Teraknor

My grumpy old git rant of the week (or is it the day, the fading memory cannot be too precise). Why are there so many teachers out there that need their rears wiped for them and then complain when nothing is presented to them in a structured format for instant delivery. Education is not a fast food industry, but it has become so alike. Teachers demanding pre-produced, pre-packed, almost pre-digested pap in some cases and we serve it up to them in a format they regurgitate to our youth. There are artisans out there, but by far too few, crafting their own educational experiences and often ingeniously dismantling the vanilla packaged pulp into something worthwhile. To those educators who want me to think for you, shame, shame on you. Those who have their own ideas, ambitions and desire to improve the minds of our young by being creative and imaginative, please do.

If you feel that you don't like me, its ok, you can unfriend me, remove me from your select group of peers and be assured that my lack of friendship will remain intact. Do you get frustrated at the way some of your social media buddies will post inane statuses declaring that if you are a true friend you must post something or that they will become emotional if you do not like something. In my kindest, most considerate tone, worded specially for those, who may be hard of thinking "FOR THE SAKE OF ********* GET A GRIP". If my friendship means that much to you, say hi, send me an email, txt me or if you are geographically close enough, pop over, always happy to pop the kettle on. With such insecurities, social media is really the last place to be sharing your needs, it will sadly expose you and unfortunately may help you feel worse. Sigh!!!!

After a bit (well quite a bit) of a hiatus over the summer and september, phaffing around and not getting on with the real task of a literature review for my PhD. The time has come where to be fair to my supervisors, i have to either put up, or shut up (or delay). So after some personal huffing and puffing, navel gazing and any other cliched metaphor i could conjure the decision was made. This did not come via some singular moment of clarity nor was it a revelation on the road to Damascus. I am getting a wiggle on and its thanks to my wife and a lunchtime conversation with a colleague. I have both the support of wife and daughter as well as the realisation that my struggle is not unique, all doctoral candidates have this (and on comes one dim light). So best get on with it then. Now plotting slots in my diary from now until early february, i have already gotten back into the groove today and for six hours of reading some very theoretical stuff have seen something from the 90's that...

In the last two weeks, someone who has made a considerable contribution to computing has passed away, no, its not who you think. Dennis Richie developed Unix and the C programming language, whilst unexciting the output of this exercise in the late 60's early 70's was the foundation of the majority of systems we now use. Webservers, supercomputers, phones, laptops, defence systems, desktop computer systems all owe their creation to the work of Dennis. Whilst others have been public and have made considerable money from their systems (which ironically used the brainchild of Dennis) their work whilst laudable pales into insignificance. Who else enabled an iterative ++ and += to enter programming and give us the {}.

If you would like to be my virtual friend, thats nice, its ok, i am cool with this. If you would no longer like to be my virtual friend on facebook, unsurprisingly i am also cool with this. You are free to do as you wish, without my consent or interaction. So PLEEEEEESE, facebook friends, stop putting on your walls and therefore into my timeline these naff polls on the big issue of my wishing to remain your friend or not. Its insecure and it is somewhat annoying. Don't care, don't wish to see, not really interested in knowing. Facebook is a great tool, but its not the real world. If you remove me from your facebook friends list, i may even jump for joy in the knowledge that you are making an independent intelligent decision.

In my limited experience of the Shakespearian world, I can emerge with one thought. "My head hurts." Apart from the the temporary neurological paralysis, i must admit it was enjoyable, but if it was not for some excellent advice from a colleague (basically i was told to read a synopsis) i would have otherwise been perplexed on my first foray into the works of the Bard. What interested me, were two additional factors. The ruthless pursuit of power, with no regard for the consequence and ultimate doom. How the story, had no relation to the truth, there was a Scottish King, by the name of Macbeth who by all accounts was a well loved monarch. The tabloid press could not have bettered this themselves. I do intend to see some more Shakespeare, it would be rude not to and intend to at least form a view of the playwright before i declare

What a wonderful word, although the originator was ridiculed, you have to admit, that it does have some interesting resonance. Misunderestimation : making the mistake of underestimating someone for the wrong thing. In games of double bluff, and subterfuge, what a wonderful accomplishment, to get someone to miss the point entirely and underestimate me for something else. Maybe i should drink less coffee?