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You Couldn’t Make It Up

(245 Posts)
MayBeMaw Mon 29-Nov-21 09:19:18

I sometimes think we need a “You couldn’t make it up” forum.
But in its absence - how about this from the department of stating the bl**ding obvious at a well- known and respected university

Students warned over kidnap scene in ‘Kidnapped’
Trigger warnings have been added to classic novels by the University of Aberdeen, including a warning for students that Robert Louis Stevenson’s Kidnapped  involves an abduction
Several Shakespearean texts are among those to have been flagged, as well as two Jane Austen novels and a number of other classics. A trigger warning is a statement that is made before sharing potentially disturbing content
The university, whose alumni include broadcaster Nicky Campbell and Tessa Jowell MP, has told students that Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, presents “sexist attitudes” and its plot centres on a murder A warning about Charles Dickens’s 1859 novel A Tale of Two Cities states that it “contains scenes of violence, execution and death
Perhaps their English department could advise on definitions of “kidnap” and “abduction” and how “execution” might have something to do with “death”.
Oh and maybe the History department could lay in copies of the Ladybird Guide to the French Revolution.
But perhaps I am being picky. hmmhmm

Grannynannywanny Tue 30-Nov-21 09:34:00

Slightly off topic but browsing the news online this morning I read this police advice in the Manchester Evening News. It made me wonder how Mr Blobby ever managed to drive to work.

Footwear such as high heels or boots can limit the movement of your ankles; shoes with a thick platform sole can impact the use of pedals, especially your vehicle’s clutch. Inflatable fancy dress costumes are extremely popular, but trying to drive in one can seriously affect your visibility and your ability to handle your vehicle’s steering wheel, gear stick and other controls

Luckygirl3 Tue 30-Nov-21 09:40:23

What would they say about The Taming of the Shrew I wonder?

Calistemon Tue 30-Nov-21 09:46:51

Luckygirl3

What would they say about The Taming of the Shrew I wonder?

shock

A complete ban, in fact I'm surprised it hasn't happened already!

Skydancer Tue 30-Nov-21 09:47:11

Urmstongran I agree with you - I normally do. It's not the same but this morning DH read that you can be fined heavily now for wearing a Christmas jumper when driving. I thought he was making it up but, sadly, no. The world has gone totally, absolutely mad! Who dreams up all this stuff! People on salaries a lot fatter than my pension that's for sure!

Alegrias1 Tue 30-Nov-21 09:49:18

t's not the same but this morning DH read that you can be fined heavily now for wearing a Christmas jumper when driving.

Maybe ask him to read that again.

Calistemon Tue 30-Nov-21 09:49:24

A bit like the time when students wanted to do pass hands instead of clapping.

Could you keep the ones you liked best?
I'd like some with long straight fingers (as mine used to be) and beautiful nails (as mine have never been).

JaneJudge Tue 30-Nov-21 09:51:26

God I am wearing a t-shirt with an owl on it, am I going to be forced to climb our oak tree at 3 in the morning?

Doodledog Tue 30-Nov-21 10:00:29

Alegrias1

^t's not the same but this morning DH read that you can be fined heavily now for wearing a Christmas jumper when driving.^

Maybe ask him to read that again.

Anyone who believes that that is the law should be banned from driving on the grounds of an inability to understand the language.

Calistemon Tue 30-Nov-21 10:02:47

I think it's inflatable Christmas jumpers ?

How can they tell?

Zoejory Tue 30-Nov-21 10:07:27

Doodledog

Alegrias1

t's not the same but this morning DH read that you can be fined heavily now for wearing a Christmas jumper when driving.

Maybe ask him to read that again.

Anyone who believes that that is the law should be banned from driving on the grounds of an inability to understand the language.

The headline is there for all to see.

www.mylondon.news/news/uk-world-news/warning-drivers-can-fined-5000-22314758

However I do think the press have rather exaggerated it. I think they'd be clamping down on people wearing inflatable snowmen or Father Christmas outfits and other apparel that could impinge on your driving.

It has made me laugh though.

Alegrias1 Tue 30-Nov-21 10:10:48

Doodledog ?

How long until we see the "no Christmas jumpers behind the wheel, it offends the minorities" post. ?

Doodledog Tue 30-Nov-21 10:22:58

The headline is one thing, but the story makes it perfectly clear. The reporter has interpreted the law on driving without due care and attention to include driving with inflatable shoes or gloves (fair enough, surely?) as they would impede use of the gearstick and/or clutch and brakes. If you wear a brightly flashing jumper or hat, it could distract other drivers, so the same rule of the Highway Code would be breached.

Not quite the same as being heavily fined for wearing a Christmas jumper ?.

Alegrias1 Tue 30-Nov-21 10:45:20

This popped up on my Facebook page this morning.

Too good not to share. wink

Urmstongran Tue 30-Nov-21 11:19:08

That was witty Alegrias. It gave me a chuckle.
?

Naninka Tue 30-Nov-21 11:21:06

... and there we were thinking snowflakes were a weather phenomenon!!

Alegrias1 Tue 30-Nov-21 11:29:47

Urmstongran ?

Lucca Tue 30-Nov-21 11:30:52

Doodledog

The headline is one thing, but the story makes it perfectly clear. The reporter has interpreted the law on driving without due care and attention to include driving with inflatable shoes or gloves (fair enough, surely?) as they would impede use of the gearstick and/or clutch and brakes. If you wear a brightly flashing jumper or hat, it could distract other drivers, so the same rule of the Highway Code would be breached.

Not quite the same as being heavily fined for wearing a Christmas jumper ?.

Exactly .
As usual a misleading headline which some will take as gospel.

Alioop Tue 30-Nov-21 11:31:59

Bet they all read Fifty Shades of Grey when it was released and didn't bat an eyelid grin

Coco51 Tue 30-Nov-21 11:33:11

We are becoming a nation of Wokeflakes

MayBeMaw Tue 30-Nov-21 11:35:11

Luckygirl3

What would they say about The Taming of the Shrew I wonder?

At the risk of breaking the habits of a lifetime and being serious, it might be a useful vehicle for studying historical attitudes to women, to authority and to the mores of past generations.
Surely somebody by now has directed a gender-bending version of the play?

Grantanow Tue 30-Nov-21 11:40:58

Universities don't really think students need forewarning about texts - it's that they fear litigation or tribunals and so take avoiding action. Lack of resilience will be the result, unfortunately.

LauraNorderr Tue 30-Nov-21 11:43:27

Warning on Christmas crackers - may make sudden loud noise.
Same warning on granny after too many sprouts

Joesoap Tue 30-Nov-21 11:44:04

Oh dear, how have we survived without warnings.

harrigran Tue 30-Nov-21 11:47:52

In future offers of a place at university will arrive with an industrial size pack of cotton wool to wrap the student in.
Whatever next ?

Theoddbird Tue 30-Nov-21 11:49:10

Can someone please tell me what is in the Jane Austin books please? I am about to start listening on Audible to plays from the books. I don't want to be scared...hahaha