Making the world safe for girl children
Author Archive
Where’s the MDC’s mojo?
Months before elections, the MDC has yet to articulate its election manifesto, giving rise to speculation among observers that besides removing Mugabe from power, the party may genuinely be bankrupt of any ideas on how to move the country forward from its political and economic stalemate. In contrast, Zanu-PF has underpinned indigenisation and empowerment as its central election plank, and is going all out to boost its charm offensive among voters.
From www.timeslive.co.za
Marachera, the legendary writer who slept in doorways
Thanks to Flora Veit-Wild for a tremendously beautiful rendition of her relationship with Dambudzo Marachera.
Dambudzo Marechera unlocked many doors for me and let me peek into the marvellous world beyond. He gave me intimations of hell, but also the strength to resist.
Read the whole piece on the Mail & Guardian.
Smell. taste. feel
“The first thing John Updike used to do when he received a new book was to smell it. To run his hands over it. Try experiencing that on a Kindle.”
- Chipp Kidd (book cover designer)
Can’t keep our hands off the devices in our pockets
Day 3 of TED2012.
11.53am:
Sherry Turkle up now with a profoundly interesting but disturbing talk. She’s one of the most influential theorists of the online world, whose 1996 book Life on the Screen: Identity in the Age of the Internet put her onto the cover of Wired magazine.
“I’m still excited about technology,” she says. “But my new book isn’t going to put me on the cover of Wired magazine.”
The devices in our pockets, she says, are removing us from our own lives. Are impacting upon our most meaningful relationships. And actually changing who we are.
As a psychologist, she studies people’s relationships with technology, how people will now text in board meetings, in classrooms, while having breakfast with their children. “Even at funerals, I’ve studied people texting. They are taking themselves out of their grief and into their phones.”
“Human relationships are rich and they’re messy and they’re demanding. And we clean them up with technology. We sacrifice conversation for mere connection.”
Technology appeals to us where we’re most vulnerable, says Turkle. “It gives us the illusion of companionship without the means of friendship.
“It feeds the fantasy that we will always be heard, and we will never be alone.”
Couldn’t agree more. Ever had a lover text over your shoulder whilst in a clinch? I haven’t. Yet.
