BEYOND THE BLOG

I've moved to anthonynorth.com

  • Categories

  • Archives

  • Calendar

    September 2010
    M T W T F S S
    « Aug   Oct »
     12345
    6789101112
    13141516171819
    20212223242526
    27282930  

JACK THE RIPPER

Posted by anthonynorth on September 18, 2010

Microfiction Monday, ABC Wednesday, more prompts below
Try my Paranormal Flash now!

houses-of-parliament3

POLLY TICKS

Microfiction: Be free and walk in white
man’s shoes, they were told. He carried
the shoes, not knowing, yet, whether
freedom is what they had.

JACK THE RIPPER

Jack the Ripper killed at least 5 prostitutes around Whitechapel,
London, in 1888. Or did he? Forensics of the time said he did. Letters
sent said he did. But the reality is, forensics was in its infancy, and no
one letter gives detail of more than one murder. And prostitutes were
being killed all the time. As I see it, we have 5 separate murders, some
of the killers sending letters to put the police off the scent as fear of a
monster began to grow. Jack the Ripper never existed – he was simply
a brilliant example of media hype.

I’m now on Facebook

newsflash

WORLD NEWS: Think tank says
threat from Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan
is exaggerated. It wasn’t at first, but it is
now. Any administration always has a need to
sensationalise a demon more than it should be. It helps
to keep people frightened and needing control.

HEALTH NEWS: Ofsted advises 1000s of pupils in England are
wrongly labelled as special needs. I often worry about the rise of
‘conditions’ nowadays. I don’t deny their reality, but in defining them
do we create much of the problem?

WORLD NEWS: As the pope visits the UK, a reflection. We hear a
lot about paedophile priests, but let’s remember the vast
majority of priests have done good work. But does
this extend to the Vatican? Apart from
patronage of art, I cannot think
of one good thing it has
done in history.

beta-robot

FUTURE ZONE

What’s ahead … and Beyond!!!

One Single Impression
Friday Flash 55Writer’s Island
One Shot Wednesday

JOIE DE VIVRE

To feel the warmth through gentle breeze,
Radiant sun, how much you please,
I smile at life, joyful, renewed,
Such moments – perfect – thoughts imbued;
Emotion chips make androids thrive,
Pity humans no longer feel so alive

FLASH 55 – MONSTER VOYAGE

Sci Fi: They’d wondered about awareness on such a long space
voyage. Were they conscious in any meaningful way as the alien ship
came alongside? Clearly they all died as the monsters came aboard –
violently – setting off the alarms and bringing them out of suspended
animation. A fearful dream, they were ready as the ship came
alongside …

FISHERMAN

Plastic bags and oily sludge,
Killed all the fish in the sea, as such,
But there was a myth that there was one,
Still in tune with Earth’s natural song,
He sat in the boat for ever more,
Rod of tears, sunken jaw

FISHER OF …

Catch another from its land,
Resplendant light lends a hand,
Fishing for everything there is,
In this glorious universal fizz,
Mix to form a peaceful stew,
Join the alien abduction queue

© Anthony North, September 2010

Try my Pictures of Life, a novel

Advertisement

120 Responses to “JACK THE RIPPER”

  1. Brian said

    Good morning Anthony. Getting ready for work, eating breakfast; all the boring stuff. Bet you’re thrilled. :)

  2. Hi Brian,
    I’m always thrilled – especially by the first comment on a post. Keep well ;-)

  3. Trisha said

    fantastic collection again. i have seen a documentary on jack the ripper, it was interesting but they too sounded like you. some mysteries never get solved.

  4. Hi Anthony, the question of was it reality or a dream, I like that! Interesting theory about Jack the Ripper, wonder if you’re correct. Enjoyed all your small stuff today!!!! :)

  5. Deborah said

    It took me a little while to get used to the way your blog was set out, but now I have, it’s always a pleasure to visit, it’s like a writing buffet … just brilliant!

