Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Of burned books and useless skills

1. In this age of library cuts and closures (in civilisation), a short film that made my day. Well, the link is to the pitch. The film is finished (I have seen it!) but am told the makers haven't yet shared it with the wider universe. Wait.

2. Meanwhile in non-civilisation, a friend is moving and is giving away a bunch of books. No, not the first edition Dumas (not yet, anyway) but an assorted collection of everything from Faulkner to James to well W Smith, Follett and Ludlum*. After a couple of NGOs who came to pick up other stuff refused to take any of the books, we called the local lending library. Yes, the same sort of people who fleeced our parents in our childhood by charging up to 15% of the cost as reading fees but well, we were desperate. The chap came yesterday, checked the books out and said resignedly that he will take them. He then went on this rant about how kids don't want to read anything anymore. Apparently they all come and borrow books right before Saraswati puja so that they can keep them under the golu and promptly bring them back after the event. Seriously. What is the world coming to?

3. I have also been politely chastised by above-mentioned friend who informed me that Shakespeare is not a 21st century skill and hence I should stop this nonsense right now.






*I know but have been told recently by certain people in their dotage, that these R Ludlum, S Sheldon, J Archer types are very much underrated. Ahem.

3 comments:

Space Bar said...

Shakespeare is like a secret handshake - you should be careful who you choose to include in the charmed circle.

Veena said...

Charmed and useless, I am told!

Ludwig said...

> R Ludlum, S Sheldon, J Archer
> types are very much underrated

The wisdom of those in dotage is not to be sneezed at. Genuflect, woman. Genuflect.