In the News

[Clockwork]

He's not even slightly qualified to be telling them what to do. Damn commies trying to make everything mediocre. As usual I'm in favour of letting the people that get things done get on with it. Also, I am pro elitism but, while relevant, is another matter entirely and don't jump on it here because it's a big topic

Education history:

I didn't really attend school per se so it would look a little like this.

Sort of (state)
Not really (private)
Nope

[Jubal]

I think that to be fair it's not necessarily inconsistent to argue for non-selective schools but selective Universities (though I'm biased there as that's the position I hold myself). Schools operate at a sufficiently lower level that it should be and is usually possible to provide work differentiation through setting/streaming within the school. I think there's a lot of value in mixed schooling if only to remind people of the range of skills and people that exist in the world and that most of them are actually necessary. High-end universities are very much a bubble of future academics, leaders, politicians, etc, and seeing some people there who've been in a similar bubble since their age was in single digits... it doesn't do them any good, put it that way.

Rob: I'm also very pro having an elite Russell Group/Oxbridge, I think that's absolutely the appropriate age for people in all fields of life to start really being able to focus on what will make them brilliant at what they do. On the other hand, I'm quite sympathetic to the view that there are less bright private school pupils who are going to Oxbridge instead of state school pupils, because private schools are better at playing the exams game. And exams can be taught and played as a game - something I know well, from having had to teach myself how to play - without necessarily providing an education that will mean better success at Oxbridge.

That said, I accept that basically we have to use the metrics that are available for state school entry - and one of the main issues with state school entrants is applications as much as/more than results, too many state pupils have the grades but don't apply. I don't think Oxbridge are the main people at fault for their selection biases/issues by any means, and I agree that it's sixth form level where the targeting needs to happen.

Also, since we're doing this:

Primary school  - Local village school, Church of England
Secondary school & Sixth Form - Local Comprehensive in nearest town
Degree - Cambridge

[Jubal]

Power sharing deal has been agreed in Afghanistan - a big move forwards there.

[Clockwork]

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/517859/Jeremy-Clarkson-outrage-driving-Argentina-Falklands-War-numberplate

I posted it in chat but I'll post it here as well as it is technically news. Got to say I love the move. Argentina can royally portugal off about the Falklands, Chile once again proving to be our ally, much respect for those guys.

[Jubal]

I agree that Argentina should leave off, it's a pity that their politicians always see it as a way of getting free support. I'm still not a Clarkson fan and probably never will be.

[comrade_general]

So 269 = 255 and 646 = 649? This is going to change the math world forever.

[Clockwork]

Lol, I know right, getting all aggro over not much really. Nobody gave two armadillos when they pulled their stunts with the athlete or at the football.

[Tom]

I can't understand how much they can misconstrue the numbers.

[comrade_general]

Have just a taste of what it's like to be an American.

[Clockwork]

I think we're about as hated worldwide as you guys, although we seem to have self loathing and public shame which you guys lack

[Jubal]

I like our self deprecation. It's in many ways not a bad characteristic.

[Glaurung]

So 269 = 255 and 646 = 649? This is going to change the math world forever.

I must have missed something, or maybe I'm just not looking in the right place. What was the news story behind this?

[comrade_general]

So 269 = 255 and 646 = 649? This is going to change the math world forever.

I must have missed something, or maybe I'm just not looking in the right place. What was the news story behind this?

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/517859/Jeremy-Clarkson-outrage-driving-Argentina-Falklands-War-numberplate

Also,

[Glaurung]

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/517859/Jeremy-Clarkson-outrage-driving-Argentina-Falklands-War-numberplate

Many thanks. I'd spotted the Clarkson story, but I didn't know someone had tried to tie up the other two number plates to the Falklands War as well.

[Clockwork]

I like our self deprecation. It's in many ways not a bad characteristic.

Don't get me wrong, I love it. For me it symbolises that we actually have a pretty decent idea of how generally flawed the human race is and that we are equally flawed as anyone else