  6. Writing buffet: I like that. And I am enthrlled by your take on the Writers Island prompt. You’ve carried on the mood from the Last Redwood prompt.

  7. Excellent response to the prompt! =)

    -Weasel

  8. Hi Trisha,
    Thanks for that. And even when a mystery is solved, it’s a little sad.

    Hi Eaton,
    Many thanks. The problem is it is unlikely ever to proved one way or the other.

    Hi Deborah,
    Yes, it can be confusing at first. Many thanks for those kind words.

    Hi Viv,
    Many thanks. Yes, it is a similar theme. And green is so important.

    Hi Weasel,
    Thanks for that.

  9. Mary said

    Very nicely done, Anyhony. Mixing to form a peaceful stew would be good!

  10. Hi Mary,
    Thanks for that. It certainly would.

  11. 1sojournal said

    As usual, Anthony, your words demand that I think, ouch.

    About definitions being a problem. Of course they are. Far better to look beyond the specific definition to the maker of said definition and what might be gained by making it.

    You said that the Vatican’s one good contribution was patronage of the Arts. I beg to differ, their patronage was decidedly patriarchal in view and attitude and helped to retain a very narrow view of woman far longer than it was necessary. Guess that means Vatican 0.

    I very much liked your take on The Fisherman. You took a timeless piece and gave it a very necessary contemporary message.

    Good work, Anthony…as usual.

    Elizabeth

  12. Diane said

    Lots to think about here, Anthony!

  13. Jeeves said

    Like fisherman ..:D

  14. Hi Elizabeth,
    Thanks for that. You’re right about definitions and I certainly take your point about the arts. Very true.

    Hi Diane,
    Many thanks. Much appreciated.

    Hi Jeeves,
    Thanks for that. Glad you liked it.

  15. wayne said

    lots of great words here Tony….and what you did with the prompt…thanks for this

  16. Hi Wayne,
    Many thanks for the kind words.

  17. Irene said

    ooh I like “Still in tune with Earth’s natural song,
    He sat in the boat for ever more”.

  18. pamela said

    Anthony
    “Joie De Vivre,Fisherman and Jack the Ripper”
    three excellent pieces!
    Pamela

  19. zephyr said

    Microfiction as usual, was my favourite in the post! So poignant; and so was the Fisherman. Jack the Ripper was a surprise. Why do you want to deprive generations of film makers of a good story, eh?

  20. Hi Irene,
    Thanks for that. Much appreciated.

    Hi Pamela,
    Many thanks. glad you liked them.

    Hi Zephyr,
    Many thanks. I don’t think the film makers will be put off, though ;-)

  21. Amity said

    what these androids can do? and what a pity for humans?

    i thought it would end up til last verse to be joie de vivre!

  22. Hi Amity,
    Thanks for that. Yes, we’re forgetting how to live nowadays, in many ways.

  23. Re: Joie de vivre, it is such a pity that many have forgotten the joie de vivre in small things. Nice poem.

  24. Hi Aoife.Troxel,
    Yes, it is indeed. Many thanks.

  25. Trisha said

    very true. thats why they say, let the dead rest in peace.
    loved the monster voyage and fisher of….

  26. Bill said

    Another good week of Posts and Stories Anthony. Loved the MfM, I couldn’t think of anything as Profound as yours, so I went a different route with mine. It is scheduled to Publish in about 8 hours. Your Joie de Vivre, oh so many of us don’t stop and just enjoy the simple things in life. I included sometimes, getting so caught up in the necessities of life or so I think they may be.

    A Wonderful Week is wished for you.

  27. kimmy said

    on Jack the Ripper: in that case, the reading materials i came across with are very convincing..

  28. Hi Trisha,
    Thanks for that. Much appreciated.

    Hi Bill,
    Many thanks. No, so many just don’t get the simple things.

    Hi Kimmy,
    There won’t be many researchers in the field who would agree with me.

