Telephonophobia

I like landlines, I like the telephone line
that connects everyone through the wires,
and limits how far they can move.
When I get a phone call I like for there
to be no screens near me as we both sit
in different places concentrating on the voice,
the words, and the ideas that we share.

One of my friends has I-don't-know-how-many-ways
of being contacted, a landline, a mobile phone line
in an area of low levels of connection, twitter, instagram,
and a whatsapp app, whatever that is, besides.

I say he is my friend. I very rarely ring him.
Whichever line contact him on, it is the wrong one.
He does not answer and he never collects his messages.

When I really need to talk to him I write him a note.
I get on the local bus and deliver the note through his letterbox.
Then I get the bus home, and wait for my landline to ring.

It is the only route I know that bypasses his telephonophobia....

My Ears Are Singing

With the noise of the silken 'ear worms'
that my mind adopts from what I hear
and lets have free reign over my concentration.

Success Through Failure

'To fail elegantly is a greater success
than to have to succeed
and [to] never have to admit to failure.
In your élan [as you fail] you will learn more
about yourself and know yourself
beyond the definition of others...
your self-definition will shape
how others see you...  that is why
failure is more successful than success.'.

 - Quentin Crisp

Hot News; Pope Foreswears Television

In a first for nearly a century
the world now has a pope
who will not watch television.

Pope Francis has promised The Virgin Mary
that he would not watch it. 

I might be wrong, but he may
have extended this commitment
to leaving others to appear on it,
as much as he can, as well.

I look forward to many other Catholic,
and non-Catholics, following his example.
And lead more wholesome and engaging lives.

It does not mean that they can't listen to radio.

The Patron Saint of Television,
St Clare of Assisi, has so far
proved unavailable for comment.

Great Turn Off's Of Our Time (26)

Adding the word 'Tragically'
before naming any of the many musicians
who has died well past their creative peak
any time in the last forty years, 
as they are spoken of as if their brilliance
ran continuously from when the musician
first picked up their instruments to when they died.

For modern musicians their fame
was always going to outlast their talent;
their fame is the most reliable aspect
of their pension plan, and this after
corporate interests buy up the rights
to the pasts of once-viable live performers
for some sort of indefinite and profitable
creative after-life, well before
the now sold out artist has pegged it.

Rest assured dear reader, there is no tragedy
to be found in a life that is well lived,
except where the liver lacked the generosity
to share their fortune and creativity
amongst the needy whilst they could. 

A Reminder

for those who browse a lot (like I do)
that ''they' know how to track you
by your browsing history' and
'they' will seek to give you more
of what you already have, as if it is
all that you ever wanted. Use this image
as the wallpaper on your computer
to remind yourself that we are all data,
 'to be tracked, and a few of the 'they' are us.     

 

Picture Set Of The Month - February - 1970s Posters for IBM

Ken White (1935-85) was an American Graphic Designer.

With John Anderson and Tom Bluhm, he headed up
the design team at the IBM Design Centre in Boulder,
 Colorado. 

 Together they initiated a poster program as a platform
for elevating internal communications and initiatives
 within the company. 

These posters were put up everywhere throughout
IBM campuses, with the subjects covered
including family days out, work security
and equal opportunities in work.