bookmark_borderSimplification

Carey gets back to basics, and I must admit I’ve been thinking something similar as I’ve recently been pondering the ‘why’ and ‘who’ of this very website. Of course when Carey does it, it looks good, like a post ironic take on neo-modernism… or something…

Anyway it again brings up the subject of ‘why’. I’ve written about my ‘‘ for a website, and I think that most personal websites serve the same purpose.

The sole requirement for owning a website is because you, the author, designer, fuhrer of your webspace, want one. How you use it is down to you, no-one else. There are no rules, merely suggested guidelines, and they are only softly suggested (count how many bend, break, and completley ignore them).

Do it for you. If you want to post, post, if you want to write a 5000 word dissertation about the fate of tsetse fly in Western Africa, go right ahead. If you want to become a linkwhore, and are only in it for the pseudo celebrity, hey, that’s up to you (but ask anyone who doesn’t surf the blogging/design channels who Zeldman is and watch the blank stares).

Simplification? I don’t care. Well I do care, but about you. It’s your website, do what you want.

The funniest thing has just popped into my head, and ideal April Fool, think I’ll keep it to myself for the moment though (Ohh and I give Carey about a month before he explodes back in a glory of technicolor.. although I’m merely basing that on my own lack of self-will and addiction to this funny little place we call the web).

bookmark_borderHmmmmm

That quote looks familiar (mind you, it was Vaughan that tipped me off about the mailing list in the first place…).

bookmark_borderMade in Taiwan

I remember, as a child, receiving a toy car. I don’t remember the exact make or model, but I do remember that, on the underside, were the words “Made in Taiwan”. Taiwan. It sounds exciting and different, although growing up in Dumbarton ANYTHING sounds exciting and different, but this was other-worldly, and for the first time I felt a sense of adventure. What was this Taiwan place like? What type of people lived there? Where exactly was it? It must be millions of miles I away, I thought, what a journey for a little toy car!

It was a moment that made me realise that there was more to life than my little world, that the world was a big place, with many different places, people, and ‘stuff’.

However that moment has since faded into the memory of childhood, and the reality is one of a diminishing world, where boundaries blur, distances shrink and communities flourish and die.

Blame the Internet? I’m not sure, too many other factors involved. How do children today see the world? Is it an exciting place, with limitless experiences and possibilities, or is Taiwan just where their friend from the Pokemon chat room stays?

The joy of the internet gave us instant communication, but what about the longer, deeper effects? Should we limit the time our children spend on the PC, or watching television? How will they experience this kind of wonderment?

This kinda thing worries me you know…

bookmark_borderAt last

A community-edited guide to Kuro5hin! Ko4ting. Probably best to start with What is Kuro5hin?

The religion of Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola in Latin America: “Coca-Cola plainly stands as an unvarnished symbol of neoliberalism and modern corporate mercantilism”

Again globalization hits the news, but it is beginning to become more and more unbelievable. This article shows, once again, how little we know of what goes on around the world, and how dangerous the creeping of branding, that is evident in many regions and continents, can become. Shouldn’t the world’s politicians be slightly curious as to the vested interests a soft drinks company has with the President of Mexico?

More clever stuff
OK, I think I’m up and running now (it’s a bit unnerving when Blogger goes down for maintenance just after you’ve been trying out a new script. You can’t help thinking… oops was that me?).

a href=”http://www.thinkblank.com/metalinker/”>Meta Linker is now in full effect y’all. A simple idea, but could prove useful/fun/annoying. Have to wait and see which. Simply click on the [~] after each link to get a listing of other sites linking to the same article or website. (via Plasticbag as I’ve mentioned already I think).

Philosophical Quote
“Against the disease of writing one must take special precautions, since it is a dangerous and contagious disease.”
Consider me infected. Or does he (Peter Abelard in Letter 8 to Heliose) mean real writing, you know, novels, and stuff like that, after all this isn’t even journalism, or is it?

Football
With apologies to Vaughan, I should forewarn you all (all? ha ha ha, makes it seem like there are more than four or five people reading this…) that over the coming weeks I will probably (although possibly not) be talking about wonderous goals, ludicrous refereeing decisions, and last minute winners. Yes, ladies and gentlemen [cue drum roll] THE WORLD CUP IS COMING.

To be honest the sooner it starts the better, that way we will stop getting the news filled with reports about David Beckham accidentally being hit in the nuts/knackers/gonads/testicles with the ball during training. With pictures. Good grief.

bookmark_borderMore Clever Stuff

Ok, I think I’m up and running now (it’s a bit unnerving when Blogger goes down for maintenance just after you’ve been trying out a new script. You can’t help thinking… oops was that me?).

Meta Linker is now in full effect y’all. A simple idea, but could prove useful/fun/annoying. Have to wait and see which!