  29. Yes, anthony, millions of living dead move around with plastic smiles fixed on their masks.. well you said it beautifully.. loved your take on prompt..

    And yeh, thanks for your constant presence on my page.. it enhances me..

  30. Hi Ramesh,
    Thanks for that. And you’re so right.

  31. Twilight said

    Re The Vatican, AN, you say I cannot think of one good thing it has done in history.
    – But without it, AN we would never have had the wonderful Monty Python sketches with the legendary line:
    “I wasn’t expecting the Spanish Inquisition!” ;-O Small mercy but a fun one.

    Your “alien abduction queue” is sounding good – abduction from Earth People’s craziness might be just the ticket….or maybe out out the frying pan into…..another kind of inquisition.

    Nice bloggy combination of fun and serious, as always AN. :-)

  32. Hi Twilight,
    Damn! When I posted that Vatican bit on Facebook, loads tried to get a good thing and failed. You’ve done it. Very well done :-)
    I think mankind may always live in that frying pan in some form or another.

  33. Pat said

    Yeah, he might as well keep those shoes clean till he knows that he’s really free. I like your take on this week’s MfM

  34. ladynimue said

    enjoyable posts again ;)

    Here’s a small token of love for you : http://ladynimue.wordpress.com/2010/09/20/bliss/

  35. Hi Pat,
    Thanks for that. Much appreciated.

    Hi Ladynimue,
    Many thanks. To me, comments are reward enough, but the mention is very much appreciated.

  36. I loved monster voyage!

    about fish, chips, nothing much else

    And do get aboard the Poetry Train every Monday mornings and thereafter!

  37. BJ Roan said

    I always enjoy stopping by for a visit. There is so much interesting reading. I wish I had more time to spend.

  38. It’s good to visit your blog. The new school year is crazy busy, so I appreciate your stopping by so I can return the favor! I enjoyed your piece on Jack the Ripper, and I enjoyed the OSI piece. Oh, to be real and know that joy.

  39. Hi Gautami,
    Thanks for that.

    Hi BJ Roan,
    Many thanks for the kind words.

    Hi Sandy,
    And it’s always good to hear from you.

  40. Deborah said

    Very good MFM.

  41. Hi Deborah,
    Thanks for that. Much appreciated.

  42. Ellie said

    I loved your microfiction this week – well told.

    Have a great week x

  43. Hi Ellie,
    Many thanks. Glad you liked it.

  44. excellent, as ever. especially enjoyed ‘joie de vivre’ … reminder that we all need to embrace life more fully.

  45. Akelamalu said

    Nice microfiction Anthony and I like your theory on Jack the Ripper.

  46. Hi Deb,
    Thanks for that. We certainly do.

    Hi Akelamalu,
    Many thanks for that.

  47. sandra.if said

    Pity humans no longer feel so alive”…that was deep…well said Anthony!!

  48. Great mM, Anthony. The other piece that resonated with me is the need for government to keep the people in a state of fear. It’s certainly working here in the US of A.

  49. Hi Sandra,
    Many thanks for the kind words.

    Hi Michael,
    Thanks for that. Yes, fear is an important tool of power.

  50. Hi Anthony– it took me awhile to get used to your posting format, too–but I love visiting here now and enjoy reading your ‘take’ on such a wide variety of subjects. Always interesting and thought provoking.
    Have a great week. Cheers!

  51. john said

    ooh political, love it Thanks for dropping by to read my 140 Hope your week goes well

  52. Thom said

    Brilliant your microfiction is. It does make one wonder. I loved it. You know Deborah said your blog is like Writing Buffet…that sums your blog up perfectly. And your 55 is just screaming for a continuation if you ask me. I’m not so sure it’s a fearful dream. Very well done :) Have a great week ahead :)

  53. Jim said

    Like your chips for the androids, Anthony.
    Coming up, emotion chips for humans. :)
    ..
    Love your polly ticks µfiction. Reminds
    me of the kids, “Are we there yet?” :)
    ..

