grammar, Kurt Vonnegut, language use, literature, New York Times, writing
In raves on February 18, 2008 at 9:24 pm
I don’t know about you but I cannot recall the last time I have used a semicolon in my writing.
If and when I did use that venerable but often abused punctuation mark, I am convinced I must have employed it inappropriately.
I am grateful therefore for this timely article in the New York Times.
Celebrating the Semicolon in a Most Unlikely Location – New York Times
In the age of short text messages and punchy micro-blog entries, the semicolon seems to be in danger of extinction.
The diminishing use of that punctuation mark,which, links yet separates closely related ideas may well signify larger changes in our culture. Addicted to speed, we constantly accelerate and have little patience to pause to contemplate. We eschew the complexity of multi-part arguments in favor of the instant gratification of simplistic sound bytes.
Kudos once again to the NYT. Few other papers can do what it has done with this essay:make its reader reflect upon the social and cultural milieu in which proper language use finds its true significance.
I especially love this quote by Kurt Vonnegut in the article: “When Hemingway killed himself he put a period at the end of his life. Old age is more like a semicolon.”
celluar phone literature, corporate citizenship, corporate social responsibility, happiness, Japan mobile phone market, literature
In raves on January 20, 2008 at 5:10 am
I have been overdosing on tech news lately so I am trying to redress the balance by returning to a mainstream news diet:
1) The feelgood factor | Economist.com
The Economist has an in-depth special report on corporate social responsibility– the good, the bad and the ugly. Observations include the emergence of the corporate version of the peace corps–companies sending employees on month-long “do good” assignments abroad.
2) Japan’s Best Sellers Go Cellular – New York Times
Japan is always interesting to watch when it comes to trends in the mobile space. Cell phone novels sound instant and quirky. As someone with a passion for literature, I think the use of the mobile phone as a medium will have a profound impact on narrative structure and form of the novel.
3) The secret of happiness | It’s in Iceland | Economist.com
I have always thought that the obsession with constant happiness is a peculiarly American phenomenon that has, unfortunately, infected the rest of the world. The Economist tells us “happiness” has become a new growth industry. That is a sad statement on the state of Civilization!
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Adam Zagajewski, literature, Marx, New Yorker, poetry
In literature, raves on January 15, 2008 at 6:51 pm
I like to share a poem once in a while on this blog because poetry remains my first true love.
This poem by Polish poet Adam Zagajewski in the New Yorker is a poignant allegory of communism in decline.
Old Marx: Poetry: The New Yorker
In the poem, an aged Marx mourning the lost cause of his youth as he plods his way through the stark cold winter of an idealism corrupted by Time.
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Book Reviews, literature, Most Recommended Books, National Book Critics Circle, NBCC blog, Siok Siok Tan, Tan Siok Siok
In raves on December 1, 2007 at 3:04 pm
In an era where even TV is becoming passe, I find it real cool that the National Book Critics Circle has its own blog.
http://bookcriticscircle.blogspot.com
The web seems to be a perfect means to spread the word about a good book.
Now the NBCC blog is asking award-winning novelists, historians, poets, critics and biographer to vote for their favourite books every month.
Find out what books these distinguished individuals have really loved in 2007:
CRITICAL MASS: Introducing the NBCC’s Best Recommended
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