In recent discussions on BBC Radio 4 on the topic of current higher education and Blair's vision that 50% would go through higher education, intellectual capacity was not mentioned.
Previously, degrees were synonymous with, and only for those with the highest intellect, and therefore those who went on with a degree into a profession or business were intellectually equipped to hold important responsible posts and to carry out their work to the highest standards. Given that a very small percentage of any population possesses a high intellect, we are now in a position where hordes with a modicum of intellect, who now have a degree have ended up in positions which at one time they would not have been considered for. This has clearly given rise to the unprecedented levels of incompetence and mismanagement in central and local government, and constantly lowering standards in business.
We have produced a generation with falsely high aspirations who lack the intellectual capacity to utilise their higher education effectively.
It is high time to learn the lesson of Blair's misguided policy and to revert to a system where more emphasis is placed on vocational skills' training and leave academic higher education to those who are intellectually most suited, and who will ultimately, if given the opportunity, be able to contribute effectively to getting us out of this mess.
We can not see the wood from the trees.
Tuesday, 18 November 2008
Monday, 14 July 2008
The So-Called Mozart Gene
RE: Two Centuries of Musical Genius, Daily Telegraph Letters, 24.4.06
Sir,
Whilst I concur with M Jones in his appreciation and assessment of the composers he mentions, these are from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods. How much time has he given to the music of the Renaissance, or the American Song Book, in which both, there resides genius.
Musical genius is a developing ability in the collective human mind, and as such is extant. It exists today, as it did in the time of Pergolesi. A closer study of his 'Stabat Mater' may provide the requisite stimuli. During the 20th century genre, one has only to delve into the songs of Richard Rodgers, Vladimir Dukelski (Vernon Duke), and Michel Legrand, or venture into the works of Faure or Durufle, as well as contemporary and past composers writing for television and film to discover genius. Any Hitchcock film score should hit the spot.
I believe there is a large body of 20th century work archived in this country, much from the former Eastern Bloc, perhaps housing the so-called Mozart gene, which is awaiting research, study and performance. ( And much will have been lost during and since WW2.) This costs! Would the Heritage Lottery Fund support this type of work, or pay an arranger to adapt and publish the work of, say, the greatest film composers, for today's musician to enjoy at home? I suspect not. We were fortunate indeed that the theme from 'Schindler's List' made it to the easy-to-play piano shelves. Are there versions for other instuments?
Patronage was at it's apogee throughout Europe, during the era M.Jones mentions; excellence was sought out, nurtured and encouraged, and valued in it's own time. Therefore the outpourings of the composers mentioned were relatively safe. In these days of mediocrity in all things and equality for all, real patronage, such as it exists now, is spread thin. Changes in society, and the social order, coupled with stifling by the state, do not foster the ideal conditions for genius to flower, nor for the lay-person to recognise it. It does exist and there is music of today, which can demonstrate this. But it is not valued, and is hidden behind the dense layer of commercial and IT artifice, which plagues our society and classrooms.
Sadly, there is no doubt that there will also be an individual or two in today's society whose musical genius has been trampled on by the hordes of average and below, encouraged by successive governments to swamp the higher education system from top to bottom. Genius goes underground but it is still with us. After all, genes adapt and evolve. The so-called individual Mozart gene (and incidentally, manifested in not only the field of music,), whilst one of the rarest, and the collective form even rarer, still exists, and it's latest mutation will be in our very midst without our collective awareness. We must wait for the next great age of patronage to come around to bring it once more into flower. Or perhaps it has already flowered in the dark. When it is discovered it may oust Mozart from his throne. An exciting prospect indeed!
24.4.06
(unpublished)
Sir,
Whilst I concur with M Jones in his appreciation and assessment of the composers he mentions, these are from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods. How much time has he given to the music of the Renaissance, or the American Song Book, in which both, there resides genius.
Musical genius is a developing ability in the collective human mind, and as such is extant. It exists today, as it did in the time of Pergolesi. A closer study of his 'Stabat Mater' may provide the requisite stimuli. During the 20th century genre, one has only to delve into the songs of Richard Rodgers, Vladimir Dukelski (Vernon Duke), and Michel Legrand, or venture into the works of Faure or Durufle, as well as contemporary and past composers writing for television and film to discover genius. Any Hitchcock film score should hit the spot.
I believe there is a large body of 20th century work archived in this country, much from the former Eastern Bloc, perhaps housing the so-called Mozart gene, which is awaiting research, study and performance. ( And much will have been lost during and since WW2.) This costs! Would the Heritage Lottery Fund support this type of work, or pay an arranger to adapt and publish the work of, say, the greatest film composers, for today's musician to enjoy at home? I suspect not. We were fortunate indeed that the theme from 'Schindler's List' made it to the easy-to-play piano shelves. Are there versions for other instuments?
