KNOWLEDGE
Posted by anthonynorth on May 1, 2009
Including Sunday Scribblings, Friday Flash 55, One Single Impression
and Tell a Tale. Have you had a go yet?
PROF ISAAC GALISTEIN
Knowledge
Historically knowledge has come in three main forms – the spiritual,
philosophical and scientific. And no matter how much it changes
within these categories, it always defines the society devising the
knowledge. This is an important point, ‘cos it seems to me that
knowledge says more about us than the universe.
EDITORIAL
This post is in two parts – newspaper and magazine. Take your pick or
read both. It is also a debating platform for any issues raised. Do join
in. I do 3 posts a week like this so do call back regularly.
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Eye On the World – Choose an Essay
BRIT NEWS: Petition on website gets
200,000 sigs – for Brown to resign. I usually
don’t like this kind of thing, but he just doesn’t get it.
CRIME NEWS: Community Prosecuters may be used to liaise
with the public locally, easing fears about crime. Sounds like
more spin to me.
WORLD NEWS: Obama’s 100 days in office have been met with a
mass media love fest here in the UK. Hey, Brits! He isn’t our leader.
WE haven’t got one.
BRIT NEWS: City banker bonuses will be halved this year – only £7bn.
Excuse me!!? The decent thing would be for NO bonuses, but they
don’t get it.
CULTURE NEWS: The two most photographed landmarks are Paris’
Eiffel Tower & London’s Trafalgar Square. Glad to see the
pigeon perch near the top.
GREEN NEWS: One virtually unreported effect of
Recession is number of abandoned pets.
Shows how far down the list animal
love can be for some.
Call back Mon for more NewsFlash
CAMPAIGN TRAIL
(Keep scrolling down for poetry/fiction)
Here I feature campaigns & alternative news sites. Please check
them out. Bloggers can make a difference, so why not write about a
campaign? Your blog can be part of something bigger, bringing
bloggers and campaigners together as one.
Bloggers Unite
Join in & blog on many campaigns
Amnesty International
Campaign for human rights here
Greenpeace
Campaigning for the environment
Daily Grail
For alternative & unexplained news
SCRIBBLING ON
You know it’s the write way
TACTILE WORDS
Touch!
Words in all their majesty,
Communicating thoughts from you to me,
Touching our minds, making us whole,
Abstract thought their ultimate goal;
Touch!
Modelling our world through concept true,
Written words pass from me to you,
Ethereal in their conceptual van,
But leaving a world that we can …
Touch!
FLASH 55 – BOOKMARE
Fiction: He stood in the bookshop, browsing. Picking up a book, he
opened it. At that point he seemed to pass through the bookcase.
He found himself fighting gnomes and fairytale warriors to save the
realm from the evil queen. Replacing the book, the assistant asked,
‘have you decided?’ ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘anything but CS Lewis.’
CONFESSION
Confess!! Did you do that?
All was life, and then splat!
Confess!! All was going well,
But then you had to tell;
Confess!! You’re so sly,
Was it you? But why?
Confess!!
‘Twas me
But what is that you call?
Bang your head upon the wall?
‘Twas only a story, after all
SILENCE
Fiction: The jetty seemed to disappear into the fog; into nothingness.
The whole scene was silent, lifeless, eerie. I pictured it in my mind
and wondered: what now? What fate awaited the people? Indeed,
what people? And then I realised. There was silence no more as the
ideas flowed to the keyboard, and the people, the sea, the boats
exploded into life. The story would go on.
© Anthony North, April 2009
SCRIBBLERS’ NEWS
Check out my Writers’ Tips posts
Here we go with another Scribblers’ News. Is it proving useful?
I’m trying to do my bit to help advertise the prompt sites, as
too many have been disappearing. Can anyone think of other ways
of doing so? Let me know of any news or new sites.
Inspire Me Thursday
The word is: umbrella
Write Anything
Good source for tips & Fiction Friday
American Sandwich
Three lines of 17 syllables. Have a go.
Tell a Tale
See the pic and write about: silence
Acrostic Only
Have you tried the Acrostic yet?
Friday Flash 55
Write a story in 55 words
Meme Express
You’ll find a daily meme here
Call back Mon for more prompts
SandyCarlson said
I like your list of the prompts. Maybe this weekend I will create a list in a blogroll for my blog and keep it near the top.
