Ed Scolding

Banning teenagers from social media is a bad idea, I argue today in the Washington Post. It's less like banning them from alcohol or tobacco, as some advocates say, and more like banning them from books or movies – there are lots of books I don't want my kids reading before they're old enough, but to ban them entirely would be insanity. The evidence that social media and the internet are bad for kids is strikingly weak, bordering on nonexistent, considering the strength of the claims that are being made. That doesn't mean there's nothing to worry about – the evidence may change – but it leans in favour of pluralism via parental choice. For many bright kids, the internet can be a lifeline to interests and people they won't get access to at school. Imagine, for example, trying to follow developments in AI without access to Twitter. For even more of them, the internet is a remedy for the punishing boredom of being a teenager. If we've misdiagnosed why teens are unhappy – and, for example, school is the big cause rather than the internet – we could make things worse. I am not a believer in "anything goes" when it comes to under-16s. But the answer is to strengthen parental controls, including with more regulation if necessary, not to impose a single prohibition on all teens and families. Gift link below. wapo.st/3OcSzYf

@niall_gooch A musician friend got that tax bill - much bigger than expected, they had to sell an instrument to pay it off

The new thing with self-assessment where you have to pay half as much again towards the following year's tax bill before you've earned the money is ridiculous. Giant middle finger from HMRC to people who do the right thing & declare income honestly.

@niall_gooch Have you seen the Volvo ad?

This is a key point, I think. We need to give people better social scripts for how to enjoy the different phases of life, rather than pushing the idea that the absolute pinnacle is living as if you're in the early seasons of Friends.

24.

I'm working on a summary tagline for all the writing I do across different subjects, including fiction. Which do you think is better? Retweets much appreciated for wider sample.

We are looking for an inspiring individual to help us deliver on our core mission across our schools as Director of Formation. For more information including salary, job description and person spec, download the recruitment pack below: lancaster-diocese-education.org.uk/2024/03/11/dir…

@niall_gooch Lots of replies here saying she ought to decline/not ask, therefore I won't offer!

Interested in people's thoughts: assuming you're an able-bodied adult, on a ~40 minute train journey where all the seats were taken, would you offer your seat to an able-bodied 7 year old girl who didn't have one, & do you think there is a general moral obligation to do so?

@niall_gooch Interested to hear more!

Developing a new crackpot social conservative theory that a certain amount of the psychological and emotional disorder experienced by modern children & teens comes from premature & sustained exposure to bad music ("bad" in both the moral and the technical sense).

@BDSixsmith Wish you were here?

I know which specific Pink Floyd song my pal likes to listen to at the beginning of spring, and where he would retire to if he won the lottery. That said, I'm really struggling to remember his birthday.

Now all we need is to agree on what is false information, and who gets to decide what may be said. Several governments have passed draconian laws against Misinformation, and they’re not the governments with the best track records on free speech and democracy.

@amwilson_opera @silverlawn I've been an ISM member for over 10 years and was on the council for 6. Their legal advice is supportive, constructive and practical. If you were to fundraise towards membership & your other costs then I'd be happy to contribute

@silverlawn Thank you. Maybe! There's also the option to join the MU. But the thing is, I'm not sure I can afford to join anything. I have large fixed outgoings and am trying to save every penny now for when I have no income (though those pennies won't go far enough)...

@Goodtweet_man Not a composer as such, but Gregorian chant as done at Pluscarden Abbey youtu.be/DU9fajLu7vw?si…

Who is a lesser known composer that you'd recommend? Classical music, obviously.

@Goodtweet_man Hans Abrahamsen youtu.be/DU9fajLu7vw?si…

@mitchyproudfoot @DaysofNHS

@niall_gooch Have you seen this? twitter.com/Freedom_in_Art…

This is true too of the original Civilisation series, and most films made before the turn of the century. In fact you should get a physical copy of any book, film, poem or piece of music that is important but conceivably "problematic" (so, literally all of them).

This is excellent on The World At War by @arisroussinos. unherd.com/2023/10/the-wo… He is quite right that a programme of such moral and technical sophistication could simply not be made now. Probably worth buying TWAW on DVD or similar before it myseriously vanishes from streaming.

What a great step forward for artistic freedom in the UK. How can the culture and art powering society stay fresh and alive if it's restricted to a narrow ideology?Everything should be on the table for artists.

Euthanising people with autism and intellectual disabilities in the Netherlands: a report from the Associated Press. apnews.com/article/euthan…

@webdevMason Physio treatment should both help it heal and give tools to help prevent it happening again

I have what I think is a pinched nerve in my lower back (left side) that's bad enough to make it painful to walk and hard for me to take care of my baby. Ibuprofen isn't helping. Is there anything I can do about this?

@Joanna_Harries @minneymezzo The piano is very good. Reasonably quiet but slightly at the mercy of anyone outside the window etc.

@minneymezzo Ooh don't know this at all - will investigate. Thanks! x

Music twitter, I'm on the look out for recording venues that are *not* churches - any ideas? - excellent piano - not too small - quiet - reasonably affordable The holy grail I know. Suggestions please!

@TimandraHarknes @RobBurl youtube.com/live/DtDvBTMxD…

@RobBurl Can I watch it without getting an annual Sky subscription? In a way that you’re allowed to tell me about…

I don’t answer for the interviewee, I’m proud of the interviewer who I worked with