Social Networking is Good for Your Writing
A study has shown that children who use technology write better.
Children who blog, text or use social networking websites have better writing skills than those who do not, according to the National Literacy Trust.
I’ve always thought this and it’s nice to be proved right.
At school my English was atrocious and I just about scraped through my O-Level. I struggled along until I met a guy called Stephen Allender, who worked for a company called OTMA. In one course he straightened my writing out.
Looking back, I can see that what I lacked was rules, fluidity and practice. He told me to write in the first person, gave me a set of rules and this then enabled me to get the fluidity. I was also working for ICI and had to write lots of notes and letters, so that gave the practice.
Social networking, such as FaceBook, Bebo and MySpace, are the ideal places to get the practice you need. Often it is easy because you may be sending a message to someone you don’t know, so there is a low embarrassment factor.
Sadly no-one has been able to do anything for my handwriting.
Is This the World’s Naffest Product?
There are certain things in life that I don’t like.
And this product combines two of my least favourite products in one very naff package; the iPhone and a table lamp!
Our World
Whilst writing the previous post about students, I looked up Cliff Michelmore. I’d quite forgotten that he was the presenter of Our World, the first global television link-up, which included segments from the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan and Australia.
I remember the program for the performance of the Beatles.
Today, it is most famous for the segment from the United Kingdom starring The Beatles. Performing at the height of the Vietnam War, the group wanted to spread a message of peace and love to the world. They gave a live performance, transmitted at 8:54 p.m. GMT, performing a new song written by John Lennon, “All You Need Is Love”, composed especially for the occasion. The Beatles invited many of their friends to the event to create a festive atmosphere and to join in on the song’s chorus. Among the friends were members of The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Marianne Faithfull, Keith Moon and Graham Nash. The performance required only a single rehearsal.
It made a boring, but worthy program, absolutely memorable. But then no-one in the history of pop music comes anywhere near the Beatles.
Can I remember anything else?
Yes! I can remember tram cars coming out of a tram-shed somewhere. I thought it was Toronto, but it was in reality Melbourne in Australia.
The Art of Brevity
It’s a week late, but I’ve just watched the last episode of Garrow’s Law on my Sky Box.
What fascinated me wasn’t the case, which was about the treason of Joseph Hamer, but Garrow’s method. At the start of the case the prosecution opened with a three hour speech to the jury, but Garrow just made a brief statement and sat down.
My late wife always felt that brevity was a weapon that was rarely used. But used well it could be the most powerful of weapons.
Two Dogs
I reorganised the living room and brought a small Indian rug in front of the television. It has been invaded.
The Staffy is my son’s. The basset despite being female or possibly because of it is in charge.
Note that the basset has one brown and one blue eye.
Henning Wehn
I usually listen to Fighting Talk on Saturday and today was no exception. It is hosted by one of the Colin Murray identical twins. There must be twins as they pop up everywhere.
One of the panelists is the German comedian Henning Wehn, who often plays to British stereotypes about his country. Today he came up with this joke.
Q. Why did my grandfather cross the road?
A. To invade France.
It’s funny! But I wonder what his fellow Germans would think.
How to do Service?
Some years ago, my late wife bought a large double bed from And So To Bed. Unfortunately, the decorators broke a support when they moved it recently.
So I phone the firm and asked if I could buy a new support. A pleasant guy found the order and said that the bed was now discontinued. But he would try to find one and get it sent to me.
I can’t ask for more. Especially as if necessary, I can make one of my own.
But at least I’m only small and I suspect that the bed won’t collapse with my sixty kilos in it!
Do Dogs Work on a 23 Hour Day?
My housekeeper feeds the dogs at about mid-day.
So if I go anywhere near the kitchen from about eleven in the morning at the weekend, they are there staring wistfully at me, as if they haven’t eaten for months.
Are Cars Greener than Buses?
This question is prompted by a post on the BBC Ethical Man’s blog, which asks that question.
The article should be read in full.
But the real problem is that we travel too much.
I’ve worked at home since 1972 and in that time I’ve created two major businesses and several worthwhile (well I think they are) software applications. It doesn’t seemed to have hampered me. So perhaps we need more incentives and technologies like fast broadband to make working at home easier. To get any decent broadband speed, I actually use two phone lines and a special balanced router. But I only get 2Mbs.
Useless!
So would it be better to spend the money on faster broadband for all, rather than transport infrastructure? If for no other reason, it would certainly be popular with a lot of people. I don’t think anybody would object and there would be no need for lengthy and costly public enquiries.
I also live on top of a hill and about three or four kilometres from the nearest pub, post office or shop. I don’t actually cycle to them much, but I should. But most of our large cities are flat and would be very suitable terrain for two wheels. We just need to make sure there are proper cycle paths and adequate places to lock a bicycle.
So perhaps under certain circumstances cars are greener than buses and trains, but in many cases there are better alternatives.
