In the Introduction to the second edition of his anthology, Apocalypse Culture, Adam Parfrey muses as follows; “..reality has taken on such a dire and phantasmagoric cast that fictionalizing has become superfluous. The essay form has superseded the novel as the vehicle that best suggests the prevailing apocalyptic gestalt, and as the talisman that is […]
One interesting quote on altruism in nanny states
I personally believe in altruism over selfishness. However if altruism is coerced or forced is it really altruism? Is it really a virtue? If a virtue is coerced is it a good or evil? This quote strikes me in this regard. “Big Sister does not want her peasants holding values that are incompatible with the […]
No Headset No problem, Nuance Dragon NaturallySpeaking 13 Revealed
The Web is abuzz with the news, on July 22 Nuance Communications announced a new major release of Dragon NaturallySpeaking. Dragon NaturallySpeaking 13 is currently available in its Premium edition and its new features and refinements are serious value-added benefits to users of the software. Keith Shaw at Networkworld writes: “The software, which converts users’ […]
Hanif Kureishi’s effective admission of being a failed teacher
(Photo linked from the guardian) The Guardian ran a recent piece on Britain based novelist, and Kingston University writing professor, Hanif Kureishi‘s claim that creative writing courses are a waste of time, and that most of his students are able to write sentences but incapable of telling an actual story. Hence, of course, taking a […]