The question is, if western academics and inventors have hogged the limelight  since the Renaissance, where did the greats of the middle east go? Is this simply the Western world being selective over what information we soak up and pass on to our children? I dare say it is. Although, in the past 50 years there may be another reason.

If you were a brilliant bio-engineer or chemist with controversial theories up your sleeve; or a businessman with a new concept that you feel could make you a mint – would you really choose to stay in Iran, Syria or Saudi Arabia? How about an innovative film director wishing to tackle provocative subjects?

Take Jafar Panahi and his fellow film-maker  Mohammad Ali Shirzadi, imprisoned earlier this year, essentially as prisoners of conscience; take Shirin Neshat, Iranian artist, photographer and film-maker, living in New York, but who tackles subjects that means she fears imprisonment back in Iran. The growing number of academics, medical practitioners and artists in exile from their mother countries is to the advantage of their adoptive countries, but what must the leaders back home think?

Indeed, will there ever come a time when a new leader in one of the Arab nations will be enlightened enough to surround themselves with modern day al-birunis, Avicennas and Ibn Khalduns, thereby sparking a new renaissance in the Muslim world?

I love the Brighton Dome. It’s got a wonderful ambiance inside, a beautiful design and it’s run with great efficiency. It also has a good selection of dance events and musical performances  on a regular basis. Last week, it was the turn of the Richard Alston Dance Company, with a production of “To Dance and Skylark”, plus two other pieces.

I especially enjoyed “To Dance and Skylark” as the music was Bach’s “Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F Major” – quite different to the usual, often challenging, music that modern dance employs. Compare this to the second piece, “Light Flooding Into Darkened Rooms”, which begins with works by Denis Gaultier (pleasant lute music from early 1600s France, although played in this instance on guitar) but then moves on to a current composer,  Jo Kondo (exceedingly discordant and jerky pieces played on a mandolin).

Now, I’m no expert in dance at all, but when you see the Richard Alston group perform it quickly becomes clear they are special. The fluidity of movement, the timing, the athleticism of the dancers. Conversely, I also find it interesting how quickly a novice such as I can pick up on common ‘modern’  (i.e. not classical ballet) dance movements that companies like the Richard Alston and the Rambert share.   (I only mention this to prove my complete ignorance or naivety.)

And there is more to come. We’ve booked up to see the Michael Clark Company in June with, no doubt, more to follow. The only significant drawback is the cost. This is only dance I’m talking about, after all. What of theatre and music? Yes, let’s not think about the cost.

Like I say, at the moment I’m feeling somewhat privileged. It’s not London, but I’m getting enough culture to please me. And Brighton has the sea.

Taking in the ambience, I was reminded of a short diatribe (“Stop the music for a minute”)  from the wonderful Quentin Crisp, who warned against the human race sinking into a mindless state where, like amoeba (his word) every individual sits alone, listening to music on their headphones, tapping their feet and yet unaware of anyone or anything around them.

At the age of 17 as I was then (1982), I thought his monologue was rather quaint and amusing, but now I feel it is sadly all too true. Catch the track on Cherry Red’s “Pillows and Prayers” album if you’re interested.

In today’s case, it was listening to the Shop Assistants . What a cracking band they were!

But there again, if they were around these days, would I prefer them to Bat for Lashes, who I saw last week at the Brighton Dome? The Dome seems to be able to bring out the best in the sort of band I like.

Kanye West and Common were drowned out in the vast impersonal space that is the O2 Arena, but Kanye at the Shepherds Bush Empire was possibly the best gig ever. Certainly on a par with The Clash in their heyday! Mmm, there I go again, reminiscing.

Changing tack almost entirely…I’ve been writing this whilst watching a programme about Coventry and the Blitz. People reminiscing about how truly horrendous it was on November 14th and 15th 1940. I’m thinking about how many people might still be suffering from the trauma of that night and how amazing that people managed to pull through such an appalling experience. It’s incomprehensible how people in so many countries are still going through a similar situation.