tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298417819219839.post3498239319268100329..comments2024-03-29T13:25:33.439+00:00Comments on A K Haart: That’s a rat that isA K Haarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05897490979828603179noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298417819219839.post-68309365439034370722015-12-17T15:23:22.403+00:002015-12-17T15:23:22.403+00:00"Sam - that would make a good blog post. I..."Sam - that would make a good blog post. I'll use it if you agree."<br /><br />Of course. One day I'll get round to starting my own blog, now I'm officially retired...<br />Sam Vegahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05978971199859845931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298417819219839.post-28125271329680836592015-12-17T14:31:52.340+00:002015-12-17T14:31:52.340+00:00Demetrius - crikey I hope I've not branded mys...Demetrius - crikey I hope I've not branded myself as rattist.<br /><br />Sam - that would make a good blog post. I'll use it if you agree.<br /><br />Roger - Matt Ridley thinks traditional universities are doomed, partly because of online developments such as MOOC. Imagine the power celebrity lecturers would have though.A K Haarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05897490979828603179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298417819219839.post-68673892788587905542015-12-17T13:48:25.700+00:002015-12-17T13:48:25.700+00:00Sorry to hear you are off your oats, hope better ...Sorry to hear you are off your oats, hope better soon.<br /><br />Now I think if it is food for the mind you want try a MOOC. I follow a couple that are pretty hard going (for a dimwit) and are also free. Names like Stanford, Harvard and CalTech are in the frame and very good undiluted tuition. UK unis are not so liberal, they often charge and tbh I have not tried their free offerings - they looked a bit like a BBC 2 offering, no real meat. Here is the rub, the BBC is forced to chase ratings 'cos some dorks in HMG have been on kiddie wink level management courses, the price of everything etc etc. As with so many problems the Treasury is at the root. <br /><br />@Sam, I hear dire tales about Ofsted, perhaps you should have said 'good morning inspector'.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298417819219839.post-42238474304670723992015-12-16T19:55:00.127+00:002015-12-16T19:55:00.127+00:00Sorry to hear that you have been under the weather...Sorry to hear that you have been under the weather. Me too, but isn't it great when some of the zest returns and the world starts looking less awful?<br /><br />About ten years ago we had an Ofsted inspection at the college where I was working. As these things lead to riches and glory for college principals, no effort had been spared in preparations. As well as all the forged paperwork and the lies drilled into staff, the buildings and equipment had been polished. Litter picked up, clutter removed, graffiti expunged, and new posters and faked student work pinned to noticeboards.<br /><br />I had been assigned an inspector, and was giving him a preliminary guided tour. I was wearing my best suit and a professionally obsequious manner. We paused in the main reception hall. From out of nowhere, the biggest rat I have ever seen scuttled across the hall behind him, and paused about six feet away. Scaly tail, questing whiskers, and a very glossy coat; clearly well fed and confident. The inspector picked up my surprise, and obviously wanted to turn round, but didn't, out of politeness. I continued my rehearsed lines about our wonderful new buildings and our stringent Health and Safety, while the bloody thing sat up on its haunches and did ratty things like scratching with its back foot and combing its whiskers with both paws.<br /><br />It ambled off before he could see it. I sometimes wonder if it had been disgusted by what it saw us doing. Sam Vegahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05978971199859845931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298417819219839.post-76916903801501632692015-12-16T17:22:19.179+00:002015-12-16T17:22:19.179+00:00Unfair to rats. There are many people born in a Y...Unfair to rats. There are many people born in a Year Of The Rat who according to the Chinese theory on this have some of the finer attributes of the rat. Rats are survivors from whom much can be learned. In our recent past, had it not been for our own rats, tac sign The Jerboa (a desert rat) we might not have our present comforts.Demetriushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17198549581667363991noreply@blogger.com