Looking at the rapidly evolving comedy culture, Fay Young tiptoes behind the Fringe scenes to eavesdrop on backstage gossip between comedians Susan Morrison and Bruce Morton: ‘Well, that was a bit shit,’ remembers Bruce, recalling his badly misjudged session when, ‘flushed with success’ – and a few pints – from a previous gig he took up the challenge of an open mic in the Pleasance.
Archives for August 2016
Police Scotland and failing parliamentary oversight
‘Police Scotland’s problems are by no means wholly reducible to parliamentary process. Still, it seems fair to suggest that the manner in which the Bill proceeded through the Scottish Parliament has not helped matters.’ Taking PLOs (ministerial aides) off committees does not alter the lack of proper scrutiny/partisan politics rather than acting in the public interest.
Sturgeon’s diminishing timeframe for Scottish indy
Nicola Sturgeon is about to launch the SNP’s much-delayed “summer” initiative to win over No voters to support independence and, maybe, #indyref2. But two books by two prominent Scottish professors, reviewed here, suggest she has a very steep hill to climb.
Media bloodbath a’comin
“The baby boomers’ stranglehold is broken. Let’s break the rules. Open shit up. The mainstream media is so closed to young people. Hand it over to the kids.” Shane Smith on the turbulent media times of merger an d consolidation ahead.
Seeing through Sturgeon’s economic spin
‘The entire ‘analysis’ is a dire, desperate attempt to provide a Very Big Number with which to counter the Very Big Number that is published in today’s GERS figures. Sadly for Ms Sturgeon though, in her own words, “people have got the savvy to see through some of the overblown claims”.’
Indy Scotland can’t bet on low bond yields
“Caution might suggest this would be a risky strategy given that we have no idea how long these ‘abnormal’ conditions will persist. Some supporters of independence will no doubt believe that it is a risk worth taking.” Scotland cannot bet on perennially low cost of borrowing…
Scottish identity: the play’s the thing
“The play is a powerful reminder to outsiders to listen first and speak cautiously about what they think they know: culture and identity are constantly evolving, however much it might be more comforting if they stayed still.” A review of Anything that gives off light.
Digital driftwood in a sea of social media
“The only way to navigate the social media landscape is to make a personal commitment to always try and return to a place of acute awareness of its danger and absurdity.” Loki on the need to take out our digital garbage – and at least be true to ourselves.
Swinney’s magical mystery tour in education
‘As Paasi Sahlberg, the apostle of the Finnish education miracle, recently put it, Scotland’s system is “knocking on heaven’s door” – not quite paradise but within sight.’ Analysis of the tasks ahead for John Swinney….and the need for a balanced approach to testing.
Carney acts, Chancellor delays a vital stimulus
The Bank of England has cut rates to an historic low but: “The experience of other central banks has been similar. They have slashed rates and pumped huge sums into their economies with only modest effects on growth rates.” We need a big fiscal stimulus too