Taking a break for a bit. See you all in a few weeks.

The point of writing an essay isn't simply to produce a unit of output. It isn't like asking a robot to produce an object. The point is to write, and the idea is that writing something forces you to work out what you think, and have to say. 1/2

My son has been conducting an exhaustive investigation of Saltburn 2nd XI's Frog Box play clips for wickets. He thinks it is suspicious that the rest of the team high five the first slip and not the keeper or bowler for caught behinds.

How about we make education about the fundamentals of being able to navigate the world and democratic citizenship, and leave workplace training until the actual workplace. Local business needs aren't one thing, and they change quickly (and even more quickly). www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Burnham to tell schools in England to adapt teaching to local business needs

PM wants curriculums for students aged 14 and above to be more responsive to local jobs market

theguardian.com

I know it is just a soundbite but we already do value a hard hat more than a graduation cap. It is essential PPE which can save your life. Many universities don't even have a graduation cap on their garb, and you might only have it on for a day. It really isn't either or.

20% off the new MWHN Edited Volume from Palgrave! Fourteen case studies and a new definition of 'military welfare history'. Full details at link.springer.com/book/9783032... #milwelfhist #histmed #histnursing #disabilityhist #military #veterans #skystorians

The new premium product: books written by people ft.trib.al/sbnqynY

The new premium product: books written by people

Some publishers think AI could not only help authors but replace them

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giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...

The new premium product: books written by people

Some publishers think AI could not only help authors but replace them

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I am 46 years old and I have just played Mario Kart for the first time!

Book manuscript now just 168 words over limit. I've some further things to add and edit, but I think the beast has tamed. Time for a glass of cider.

The £2 bus fare cap is much appreciated. But, if only it was possible to get the tap on tap off cheaper fare when travelling with children without bank cards.

Back to one of my happy places today.

I've never understood why book stalls at county cricket grounds are only ever cricket books. I think that's a business opportunity. A big book sale for all books.

A day off tomorrow. Off to Scarborough to watch Yorkshire Vs Hampshire in the One Day Cup with my son. Very much looking forward to it.

Surely the clue is in the name ("Artificial Intelligence")? Do you want to use the artificial stuff, or real intelligence? Artificial or synthetic things have their use no doubt, but they are artificial.

One of the best things about actual physical books is they don't need usernames and passwords, and sign on websites to work.

Quite rightly there is a massive emphasis on literacy in school education, but then it just seems to cease. Ready is such a joy.

Rob Dale@robdale.bsky.social · 3w ago

I salute these efforts to promote reading, but as I frequently lament I don't understand why universities haven't tried to be front and centre promoting reading. Rather than just hammering assessment, there would be value in remembering reading for a degree. www.theguardian.com/books/2026/j...

I salute these efforts to promote reading, but as I frequently lament I don't understand why universities haven't tried to be front and centre promoting reading. Rather than just hammering assessment, there would be value in remembering reading for a degree. www.theguardian.com/books/2026/j...

National Year of Reading should extend to a decade, inquiry says

The education committee also proposed a National Reading Guarantee, ensuring all children have frequent opportunities to enjoy reading

theguardian.com

We @nclpolitics.bsky.social are advertising for a permanent teaching & research lectureship in Public Policy (deadline 7 Aug) preferably with a focus on international public policy. More details & contacts in the link: jobs.ncl.ac.uk/job/Newcastl...

One last chapter to edit, and cut in length, but I'm bloody nearly there! By this time next week, I should have something about the correct length.

Rob Dale@robdale.bsky.social · 3w ago

Another large chunk of writing edited today. Taking shape, near there now.

I should by now know better than to acquire more books. Where they will all go when the plug gets pulled on my job is beyond me.

The family have got the football on, and I will watch with one eye. But, I'm going to start the York Big City Read from 2022. (Only four years late!) - Kate Atkinson's - Behind the Scenes at the Museum.

Another large chunk of writing edited today. Taking shape, near there now.

Rob Dale@robdale.bsky.social · 4w ago

Another chapter knocked into shape today. More words saved, and hopefully snappier. On to the most bloated chapter tomorrow.

I've been introducing the kids to some proper gaming today. My Donkey Kong Game and watch bought in 1989 for £19.95 at Argos in Folkestone.

Big cricket fixture this weekend against local rivals Heworth. So early night, and no staying up late for football on Saturday night!

Much discussion about Count Binface not taking things seriously. Reminded of what I said Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Just because someone is a comedian doesn't mean they can't be deadly serious. Don't mistake a comedian, for a joker!

YouGov@yougov.co.uk · 4w ago

If Count Binface won the Clacton by-election, do Britons think he should stay in character as an MP, or take the role seriously? Should primarily stay in character: 26% Should primarily take the role seriously: 48% yougov.com/en-gb/daily-...

School report time, and I am reminded how my children are encouraged to infer things from texts, which always rankles with me as a historian. I'd rather know on the basis of evidence, than have to read things into texts. Of course, sometimes we don't have evidence and have to infer, but not always.

Blood donation for me this afternoon. Used the time productively for working out how to get the word count down on the current chapter.

Another chapter knocked into shape today. More words saved, and hopefully snappier. On to the most bloated chapter tomorrow.

Rob Dale@robdale.bsky.social · last mo.

Slow work on this so far this week, but I'm a couple of sentences away from having redrafted another chapter. Now much tidier, and punchier.

I fantasize about having enough money and time to go to one of the many fake/scam conferences I get messages about, just to see what (if anything) is going on.