Trafalgar is second to the Tower? Very cool.
Have a great Friday, Anthony.
anthonynorth said
Hi Sandy,
Yes, good idea. I think it’s good to do all we can to advertise the prompt sites. They offer us so much.
Dr. John said
Found your 55. Well done. Interesting ending.
My 55 is posted.
Hootin' Anni said
Loved your C S Lewis Fiction today Anthony.
My ‘55′ is posted. Scroll down on the Friday blog or use the link provided at the very top! Have a great weekend.
Lou said
I wish I was retired, I would spend lazy days exploring your fascinating site.
Your 55 was clever. Very enjoyable!
Linda may said
G’day, Tony, You seem to say so much with just a few well chosen words. Clever.
I am back in Tell a Tale this week.
Selma said
Well, I love ‘BookMare’. That is just fabulous. I used to think that actually happened when I was a child. So good!
Lulda Casadaga said
Great 55! and i love the “Silence” piece. Transported right out to sea!!
anthonynorth said
Hi Dr John,
Thanks for that. Glad you enjoyed it.
Hi Hootin’ Anni,
Many thanks. I’m sure he’d love to read CS Lewis eventually
Hi Lou,
Very kind words. Much appreciated.
Hi Linda,
I must admit I don’t like unnecessary words. I’m a bit of a minimalist like that.
Hi Selma,
Thanks for that. You mean it didn’t?
Hi Lulda Casadaga,
For some reason your comment was snatched by the Great WordPress Comment Eater, but I saved it from its jaws
Thanks for the kind words.
Comedy Plus said
Loved your Flash 55. Awesome ending as well.
Have a terrific day and weekend Anthony.
anthonynorth said
Hi Sandee,
Many thanks. Flash fiction is such fun
Mojo, NC, USA said
Sounded more like Lewis Carroll than CS Lewis to me!
Akelamalu said
I LOVE your 55! Transporting us to another place is exactly what a good book should do and you told it perfectly.
anthonynorth said
Hi Mojo,
Yes, it certainly has images of Carroll, but I replaced the wardrobe with a bookcase, as in Narnia
Hi Akelamalu
Thanks for the kind words. Much appreciated.
G-Man said
He probably purchased DH Lawrence instead.
Hehehehe…
Excellent 55 Anthony!!
Thank you so much for wonderful offering.
Thanks for visiting other 55’s as well.
Have a Great Week-End….G
anthonynorth said
Hi G-Man,
Thanks for that. I’ll have to think one up about Lawrence, without any mention of Chatterley, of course
mona said
tactile words are such an interesting concept. Its true, words can effect you the same way as touch can!
Twilight said
“Silence” reminds me of how I feel when I approach the job of drafting a daily blog.
More often than not it explodes (or splutters in my case) into life, occasionally the silence overwhelms.
Re your first snippet “Knowledge” – would you say that spiritual and philosophical thought is really knowledge ? I’m obtusely of the view that those categories are only capable of providing opinion or supposition, or theory.
But I agree, whatever word is used says a lot about us.
amias said
Anthony I haven’t had much time for blogging of late, but I had to take a break from work and come here …
You blow me away with your pen. “Silence” was so full of life I had to get up out of my seat and give you a standing ovation!
anthonynorth said
Hi Mona,
Very true. And the touch of good words can be life changing.
Hi Twilight,
That’s a good explanation of the writing process. As for knowledge, does science produce truth? Not sure about that, which leaves it not far removed from spiritual or philosophical knowledge. As for the latter – democracy, human rights, common law, moral code – oh, and science.
All to do with us, of course.
Hi Amias,
Thankyou for those kind words. Makes it all worthwhile.
tAn said
Here am I, Anthony, with my story for Tell a Tale…
Thus Wrote Tan!
Please have a look and let me know if it matches with the prompt!
Jim said
Tactile words will work for next week too! “I like it, sticks and stones may break my bones but words cannot hurt me.”
We are in Honfleur, France, for tonight and tomorrow night.
..
anthonynorth said
Hi Tan,
I’ll be round.
Hi Jim,
It’s a long time since I’ve heard that saying. But when they’re written down, the world can change. I hope you’re enjoying yourself in Honfleur. Wasn’t there a major battle there?
lucy said
nice confession !
