The phrase ‘machinery of government’ has been much used of late, conveniently glossing over the fact that this is mostly a human machine
Changes to the machine – departmental reorganisations – involve moving human pieces on the chess board. Different department, different building, different colleagues. Different procedures, even for such simple things as ordering extra paper clips, never mind acronyms, headed notepaper, phone numbers, web sites & computer systems. New timetable for PQs
A change of address, or a small number of years ‘at this address’ can have an adverse effect on your personal credit rating. This is not just because of the strain imposed on your finances, but because it is easy to overlook small details like the prompt payment of bills when there are so many other things on your mind
Any one familiar with a university campus is familiar with the frustrations of a new academic year, having to dodge shell-shocked gormless eighteen year olds who seem completely devoid of common sense. It’s not just hormones: they have been suddenly dumped in an alien environment, nothing everyday - not food, clean clothes, money, timetable, teachers, friends – can be negotiated on automatic pilot. Confusion reigns
Anthony King is working on a book about what he believes has been a marked increase in the number of high profile administrative disasters on recent years. I hope, expect, it will include consideration of the effects of all theses endless tinkerings with the machine
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