Quiet time for Oliver James

Morning all. You won't hear too much from me today: 3 90 minutes sessions with new students in a row will keep me from the keyboard and interweb for quite some time, thankfully.

Anyone watch Newsnight last night? It included the unedifying sight of media psychologist Oliver James - supported by Jeremy Paxman - berating a young academic. In particular, James repeatedly implied that she was a liar. Given that the subject was whether or not children required incredibly intensive parenting in the toddler years to avoid ruination as an adult, I found myself wondering what Mr. James's parents had done to him: I've rarely seen such intemperate rudeness on television. There was also a distinct air of ageing macho lions about it too. No matter how calmly she tried to make her reasonable points, she was interrupted by these bullies.

I have no idea whether Oliver James's ideas are good or not: all I saw was a choleric, ranting playground bully.

I blame the parents.

Here's a rather more balmy 'Oliver James'.