Another week, another gust of joy. Here’s some of what I’m enthusiastic about this week. Let me know what you think via twitter at @jamiesmartcom, on my Facebook page here, or in the comment section.
1. A quotation I’m reflecting on this week
In his book, Entrepreneurial Personality Type, Alex Charfen makes a very salient point about the aims of the current education system…
“Standardisation is for the wall-outlets in your house, not for your children”
2. The colour for the cover of my new book
A big thank-you to everyone who’s helped me out over the last couple of weeks, giving me their opinions on the subtitle and cover colour of my new book. Here’s the cover we’re going with! I’m really pleased with it.
3. A course I loved in a glorious city
This past weekend, my eldest daughter Tilly and I went to Dublin to take part in one of the world’s leading self-defence intensives. A former student of mine, Patrick Cumiskey, has trained over 45,000 police, army and civilians to defend themselves. Patrick’s “secret weapon” is a powerful 2-day programme with the sole focus of teaching you how to get home safely, whatever circumstances you may find yourself in. As well as a great course, Tilly and I had a wonderful time exploring Dublin and generally avoiding trouble. I strongly recommend Patrick and his courses to all my friends – you can find out more about them here.
4. A technology that’s blowing my box
OK, the future is now! The new Boston Dynamics robot videos are blowing my mind, and a clear demonstration of the massively exponential nature of digital and robotic technology. Check this robot action out!
5. This week’s 3-minute miracle
Mark Ronson’s 2007 album Version is a veritable treasure-trove of horn-laden ditties (as you may already know, I love horn sections). Here’s a superb cover of the Maximo Park song, Apply Some Pressure that vastly improves on the original.
That’s it for this week. Enjoy!
Big love
Jamie
Comments
Jamie’
Very happy to see your name in my emails again.
Love your cover.
Best quote about standardisation ever.
What schools do you recommend – a child I love, nearly 5 years old, has already had almost one year of church school which is supposed to be good, the best in the area. But it is dreadful. And there is a lot of bullying going on in the playground – no adults are helping to sort this out!. Is Waldorf the only way to go? ? Where do we find the money to pay for it?
Best wishes
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Hey Cat – I can’t recommend or not recommend specific schools unfortunately. Here’s what I think – teach your children who they really are by discovering it for yourself and modeling it for them. That will make them effectively “school-proof”. Then, any school they go to will be a great place to learn, develop socially and enjoy the game of life. Hope that helps. Big love, J