Dee said
All wonderful but I have to confess – Bookmare is my favorite!
Linda G said
Hi Anthony,
Re the banker bonuses- while back there was a big blow up here when AIG paid huge retention bonuses to the very group that brought the company down. Said they needed to retain them so they could each close their individual books. The public was rightly outraged.
Congress requested the bonuses be returned. Nope! Congress then passed a punitive tax on those particular bonuses. Hah!
Turns out most of the bonuses were paid to employees at the London branch & they’re in essence untouchable.
So I wonder if the public was being played- Congress must have know the bonuses were beyond our reach.
anthonynorth said
Hi Lucy,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
Hi Dee,
Many thanks. Yes, that one seems to be going down well.
Hi Linda,
I’m certain of it. You see, the modern western political system can only go against Big Biz to a certain point. At the end of the day, govt relies totally on it for an economy, and thus their power. And even when the entire economy collapses, this bond is still there.
paisley said
a delight across the board…
anthonynorth said
Hi Paisley,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
Donnetta Lee said
Morning, Anthony. Thanks for stopping by my little blog. I really enjoyed the CS Lewis 55er. Very neat blog. I must come back and visit more! D
anthonynorth said
Hi Donnetta,
Thanks for the kind words, and welcome. Look forward to seeing you again.
AD said
you are so darn good with prompts.
it is a little dis heartening when i wanna do mine
thank god i never come here before mine is done!
anthonynorth said
Hi AD,
A lovely comment which is much appreciated. I hope I don’t really dishearten you
Linda G said
Hi Anthony,
Thought of you when I realized my anemia is back again- will probably be going for IV treatment again, which helped alot.
Do you have any problem with anemia with your cfs? I can totally symphathize with the totally tired feeling- I’m really dragging lately. Bah humbug- thought it was gone.
Granny Smith said
I especially like the poems and the “Silence” story. Thank you for keeping us abreast of so many important things. As an American, I don’t relate to all the purely English concerns, although I always find them interesting? And what do you think about our new vibrant young president?
anthonynorth said
Hi Linda,
Luckily I don’t suffer with anemia, but I can certainly relate to the tiredness, and my wife suffers from anemia from time to time. It is no fun, and I sympathise. Hope you’re ok again soon.
Hi Granny Smith,
Thanks for the kind words. As for Obama, I hope he proves good for America and the world, but from his first appearance he reminded me of Blair over here – who, in the opinion of many, destroyed much of the tradition of this country.
I suppose the moral is: never trust a politician you like. They are politicians after all.
Tumblewords said
Indeed, it was only a story, after all…nice work!
anthonynorth said
Hi Tumblewords,
Thanks for that. Of course, I forgot to point out that stories define us
Nathalie (Spacedlaw) said
I got derailed in my reading the Tactile poem by the Bookmare story…
anthonynorth said
Hi Nathalie,
Yes, my posts have a habit of doing that. Hoped you liked it
Edward S. Gault said
Thank you so much for your list of those other prompt site last week, I tried American Sandwich alredy a couple of times, and will probably have anothergo at it this week!
Very helpful.
(wait the bankers got 7b in bonuses!? didn’t they learn any thing from the French Revolution?)
anthonynorth said
Hi Edward,
I’m pleased it’s proving useful. I feature well over 20 now throughout the week, and it’s growing.
I love your last comment
SandyCarlson said
Words are a form of contact. I really like this, Anthony.
Bluebethley said
I barely made it past your introduction before checking out the link to Storyteller. Thanks as always for inspiring and for writing. I enjoy your whimsey. The line about C.S. Lewis made me laugh out loud!
sue said
like your take on “tactile” — words do have a physical, even visceral effect sometimes, touching us in tangible ways.
anthonynorth said
Hi Sandy,
Thanks for that. Yes, they’re vital things.
Hi Bluebethley,
I’m pleased the links are proving useful, and that I provided a bit of fun
Hi Sue,
Indeed true – they can have an incredible effect. Many thanks.
Maggie said
Tony,
Just want to let you know I was here and your words sure “Touched” me…thanks.
anthonynorth said
Hi Maggie,
Thanks for that. This is what makes it all worthwhile.
patois said
I had no idea Trafalgar was way up there. Shows how little I know, I confess. I’ll also confess to always enjoying reading your wide array of items each time.
