The Think Tank

13/12/08

To Glasgow for a meeting with Dr Malcolm Protheroe at Strathclyde University's psychology department. Having exchanged e-mails with Dr Protheroe, I was under the impression that I had been invited as an authority on criminally transgressive behaviour in young people. The discussion, also attended by several students, was, in fact, far broader in scope. Dr Protheroe seemed less interested by my career as an investigator than my subsequent life as a role model and mentor to the young people of the Trossachs. He was particularly intrigued by the philosophy behind the Hamilton Coe Foundation. To be honest, the Foundation's development has been hindered by the legal machinations of Mark Lewis to the extent that my initial five year programme no longer has any bearing in reality. Naturally, I conceded as such. "But the vision remains intact!" said Dr Protheroe, slapping the table for emphasis. While I'm not susceptible to the wiles of the flatterer, I'll always respond to honest enthusiasm. For the remainder of the meeting we discussed how the Foundation's plans for the development of clairvoyants might be applied to young people with less evident gifts. "Everyone has some kind of talent," said Dr Protheroe, staring into the light immediately behind my head. "We just have to establish what it is and then nurture it... nurture it... nurture it!" It would have been wrong to dampen the mood, but I could have referred him to at least a dozen case- files in which the implosion of unrealistic expectations was a factor in an act of criminal attrition. My own brother's entire adult life has been a catastrophe borne of wrongful encouragement. "The most important thing for young people," concluded Dr Protheroe as I pondered the reconciliation of aspiration with ability, "is that they don't feel rejected." This sentiment met with unanimous approval although I couldn't help but think of Messrs Jack, Balsillie and Bryson. The pragmatist accepts that there are occasions on which rejection is the only appropriate response.  

 

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