The Jotter - issue 32
“One cannot live in a community while sitting on its sidelines.”
Franz Wefel.
Hello,
As the second link today explains - there is a lot wrong with social media. But like all things there is good, there is bad and there is some in between.
This month I had a very good experience.
I don’t use social media to get new business - I use it to interact with interesting people. But sometimes business comes from it.
This month I visited a fine retropsective of Chris Killip’s work (one of my favourite photographers). Over a relaxed pint in a wood-panelled London pub I tweeted that the exhibition was all I had hoped for and more. Two hours later an email arrived from his son who had seen the tweet, visited my website and was impressed with the work I had done on the Saul Leiter Foundation website. He asked if I’d be interested in developing a new website for Chris Killip. I couldn’t say yes fast enough.
What did I take from this? Don’t sit on the sidelines. Be present and positive, interested and open in whichever circles you are in. And opportunities will arise.
That is all.
Onwards
Andrew
01, Allergy to originality
A pithy animation questioning the concept of originality and whether it is, well, unoriginal?
02, Free teddy bears
In today’s attention sapping online world this is a long-ish read, but worth it. It’s about social media with sharp sideswipes at Amazon, SEO, crypto-currency and the lure of free teddy bears.
“Here is how platforms die: first, they are good to their users; then they abuse their users to make things better for their business customers; finally, they abuse those business customers to claw back all the value for themselves. Then, they die.”
03, Unconventional
WD-40 did not patent their product because they would have had to submit their recipe as part of the application.
A patent only lasted for a few years and once it lapsed anyone could have made and sold it. But the secret recipe has been so well kept no-one has been able to work it out 70 years later.
This interesting snippet is brought to you from the Hiut Denim Yearbook. If you want one please be quick. They always sell out and there are only a few left.
04, Advice for a 13 year old
Even if you misguidedly don’t like his music, park your prejudices and please read Nick Cave’s wise Red Hand Files.
In his most recent File, he answers a question from 13 year old. It’s relevant for all ages.
“… be a little vampire running around the place sucking up all the art and ideas you can. Fill yourself with the beautiful stuff of the world. Have fun. Get amazed. Get astonished.”
05, Photography
What I love about Alec Soth’s photobooks is that when I first look at them, I don’t get them. By the 4th time I like them a lot. His most recent book, A Pound of Pictures is such a one. What does it all mean? I’m not sure, but it gets to me in some unfathomable way.
“When burdened by the feeling that there are too many photographs in the world, I ask myself if there are too many flowers.”
“Don’t disparage beginners or hobbyists. Stay in touch with their earnest spirit.”
Alec Soth
06, Personal branding
“When a person aspires to be a brand, they forfeit everything that is truly glorious about being human.”
(Thank you Kim for sharing this article in your excellent newsletter).
07, AI today
Newspapers and thought pieces are full of AI.
Firstly, I shall get on my hobby horse - it’s not artificial intelligence. It’s machine learning.
Secondly, this article in the Guardian shares examples of how it is being used today (rather than speculating about how it might change our world in the future).
08, Work.
Two websites have been launched this week.
Clifton Contemporary Art Gallery is in the heart of Clifton Village in Bristol. They had a Wordpress site which was well past its sell-by date. Their new design is suitably contemporary to reflect the gallery name.
Church Farm Cottages is perfectly located self catering holiday accommodation on a farm half way between Bath and Bradford on Avon where you can herd sheep or tend to their lambs if you want.
Thank you for reading the February Jotter. The next issue will appear as the daffodils bloom and two days before the clocks spring forward on Friday 24th March at 11am .
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.”