Author Archives: odeboyz

My Facebook Friends

My friends like to be liked and I like liking my friends and My friends smile emoji smiles and I like seeing my friends smile and I do it again and again    again      again       … Continue reading

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Toxic snobbery at Trinity College, Cambridge: 1970s

Coleridge [was] invited by the master [of the college] to a meet-and-greet for the alumni of “top public schools” where champagne is served. It transpires there are two more parties, the second for those from lesser public schools and grammars, … Continue reading

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Technology and beneficial job destruction

Introduction Traditionally work was regarded as a necessity. This is challenged by constant improvements in technological devices and strategies. Entire sectors of employment have disappeared. The changes cause immediate pain through unemployment, which is the price of economic innovation. Constant … Continue reading

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A Russell Howard quip

“Kids do really well in their A Levels, and how do we respond? ‘A’ levels are getting easier!’ In my day, you had to do 50 questions in a minute, and if you got one wrong, they killed your Dad!” … Continue reading

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Hedonism and gambling

Hedonists want to win. They really want to win. Losing isn’t fun. It makes you unhappy, resentful and unpleasant. Hedonists like easy money but not losing, which is the central problem in gambling as it often involves losing. Obviously hedonists can … Continue reading

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It’s a bit extreme but….

Peggy

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Book Review: Richard Davies ~ Extreme Economies: Survival * Failure * Future – Lessons from the World’s Limits (2019)

Davies book has three parts. Each part is a case study. Davies’s book reflects global fieldwork, which is done brilliantly. Section one: Survival features an eye-catching analysis of Angola prison in Louisiana, USA. American justice(?) is barbaric,…average sentence for an … Continue reading

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Chairing a School Exclusion Meeting

Many of us have Chaired various meetings in the past, but I think one of the most testing; for me was when I was Chair of Governors at one of Harold Hill’s more notorious schools. Yes the school had a … Continue reading

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Hedonists are adults

Adults make decisions and take the consequences. Everyone does stupid things and sometimes they’re really stupid. Hedonists don’t whine about bad luck. They know they fouled up. Even if they followed advice it’s still their decision and they accept ownership. … Continue reading

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Jack Dee on people with allergies

If I’m pushed, I’d also admit I don’t like people with allergies. They just annoy me. There seems to be something far too self-centred about it. “No thanks, I’m allergic.” Why not just say ‘No thanks’? I wasn’t asking for … Continue reading

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