  54. Hi Sylvia,
    Thanks for that. Much appreciated.

    Hi John,
    Many thanks. Glad you liked it.

    Hi Thom,
    Many thanks for the kind words.

    Hi Jim,
    I think I’d have chips with everything if I could ;-)

  55. Wonderful Joie De Vivre! =)

    -Weasel

  56. KB said

    Love your MM. Thanks for visiting mine.

  57. Hi Weasel,
    Thanks for that. Much appreciated.

    Hi KB,
    Many thanks, and you’re welcome.

  58. Cheong said

    Hi Anthony,

    great stuff, as usual.

    “JOIE DE VIVRE” made me smile. now who are the masters? :)

    in “MONSTER VOYAGE”, i am looking at it in another way : the ones in suspended animation are the monsters. :)

    that’s a new angle on the Ripper mystery, something to think about. :)

  59. Hi Cheong,
    Thanks for the comments. Much appreciated.

  60. Ah, you took a totally different tack from any other microfiction posts I have seen this week so far. Interesting!

  61. Hi EG Wow,
    Many thanks for that.

  62. Trisha said

    JOIE DE VIVRE is really funny. :)

  63. Hi Trisha,
    Thanks for that. Glad you liked it :-)

  64. Love the history of Jack the Ripper — whether he was real or not! Great post for the J Day! Hope your week is going well, Anthony!

    Sylvia

  65. Hi Sylvia,
    Thanks for that. Yes, it’s a fascinating subject.

  66. Reader Wil said

    The yorkshire Ripper really exist, but Jack the Ripper? I don’t know, but he was very important for many producers of thrillers.
    The pope is a very controversial person. I don’t see him as the representative of Christ on earth, but then I am a Protestant.
    Good post Anthony!

  67. quilly said

    “Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose …” Smart man, that. One should always question gift shoes.

    I find that not watching TV has greatly helped my emotional health.

  68. Hi Reader Wil,
    Thanks for that. I remember the Yorkshire Ripper very well. I’m from Yorkshire. And he was very real.

    Hi Quilly,
    Yes, always question any gift, I say.

  69. So much of what we believe is grounded in superstition or faulty info – and usually a few people make a fortune selling it. Hm. That sounded a little cynical, didn’t it? :) Good J post!

  70. Hi Tumblewords,
    Sometimes it pays to be cynical ;-)

  71. brian said

    haha. what a playful oneshot…joining the alien abduction in the unversal fizz…smiles.

  72. Gay Cannon said

    When I visit your blog each week, I’m struck that here lives a philosopher who could have many other titles as well. I’m never sure just how to comment; or for that matter exactly how to read. Sometimes so tongue in cheek, sometimes so passionate, sometimes so gently observant. I guess changing modes is good. It’s like hearing the radio in Britain..not just one specialty. Regarding Jack The Ripper, I believe you’re right but at this point it doesn’t matter. What an artistic legacy the stories left behind. Very enjoyable stopping here! Thanks, Gay (@beachanny)

  73. Why is the Jack the Ripper story so fascinating? We’ve had mass murders before and since, and worse ones at that, yet this is one that has captured the imagination for over a century.

    ROG, ABC Wednesday team

  74. suzicate said

    So I guess the media has always been in a frenzy…they get as bad as society allows them. Wonder if Old Jack had anything to do with the fish?!

  75. Talon said

    “Fisherman” made me sad because it’s just about that bad now!

    Your Flash 55 was eerie! How do you pack so much into so few words? Amazing!

  76. Hi Brian,
    Thanks for that. glad you liked it.

    Hi Gay Cannon,
    Many thanks for those kind words.

    Hi Roger,
    Maybe because it designed itself as a story. Or alternatively, it came totally out of the blue. There were supposed to be no serial killers around at the time.

