Further evidence that an education system that requires students to pass tests at certain ages is detrimental to learning was produced by a Manchester University study. Emphasising mathematics and English at primary school in order to pass tests, detracts from other subjects resulting in less learning and more narrow learning. And readers of this blog …
Continue reading Testing students retards achievement, again
UK government to legislate compulsory education till 18, but where’s the money?
The UK Queen’s Speech outlining parliamentary intentions for 2008, indicated that the UK government wishes to legislate compulsory schooling or technical training for all till the age of 18. Even parents will be required to encourage their children to comply. While it is commendable to be supporting education, the approach is questionable. In contrast to …
Continue reading UK government to legislate compulsory education till 18, but where’s the money?
Even blondes prefer euros to dollars
Gisele Bündchen the world’s richest model has given up on the dollar. She now requires that contracts are priced in euros because she does not want to suffer depreciation. Well done Gisele. Now if the oil market can be de-coupled from the US dollar too and central banks diversify their currency holdings, economies around the …
Continue reading Even blondes prefer euros to dollars
Saudi visit to Vatican shows the way
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia visited the Pope on this European tour. This meeting helps to alleviate some of the religious tension in geopolitics and an example for enlightened Muslims and Christians to observe. Both leaders represent communities which legislate restrictions on personal behaviour, from celibacy to limitations on public expression, and may seem to …
Continue reading Saudi visit to Vatican shows the way
“Resignation” of Prince (and others) looking Enronesque
With a massive parachute and reputation intact Chuck Prince walked away from atrocious job performance smiling. The memos relating to Prince’s resignation are reproduced here but the comments below the memos are more telling: there is little integrity among the rich and powerful. While both exits needed to be strategically managed to reduce stock price …
Continue reading “Resignation” of Prince (and others) looking Enronesque
Food prices rising – eat less meat.
The natural constraints of land are beginning to be felt, as this slide show illustrates. Meat consumption is rising. Meat demands 5-10x more land per calorie. Arable land is shrinking. More people are eating more. The solution: eat less and eat less meat.
Business schools waste resources.
From Higher Aims to Hired Hands analyses the development of business schools over the past year and shows clearly that rather than develop minds and skills they (as BusinessWeek summarises) only serve two functions: a signal to employers that grads are committed and productive, and to provide a network of contacts. What they have lost …
Continue reading Business schools waste resources.
US interest rates eased again, of course …
The Fed lowered the federal funds rate by 0.25% to 4.5%, as the markets expected and desired. The vote was not quite unanimous with one governor voting to hold. The discount rate was also reduced by 0.25% to 5%. The reduction in the fed funds rate was almost required given the anxiety of the market …
Continue reading US interest rates eased again, of course …
How low can you go, U S Dollar?
A graph of the Euro/Dollar exchange rate puts us in the picture. I expect it to continue its trajectory for at least three months.
Will truth win over power soon enough?
Although this question crossed my mind in the middle of October, it kept recurring in a range of areas. For those seeking system change it is core to the philosophical question of whether humanity can adapt to systems based on love and sharing instead of greed and fear. While that thought may not bear much …
Continue reading Will truth win over power soon enough?