Author Archives: TRW

The Middle Eastern Influence

Frustration is only  a consequence of inertia. You may disagree, but  George Santayana‘s reflections resonate as I struggle to understand the recent  history  of Middle Eastern turmoil. “… only the dead have seen the end of war.” —Soliloquies in England, Scribner’s, … Continue reading

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Thoughts about retirement

In ‘The Actual’,  Saul Bellow wrote ‘Retirement is an illusion. Not a reward but a mantrap. The bankrupt underside of success. A shortcut to death. Golf courses are too much like cemeteries.’  These point resonate. Research (here) from the Institute of … Continue reading

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The meaning of education

In decrying the current state of the UK education system and its obsession with assessment, grades and league tables for institutions, teachers and students, Anthony Seldon reminds us that “Education in medieval times was based on the “trivium” with students … Continue reading

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Migratory matters and climate change

Is Paddy Ashdown the only politician to make the connection of the European migration ‘crisis’ with the coming impacts of climate change : quote ‘ The numbers we see fleeing conflict will be dwarfed by the population movements we will … Continue reading

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The observer effect

Well known in physics, this refers to changes that the act of observation will make on that being observed. So does passing  a coral reef on a cruise liner with another 6000 people have an effect ? Leo Hickman‘s book ‘ The Final … Continue reading

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So who’s listening …..

  Reflections usually take time to mature but the first one is why  blog in the first place. Still working  this one out – a classical education could lead you to a narcissistic  explanation  …. but  equally (and perhaps just … Continue reading

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