The Jotter - issue 31
“Creativity is people who care enough to keep thinking about something until they find the simplest way to do it.”
Tim Cook, CEO Apple.
Hello,
Is the tide turning?
Last week our monthly BoA Business breakfast had the best turnout since pre-lockdown. A couple of weeks ago, Simon Hare’s entertaining and inspirational Rooster Talk at The Glove Factory was also the busiest it’s been since pre-lockdown. Today I am at my local co-working space and more desks are being used than before.
Is this indicative of a wider trend? Are more people getting back into the habit of going out into the world to meet interesting people and exchange ideas?
I hope so.
Especially now because Jim Hughes and I are starting a series of monthly talks from Wednesday 22nd February upstairs at the Dandy Lion. Where people share original ideas and provoke new ways of thinking through stories. If you are nearby you would be very welcome to come along. It’s free!
Onwards
Andrew
01, Computers can’t cry
There has been a lot of chat about ChatGPT (an AI assistant which writes text answers to anything you ask).
Microsoft are so impressed they have just invested $10 billion dollars into its development.
Writers are worried that jobs will be lost, teachers are worried that students will paste its answers into essays, while others think that the end of the world is nigh.
George Tannenbaum doesn’t agree for one simple reason… computers can’t cry.
Which led me to an article by Vicki Ross and these words:
“Robots can be programmed to write ordinary lines, but they can’t be programmed to write extraordinary lines.”
02, Branding
I’ve missed the National Portrait Gallery. It has been closed for refurbishment and is due to open in June with this lovely new branding.
© National Portrait Gallery
The new logo is based on an original sketch made in 1893 by the Gallery's first director, Sir George Scharf.
© National Portrait Gallery
03, Thoughts
For 24 days in December, a thought provoking short essay by an anonymous writer is published on I thought about that alot. It will make you think.
04, Writing
Continuing on the theme of writing in the face of the AI bandwagon…
In 1982, David Ogilvy shared these timeless tips on how to write.
1. Read the Roman-Raphaelson book on writing. Read it three times.
2. Write the way you talk. Naturally.
3. Use short words, short sentences and short paragraphs.
4. Never use jargon words like reconceptualize, demassification, attitudinally, judgmentally. They are hallmarks of a pretentious ass.
5. Never write more than two pages on any subject.
6. Check your quotations.
7. Never send a letter or a memo on the day you write it. Read it aloud the next morning—and then edit it.
8. If it is something important, get a colleague to improve it.
9. Before you send your letter or your memo, make sure it is crystal clear what you want the recipient to do.
10. If you want ACTION, don’t write. Go and tell the guy what you want.
And here is a bonus from Ralph Dartford - “Remove unnecessary words that you don’t need in sentences.”
06, Photography
“I feel for this generation.”
Robert Darch follows up on his evocative book ‘Vale’ with these enigmatic, brooding photos.
Please click to enlarge. It’s worth it.
07, Music
Seven years ago, on 10th January 2016, the wise and talented David Bowie died. This website tells you what he was doing at your age (if you are younger than 69).
“The truth is, of course, that there is no journey. We are arriving and departing all at the same time.”
David Bowie
08, Filling up your inspiration tank.
Last week, Ian Sanders asked “how are you getting your inspiration this year?”
09, Work.
This month I have made good progress with a new website for Church Farm Cottages (who offer some very nice holiday accommodation near Bradford on Avon), a major update to Humble Bee Films new website and started work on a new website for a renewable energy consultant.
Thank you for reading the January Jotter. The next one will magically appear on Friday 24th February at 11am. In the interim, enjoy Pancake Day and here’s some advice from Sue Heatherington on why we don’t celebrate the first pancake.
Onwards
Andrew
“When burdened by the feeling that there are too many photographs in the world, I ask myself if there are too many flowers.”