• Predictions 2023 – How did I do?

    1  Generative artificial intelligence will become significantly disruptive of many sectors this year. Education practices will change quickly as a result of this but education will be but one of many areas of life to be affected.

    Happening all around us (even to people who can’t see it happening around them) – prediction fulfilled.

    2 No progress for those seeking marriage equality in the Church of England. There will be a lot of talk about moving towards some form of official blessings for same-sex couples which would have the effect of thwarting those seeking actual equality, making it more difficult to achieve. Further division amongst pro-gay activists in the Church of England.

    Happening exactly as predicted. The recent developments following the LLF project make equality more even further away – prediction fulfilled.

    3  Indyref 2 will not happen on 19 October 2023 as Nicola Sturgeon had hoped, which is a shame for those seeking to separate Scotland from the rest of the UK as the autumn will be the high water mark for the Indepedence movement. It will be downhill into the next General Election after that.

    Happenning but not quite as I expected. Indryref didn’t happen but Indy polls are indeed riding high. However I didn’t see the mess the SNP would get itself into along the way. Prediction Fulfilled.

    4  Trump and Biden will both declare that they intend to run for the US presidency in 2024 and American politics will continue to be all about Donald Trump.

    Exactly as I said – prediction fulfilled.

    5  Covid recovery remains bumpy, particularly through supply-chain problems due to mismanagement of Covid in China.

    Pretty much as I said – we’ve largely forgotten the supply chain issues that continued from the end of last year into the new year and the spring. Prediction mostly fulfilled.

    6 No conclusive end to the war in Ukraine this year.

    Alas. Prediction fulfilled

    7 Governments in Westminster and Holyrood will announce some kind of “new deal” for the National Heath Service.

    Holyrood here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/programme-government-2023-24/pages/5/

    Westminster: Pay – here https://healthmedia.blog.gov.uk/2023/07/14/government-accepts-recommendations-from-nhs-pay-review-bodies/
    Westminster: Medicines here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/landmark-deal-to-boost-nations-health-and-save-nhs-14-billion

    Prediction fulfilled.

    8 – UK Government will not succeed in blocking Scottish Gender Recognition Reform.

    I remain surprised that the Scottish Governnent gave up on this. Prediction not fulfilled.

    9  Liam McArthur’s bill in the Scottish Parliamant to allow doctors to participate in the killing of terminally ill patients will fail to receive parliamentary approval but will receive more support than similar proposals have before.

    Bill hasn’t received approval but hasn’t gone to a vote either. Large levels of support in the media. Prediction partially fulfilled.

    10  Changes announced to the UK honours system, perhaps at the time of the Coronation, to remove references to empire. OBE becomes Order of British Excellence.

    Not happened yet. Prediction not fulfilled.

     

    Result – about 7 1/2 out of 10 this year I think. Not bad.

6 responses to “Ceilidh! Ceilidh! Ceilidh!”

  1. Ryan Dunne Avatar
    Ryan Dunne

    Alas, “I Don’t Feel Like Dancing” by Scissor Sisters has almost life-verse significance to me so I probably won’t attend. It does sound fun though. So will you yourself be participating, in robes and all ;-)?

  2. kelvin Avatar

    I shall be robed for Evensong. Gloriously so.

    I shall be also be mustering up a little soft shoe gentle sway at the ceilidh. Gloriously so also.

    Oh, and there is social chat space for those who, like Jake Shears and Ryan, don’t feel like dancin’.

    Yes, and ice-cream too to cheer the soul.

  3. padrerob Avatar

    Blessings on your centennial celebration! It sounds like y’all will be having a wonderful evening!

  4. Ryan Dunne Avatar
    Ryan Dunne

    Ice cream? Is there no end to the Cathedral’s temptations ;-)?

  5. Dennis Avatar

    Congratulations to St Mary’s. You’ve certainly been in my thoughts today. Twenty years ago today (Whitsunday 1988) I was confirmed at St Mary’s Glasgow by Bp Derek.

    After it was over and done the GU students who had been confirmed gathered at the home of John Turner (the chaplain) for food and drinks. It was the first time I ever tried champagne and I think that I tried a bit too much that day, if I remember correctly.

    Twenty years of Episcopalianism and champagne. I wonder if it is too late to rethink this whole thing?

    Best wishes to St Marys and the people there!

  6. Shynee Shoos Avatar
    Shynee Shoos

    Wot a ceilidh – and the Provostorial Shoes got not just dusted but must have been especially shined for the occasion of a light fandango or ten. ‘Fit for duty’ ? – Emminently !

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