i need something to provide a little background distraction while writing papers, something that requires some measure of concentration but would leave my hands free to type and my eyes on my paper. the news is a bit depressing except when it's about french surgeons striking, and the today programme makes me feel old although it starts early enough to keep me through writing nights. for a while i listened to the goon show (replays on mondays at 8 if you are awake then, which, sadly, i am.) but now i'm looking for something less distracting. discovering music takes too much concentration, and i really want a continuous flow of human voices. well, back to the world service for the moment.