Patronage was at it's apogee throughout Europe, during the era M.Jones mentions; excellence was sought out, nurtured and encouraged, and valued in it's own time. Therefore the outpourings of the composers mentioned were relatively safe. In these days of mediocrity in all things and equality for all, real patronage, such as it exists now, is spread thin. Changes in society, and the social order, coupled with stifling by the state, do not foster the ideal conditions for genius to flower, nor for the lay-person to recognise it. It does exist and there is music of today, which can demonstrate this. But it is not valued, and is hidden behind the dense layer of commercial and IT artifice, which plagues our society and classrooms.
Sadly, there is no doubt that there will also be an individual or two in today's society whose musical genius has been trampled on by the hordes of average and below, encouraged by successive governments to swamp the higher education system from top to bottom. Genius goes underground but it is still with us. After all, genes adapt and evolve. The so-called individual Mozart gene (and incidentally, manifested in not only the field of music,), whilst one of the rarest, and the collective form even rarer, still exists, and it's latest mutation will be in our very midst without our collective awareness. We must wait for the next great age of patronage to come around to bring it once more into flower. Or perhaps it has already flowered in the dark. When it is discovered it may oust Mozart from his throne. An exciting prospect indeed!
24.4.06
(unpublished)
Knife Culture and Binge-Drinking
Knife culture in Britain today is symptomatic of collective self-perpetuating paranoia which touches many young people across society.
This condition is fuelled by unrest and terrorism close to home and abroad.
Secondly, fear and feeling unsafe amongst collective youth, additionally occasioned by increasing numbers of attacks and killings, leads to a perceived need for self-protection, hence the self-perpetuating paranoia.
The laws associated with the sale of knives and other bladed implements must be enforced.
It is the unassailable duty of government and police to protect all society.
This will be aided by a clear message from government and police forces, reminding those illegally selling or supplying knives to minors that they will be subject to enforcement of the law, which must be followed up beyond mere lip-service.
The message must also be aimed at the sub-culture of supply, i.e. owning, selling and exchange of knives amongst the youth and their immediate circle, who must be reminded that they may also be subject to the law.
News of wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Yemen brings a constant reminder of atrocities, with death and immense suffering being reported on a daily basis.
Secondly, fear and feeling unsafe amongst collective youth, additionally occasioned by increasing numbers of attacks and killings, leads to a perceived need for self-protection, hence the self-perpetuating paranoia.
...
The laws associated with the sale of knives and other bladed implements must be enforced.
It is the unassailable duty of government and police to protect all society.
This will be aided by a clear message from government and police forces, reminding those illegally selling or supplying knives to minors that they will be subject to enforcement of the law, which must be followed up beyond mere lip-service.
The message must also be aimed at the sub-culture of supply, i.e. owning, selling and exchange of knives amongst the youth and their immediate circle, who must be reminded that they may also be subject to the law.
...
The associated problems of drink and drug related knife crime must also be addressed.
The associated problems of drink and drug related knife crime must also be addressed.
It is long overdue that there be a stringent overhaul of drinks licensing, and that advertising promotions at source need to be thoroughly reviewed.
Clubs which attract large number of young people with cheap drinks' promotions must be made aware that unscrupulous marketing which in turn leads to anti-social drunkenness and violent crime is unacceptable and will no longer be tolerated. Authorities, in turn, must revoke licenses and close premises which are seen to be instrumental in the problems on the streets. Supermarkets and other shops selling cheap alcohol by means of unscrupulous marketing offers must also be subject to license review.
It is vital to communicate the message to all and demonstrate that, in matters of safety and security of civil society, both government and police authorities are impartial, and take their duty of protection seriously, in such a way as to regain the trust and confidence of society.
It is vital to communicate the message to all and demonstrate that, in matters of safety and security of civil society, both government and police authorities are impartial, and take their duty of protection seriously, in such a way as to regain the trust and confidence of society.
Authorities must be seen to act firmly and fairly.
Janie Cartney
Janie Cartney
8.7.08 edited 29.7.17
Post Script 14.7.08
In response to the statement by Home Secretary, Jaqui Smith in the HoC: Weak, outdated sociology as a sop is unacceptable
Post Script 14.7.08
In response to the statement by Home Secretary, Jaqui Smith in the HoC: Weak, outdated sociology as a sop is unacceptable
Time To Change The Law
RE: BBC Newsnight Report Into Binge Drinking 12/07
The problem is a symptom - symptomatic of the laissez-faire management [et ... latebra/perfugium] by successive governments in most or all spheres
The problem is a symptom - symptomatic of the laissez-faire management [et ... latebra/perfugium] by successive governments in most or all spheres
In general terms, this has resulted in two generations with little concept of responsibility: morally, socially, personally, familialy.
The enablement of ruthless and morally reprehensible business practises in the leisure industry, and lax management of licensing laws are also causative - allowable by laissez-faire governance. [ET ambitus et corruptio-ambito] (localisch und zentral)
The enablement of ruthless and morally reprehensible business practises in the leisure industry, and lax management of licensing laws are also causative - allowable by laissez-faire governance. [ET ambitus et corruptio-ambito] (localisch und zentral)
The solution may be to encourage a Healthy Rejuvenation of our town centres.
13.12.07
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)