At all costs we want to stir up some sort of feeling in others. Our soul abhors a vacuum. At all costs it longs for contact - Hjalmar Soderberg, from Doctor Glass. It was good to meet up with Mike again. I have known him from my days at North Tyneside and we make the … Continue reading Coffee at Pink Lane
The logical conclusion
There is a fundamental difference between computing technology and us humans, at least for a while. One is based upon logic and we are not. Never confuse humans with logic, we are simply not geared up, however well we may think we may be, to make logical decisions. There are too many hormones and emotions … Continue reading The logical conclusion
The human touch
Like many of us, I have been stuck at home for thirteen days now. In reality this is no great hardship as I am still well fed, have company and have things to keep me going. There are people far worse off than me and so I am not complaining. I do miss the human … Continue reading The human touch
Playing blind
There are moments in life when I am reminded that there is decency in humanity. Unfortunately they are few and far between these days yet I experienced an event last week that gave me hope for human nature. It was at the rugby of all places. I like going to Kingston Park to watch the … Continue reading Playing blind
The Drowned and the Saved
I don’t wish to invoke the memories of Primo Levi, a survivor of Auschwitz, in anything as banal as my blog yet this is how I feel about the plight of humanity sometimes. We are caught in a bind, trapped between the amazing, exciting world ahead of us and the very real threat of extinction … Continue reading The Drowned and the Saved
In pursuit of perfection
Every time I turn on the television or pick up a magazine I am bombarded with images of perfect people. They live in perfect houses, with their perfect families and perfect teeth. It is clear what they are saying. You are not good enough. Only perfection is acceptable. Whole industries have developed on the back … Continue reading In pursuit of perfection
Natural England
Another one of those things that Simon and I got to talk about was rewilding. He is a photographer who specializes in landscapes, especially of Northumberland and it is a topic of conversation in the circles in which he moves. It is controversial and divides the people who are interested in the countryside. If you … Continue reading Natural England
Beetles
If anyone landed from Mars over the last week or so, they would think that where I live has constant wall to wall sunshine and is populated not only with humans but with millions of little black beetles. A normal British summer is two sunny days and a thunderstorm but this year we are having … Continue reading Beetles
I see dead people
This is going to be my last of my Thinking Digital Stories for 2018, that is unless I come up with some more bright ideas. I am going to go back to the fascinating Moon Ribas, who is using sensors embedded in her body to extend her experience. She is pushing back our understanding of … Continue reading I see dead people
Cyborg artistry
Once again Thinking Digital has surpassed my expectations. Herb and his team do such a great job in bringing together a range of speakers that entertain and enlighten us. It is the mixture of art and technology that makes it such a good event. In past years I have left with a feeling of inadequacy … Continue reading Cyborg artistry