    Hi Suzicate,
    You’ve got the media so right.

    Hi Talon,
    Thanks for that. Much appreciated.

  77. Shashi said

    So Many gems and I tend to agree with your thoughts too… I liked it. Microfiction was a beautiful piece.

    ॐ नमः शिवाय
    Om Namah Shivaya

    Connect with me at Twitter to get one verse everyday of love, longing and life… @VerseEveryDay

  78. Glynn said

    That Fisherman/Fisher Of — I think I’ve met him before with his “rod of tears.” Well done, sir.

  79. Claudia said

    ah – let’s mix to form a peaceful stew…smiles

  80. Lovely thoughts over here!=D~ I enjoy everyone of them, thank for sharing^^~

  81. Hi Shashi,
    Many thanks for the kind words.

    Hi Glynn,
    Thanks for that. Much appreciated.

    Hi Claudia,
    Yes, a good idea. Many thanks.

    Hi RiikaInfinityy,
    Thanks for that. Glad you liked them.

  82. signed .............bkm said

    You have the best news around town and the globe…love the Jack and Ripper and the Alien abduction queue…always a delight to start my morning….bkm

  83. Hi Bkm,
    Many thanks for those kind words.

  84. Eric Alder said

    Not exactly the kind of publicity a city would like, I’d imagine.

    Speaking of Jack The Ripper, I once wrote a piece called Jack The Stripper!

  85. Hi Eric,
    It certainly isn’t.

  86. john said

    So have you been watching the Hawkins programs on C4? He discussed the ‘is there life out there’ question. Which given the sheer size of the universe, means that if only 1% of the planets have intelligent life and only 1% of those survive their equivalent of the atomic/global warming ages then we still have millions of technological advanced civilisations. Some of which may have the technical means of using a sun’s energy to create wormholes to travel across long distances. The downsize is that they would be in a fact hunter-gathers with our systems being what is used which is not likely to be good news for us. Of course we can still hope it’s a Startrek type ban meaning no real contact until a key technological breakthrough. But of course most of what could be picked up such as radio and TV chatter and atomic blasts as barely got out beyond a 90-100 year radius Thats still around 170,000 stars with over 500 similar to our sun so enough to have one come aknocking!Thanks for reading and commenting on my poem. Hope your week goes well.

  87. Hi John,
    It’s a fascinating subject. As I see it, in order to have the tech to star travel, they’d have gone through the phase of having tech to destroy themselves. The best way not to is to come to peace on their planet. Hence, my argument is that, to pass this test, any star travellers would have to be benevolent. Which has two upshots – first, we’re approaching our own test; and second, if they come, we’re okay as long they accept we’re sentient. Otherwise, we’re lunch.

  88. ha…just reading through the comments and yes..the monty python sketch….wondered why he wasnt serving 99′s from his ice cream van…but that would have been to obvious!!!!!great page again..pete

  89. Hi Pete,
    Many thanks. Yes, Monty Python’s certainly knew how to do it.

  90. I think there was a Jack the Ripper. He killed all those women. Just my two cents.

    Have a terrific day Anthony. :)

  91. Hi Sandee,
    Yes, most people would agree with you.

  92. We will never know the truth about Jack the Ripper, but there are many, many books on the subject, some of which I have – I developed an interest in him after seeing the movie ‘From Hell’. The consensus of opinion is that he did exist, and did kill a series of prostitutes, with the murders getting progressively more brutal and gory. Some think he had a disease like syphilis which sent him mad, and since the madness comes fairly soon before death, that’s why the murders ceased. The last one killed was Mary Kelly, I think, and she was almost unrecognisable, if I remember rightly…

  93. Hi Jay,
    Yes, Mary Kelly’s injuries were horrendous. The thing that I’m uncomfortable with about many of the characters put forward as Jack is that serial killers are inevitably non-entities.

