Thanks for the perceptive commentary. It's amusing to see Simon Wilson implicitly praise lack of "competition among schools" and the fact Finland has no lists of “best schools”. Each year of Simon's five-year tenure as editor of Metro (from 2011 to 2016 roughly) he published a comprehensive list of Auckland's "Best Schools" using an idiosyncratic "value-added" calculation that saw academically poor schools in South Auckland judged to be the city's best — much to the amusement of its pupils (and others).
Also, it seems odd to praise Finns for being open about their feelings. ('They tell each other how they feel ('Fine,” is not the right answer to a routine “How are you?”)'. Finns are notoriously taciturn and reluctant to show their emotions. My experience is that they abhor small talk, so you'll be lucky to get any response at all to a routine “How are you?”
Thanks for the comment. I watched a movie on a flight earlier today entitled "Sisu". It is very raw and quite harrowing at times but tells a tale of Finnish determination in the face of adversity. Sisu is a unique Finnish concept. It is a Finnish term that can be roughly translated into English as strength of will, determination, perseverance, and acting rationally in the face of adversity. Sisu is not momentary courage, but the ability to sustain that courage. Good movie with some hat tips to a number of sources but not for the faint-hearted.
Only one of many comments - but given Copenhagen is 1/7 the size of Auckland it's possible that cycling is more practical there. It's a shame Simon - who has some good ideas - doesn't make any attempt to 'balance' the books...
Thanks for the perceptive commentary. It's amusing to see Simon Wilson implicitly praise lack of "competition among schools" and the fact Finland has no lists of “best schools”. Each year of Simon's five-year tenure as editor of Metro (from 2011 to 2016 roughly) he published a comprehensive list of Auckland's "Best Schools" using an idiosyncratic "value-added" calculation that saw academically poor schools in South Auckland judged to be the city's best — much to the amusement of its pupils (and others).
Also, it seems odd to praise Finns for being open about their feelings. ('They tell each other how they feel ('Fine,” is not the right answer to a routine “How are you?”)'. Finns are notoriously taciturn and reluctant to show their emotions. My experience is that they abhor small talk, so you'll be lucky to get any response at all to a routine “How are you?”
Thanks for the comment. I watched a movie on a flight earlier today entitled "Sisu". It is very raw and quite harrowing at times but tells a tale of Finnish determination in the face of adversity. Sisu is a unique Finnish concept. It is a Finnish term that can be roughly translated into English as strength of will, determination, perseverance, and acting rationally in the face of adversity. Sisu is not momentary courage, but the ability to sustain that courage. Good movie with some hat tips to a number of sources but not for the faint-hearted.
Finnish stoicism, I guess.
Hmm - probably something Mr Wilson would not understand. Rather too individualistic for his taste I surmise.
Only one of many comments - but given Copenhagen is 1/7 the size of Auckland it's possible that cycling is more practical there. It's a shame Simon - who has some good ideas - doesn't make any attempt to 'balance' the books...
Thanks for the plug for us of Viking descent.