Thursday, 27 July 2023

Pistis ponders tests and judgement (weekending July 29th 2023)

 

‽istis ponders tests and judgement (weekending July 29th 2023)

This week as:

·        the ‘Great British Sewing Bee’ final is aired on television[i] and the judges name the winner (what a final garment!) and home judges concur or not

·        a motorcycle theory test date is booked (after much putting off)[ii];

·        tributes resound and judgement is made about the life of a singer/musician hailed as sublime and beyond compare, an activist who may or may not have been happy to be called a ‘survivor’ but stood up and stood against and was inspirational to so many[iii];

·        the continued use of an exclusive private bank and the positions of two senior bank ‘bosses’ are both ended[iv] while what is considered ‘newsworthy’ and Prime Minister comment-worthy is questioned   

·        university graduates receive letters of apology rather than certificates with grades as final marking is delayed[v]

·        a venerable cleric is denied a Permission to Officiate[vi] as safeguarding matters continue to trouble the Church of England and abuse survivors and allies are still deeply, deeply troubled

·        sporting contests continue (the Ashes, cricket) and start (the football World Cup) with defeat and victory possibly still imposters[vii] both (like new members of the House of Lords – in some people’s eyes[viii])

·        identity needs to be verified before a service can be offered

·        one man is found not guilty in a ‘mercy-killing’ trial[ix] and another’s conviction is overturned as DNA evidence is attributed to a different suspect[x]

·        a friend awaits results that may indicate the speed of a progressive illness, the possible treatment options… the time left…

·        news is shared of the sudden death of an acquaintance…

…‽istis ponders tests and judgements…

Tests of life/test of life, of professional standards, of probity, of risk, of eligibility and qualification, of resilience[xi] in the face of trauma and its legacy, of evidence, of innocence of guilt, of failure or passing…

And ‽istis wonders

·        Who sets the criteria‽

·        Who and how do we pass judgement‽

·        Who awards or rewards – or fails and denies‽

·        Who does the marking and the double-marking and the moderation and standardisation‽

·        Who trains and teaches and prepares and coaches and mentors and supervises and supports us?

·        Who weeps with those who weep (‘happy tears’ and tears of rage, frustration, despair, injustice, hurt and pain) and rejoices with those who rejoice?

©‽istis                                                                                                                    

NB: further reflections and comments linked to this week’s theme and past blog entries to be found on Twitter: replies, retweets (which don’t necessarily indicate approval, sometimes the very opposite!) and ‘likes’: @Pistis_wonders. Twitter ‘follows’ and respectful comment and dialogue welcome...  


[xi] And testing whether the concept of ‘resilience’ is helpful or not, as indeed whether the terms ‘survivor’ or victim are helpful or not


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