  94. I love Sci-Fi Fifty Fives! (hey, that sounds really good –)
    I imagine the Vatican contributes quite a bit to the Italian/Roman tourist industries… through history however, there’s food for thought — great post as usual Anthony!

  95. MorningAJ said

    Interesting SciFi 55. Did they all die? Or did they wake in time to see off the attack? Was the whole thing a recurring nightmare? Not sure. That’s cool.

  96. Hi Susan,
    Thanks for that. Much appreciated.

    Hi MorningAJ,
    Many thanks. I like doing these 55s so much as you can leave it obscure – let the reader’s mind interact with it.

  97. brian said

    yeah i am wondering now…guess that is what concerns me about suspended animation…you could go to sleep and get eaten…

  98. Eerie!!! Guess that’s why you say it’s fiction!! Science and fiction all rolled into one 55.

    “Pop…goes the weasel” is my link to my 55…just scroll down below the Halloween part. I do hope you can find time to visit with me! Have a super Friday, and a blessed weekend.

  99. Claudia said

    agh – one can get tired on a long space trip – agravic…

  100. Hi Brian,
    Yes, this is the problem :-)

    Hi Hootin Anni,
    Thanks for that. Yes, I enjoy doing sci fi.

    Hi Claudia,
    You can indeed.

  101. Uh-oh. Sounds like your 55 could be a deadly misscommunication.

  102. Hi Alice,
    It certainly could.

  103. nessa said

    The latest documentary I’ve seen on Jack has suggested that at most maybe 2 were really done by the same person.

    55 – I don’t think I will care for space travel. I’m scared already.

  104. Hi Nessa,
    I haven’t seen that one. Interesting.

  105. G-Man said

    Loved your Sci-Fi Tony!
    Of course all your other masterpieces were Top Notch as well!
    Thanks again for your wonderful support and encouragement that you give other writers as well.
    You are a Class Act…
    Thanks for playing, and have a Kick Ass Week-End…G

  106. Hi G-Man,
    Many thanks for that :-)

  107. Akelamalu said

    Love your sci-fi 55 Anthony. A dream or reality – sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference. ;)

  108. Hi Akelamalu,
    Thanks for that. It is indeed.

  109. Monkey Man said

    Great group of stories – a media created J the Rip, wouldn’t surprise me; Alien 55; and stubborn fisherman in denial.

  110. Hi Monkey Man,
    Thanks for that. Much appreciated.

  111. Mama Zen said

    Wouldn’t that be something if Jack the Ripper never existed at all?

  112. Hi Mama Zen,
    I certainly know many writers would never accept it.

  113. Jamie said

    Truly interesting take on “Jack The Ripper”. Given the modern media … totally plausible.

  114. Enjoyed the science fiction theme thIs week.

  115. Teresa said

    Very interesting!

  116. Hi Jamie,
    Long time no see. Thanks for that.

    Hi Nara,
    Many thanks. Glad you liked it.

    Hi Teresa,
    Thanks for that.

  117. john said

    Of course its Thursday for me – time travel so does your head in. Thanks for reading my Friday 55. Hope your week goes well

  118. Hi John,
    It does indeed. Never know whether you’re coming or arriving.

  119. Interesting choice of ‘J-word’, ‘Jack the Ripper’. You may be correct in your theory about who he was or if he even existed. Forensic science was not what at that time what it is today. But I don’t know enough about it to have an opinion of my own. I’ve read so many theories about who the real identity of this person could have been.
    I have become more interested in the literary side of crime, that is fictional crime that does not hurt anyone. I prefer fictional mystery stories more than the tragedy of real crime.
    Your post always get others, such as myself, to start thinking.

    Best wishes,
    Anna
    Anna’s J-word (abc-Wed rd-7)

  120. Hi Anna,
    Thanks for that. Yes, I like crime fiction too.

Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Log Out / Change )

Twitter picture

You are commenting using your Twitter account. Log Out / Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. Log Out / Change )

Connecting to %s

 
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 52 other followers