Uncategorized

Little Things I loathe No 2

I’ve changed the title of this thread – “Little things for which I have an irrational loathing” is clumsy, and also, I’ve decided, inaccurate. Contemplating these loathsome things, I came to the conclusion that my loathing was not irrational, but actually entirely justifiable and correct, and that anyone who disagreed with me was wrong. Hence… Continue reading Little Things I loathe No 2

Not amuth’d

EducationGuardian.co.uk | comment | We are not amuth’dHere’s a lovely piece by the always entertaining John Sutherland. It is distressing that so much unintelligible gibberish gets passed off as learned criticism these days. I always pass on to students the words of Nobel-winning scientist Peter Medawar:“No-one who sincerely believes he has something important to say… Continue reading Not amuth’d

History matters

The Observer | Review | The future’s in the pastHere’s a marvellous piece by the ridiculously multi-talented Stephen Fry on the importance of History. Should be compulsory reading for all with any influence on education policy.

Little things for which I have an irrational loathing. Number 1

…of what I expect will be a very long series. First up, then – personalised number plates. I remember explaining the British number plate system to a German friend, and almost causing him to choke on his beer when I revealed how much people will pay for a particularly apt plate. I suppose if you… Continue reading Little things for which I have an irrational loathing. Number 1

A real pea-souper, and no mistake, guv’nor…

For reasons which are actually mundane, but which I won’t reveal in order to maintain an air of spurious mystery, I have to visit Birmingham twice a year. Once again this time, I stayed at Jonathan’s, and it is a strange experience. Jonathan’s presents itself as a Victorian “experience”- and it is – but far… Continue reading A real pea-souper, and no mistake, guv’nor…

Blog Power

The growing influence of blogs in public policy is well-documented. Norman Geras and the Euston Manifesto is a blog phenonomenon. More evidence that blogs are changing things is the appearance of Alasdair Gray’s blog. Here’s a leading writer and artist publishing thoughts and new material freely to the web. This, it seems to me, is… Continue reading Blog Power

Copyright © 2026. All Rights Reserved. Dr Rob Spence by Flytonic.