Archive for August, 2006
Taking leave of his senses
A query on holidays:
A friend recently told me he as too many holiday days to take before the end of the year, and too much work to do to take them. Can you give him some brutally frank common sense advice please on the issue.
One pearl of wisdom on “Taking leave of his senses”
Provide common sense...
Multiple Civil Partnerships
A question posed in a coffee shop
If someone is in a civil partnership can they also get married?
One pearl of wisdom on “Multiple Civil Partnerships”
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Anonymous Says:
August 30th, 2006 at 4:01 pmCommon sense suggests that no, you should not be able for two reasons: 1/ in the UK, you cannot be married to more than one person and 2/it would be a strange type of relationship.
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Dictate or Educate?
A Gentleman Ponders
Given the woeful and ubiquitous ignorance of the general populace, should the wise attempt to lead, or to educate?
3 lacklustre pieces of inspiration on “Dictate or Educate?”
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August 25th, 2006 at 11:08 amHaving considered the question carefully. I have come to the conclusion that the problem with such a debate is not how to answer the question but how to pose the question.
Surely the important question is to understand what we mean by wise. For example, if we are to believe that with wisdom comes the understanding that you’re beliefs may be wrong, then surely the wise would neither choose to lead nor to educate.
Ultimately it should not be the responsibility of the wise to lead nor to educate. It is the responsibility of the wise to question the ability and knowledge of those who believe they can.
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August 25th, 2006 at 11:19 amP.S.
This conclusion also means that the wise can simply go to the pub and discuss how things should be run rather than having to cope the insurmountable pressures and stresses of having to run the world.
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August 25th, 2006 at 11:33 amTo lead or to educate assumes that you are in, or can be in, a position to do either. A leader that few see as wise, such as George Bush, got into that position because he was voted into it (Yes by only a percent or so). A leader who is trying to educate, such as Iatola Komani, is not necessarily educating in the way that all would agree with.
Those who think they are wise should both lead and educate but also ensure that they have humility and also flexibility of belief. This is not to say that those who are not wise cannot or should not lead or educate.
The question, as M says, is wrong not the answers
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A BIG Question
A leader asks
I have a huge amount of international pressure on me to act one way but would like to be independent. Should I press on with my current nuclear programme or should I take the technology on offer?
One pearl of wisdom on “A BIG Question”
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August 23rd, 2006 at 9:23 amA tricky question. Just remember that no one likes a bully, let alone two bullies working together. However, no one likes the individual who constantly provokes others either for no reason. The line you need to tred will be somewhere between the extremes probably. Don’t give in, but don’t be a prat. Above all, don’t use the technology for anything stupid.
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Folding Cup
Is it sensible?
We have had a cup submitted to us which can be folded away. Is this a good idea or bad. We have already discovered that it has a max fill for a specific reason. We will ask our consultants for comments.
2 lacklustre pieces of inspiration on “Folding Cup”
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August 21st, 2006 at 5:00 pmI think they are brilliant. Whether they are common sense or not is another matter. The bowl has to be bte best bit of design as the cup does have the flaw of not being able to be filled more than 3/4 full.
They win on the camping front also as they can easily be collapsed and cleaned, though will be interesting to see how much food finds its way into the folds
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August 21st, 2006 at 5:04 pmI like the idea, and common sense suggests that when camping, any product that takes up minimal space while performing well will be a winner. I would like a field test too.
Remember though that we only give common sense advice, and do not endorse products.
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Over face value
While looking for a picture for a Scottish note to go with the previous question the common sense consultancy noted the following on ebay. A fiver for more than five pounds! We have to congratulate the person for selling what is a note that is still in circulation and is fairly common for up to £15 a time. Common Sense would appear to be lacking from the purchasers. Anyone wanting one of these notes need only pop into the Royal Bank of Scotland and they can get them for £5
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Funny Money
A question on bank notes
Scotland currently has its own bank notes and have 3 different banks producing them. They are all different with colour and size being the only constants. Every so often I get given a note that is wacky but being the trusting type I take it and enjoy it. Surely by having such a variety this makes it a lot easier for a forger?
2 lacklustre pieces of inspiration on “Funny Money”
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August 17th, 2006 at 1:44 pmcolour and size are not the only common features. You will find that the ink types, water marks, paper and raised printing are a few other ways in which they are the same. Scottish notes are also less likely to be targetted by forgers as there are fewer print runs and also the fact that they are not liked by English retailers. You do have the right to refuse notes but for now I would just enjoy the variety
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August 17th, 2006 at 3:16 pmScotland is unique in the world in so far as ‘private’ banks being allowed to print money, rather than a central government bank. Long may it last too.
The paper on which notes are printed and the quality of the printing are the best way to detect forgeries. Any note that feels waxy or that feels ‘thin’ or clothy may be a dud. If a note feels bad, either ask for another, or check the other security features.
Incidentally, no matter what some folk may try and tell you, you will never get a forgery from a cash machine.
August 31st, 2006 at 2:50 pm
Work life balance is important but for every individual it is different balance. Do not judge your friend so harshly, unless you feel he is suffering from too much work or too little holiday.