Computers, books, and absolutely no aardvarks.

Post Reply New Topic

So many other aspies love computers. I’m not putting this down, I have respect for someone who can tame a PC – Hell, I have to ring one up every time my computer goes FUBAR on me. Luckily It’s someone I know from college; Luckily for me that is, because I don’t have to pay them. Anyway, I digress. What I’m saying is that, no matter how hard I try, I just can’t get myself interested or excited about computers. History, yes. Computers, no. I also get this feeling they can sense my fear – I’m sure they enjoy tormenting me! It’s not even like I have the excuse of being of the ‘wrong generation’: I’m 21! I’ve only got linked to the net recently, and I hear things like: ‘Use your ITAF connector lead on the BBN port, then your IMs will increase their port speed between the integral cup holder and the kitchen sink to AZ70’. You’re all so good with computers - I’m just plain rubbish with 'em! Is it possible to have a computer allergy? Computers hate me and I hate computers. We have an understanding of mutual enmity. I mean, they’re good tools for communicating and for finding information, but if I could find that info in a book I’d be all the happier. For me, reading a book is a pleasure; the opposite of reading a glowing computer screen. A book has a soul – To turn the pages of an old book is for me, very different to pressing a button. A good book is a thing of beauty. And a thing of beauty is a joy forever. Also, you can take a book outside or on the train or to a doctor’s waiting room. And I find that libraries are one of the finest pleasures in life. I think Stephen Fry was right when he said all that information surrounding you, all that power at the turn of a page, almost has a kind of sexual energy about it. For me, it feels something like Terry Pratchett’s description of the sensation of magic – A feeling of immense potential energy all about you, like an elastic band stretched taut, with a slightly greasy, static feel to the air. I love libraries.
Incidentally, I’m sure you already realise this but I am not trying to start an argument with those who love computers, just wondering how usual/unusual it is for an aspie (ie: me, in this case) not to be good with computers (indeed, to have a bit of an aversion towards them) and if there’s anyone else here similar.

My computer is like my car. I have absolutely no interest in it, as long as it gets me where I want to go.

And that very much includes hunting for second hand books. Almost as soon as I went on-line I found a long-sought tome: a fifty-year-old English-published book, lurking in a little shop in Philadelphia.

http://dogbert.abebooks.com/

For example.

There was a recent thread which showed a proportion of the folk here were avid (if not obsessive!) readers, though I can't vouch for their appreciation of the aesthetics of books as opposed to their content. With a few exceptions I'm after the words, and will not pay over-the-odds for a first edition or a mint copy when a cheaper used one would serve.


Anyway, why no aardvarks?

In one, possibly truthful way, I would say I really have no idea, but a very odd sense of humour. But I won’t be the one to let the side down. In this sentiment…

(A look of extreme concentration mixed with pain spreads across Max’s face. After a passing child sprints off screaming, this is soon recognised as thought.)

Okay. It goes a little something like this: It is my opinion, that with the aardvark usually being the first word in the English dictionary (actually, according to my copy of the Oxford English Dictionary it’s the twenty-fifth, but never mind), these (considered) unassuming nocturnal mammals have clearly set their scheming minds to thoughts of self promotion and media domination. The reason? Nothing less than to propel one of their kind to the position of President of the United States of America! Actually, I firmly believe a group of aardvarks would rule better than the current US administration. So why am I not, as the title suggests, mentioning them in my previous post? Well, simply because I happen to be a sporting fella, and what with any aardvark you care to mention having more charm, intelligence, and organisational skill than George Dubya, there is simply no contest.

An odd sense of humour is common around here, and very necessary when dealing with that part of the world which KNOWS the definition of AS includes no sense of humour.
Now that is a good joke.



But George still rates as having the thicker skin?

Vote Aardvark. They're always healthy!

(usually chock full of ant-y bodies.)

Chock full of ant-y bodies; Superb!
You make a good point about which is the thicker skinned of these two primitive mammals (aardvarks are primitive as the last survivor of the primeval hoofed order protungulata. George is primitive for many, many reasons. I truly wish he was the last survivor of the species half witted redneck war monkey, but alas, no such luck). Aardvarks have, indeed, such thick skin they can comfortably doze in a recently opened ant’s nest. George too presumably has extremely thick skin – how many can selectively ignore the truth to the point that they can lose an election in the world’s most prolific democracy and still declare themselves the winner? Most impressive, in an awful, awful way.
Incidentally Emettman, what is that Heath Robinson-esque contraption on your avatar?

Almost right, Sir, almost right.