Geraldine said
I like your tactile words Tony. And I so appreciate the prompt list (wish I had time to be a participant in more than I do!)
Happy Sunday and Hugs, G
anthonynorth said
Hi Patois,
Many thanks.
That’s the kind of confession I like
Hi Geraldine,
Thanks for that. The prompt list seems to be going down well.
Quietpaths said
Touch truly does bring it all home to the heart, doesn’t it? You piece is so positive.
anthonynorth said
Hi Quietpaths,
Many thanks. I find writing such a positive thing to do.
Jim said
Hi Anthony, I am sure your words that you leave behind will be remembered by your loved ones and perhaps some of your readers that they touched.
Good thoughts,
..
danni said
gee, everything is like a yummy smorgasbord this week – don’t know where to start — loved your flash 55 fiction, and your verses on touching and confession – you certainly do reach out and touch my mind in a very real way – but i have to say my favourite piece was about the jetty scene – the imagery did a real 180 as it followed along with your writing – you are a real talented dude, dude!!!
anthonynorth said
Hi Jim,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated, I do hope so
Hi Danni,
Many thanks for those lovely words. Very kind.
floreta said
i like your touch poem a lot! it even seems to relate to ‘knowledge’. it is interesting how we construct things.. i think religion is man-made, for example.
b said
Tony…have you seen this prompt sight? The prompt is called Only the Good Fridays.
http://thiseclecticlife.com/only-the-good-friday/comment-page-1/#comment-16575
b
My confession at Senior Life Style…
http://orencostation.blogspot.com
b said
I am adding you to my blogrolls on all my blogs. I am finding this blog more and more useful. Good job.
b
texasblu said
Anthony,
Why do the Brits love Obama so much? Here, even the media is not sunshine and roses over our current administration. But I wanted to know your opinion on that – I had heard it elsewhere too. The British love, I mean.
Love that Tactile poem!
anthonynorth said
Hi Floreta,
Yes, knowledge is always a big part of ourselves, I’m sure.
Hi B,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
Hi Texasblu,
Well, first of all, it happens in reverse – for instance, Blair was hated by so many over here, but loved in the US. And then there’s the love of the underdog that underscores so much Brit culture. We just cannot resist it, going right back to the ballads of Robin Hood.
if said
you are so direct Anthony!
Story Teller said
I’m happy to have read your story for TaT and the other ones too. It took some time for me to understand the way you write. I liked it enough.
Thanks for participating. The First contest at Tell a Tale is on in 2 days time. Will look forward to your participation. Best of luck.
anthonynorth said
Hi If,
I do try to be. I find it the best way.
Hi Story Teller,
Thanks for that.
Melanie-bd said
Tony, as I have said before you are hard man to find. So many posting under one title. Wanted to tell you I just loved your “Touched” poem as well as others. Please know I do come by to see what you are up though I am often unwell and do not post. It’s hard to read the poems and write your own. Sometimes I do not respond. I try hard to keep up with all of you wonderful writers. Well done my friend.
love, Melanie-bd
Tumblewords said
Tactile – a great touch… The words tell of a special world.
anthonynorth said
Hi Melanie,
Thanks for that. Yes, it is often hard to keep up.
Hi Tumblewords,
They do indeed. Many thanks.
texasblu said
Ah… well that must be where I get it from then… my British roots.
Thanks for answering – it is an interesting phenomenon – having a world wide stage.
Kilauea Poetry said
Tactile- and I like the way you passed them here(smiles)..and I confess that these were very good as usual- spiked with the informative! Nice Anthony-
anthonynorth said
Hi Texasblu,
Those British roots do strange things, I find
Hi Kilauea Poetry,
Thanks for that. I’m pleased you liked them. Much appreciated.
Beth Patterson said
Your words always are tactile, Anthony!
I like your verbosity. Glad you have the time and talent to be so prolific!
Thanks, as always–
anthonynorth said
Hi Beth,
Thanks for that. Too kind as always.
Patti said
I liked the tactile poem- great interpretation on this prompt! Well said and so very true
anthonynorth said
Hi Patti,
Thanks for that. I’m pleased you liked it.