Friday, January 27, 2006

real things and that

There are times, late at night, when I start to wonder if I ever really am going to save the world, like I planned to when I was eleven. It's seeming less and less likely.

Initial 'get powers like Superman' plan had to be reluctantly abandoned, replaced by some vague concept to use this whole 'internet' thing to create a new kind of techno-socialism, hindered only by the fact that I'm still not entirely sure what socialism actually is. And my techno skills aren't up to much either, although I did recently mend the bathroom extractor fan with a paperclip, which I think I'm allowed to mention twice. Also I wandered past my friend's art gallery the other day, and they got me to change a light bulb for them (shop full of girls) which made me feel like a proper chap for a while, leading to me growling softly to myself and eating steak for some time afterwards.

But I digress. Turns out someone came up with this whole techno-socialism thing before me. In Chile. In the early seventies. And he was British. And he even gave it a cool name. Possibly the best bit is when they find a room full of telex machines bought by a previous government who clearly had no idea how to use them, and link them in, like in Scrapheap Challenge. Sadly, the CIA then helped General Pinochet smash the resulting Interesting Thing with hammers, but wow, what a brilliant film this would make.

Also, on an vaguely connected note, if anyone knows anything about early British film director Bert Haldane (other than is easily available on the web), can they let me know? He was my great grandfather, and while I only found out last year that I was related to a proper director, but was he the 1920's equivalent of Steven Soderbergh, or Uwe Boll? It's worrying me.

10 comments:

patroclus said...

You could argue that by the simple fact of having a blog you've gained special powers (like being everywhere at once, for example), *and* you're participating in some kind of techno-socialism, but it's late, and I haven't really thought that through properly. I'll think about it on the train/high-speed ferry, and get back to you.

Dave said...

Your friendly editor suggests you re-visit the second word of this post.

Having done so, this comment will become redundant and will self-destruct.

James Henry said...

Argh. Ta.

Anonymous said...

Get the BBC to put you in the third series of Who Do You Think You Are, James. Sorted.

James Henry said...

They should do one where it turns out David Tennant and the woman who plays Pauline Fowler on Enders are related, and then call it Doctor Who Do You Think You Are You Being Served.

cello said...

*guffaws*

James Henry said...

Only took me just over an hour, that one.clx

cello said...

I suppose you could say that the world wide web is essentially a bit of British techno-socialism in action, donated by brother Tim Berners-Lee. So not just a lovely thought.

Occasional Poster of Comments said...

Evening, James.

A news story I thought you might enjoy: A fish called Allah

The quotes from credulous members of the public are wonderful, but Peter Hurst's last few words stand out for me. I just want to know what exactly it is that happens the rest of the year. I mean, is February traditionally a bit of a dry month for this kind of thing in the Bury area?

James Henry said...

Yes, clearly in the summer months, the skies above Bury rain down with Allah-graffitied fish. Good link.