58%) and CG (P=0.001; +6.09%) compared to PLA, with a co-response rate of 53%. Conclusion: Caffeine supplementation in CC and CG forms significantly enhanced lower-body strength, power, and vertical jump height in strength-trained males, with over ~ 50% of participants exceeding the SWC thresholds across key performance metrics. CC showed slightly higher responder rates for strength parameters, while CG excelled in time-dependent measures, supporting their use as effective and flexible ergogenic aids

Investigating success in the transition to university: A systematic review of personal risk and protective factors influencing psychosocial success

Navigating the transition to university is a challenge for many students with numerous negative consequences if not successful. The current literature body is disparate and contains numerous methodological and analytical inconsistencies that makes it difficult to identify the most salient and effective factors that help predict transition success for students. The present study provides a systematic review of quantitative research linking personal level risk and protective factors to psychosocial success outcomes in the transition to university. Previous work has investigated factors influencing more traditional success metrics (e.g., academic achievement, completion, etc.) but the factors influencing, arguably more holistic, psychosocial success metrics (e.g., wellbeing) should also be understood. This is part of a larger review, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) guidelines, preregistered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO, CRD42022330515), searching PsycInfo, Web of Science, and ERIC databases. Records were included if they studied ‘traditional’ first year students transitioning to university and were longitudinal in design and excluded if they looked at specific subgroups of students (e.g., international students). The search yielded 32 articles that were eligible, highlighting 96 purportedly different salient factors which are consolidated to 16 salient elements grouped around five higher order domains. The findings are discussed with a consolidation mindset that to aims to move the research forward towards an evidence-based feasible and pragmatic intervention to enhance the probability of successful student transition to university