It is me to the life.
And also the Little Dragon prototype from the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

As created not by Heath Robinson, (or the American Rube Goldberg), but a generation later by one Rowland Emett, and yes, my name is a clue to my fandom. I've collected quite a bit of his work, but I'm not rich enough to acquire many originals (I have one odd one, and a few letters and signatures)

http://www.picturetrail.com/emettplus

Great site. I can entirely understand your love for such incredible creations. You’ve got me all interested now, although unfortunately I am nowhere near Leeds. Perhaps next time I’m up that way, though. I particularly like the Nottingham Water Clock. Is this (presumably) actually situated in Nottingham? Not that I live near there either, but again, if I am ever up that way…
Another of my favourites has to be Wild Goose. I like the bulbous, rather insectoid netted unit at the front. That and the existent rumour that it had to be shot down.
My favourite quotes from your site:

‘Tended to ingest whole carpets when annoyed.’
‘The Lunar exploring cycle comes complete with Astro-cat, which lands on its feet to demonstrate which way up gravity is.’
‘Suggestion offered to Virgin Trains free of charge’

I was interested to see the Festival of Britain’s Dome of Discovery, which I suspect, increased in size, would have been a suitable replacement for the huge white cowpat that found itself on the banks of the Thames.
Having visited the Millennium Dome for as long a day as was humanly possible, I would have to reckon that about 25% of it was actually interesting. Unforgivably, the rest was either depressingly mediocre or downright execrable [eg The 'relaxation zone' that smelt faintly of urine, or the ‘brain room’ I hoped would provide accessible and well demonstrated information on said little grey cells. Alas, it contained (I assure you I am not joking) animatronic models of cartoonish brains each one wearing a fez, telling a joke and then laughing in a shrill and irritating tone]. One of the zones on modern Britain and the perception of such, contained a sculpture designed to represent the darker streak in the British sense of humour. It was (again, I kid you not) of a giant toilet with a poorly depicted expression of malice, slowly wielding a large salami while alternating between periods of emitting deep laughter and sputtering into rather pathetic silent immobility. Perhaps Tony’s dome would have been more of a success, and more appropriate, if it had contained a selection of Emett’s work rather than, amongst others, giant deformed models of the human body, a ‘suggestion room’ (in which I posted ‘Resign immediately.’) and out of work panto actors in ‘comical’ tartan suits juggling badly and harassing passing visitors for the purposes of, I can only assume, either humour, cruelty or both.

"Great site."
Thank you.

" I particularly like the Nottingham Water Clock. Is this (presumably) actually situated in Nottingham?"
Yes, the Victoria Centre is in th eheart of Nottingham. There is a machine in Basildon, but the last two bits of information I have had described it as non-functional.

The best collection remains the one in Toronto, displayed every Christmas.


"I was interested to see the Festival of Britain’s Dome of Discovery..."

Now there's a story. It was designed to be re-usable, but the incoming Conservative government did not want the (Labour) festival remembered as a success, and ordered almost everything, including the dome and the Skylon demolished. Everything I have read points to the Festival being much better thought out and successful than the Millennium event.

"Having visited the Millennium Dome ..."

Yes, I did that too, not with great hopes, but with the knowledge that if I didn't go, I'd having a nagging worry that I might have "missed something".

"about 25% of it was actually interesting. Unforgivably, the rest was either depressingly mediocre or downright execrable"

That's about right. I was disappointed with how small it was, (so much space given over to the mere "spectacle" in the centre, in which I had little interest).

I rated one good zone: Transport, which handled both the story of past progress and the issues facing the future. Next best was Home Planet, for its presentation with the spaceship idea and the hovering self-controlled airships. The content was rather bland and unchallenging, though.
The seaside setting for "Living Island" was well done, but the unremitting "Doom and Gloom" message jarred with the rest of the dome's New Millennium optimism. A more integrated, balanced them was clearly needed.

" a ‘suggestion room’ (in which I posted ‘Resign immediately.’)"

Was that part of the utterly bizarre and at core literally empty (an almost featureless dark space called Night Rain) "Faith Zone"? I recall a wall for thoughts there, but not solid details of any faith, lest some other faith be offended. And not even that issue tackled.

And yes, the performers were just embarrasing.

Other little bright details and exhibits, but overall, a sad disappointment. The "Timekeepers of the Millennium" zone looked the most fun, but that was only for kids...

(I've just googled "millennium dome fan", and while there are, quite fairly, some fans of the building, there aren't not many singing the praises of the Millennium Experience, but THIS is frightening, even with an understanding of special interests:
http://170.140.186.133/index.html


What odds for any future World Fair or Expo?

A good question. What will the dome be used for? I think perhaps the most appropriate utilization would be to hold all the pap that the Millennium Collection guy has obtained. Weirdly, I actually have am item that he does not; the one thing that I found I could keep as a souvenir without having to pay anything for the privilege. Dome site chappy has a foam ball shot from an airgun in the Timekeepers of the Millennium exhibit. He has an on site McDonalds flag (perhaps the one flag I would actually burn). He even has a grow your own dome from seed kit. But he doesn’t have a gaudy little gold card used in the Money Zone, saying ‘Spend One Million Pounds’ on it. It’s not much, but presumably the fella wants his collection complete, and to this end I think I may sell it to him. It being a piece of (admittedly rubbish) memorabilia though, I think it will probably have increased in its ‘stated’ value. I reckon to about, ooh, say £758,000,000.

I have no dome memorabilia beyond the actual guide.
(I'd managed to forget about those black and yellow uniforms!)
I have more from the 1951 festival though it was before I was born.

I was more wondering whether we have passed the era of great Fairs and Expos. The Festival Hall remains, now with added London Eye. The Belgian Atomium survives, more or less...

But is the joie de vivre what it was?
The confidence in the future, and in "the white heat of technology"?

All things turn, turn. Maybe even nostalgia wil change...
"Once heritage theme parks were common across the country, now only a few survive in preservation."