There is a great short story by Jorge Luis Borges, called the Library of Babel, in which he describes a fantasy library, containing every possible book. Almost all the books are total gibberish, containing every possible combination of the letters of the alphabet, but a tantalising few contain snatches of meaning. And, logically, there must [...]
Archives for April 2009
Review: Flower Garden for iPhone
My new favourite iPhone/iPod Touch app. You get to plant virtual seeds, and watch them grow into flowers. As you bring them to maturity, new varieties are unlocked. The only complexity is how much you have to water them. Not exactly difficult, though it does vary from flower to flower. The payoff is the ability [...]
Google News and Twitshirt
I might be being very stupid, but it seems to me that there are some contradictions at work at the moment. • A few days ago, several news organisations complained that Google News linking to their content reduced the value of their brand. Most people I know, follow or read felt that this was yet [...]
(Another) reason newspapers are doomed
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/apr/10/audiobooks-listeners-travel The above link leads to a Guardian piece by Mark Lawson, where he argues – sorry, let me rephrase that – he states that audiobooks infantilise the reader. Novels should be read in silence. Note the use of ‘should’, like a prissy TV chef insisting on the use of only the finest olive oil. [...]
Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle
Stewart Lee returns to TV with this new show, and when he left – all of ten years ago – I mourned his passing. Together with Richard Herring he crafted two shows (Fist of Fun & TMWRNJ) which were full of life, joy, and intelligence. A favourite memory from the show involves a repeated joke [...]