There’s not a lot left of 2012. Within a few hours it will have been consigned to history, albeit a very clear history owing to the millions of instagrams, billions of tweets and trillions of irrevocable, bare assed, Facebook entries that will make light work for archaeologists of the future. They will not have to struggle to uncover the hidden meaning of runic scratchings and pictograms as every tiny facet of human life will have been catalogued, both pictorially and in the words and hieroglyphs of every nation and people on our planet. There’s never been such a repository of knowledge but unfortunately it manifests itself as a rubbish dump and we become like the scavengers of Mumbai, threading a careful path to avoid being contaminated by the worst of the waste, but sometimes having to rummage elbow deep to uncover a simple piece of information that is rarely to be found on the surface. I have read that the rubbish scavengers of Manila fear a world without waste. I don’t think they need to worry as we seem to be very good at producing it both physically and mentally. It would appear that the wonder of the internet has induced a cerebral incontinence in mankind that is making a dreadful mess. “Going viral” becomes more and more apposite.
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Hmm. there’s not a lot left of that slice of tart (or is it a shallow cake?).
What you say reminds me of something I read years ago by Neil Postman in his book “Technopoly”, and which I’ve coincidentally just quoted in my own blog. The gist is that, in spite of the good that technology brings, there are costs greater than we can imagine.
A bit like fire and the wheel.
I prefer the expression “We know a technology is mature when we start using it for junk purposes.”
Happy new year Roger and Jenny.
That says it for me. Happy New Year to you and Suzanne:)
Too much of a good thing? All the best for 2013. Looking forward to more from France.
Many thanks, and happy New Year to you too:)
And here is to virality !
On 31 Dec 2012, at 12:43, “Food, Photography & France” <comment-reply@wordpress.com> wrote:
Hurrah for a good virus. Happy New Year, Dick:)
Beautiful photograph. Your thoughts echo, something I have been thinking about, just how much people will know about us in years to come. I too several days off from an online presence and I feel much the better for it. Happy New Year Roger may 2013 be crackin for you and yours!
Thanks, Nicky. Have a good one yourself:)
Too much of a good (or perhaps bad?) thing sometimes methinks. All good wishes to you and Jenny!
I can imagine you shopping in Maison Bertaux in the olden days…
Nice background
Happy New Year
How funny. I’d forgotten Maison Bertaux. Every birthday at the studio involved a cake from there. Happy New Year, MD:)
I knew it!
Excellent:)
Lucky 2013 to you and Jenny, Roger. May it be filled with a little less noise.
Many thanks, Andra. Happy New Year to you and MTM:)
I don’t think there will be anything for the archeologists other that plastic. If the internet ceases to exist – and it cannot go on the way it is – governments are desperate to intervene, electricity as we know it is not sustainable, computers are made in third world countries, micro chips in the way of tidal waves, then all this blinding inconsequence will be snuffed in the splash of an magnetic wave and we will sigh with relief and retreat once more to our photo albums and hand written diaries with a lovely glass of red and narry an energy drink is sight. . Now, where did that come from? I meant to write something witty and revealing.. Am I tired? Print your best shots, that is all I know.. have a lovely last slice of 12.. 13 is going to be grand!! c
I like the way you’re thinking, and your optimistic pessimism. Have a great 2013 down on the farm where it’s as real as it gets:)
Very well put Roger, and the part about the rubbish scavengers in Mumbai is thought-provoking and poignant. There’s such a lot to sift through these days . . . and the attention span is becoming increasingly compromised. Congratulations to all who got this far in this comment!
To some quality rubbish in 2013!
Nice reply. Always to good to hear from you, Andy. Have a good 2013:)
I do often wonder what people will think of us when they look back a few hundred years. Or will the lowest common denominator have sunk so low as to make us look brilliant? The Snooki factor is not a very high bar!
I think the specific gravity of the lowest common denominator is quite high! Have a good 2013:)
Yes it is! Happy New Year.
There is something about your cynicism that always makes me literally laugh and smile. That’s a gift. A cynical, wonderful gift! LOL!
Thanks, Leta. Someone liking my work makes me smile. Have a very happy and successful New Year:)
Ahhh Roger, let them eat cake! Here’s to more musings in 2013! I’ll have a glass of bubbly for you tonight!
All the best, Marina. Have a wonderful 2013:)
Have an absolutely lovely evening with Jenny as you ring in the New Year. I’m looking forward to more lovely photos in 2013 along with your thoughtful posts.
Many thanks,Karen. I’ve woken up to a sunny 2013 morning which bodes well:)
Happy New Year, Roger!
Happy New Year to you too:)
RIght now, “going viral” has a completely different — and much more personal — meaning for me. I wonder if “going antibiotic’ will catch on.
I hope you and Jenny have a wonderful New Year, Roger.
Bed, [innocent] liquids, antibiotics and a good book instead of the ruddy computer, John!!
Love “going antibiotic”, John. Don’t be surprised if you see that in one of my posts. Looks like antibiotics have gone viral:)
Fearing I shall be adding to the waste if brevity is not the criterion here [
!] may I just wish you and your wife a 2013 to enjoy! Oh, my year is 12 hours old and has not bitten me in a certain place as yet!!
Happy New Year to you – let’s hope it’ll be a good one:)
Happy New Year Roger and Jenny
Looking forward to more words of wisdom associated with food photos in 2013.
Enjoy the remaining slice of cake.
Mary
Happy New Year to you too, Mary. Hope 2013 holds good things for your wine business:)
In this virtual, online community I wish you many ordinary moments in 2013
I’m looking for EXTRAordinary! Happy New Year:)
I bet that cake has been consigned to history by now! Happy New Year Roger!
Certainly has, Tom. Hope you had a good evening. Happy New Year:)
Oh, yes.. and never has any child’s life been more photographed, recorded, written up and enscribed.. I can’t wait for the backlash when they all shut off their phones! Do you think it will happen? A friend of mine put away his iphone and bought a cheap flip phone so he could disconnect and reduce his technology addiction.. interesting… But then, we would never have met..
I’ve done the same with my phone. In fact I’ve only ever had a cheap phone. I’m happy with the occasional blog and a tweet now and then. Looking forward to your posts of the coming year. Have a wonderful 2013:)