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Oxthink

Thoughtful Thoughts

  • Spotting Talent: The Teacher’s Role

    Spotting Talent: The Teacher’s Role

    One of the most satisfying aspects of being a teacher must be recognising that, amid the mass of averageness passing through the classroom, every so often a child with real talent for a subject or activity will emerge. For me, the identification and nurturing of such special talents – whether it is academic, creative, musical…

  • Positively Against Discrimination

    Positively Against Discrimination

    Society, having deemed discriminatory practices unethical and illegal, has sought to impose laws to prevent such discrimination. And yet the challenge remains: is society doing enough? Should society be doing more in order to ensure that minorities are given equal opportunities? Despite society’s efforts to guard against discrimination, it is often argued that the situation…

  • Finding Your Mojo: The Key to a Fulfilling Life

    Finding Your Mojo: The Key to a Fulfilling Life

    If there’s one thing a person could do – should do – for themselves, the one thing that would improve their lives tremendously, it is to find their mojo – the something that makes life fun and enjoyable, the something that gives them energy and an enthusiasm for life. That mojo can come from a…

  • Remembering those big ideas…

    Remembering those big ideas…

    I have lots of ideas; I just can’t always remember them. My problem is that I have more confidence in my memory and powers of recall than is justified. How many times do I say to myself? “That’s an interesting thought. I must remember it.” How many times do I say to myself? “I don’t…

  • Navigating Sports and Aging: Knowing When to Quit

    Navigating Sports and Aging: Knowing When to Quit

    I enjoy my sport. It’s an important part of my life. I play every week – up to three times a week. It’s physical, it’s competitive, it’s social, it’s fun, it keeps me active, and it keeps me fit. But I’m now getting on a bit in age, and I’ve been playing for a long…

  • Three Hopes: Three Chances

    Three Hopes: Three Chances

    I may not have a magic lamp, but I do have my own genie – of sorts. It’s my way of making good things happen. Unfortunately, my genie does not grant me wishes. Our relationship isn’t quite as simple, direct, or fulfilling as that. Rather than wishes, my genie operates on the basis of hopes.…

  • A Criminal’s Human Rights – An Existential Threat

    A Criminal’s Human Rights – An Existential Threat

    In relation to criminal behaviour, there often arises a conflict between the preservation of individual human rights and the fulfilment of societal duties. The two are not always compatible, meaning that it is not always possible to satisfy both requirements. The classic example is a terrorist who has information that would save lives or protect…

  • Future Hopes

    Future Hopes

    Whenever I see a group of young children, I can’t help but wonder what their futures might be. What will their world be like? What will they go on to achieve in this world? Will they make a name for themselves? My first impressions are always of freshness, innocence, purity. And then I see possibilities…

  • Wishing the Day Away

    Wishing the Day Away

    When there’s an exciting event approaching – from a birthday to a job interview, from acquiring a new car to going on a date, from moving house to going on holiday – it can seem like we are waiting for these events to happen. As these momentous occasions take over our expectant lives, everything else…

  • A Bit More Effort If You Please…

    A Bit More Effort If You Please…

    Too few of us have the drive to give our all; to do the best we can in our endeavours. Too often, we will do just enough to get by. Why would we want to overdo it? Why would we want to do more than we have to? And if we can get away with…

  • Being Me – How Individual am I?

    Being Me – How Individual am I?

    I take pride in my individuality. It’s what makes me different. It’s what makes me special. I will have my own ideas; I will do my own thing. Those thoughts and behaviours are unique to me. They’re what make me who I am. Nobody else is me. I’m one of a kind. Or, at least,…

  • Things are Just Not Made to Last

    Things are Just Not Made to Last

    “The washing machine’s stopped working!” “What’s wrong with it? It’s not that old. We’ve only had it a few years.” Though the machine in question may vary, the conversation is common and often ends with the purchase of a new appliance. In a consumption-led economy, goods are designed and produced to encourage their usage. The…