Reading a piece by Amy Tan about life in a Chinese village that is caught up in the turmoil of change moving toward an industrialized society restored my confidence in print media.
[Amy Tan takes the reader to a Chinese village. The people are struggling with adjustment to industrial society. Turmoil is displayed in the writing.]
The May edition of National Geographic magazine arrived yesterday. The combination of text, pictures, and statistical diagrams gives an overview of 2008 China that lingers far after the reading is completed.
[Yesterday the National Geographic magazine arrived. Words, pictures, and diagrams caught my attention. China of 2008 is displayed. Tan writes one article.]
I admire Tan's use of short sentences, vivid words, people vignettes, and a story line that is focused and understandable. My writing uses sentences that are too long. I will now go back and try to improve - see [ surrounding the revision].
[Tan uses short sentences and vivid words. Real people appear. The story line speaks clearly.]
End of first lesson.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
A Hint for Religion Advertisers
The advertising agencies for religious organizations have not requested my opinion. That is good reason to make my pitch here where it will be neglected by the powers that be.
Consider emulating the pharmaceutical companies who accompany their advertisements with several pages of tiny print explaining all the terrible things that may well accompany the use of their products. Evidently this works since those companies are real money makers and the newspapers and journal that publish their ads are doing okay as well.
Picture this: Here is a glitsy but proper half page ad for a Christian organization. ( I can say what follows because I am a card carrying Christian.) On the next page is a full page of small print saying the following but in utter detail and lawyerese type sentences.
"Be advised that use of the information in the ad on the preceding page is likely to lead to personal anxiety, family disorders and possible homelessness. Use of the information should be under the supervision of a well trained professional clergy person or certified lay consultant in religious matters. Results of using the information does not guarantee that advertised results will take place in a timely manner or ever.
"Death may occur if the information is coupled with certain personality disorders or if the information is used while also consuming drugs, alcohol or tea. Social situation are especially dangerous in that by standers may feel led to apply corrective protocols. Home owners or liability insurance may not apply to cases under this circumstance.
"This is a special caution to persons given to enjoying dangerous activities while under the influence of the aforementioned information. The pleasurable sensations are temporary. Prolonged treatment may be prescribed.
"This information is provided by the Department of Religiotropic Treatments - an authorized arm of the ______ Church."
My guess is that people would be fascinated to check out any religious organization that appeared to be interesting and adventurous, even if they were at risk of injury or death. Well, it is just an idea. I am not worried about action on this sure fire winner of a plan. The Heirarchy would no doubt become nervous, preferring boredom to risk.
Consider emulating the pharmaceutical companies who accompany their advertisements with several pages of tiny print explaining all the terrible things that may well accompany the use of their products. Evidently this works since those companies are real money makers and the newspapers and journal that publish their ads are doing okay as well.
Picture this: Here is a glitsy but proper half page ad for a Christian organization. ( I can say what follows because I am a card carrying Christian.) On the next page is a full page of small print saying the following but in utter detail and lawyerese type sentences.
"Be advised that use of the information in the ad on the preceding page is likely to lead to personal anxiety, family disorders and possible homelessness. Use of the information should be under the supervision of a well trained professional clergy person or certified lay consultant in religious matters. Results of using the information does not guarantee that advertised results will take place in a timely manner or ever.
"Death may occur if the information is coupled with certain personality disorders or if the information is used while also consuming drugs, alcohol or tea. Social situation are especially dangerous in that by standers may feel led to apply corrective protocols. Home owners or liability insurance may not apply to cases under this circumstance.
"This is a special caution to persons given to enjoying dangerous activities while under the influence of the aforementioned information. The pleasurable sensations are temporary. Prolonged treatment may be prescribed.
"This information is provided by the Department of Religiotropic Treatments - an authorized arm of the ______ Church."
My guess is that people would be fascinated to check out any religious organization that appeared to be interesting and adventurous, even if they were at risk of injury or death. Well, it is just an idea. I am not worried about action on this sure fire winner of a plan. The Heirarchy would no doubt become nervous, preferring boredom to risk.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Ray Kurzweil and Osama bin Laden
Ray Kurzweil presents his vision of The Singularity. Osama bin Laden presents his vision of The Muslim World. A momentary comparison is helpful.
Moving to a point when computers have more capability than the human mind is the core of Kurzweil's argument - as I understand the message. In the view of Gary Wolf (Wired magazine April 8) the aim of this futurist is to "become a robot - the robots of his dreams are complex, funny, loving machines".
A world where the Qur'an with its message from Allah is the order of the day everywhere appears to be the project for bin Laden. In the view of Michael Scheuer (Marching Toward Hell 2008) the purpose of bin Laden is to do away with American democracy and liberty in that it disrupts the Islamic vision.
Holding these two visions together in the mind is to stretch ambiguity beyond its limits. The attempt to rationalize and make comfortable these viewpoints is doomed to failure in the universe that I experience. And yet I believe it is necessary to explore the territory between these two approaches and discover their message for the human experiment.
Moving to a point when computers have more capability than the human mind is the core of Kurzweil's argument - as I understand the message. In the view of Gary Wolf (Wired magazine April 8) the aim of this futurist is to "become a robot - the robots of his dreams are complex, funny, loving machines".
A world where the Qur'an with its message from Allah is the order of the day everywhere appears to be the project for bin Laden. In the view of Michael Scheuer (Marching Toward Hell 2008) the purpose of bin Laden is to do away with American democracy and liberty in that it disrupts the Islamic vision.
Holding these two visions together in the mind is to stretch ambiguity beyond its limits. The attempt to rationalize and make comfortable these viewpoints is doomed to failure in the universe that I experience. And yet I believe it is necessary to explore the territory between these two approaches and discover their message for the human experiment.
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About Me
- Delton Krueger
- Being in my upper 80s means that I have more experience than energy. This is simply my experience.