Its been a while...
Lots of thoughts colliding chaotically in my head; some of which I can blog about some of which I cannot.
Items currently of interest to me:
US Presidential election - while the USA has never been of particular interest in terms of its politcal system (Europe, Asia and Africa are more interesting to me) the current election makes me feel more concerned for the world than ever. Via Johnnie's blog , a link to Neil Turner who comments on the Guardian's attempt to influence US voters. The comments on Neil's blog as well as the Guardian responses are of real interest. Most of the US voters have never been beyond their own backyard and yet their votes could well influence the course of the world - while I don't think one should overtly interfere in the politics of another country without Internetaional law behind you, that didn't stop Afghanistan or Iraq. Just an observation.
And isn't the US political system based upon that of France?
Marketing - the CIM course progresses ever onwards. Keep trying to work out who are more inept, the CIM, the BPP authors of CIM text books or me. Probably me. Johnnie (yet again) hits the nail on the head: Marketing = facilitation. So why am I having brain failure about time series analysis - tyranny of numbers again. Church of the customer talks about 'Over coming systemic company blindness' or perhaps strategic drift - in the case in point bought about by not talking to customers. It seems to me that if you don't talk to them and respond to their needs/ wants/ preferences then how are you staying in business?
Exam Overhaul - I once wrote a mini-dissertation related to changing of the exam system post 16 (rather than at all levels). Why an academic system based upon the International Baccalaureate isn't acceptable I do not know. This new diploma based system is very close to the IB why not go the whole hog? A fundamental change is necessary because much as I love A levels (they did me a lot of good) they do not give students what they actually need in the real world (at work or university) and GCSEs well, I think a review is 16 years overdue. The vocational element of course is a different matter...
And while I can see the gradual change approach, I would suggest that a decade is too long a timescale.
BTW the Conservatives latest response (or as they would have it, proposal) is quite bluntly absurd. A fixed quota i.e. a relative measure not an absolute one. In one year that could mean a student getting an A and in another a C - very equitable - good to see the reactionary element coming forth.
...and that's all.