Welcome to the Virtual Scholars ‘blog’ – an ugly word perhaps, but nonetheless in common parlance this is indeed a blog, or weblog site. Blogs allow frequent and chronological publication of comments and thoughts on the web. Crucially they offer a public or collective forum where users can post informal thoughts, comments, and philosophies, updated frequently and normally reflecting the views of the individual blog authors.

In journal format this site seeks to bring together a community of international-minded individuals interested in thoughtful and thought-provoking debate and inquiry on all aspects of the arts, culture, society and international current affairs. Letters, reviews, commentaries, research notes, citations and short essays are all very much welcomed.

The title ‘virtual scholars’ can be read in at least two ways. Firstly given the online medium, the idea is for a ‘virtual’ space in which scholarly minded readers/writers can communicate and disseminate ideas. Of course, the nature of the online environment means that the style of ’scholarship’ is unikely to be rigorous or sustained. Instead, a more fragmentary, spontaneous and open form of intellectual exchange is encouraged.

Secondly, virtual scholar is meant to refer to a type of person who – no doubt busied with all the usual grey matters of day to day life – longs to read more, write more and share in a neutral, but no less challenging intellectual community. In other words virtual scholars calls out to the imaginary scholar so many of us shelter quietly and privately inside.

Access is open to ALL to read and comment on the entries published here. In addition, if you would like to start your own topics, you are warmly invited to become a member.