Last month I presented a parents' workshop as part of my school's curriculum evenings. My workshop introduced parents to the work the school was doing to create a culture of thinking, drawing on the ideas of Project Zero. In particular I was sharing the thinking routines which teachers are working on embedding into their practice.Continue reading "Homework for parents"
Fragments: health and safety in Star Wars, advice for living and pieces on Frederick, MD
I came across Kevin Kelly via a piece on The Marginalia. Specifically I was put on to his latest book Excellent Advice for Living. In one of those wonderful touchpoints that you come across in reading - in the broadest sense - I saw that Kelly was also interviewed on The Knowledge Project. A reallyContinue reading "Fragments: health and safety in Star Wars, advice for living and pieces on Frederick, MD"
Fragment: Elon Musk
This evening I heard Walter Isaacson talk about his newly released biography of Elon Musk. I am looking forward to reading the full book and, as Isaacson said, it is important to give people due consideration in their full complexity rather than to jump to simplistic conclusions, especially if based on partial evidence. I mightContinue reading "Fragment: Elon Musk"
Hello Duo!
I have been bothered about not speaking a second language for a long time. It is an ability which I admire and respect in other people; I am not a little bit jealous! Moving to teach in an international school, the prevalence multi-linguists has made me all the more conscious of my lack of linguisticContinue reading "Hello Duo!"
Be the change…
Slightly earlier than UK colleagues, I am preparing for the new school year which is about to begin at my international school and I have a new motto for the new year: Source: https://josephranseth.com/gandhi-didnt-say-be-the-change-you-want-to-see-in-the-world/ Ok, so Gandhi didn’t actually say those words. While still powerful advice, which I’m sure The Mahatma wouldn’t disagree with, youContinue reading "Be the change…"
This week’s reading pile
My reading is coalescing around certain themes: technology, knowledge and beer. Amazingly there are more crossovers than you might first imagine. I'm enjoying Power and Progress by Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson. The MIT economists craft a compelling argument about how technological advancement does not automatically lead to social progress. Instead it depends on theContinue reading "This week’s reading pile"
AI, UBI and political CBA
Like so many other people, I am fascinated by the recent rapid development in artificial intelligence, or more accurately, the emergence of AI's recent developments into the public's awareness. One of the frustrations that I'm sure many others share is the struggle of trying to keep up with the rapid pace of change, especially whenContinue reading "AI, UBI and political CBA"
Commonplace
As live evolves, so too does my writing and with it also this blog, which has been where I've published a fair amount of stuff since 2015. Reflecting on the blog as I mulled over the latest reincarnation, I remembered my previous blog. Published on Blogspot, which became Blogger, I was pleased when I foundContinue reading "Commonplace"
A trio of blogs
I've revisited three blogs recently, all of which stand out. They are diverse in content, reflecting my inner intellectual butterfly, but they're all worth a dip into to, for a bit of 'brain food' as my friend Dan would say. The Marginalian I have no idea how Maria Popova has generated such an amazing bodyContinue reading "A trio of blogs"
Help for telly addicts
I've watched some quite good shows this year: Treason (Netflix), The Night Agent (Netflix), Echo 3 (Apple TV+), Jack Ryan (season 3), Beef (Netflix), The Recruit (Netflix). I've watched some really good shows this year: Picard season 3 (Paramount Plus), Slow Horses season 2 (Apple TV+), The Diplomat (Netflix), The Mandalorian (Disney Plus) and RabbitContinue reading "Help for telly addicts"
Commonplace 