Rachael McKelvey

• Learning maths until you’re 18
• Joining the library
• Sam Bankman-Fried pleads not guilty
• The cost of winning at all costs
• New Year, new nothing

Learning maths until you’re 18
Like most I was confused how seemingly out of the blue this announcement came and given the backdrop it was proclaimed against quite how rather out of place it seems. I also have to grapple with my own feelings about maths and school. My maths teacher quit 6 weeks before our GCSE exam having not taught us the syllabus, we all got downgraded to the intermediate paper (highest grade possible a B) and on still learning things as we were walking into the exam hall I only got a C. It still haunts me.

I was not great at exams, nor dealing with the panic at that age and while I do agree with Simon Pegg in many ways that the world needs more of the softer unmeasurable skills I also come back to the joy in maths, how maths is actually fundamental in creativity and expression but also the bedrock to most things, enter Hannah Fry and Marcus du Sautoy whose life’s work is showing just how creative and how applicable maths is.

So my real feelings on this aren’t as polarised as I first though, they come back to the fundamental belief that education needs reforming, children should be taught things of value, applicable to real life, in a creatively and fun way, whether its maths, sciences or English and the door should always be left open to pursue further education without barrier.

Joining the Library!
I joined the Library this week, I know I know, the last thing I need is more books and while I am inclined to agree, the library is so much more than books.

While signing up, there were conversational language groups happening in the meeting space downstairs, I recognised Spanish and German from two of the tables, there was also someone who was learning to read, there were books, there were computers, there were tables and chairs, there was warmth, community and non-judgement.

In a world where it feels like there isn’t time to use these local services, there is always a way. In joining the library I also joined Borrow Box, an audiobook app where I can borrow an audiobook right to my phone, for free.


Sam Bankman-Fried pleads not guilty
So Sam Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges over the collapse of FTX and the 4 week trial is set for 2^nd October, the judge also protected the identities of the two guarantors of his $250 million bail bond.

Bankman-Fried at age of 30 is facing 8 charges including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit commodities and securities fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and campaign finance violates as a result of the collapse of his crypto exchange. I think it might be an uphill battle after the former CEO of Alameda Research and cofounder of FTX both pleaded guilty to wire fraud in November and have agreed to co-operate with US authorities

This trial is already set to be anything but ordinary, due to the possible 1 million creditors left behind in FTX’s wake the prosecutors have also told the court they will notify victims via a website rather than individually as normal.

The cost of winning at all costs
I eventually gave up following the elections for the Speak of the House, probably just over the halfway mark in the rounds of votes, I think its dangerous to want something that badly. I know Kevin McCarthy has been wanting this is whole life, but I don’t know if that makes you good for the role or not. Based on recent events closer to home I think I can speak on behalf if just about everyone that we all wish Liz Truss hadn’t wanted to be Prime Minister at all costs.

McCarthy made light of his success at the 15^th attempt, following the appeasement of members of the Republican party with a number of concessions, were these in the best interest of the party as a whole, were they really the right thing to do, or just the thing to do to get what he wanted? Time will tell on McCarthys fitness to lead the house and further test my hypothesis on winning at all costs.

New Year new nothing
If you’re doing dry January, chances are you gave up by the 5^th and I do believe if you’ve resolved its next week that you might give up. I’ve never been much of one for resolutions but this year I have decided to set an intention.

Just a single word by which I can measure actions and intentions and see if they resonate with my single word of choice. I am hoping this word will guide me when I can’t decide because it will either fit or it won’t and it will also keep a focus to create some change for the better without having to declare a want to be a different person or achieve a specific thing…those things will happen if my word of choice helps me make the decisions to get there.

Current watch: Limitless With Chris Hemsworth Run, don’t walk to Disney+. An absolutely phenomenal series. Chris Hemsworth is on a mission to live better for longer and takes on six unique challenges supported by top scientists that test his mind, body and soul to the max. I learnt, I laughed, I cried and now I really fancy trying Navy Seal drown training. It really make me think of the ways I could find to live better for longer, with some very practical take aways even for those of us who don’t play Thor part time.

Current read: How to Make the World Add Up by Tim Harford This has been in my TBR since release, I get the FT weekender solely for Tim’s column, I listen to More or Less and Cautionary Tales and I always like to re-read his books. How to Make the World Add Up is an indispensable guide to thinking twice about numbers and headlines using ten (plus one golden rule) to understand the numbers, how they are presented and what they really might be trying to tell us. I think I might really be a frustrated not quite clever enough economist, but even without that interest this is a fascinating read in world of disinformation and quick attention grabbing headlines.

Most impactful listen: Lost At Sea Another binge listen where the BBC investigate the disappearance of a fisheries observer 500 miles off the coast of Peru. Journalist Rachel Monroe walks you through the seven-part investigative podcast to find out what happened and how a ship can return to port a month later without someone on it. I found myself hooked and absolutely fascinated by the work of fisheries observers and how juxtaposed they are to life on the high sea.