Pointless

When I see a headline which reads 'Free school pioneer says design not necessary' I assume a level of exaggeration. I assume that the author cares about the place he lives in, the vehicle he drives, the hospital that cares for him and his loved ones, and generally the physical nature of the world he spends his days in. Although he goes on to make it very clear that he does not care about the design of the places his children are taught in.

Design is no more necessary than language and mathematics: because it is simply the stuff of our everyday lives. Bad design: he has a point. But all design? A pointless headline.

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Accountability

Scotland is a small country. If you are in a room full of local experts debating a problem that needs solving, then two things are likely. Firstly, the problem likely happened because of previous decisions those same people made, or because of actions they failed to take. Secondly, the solution, and the responsibiity for making it happen, probably lies in the room.

So, lock the doors. Admit that we had a lot to do with causing the problem and that we have a responsibility for fixing it: the opposite to avoiding blame and shuffling responsibilities.

Therefore, never send to know/ For whom the bell tolls/ It tolls for thee - John Donne.

Or, to quote our American cousins - the buck stops here.

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