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  • Jan01

    Things I do and don't know, by Izzie... 15 yrs old.

    Posted by: Ruby Pseudo

    1. I don’t know what the security code on a debit card is but I do know how to add a contact on BlackBerry Messenger.

    2. I don’t know who Malcolm McClaren is but I do know the number 1 UK beatboxer (and knew him before he got famous, too).

    3. I don’t know how to teach my mum how to use her phone but I do know how to teach autistic children to behave.

    4. I don’t know where to order recycling bins but I do know where to buy drugs.

    5. I don’t know one single line of anything Shakespeare’s ever written but I do know the lyrics to every Arctic Monkeys song.

    6. I don’t know how to find my way around Ikea but I do know how to find my way around east London.

    7. I have no idea what I want to do with my life but I do know what I’m doing every day of next week.

    8. I don’t know the capital cities of many nations but I do know how to say ‘Hello beautiful’ in six languages.

    9. I don’t know how to sort out different colours when I’m washing clothes but I do know how to sort out a wi-fi network.

    10. I don’t know what the coalitions AV referendum is but I do know about David Cameron’s ‘Big Society’ project in Hastings.

    11. I don’t know how bread is made but I do know how genetically modified insulin is made.

    12. I don’t know how much a track costs on iTunes but I do know I can listen to the same track free on Spotify.

    13. I don’t know the difference between an embassy and a consulate but I do know the difference between Coke and Pepsi.

    14. I don’t know who Fido Dido is but I do know who Compare the Market’s meerkat is.

    15. I don’t know what TED conference is but I do know what Conspiracy For Good is.

  • Jul29

    Meet Kate, by Nate.

    Posted by: Ruby Pseudo

    A hooded, Ruby, rather fierce Tarik and a perfect Miss Kate...

    1. The main thing brands don't seem to get about being my age is… that we aren’t children anymore. We might be a different generation, we might have less experience, but we deserve to be spoken to as fellow adults. That’s not just brands. It’s other older adults as well. I pride myself on being able to hold my own in a group conversation with people who are 1, if not 2 generations older than me. I would like to be respected for that.
    2.     The thing I've been meaning to do for ages but not got round to damn well doing is… joining a sports team. I wanted to play lacrosse, then basketball, now football. It will probably be curling or something next week. As soon as I’ve made my mind up, I’ll do it. Maybe.
    3.     If I could change anything about my cell phone I would change… nothing, at the moment. I am very happy with my new Blackberry and I honestly can’t think of anything that I would change about it. Not yet, anyway. Give it time.
    4.     The thing that frustrates me more than anything in my world is… People who eat with their mouths open. That and Liverpool FC.
    5.     One time that I never want to be interrupted and definitely not by a corporate brand is when… I’m eating. Possibly one of the rudest things I can imagine.
    6.     I'll know I've made it when… my reputation proceeds me. In a good way that is. I want to be known for being really good at what I do and having people that want to work with me.
    7.     My biggest concern at this time in my life is… Money. Standard. That and moving out. All in due course I suppose.
    8.     If I was a big brand and could use my power to make a difference I would… put on more free events for youths, with a first come, first served ticket basis. I remember not being able to go to festivals and outings with my friends, simply because I didn’t have any money. It’s not about that. Everyone should have an equal chance to enjoy themselves and everything we have to offer.
    9.     When it comes to looking after myself, I am… normally quite good. I don’t eat as well as I should do, considering food is a big thing in my family, but I love a bath and an early night.
    10.     When I think about the future, it makes me feel… a bit nervous. But I really don’t think about it very often. Take one day at a time. Keep Calm and Carry On.

  • Jul29

    Meet Nate, by Kate.

    Posted by: Ruby Pseudo


    1.     The main thing brands don't seem to get about being my age is I know what I like already they don’t need to go and get a massive sign and that shouts “YOU SHOULD LIKE THIS BECAUSE,” just make what I like and I’ll go buy it..

    2.     The thing I've been meaning to do for ages but not got round to damn well doing is going to NYC

    3. If I could change anything about my cell phone I would put a camera on it my phone is soooo old, but it does the trick it’s still got emails and BBM so I’m all good.

    4.     The thing that frustrates me more than anything in my world is waiting for things, I hate waiting that’s why I always end up walking everywhere I cant wait for a bus, I’ll just walk to the next stop, then the next and I’ll probably end up walking all the way there.

    5. One time that I never want to be interrupted and definitely not by a corporate brand is when it's early in the AM when I’m on a hot uncomfortable train with a banging headache.

    6.     I'll know I've made it when work and Play are synonymous

    7.     My biggest concern at this time in my life is getting in, getting on, and getting gone

    8.     If I was a big brand and could use my power to make a difference I would, find a way to stop telling kids my brand is what they NEED to be happy, it would sort out a lot of problems in the world, like theft and Christmas time debt.

    9.     When it comes to looking after myself, I am pretty adept at it, I know what I want, what I need, what I want to do but reaaallly shouldn’t (which I’ll probably do anyway) I think I’m pretty clued up.

    10.     When I think about the future, it makes me feel concerned and excited.

  • Jul28

    Shifts in education as Universities begin to go private...

    Posted by: Whathehelle Fontenelle

    r

    Following on from the recent announcement of the launch of Britains first private university in over a quarter of a century, good friend, and Ruby regular, Jayga, responds to the move and the social change swung around these drastic moves within education. Opinionated and very nicely put, have a read below:

    On Sunday the 24th it was announced that the creation of the first private university, the first in 30 years, was to go ahead. London’s BPP have 14 regional branches, teaching business and law and they already have the power to award degrees. This move, however, will see them move into medicine and education and obtain university status.

    As a private organisation they will receive no funding from the government, but the government has no oversight on the fees the university charges. In what is essentially the American, commercialised model of university operation. The Tories are spinning it as a way of offering degrees to the many that missed out this year, that economic competition stimulates innovation and the rest of the regular laissez-faire sales pitch.

    When contextualised, however, it could scare some of you heading to university in the next few years. This is within six months of the new coalition government, and it has been explicitly proclaimed that it is just the first step. This is coming at a strange time, employers are expressing their disdain at the amount of graduates, with over two thirds, completely disregarding applicants with less than a 2:1.

    If you look further at the American model, check any college’s tuition fees against our own, you’ll see that there is a stark contrast, which is in the first steps of receding. To study the masters program I want to, Public Policy at Harvard, I’d have to borrow over $100,000 with 80% of that being tuition alone. Given that it hasn’t had a single hitch-free year in recent memory, I severely doubt the student loans authorities will want to outlay that kind of cash. To a degree, the government see this as a solution, not a problem, with increased demand for degrees and a decrease in public spending it’s seemingly the only way to provide degrees. It is, however, a clear move towards a freer education market.

    This government shrinking will see widening elitism for the wealthy within the education system, the affluent, gentrified classes and international students will dominate the best institutions, even more so than they do now. Those less fortunate will have to sell a large chunk of their adult independence to a business or bank, who will either demand years of service or interest, [which will be much higher than the tethered system for current students] respectively.

    This is all conjecture, hopefully the Lib Dems will put their foot down, as advocators of the abolition of tuition fees. It may appeal to their nature to hear the speil of ‘increasing degree places’ but I hope they will glance across the Atlantic and look at the top level institutions. It’s important to remember state kids do it better anyway.

    By Jayga.

    Image stolen from here - thaaanks.

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