There is an ongoing debate in N Ireland about our education system, and how it lets down people from working class backgrounds. A letter recently shared on Twitter spoke of how there is a lack of working class representation in the new recruits joining the PSNI, as raised by Jeffrey Donaldson. A major reason is... Continue Reading →

There is something about being stuck in the middle that has given it a bad press. People are lauded for having strong opinions, being committed to one thing or another, being passionate about this and that. The middle class is almost invisible, being seen as sort of mwaah, nothingy, blah. Countries that are neutral are... Continue Reading →

The 20th Century was the media century. In 1900 to hear music or see a drama you had to go to a theatre, but by 2000 we were heading full on into the digital age, when all of us would have the opportunity to be heard far and wide. Film was followed by the phonograph... Continue Reading →

Advertising is powerful. It works. But most people think it doesn't, or misunderstand what is happening when they encounter ads. " I don't get up off the sofa and go and buy a Mars Bar". Nope, that is not the way it works. So let's have a look at breakfast. I was doing a talk... Continue Reading →

Ireland. An island located to the very west of Europe and locked in a past of conflict with little idea of how to get out. Where people react to others with a glance, hear the accent, ask a question or two, their school, where they live. Bingo, that's the basis of the relationship set, just... Continue Reading →

Imagine you were condemned to go to a dinner party every week and have the same conversation over and over again for 100 years. The same music playing, the same room, table, food and people. Saying the same things, with very slight variations ad infinitum. Welcome to Ireland. The island, North and South. Branded as... Continue Reading →

Let's start at the beginning. You. Your earliest memories. Were they your parents views of the world? Unionism or Nationalism? Going to a Church or a Chapel? Listening to a Priest or a Minister? Heading off to a primary school where the same kids you saw on Sunday were sitting beside you? Those are your... Continue Reading →

The Conspiracy Theory has two roles. One, to make people look nuts and gullible, and the other to hide what is really going on behind the accusation of it being a conspiracy theory. So, what is actually going on in the politics of the UK and the US? And can you believe a word I... Continue Reading →

In an interview with Bill Maher, who is an athiest, Barak Obama agreed that there are hardly any Representatives or Senators who do not profess to have a religion, and that it would be difficult to get elected if that was the case. The discussion also touched on the heirarchy that exists when those of... Continue Reading →

Now, don't take this personally. I don't know any of the Royal Family. Maybe you do? My personal engagement with them began in 1962 when I waved a flag at a car at the top of Stockman's Lane. Then I caught a glimpse of Princess Diana doing something important across the road for Inst one... Continue Reading →