My afternoon and morning with the Tinder Foundation
December 13th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
Among my portfolio of interests, I am a Non-Executive Director on the Board of the Tinder Foundation (previously the Online Centres Foundation) which promotes digital inclusion throughout the UK. I have just returned from Sheffield where Tinder is based after an intense but inspiring afternoon (Thursday) and morning (Friday).
Yesterday, the Board, ably chaired by former Schools Minister Lord Jim Knight, held its quarterly meeting where we heard encouraging news on future funding. Then we had a social event for Board members to meet the staff. Finally the Board had a working dinner to discuss future strategy which began with a PowerPoint presentation by our inspirational Chief Executive Helen Milner.
Today the Tinder Foundation – which is a mutual – had its Annual General Meeting attended by all the staff and Board members. Then we had an event called Talking Tables, an opportunity for each member of staff to join two discussions from four topics (I chaired sessions on Tinder’s pay strategy and on the organisation’s culture).
Next – the highlight of the two days – there was a moot led by the irrepressible Vic Stirling. We were divided into six teams. Each team was given a debating topic and told which side of the proposition they would have to promote in debate through one of their number whom they would have to elect and arm with arguments. The three topics were:
- Facebook vs Twitter
- Digital vs Paper
- A pay increase of 11% for Members of Parliament
I thought that each of the six speakers did brilliantly, since it is no mean feat to prepare a cogent two minute speech with no previous notice and just 15 minutes preparation time with a few colleagues. But the Tinder team is just so fantastic.
Lastly, three Board members (including me) and the Chief Executive were invited to take part in something called a Career Chat where we were asked to tell colleagues about our career highs and lows and to answer a few questions. One question was: “What advice would you give to your 16 year old self?” I said: “Aim high” (I don’t think I have always aimed high enough in my life).
In fact, one of my 30 short stories is on the theme of advice to one’s younger self. You can read it here.
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Conversations with Catrin (11)
December 12th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
My granddaughter Catrin is now just one month short of being three years old. She is absolutely adorable, so fluent, so funny. But she has become quite wilful, especially about doing as she is told and most especially about going to bed.
*****
Me: “Catrin, get in the buggy.”
C: “Say please.”
Me: “Catrin, get in the buggy please.”
C: “I didn’t hear you. Say it again.”
Me:”Catrin, get in the buggy p-l-e-a-s-e.”
C: “OK.”
*****
At the block of flats where she lives, the concierge lets her sit in his big, black leather chair.
C: “I’m in charge right now.”
*****
Me: “Now be a good girl and go to sleep.”
C: “I’m not very good at sleeping.”
Me: “You can say that again.”
*****
Me: “Kiss granddad night-night.”
C: “I’m really sorry, but I’m very busy.”
*****
Where does she learn these expressions?
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A review of the film “Blue Jasmine”
December 12th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
Woody Allen is back on form as the writer and director of this movie which I have reviewed here.
Posted in Cultural issues | Comments (0)
The origins of a beautiful Christmas tradition
December 11th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
When four of Santa’s elves got sick, the trainee elves did not produce toys as fast as the regular ones, and Santa began to feel the pre-Christmas pressure.
Then Mrs. Claus told Santa her mother was coming to visit, which stressed Santa even more.
Then when he began to load the sleigh, one of the floorboards cracked, the toy bag fell to the ground and all the toys were scattered.
Frustrated, Santa went in the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot of rum. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered the elves had drunk all the cider and hidden the liquor.
Just then, the doorbell rang, and an irritated Santa marched to the door, yanked it open, and there stood a little angel with a great big Christmas tree.
The angel said very cheerfully, ‘Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn’t this a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Where would you like me to stick it?’
And thus began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.
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Barack Obama’s complete Nelson Mandela memorial speech
December 11th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
Posted in World current affairs | Comments (1)
The 31st “How To …” guide on my web site
December 10th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
A popular section of my web site is the one called Life Skills. It now has 31 items of advice on “How To …” do all sorts of things and you can access them all here.
The very latest item – which I have just composed – is “How To Get a Good Night’s Sleep”. Check it out here.
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A review of the film “This Is 40″
December 9th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
Remember the comedy “Knocked Up” written and directed by Judd Apatow? Well, he and some of his characters are back in this painfully funny movie which I’ve reviewed here.
Posted in Cultural issues | Comments (0)
Why is gold so valuable?
December 8th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
I don’t possess any gold. Even my wedding ring is white gold. But many people love gold and for centuries it has been a source of value to so much of humankind.
On the BBC web site, Justin Rowlatt offers this explanation for the metal’s appeal.
Posted in Science & technology | Comments (0)
Are men really from Mars? Are women really from Venus?
December 8th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
Or are both genders shaped by their cultural experiences on planet Earth?
“Yes, men and women probably do have differently wired brains, but there is little convincing evidence to suggest these variations are caused by anything other than cultural factors. Males develop improved spatial skills not because of an innate superiority but because they are expected and encouraged to be strong at sport, which requires expertise at catching and throwing. Similarly, it is anticipated that girls will be more emotional and talkative, and so their verbal skills are emphasised by teachers and parents. As the years pass, these different lifestyles produce variations in brain wiring – which is a lot more plastic than most biological determinists realise.”
This is an extract from an article by Robin McKie in today’s “Observer” newspaper commenting on research which has featured in other media this week.
Posted in Cultural issues, Science & technology | Comments (1)
Can you send an e-mail? Then you’re cleverer than a Nobel Prize winner.
December 7th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
He’s never sent an e-mail or even browsed the web. He’s never made a mobile call and he doesn’t own a television.
Yet he has recently won the Nobel Prize for Physics for his prediction of the existence of the Higgs boson particle.
He is the brilliant but eccentric scientist Peter Higgs. See an interview with Higgs here.
Posted in Science & technology | Comments (1)