Macmillan publishers announced earlier in November that it's closing a self-publishing platform it recently acquired. This ending for Pronoun, an experimental endeavor, hangs in the air like an odd teaser in the literary world.
While it's been suggested that Macmillan purchased the self-publisher in order to close it down, any financial interest in doing so for the sake of taking down a self publisher isn't apparent. Information seems to indicate that, despite a respectable effort at continuing to offer some form of the progressively-aimed publisher, readers just weren't expected to pick up on the new venture in a way that would support further investment.
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Thursday, November 30, 2017
Happy Birthday Mark Twain, born 1835 November 30
A favorite author to many, Mark Twain lived from 1835-1910.
Born and raised in Missouri when slavery was practiced openly both domestically and as a means of production in parts of the United States, much of his well-known written work reflects the cadence of Missourian lifestyles during that time. Some of that work has long been challenged, censored and banned under certain circumstances due to its politically challenging nature and offense to the sense of modern humanity. Racial content reflected in Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" for example, has been determined by some as too uncomfortable to be appropriate for students.
Twain freely traveled often, and made his possible contributions to the world around him. Formal education had been cut short for him after his father's death at Twain's age eleven, when those around him still knew him as Samuel Clemens. Young Samuel gained employment instead, but was able to remain close to his talents and interests through work. He gained further education via public libraries in his spare time. Knowledge gained as well from a lifetime of travel (during a time of slow news and locally-curbed information) lent a great deal of perspective to his own unique brand of storytelling.
The particular experiences met by Samuel Clemens in a developing world ultimately led to his legendary status as a U.S. native, writer and author of valuable, telling, and impressionable works-- writings that collectively cast a reflective eye on human conduct in that world. Notably, Mark Twain's writing continues to echo memories of a younger nation, unified-yet-separate, as its inhabitants lived and toiled.
Born and raised in Missouri when slavery was practiced openly both domestically and as a means of production in parts of the United States, much of his well-known written work reflects the cadence of Missourian lifestyles during that time. Some of that work has long been challenged, censored and banned under certain circumstances due to its politically challenging nature and offense to the sense of modern humanity. Racial content reflected in Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" for example, has been determined by some as too uncomfortable to be appropriate for students.
Twain freely traveled often, and made his possible contributions to the world around him. Formal education had been cut short for him after his father's death at Twain's age eleven, when those around him still knew him as Samuel Clemens. Young Samuel gained employment instead, but was able to remain close to his talents and interests through work. He gained further education via public libraries in his spare time. Knowledge gained as well from a lifetime of travel (during a time of slow news and locally-curbed information) lent a great deal of perspective to his own unique brand of storytelling.
The particular experiences met by Samuel Clemens in a developing world ultimately led to his legendary status as a U.S. native, writer and author of valuable, telling, and impressionable works-- writings that collectively cast a reflective eye on human conduct in that world. Notably, Mark Twain's writing continues to echo memories of a younger nation, unified-yet-separate, as its inhabitants lived and toiled.
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
Apple ad "What's a computer?"- Some say 'brilliant', some "insulting"
Apple Inc. ad campaign rubs respondents the wrong way as it asks, "What's a computer?"
The ad, one of a themed group developed starting in 2016, represents and targets those familiar with iPads, tablets, smartphones and notebooks (and iPhone, Blackberry and Android) rather than Macs, PCs, or laptops . . . concepts more familiar to the aging population.
The former audience identifies with newer terminology more than any concept-- however advanced-- of 'computer adding machines', and Apple marketing seems to prompt everyone's interest with it's latest ads by stirring positive and negative emotions, the latter perhaps unwittingly. The messaging strikes chords melodic and flat, in those who approve and disapprove alike. A quick review of comments under the [original] video above quickly exposes a healthy dislike of the reference to disappearance of "computers".
The fact is that Apple is hot onto the marketing appeals of convenience, communication, and the downsize-trend of personal computer use. While, technically, the smaller, portable devices may be considered computers, they exist, and are classified, by completely different qualities.
Product focus article by Chance Miller details the ad focus, iPad Pro, and receives similar comments to those mentioned above: Apple Challenges definition of a PC . . .
The ad, one of a themed group developed starting in 2016, represents and targets those familiar with iPads, tablets, smartphones and notebooks (and iPhone, Blackberry and Android) rather than Macs, PCs, or laptops . . . concepts more familiar to the aging population.
The former audience identifies with newer terminology more than any concept-- however advanced-- of 'computer adding machines', and Apple marketing seems to prompt everyone's interest with it's latest ads by stirring positive and negative emotions, the latter perhaps unwittingly. The messaging strikes chords melodic and flat, in those who approve and disapprove alike. A quick review of comments under the [original] video above quickly exposes a healthy dislike of the reference to disappearance of "computers".
The fact is that Apple is hot onto the marketing appeals of convenience, communication, and the downsize-trend of personal computer use. While, technically, the smaller, portable devices may be considered computers, they exist, and are classified, by completely different qualities.
Product focus article by Chance Miller details the ad focus, iPad Pro, and receives similar comments to those mentioned above: Apple Challenges definition of a PC . . .
Thursday, November 23, 2017
Thanksgiving 2017
There are challenges in any year, but now's our time to recognize the positives of the last. We should celebrate ourselves and the places we've been and hold dear in this world. Recognize the exciting times we're in, and the possibilities of a future that's yet to arrive. Anything can happen. Have a happy Thanksgiving weekend.
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