I did an interesting thing last week: I was asked to be one of the judges at the Glasgow “celebration and assessment day” of Go4SET, which aims to make school pupils more interested in science, technology, engineering and maths.

It was a bit like a science fair: S2 pupils had been given the task of researching and designing an eco-friendly classroom, so there were display stands and models illustrating various bright ideas.

What really struck me was the intelligence and confidence of the kids. Even the ones with crippling shyness bordering on outright terror – and boy, do I know what that feels like – did a sterling job of explaining their projects to and answering questions from the judges, not all of whom were as cool and groovy as me. Heh.

I think that as you get older, it’s all too easy to fall into the trap of assuming kids of today got no respect, that music they listen to isn’t proper music, look at the way they wear their trousers and the language, oh the language, kids weren’t like that in my day I blame the teachers… all that shite. Kids are kids. Some good, some bad, some absolutely bloody brilliant.

Friday’s lot were in the “bloody brilliant” category.