Thoughtland

PK column in The National: Three decades since its advent, is it time the internet grew up?

By Pat Kane. First published on SEPTEMBER 29TH, 2018

In these highly polarised times, we should note when there seems to be unity across the parties. The effects of online abuse on female participation in politics appears to be one of those overlaps.

In the last seven days, both Theresa May and UK Labour’s shadow education secretary, Angela Rayner, have highlighted how much social media, and its hordes of screen-jabbing misogynists, dishearten and discourage women politicians – both actual and aspiring.

PK column in The National: Nothing can last forever – good things may come from the GSA fire

By Pat Kane. First published on SEPTEMBER 22ND, 2018

YOU don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone. The last few times I’ve ventured into Glasgow, head lost in a podcast, I’ve absently let my feet take their usual route: Off at Charing Cross, a nod to the Mitchell Library, and then head up the Street of Dreams ...

Except I forget: the upheaval of the roadworks; the weird, permanently Sunday calm of the deserted pavements; and of course, the charred hulks of the ABC and the GSA. And then the dull and dusty front of the CCA.

PK column in The National: Wonky Donkey film has an important lesson about power of learning

By Pat Kane. First published on SEPTEMBER 15TH, 2018

WE’RE in the middle of a great and substantive debate about play in Scotland (if we can suspend the party-political tribalism for a moment).

On one side are those who want to bring formal tests in a school setting to five-year-olds (P1), in order to best monitor their progress. On the other are those who believe play-based kindergarten, from three to seven, would be the best developmental start for future learners.

PK column in The National: A Celtic bridge project could keep us sane as the chaos of Brexit unfolds

By Pat Kane. First published on SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2018

THERE’S no doubting the power, symbolic or otherwise, of a mighty bridge. Earlier this week, we saw the initial sketches of a proposal to link up Scotland and Northern Ireland. The shorter option is between the Mull of Kintyre and Torr Head; the longer, between Portpatrick and Larne.

The pencilled impression of the “Celtic Bridge” suggests a design that’s like a copy-and-paste of the Queensferry Crossing over the Forth. Like that bridge, many “cable stays” peak and trough their way across the Irish Sea. But the artist puts it all in scale by sketching in a family, plowtering about on a harbour beach, gazing out at the massive structure.

PK column in The National: America's 'reds' are coming out from under the bed – in a big way

By Pat Kane. First published on SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2018

FOR long-term America-watchers like me – often stranded between love of, and frustration with, the whole inferno – it is a strange thrill to see the US grapple with the idea of an “American socialism”.

What could possibly have triggered such a weird, indeed un-American activity? Well, perhaps the election of some out-and-out American socialists.