The lessons of mental arithmetic....

There is a seductive power to automation. It takes things that can seem difficult, tedious or even pointless to do and give us an easy and apparently reliable way out.

There is however a catch; if we automate what we do not understand, we become unintentionally stupid.

I was reminded of this over the weekend as I observed a conversation thread about the way we use Google, and those who use it for "research". The nature of algorithms and SEO makes Google a battleground for narrative warfare for those who want us to accept their version of the truth. The danger is that what we quote as research has dubious provenance.

When I was at school in Scotland, which is admittedly a considerable time ago, with a very unique ethos, I had to do an O level in arithmetic. I questionedthe logic of it - it seemed such a trivial thing at the time, but decades later I am ever thankful for it.

The O level was a timed test, no calculators of any sort, and no working paper - it was a test of mental acuity. The …