Wednesday 28 March 2012

e-revolution

We need to move past myths about e-language that the physical constraints of the new media will inevitably diminish our appetite for sustained text and thought.

Emails, Facebook, Text messages, Twitter, YouTube, some experts argue threaten to infantilise the brain. Some also say that social media is used at the expense of all other forms.

In other words, if the words, if the electronic uprising excludes other writing completely, we probably would be left thinking in short snatches.

But that is akin to saying that if the only sport we played was football, then no one would be good at tennis.....that's a big and unlikely "if".

These arguments remind me of the moral panic that has beset every new form of communication. People claimed the printing press was the devil's tool because it could disseminate lies. The telephone was going to cause family breakdown because we would stop talking to each other in person.

Now social media will deteriorate our brains because we are going to abandon all other forms of writing!

There is no credible evidence to support this assumption. Schools still require essays. Workplaces still produce reports. Universities still award degrees for these. Writers still publish books.

Writing in the new media is not a replacement but an addition to traditional genres. Much of it is a hybrid form somewhere between speech and formal writing.

It means kids are, in fact, doing a lot more writing and mastering a much wider range of styles.

"I hear YouTube, Twitter and Facebook are merging to form a super Social Media site – YouTwitFace.
~~ Conan O’Brien, The Tonight Show (June 2009)



These bookends have been part of my life for many decades. I am sure books aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

Thursday 15 March 2012

Powerful Questions

Asking the right question in order to get ourselves thinking, really thinking - there is so much truth in this.

When we can ask that question, at the right moment, and that gives us clarity of direction, how powerful this can be in our lives. And set us off in a direction that has deep meaning to us individually.

I believe very much that this is where it’s at - when we can reach that spot of deep meaning in our own lives - getting to this spot is so life affirming.

These questions I found while surfing the web have no right or wrong answers, because sometimes asking the right questions is the answer.

1. How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?

2. Which is worse, failing or never trying?

3. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?

4. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?

5. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?

6. What’s something you know you do differently than most people?

7. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What’s holding you back?

8. Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?

9. Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?

10. Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?

11. Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever?

12. Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil?

13. When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in?

14. When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right?

15. If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?

16. Decisions are being made right now. The question is: Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you?


"There are four questions of value in life... What is sacred? Of what is the spirit made? What is worth living for, and what is worth dying for? The answer to each is the same. Only love."
~~ Johnny Depp



Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi, Sydney - November 2009

Tuesday 6 March 2012

Inspirational Dianne


Dianne, Joseph and Charlie 24 December 2011 - Manly Hospital, Sydney, Australia

Dianne Ruth Schmidt has died this morning at the age of 64 after a long battle with cancer.

Her courage and enduring spirit was such an inspiration for many of us.

I have been blessed to have known and loved Dianne for over 30 years.

I will miss her.

I will cry.

I will grieve.

But most of all I will celebrate Dianne's life as she always had the most incredible spark and passion for everything she did.

I am a better person for knowing Dianne.

"Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then you shall truly dance….
For what is it to die, but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun….
And what is it to cease breathing,
but to free the breath, from its restless tides,
that it may rise,
and expand,
and seek God
unencumbered."

~~ Kahlil Gibran ~~


Dianne the artist at home in Cromer, Sydney - 20 February 2007


Dianne, Peggy and Joseph - August 2008 Joseph's 2nd birthday.


Dianne in January 2009 at the '80 Exhibition in Sydney.


Dianne and her daughter Talie, Christmas 2009, Sydney.


Dianne and her son-in-law Chris, May 2010, Sydney.


Dianne and I at Collaroy Beach, Sydney - 13 November 2011


Final photo taken of Dianne on her birthday 17th January 2012. She had a very happy day celebrating with her art friends.

"Soar my friend to the skies of love so high above"

Love you always sweet angel. xxxxxxooooooo