h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I'm really glad I'm not able to post there on Ask.

And like I said I respect this place enough not to start other accounts. And how very very easy that is to do..we all know.

But if it becomes the culture here and to be praised..I suppose I'll have to force myself to also start new accounts.

I hope that doesn't become the culture here though for *anyone*.

And it's incredible the way the person starting that thread is tolerated here. And that thread flourishes.

It certainly sends out the message that integrity is not valued here.

Start up other accounts if you want is the message I get..but it depends who you are if you can get away with stuff here.

Yes we all have the option to start other accounts if that's to be the culture here.

Someone who hopes another researcher here dies in a car crash.

Competitions and votes..People here are actually taking concepts like that seriously on h2g2.

Cultural evolution has already gone right out the window here..

So apparently has irony..

Brave New World of 'Occupy'.

More and more I'm getting the feeling that little kids have gotten a hold of a new toy:

'let's start a web site!'

'My dad's got an old server in the barn!'

'we can have games and contests!'

'this'll be such fun!'




Oddly, I think having a moderately faceless corporation running the thing would be more democratic and inclusive.

slightly unrelated, I've had about six separate emails inviting me to transfer my old account over.

*pops head into the thread*

Do you mind if I come in?

I know this is private - but I've wondered how you were, and I do enjoy talking to you on h2g2.


Angana: (I read this post in lurk mode on my phone 3 hours ago, and it's been worrying me ever since). I would hate to think that h2g2's driving away good writers with silly tasks to get more people involved in writing.

How else could we encourage people to contribute?



On a separate note I remember that you mentioned being interested in the start of farming. I've been watching the history of ancient britian on the iplayer and been totally enthralled. I wondered if your saw it?

If you'd rather I didn't post again to your journal then let me know and I won't.

Dr. Zen you are very welcome here. And I always value keeping channels of communication open if possible if I think its really worthwhile...and I very much do with you.

I'll give a more considered reply later.

This cultural upheaval on h2g2 is very affecting for all of us.

You are always welcome anytime on my ps.

Iplayer doesn't work for us colonials


Don't worry. I won't be driven away from writing.

I might, however, be driven away from a lot of the conversations

I think he was talking to me anhaga after the to do with iPlayer.

I'm thinking a lot about what Dr. Zen posted though..and will be back later as I said.

Still thinking..Oh that referred to the above post..which is still hidden.

I need more oxygen

Hi I was talking to both of you - but yes, I was thinking of Effers when i saw that TV programme. (you can see a lot of the iplayer stuff on documentary heaven though).

Better go - still at work, and have stuff to do before I go home and hit my h2g2 work.

I'm glad you won't be driven away from writing, but I don't want you to be driven away from conversations either!

I won't be going anywhere I'm still at home with nothing to do..

The Swiss artists, Peter Fischli and David Weiss like to work with this idea..so I provide some use to the world.

They are probably my favourite artists..they've had a fair bit in Tate Modern on and off.

I've a great book with pictures of their work and writings. Titles of the works are much fun much often.

Eg from the 'Suddenly this Overview' show.

'Spock is a bit sad he doesn't have any feelings';

'Anna O Dreaming the first dream interpreted by Freud';

'Marco Pollo shows the Italians spaghetti, brought back from China for the first time.'

These are rubbishy bits of clay..not even fired..

But they also make work made from gels and fibre glass and stuff like that..that is such an exact replica of reality..like a whole studio..even down to dross on the floor..and drips...that you couldn't tell it was all fake.

Yeah I know it'll probably get laughed and sneered at here as PoMo..(hey that's a good name for a competition)..but just when you think you have them pinned down..they come up with a brilliant film like ,'The Way Things Go.'

They are great I think.

My writing will continue although of late it's not been much writing for hootoo I've been doodooing.

Hello, I think I'll come here rather than the old thread...

Yes you are in a much better place than me. My writing continues though mostly in these journals..

I have ideas of what I'd like to write for the guide in future. To do with all the ecological stuff I've done in my garden over the last 18 months.

Also the SAS tunnel stuff.

I'm so disconnected in many ways at present..apart from contact with Isa..and thank god that woman has such a brilliant sense of fun and humour to do with politics..she'll be giggling about 'occupy' as much as me..I really should ring or email her later to do with all that.

Also Pete is still on the road with his band.

My mother nags again about meeting up next week. I don't know..

I can't see any light at the end of the tunnel to use a hackneyed trite phrase..but sometimes they are necessary.

Writing here at least gives some relief.

I just can't come to terms with the affect h2g2 has had on me in the last 6 months..to do with the Unconscious in so many ways.

**

Dr. Zen this is a massive cultural upheaval. And for those of us that value culture to the highest degree very difficult to see all the dumbing down.

We'll have buttons for everything soon..and a hundred competitions a month..all so Blue Peter suddenly. And talk of thousands joining. Like a revolution.

It feels like for some of us..it's the END. Sorry I can't be more considered and rational.

Effers, I still think things will settle down. And I know that even though there are talk about competitions and anagrams, there are so many who care very much about the guide and the entries.
I would love to see your writing about your gardening!

yes but the Community has always been my main interest and the tone.

The tone has utterly changed. The values have changed. Even the way Stephen Fry was suddenly viciously attacked. What was that about? One little thing on the FP. He's a cultural icon. Endless talk of competitions and anagrams..like suddenly we are Blue Peter for adults.

I find it bizarre. Also the general sense of rush and urgencey all the time of getting it sorted out and changed. Even Pastey talking about a total re-write.

And I've read someone referring to 1000s joining.

It's Future Shock stuff.

Of course I've read plenty here in the past about people being critical of Imperialism and smashing cultures. But that's what's happening here for some of us.

Yes I'm especially vulnerable because I don't have those defences I talked about..probably people in tribes didn't either. It's a disease I couldn't catch.

And I have to come to terms with some personal stuff here which is almost impossible for me to comprehend.

I don't have much optimism about this place. And I keep wondering who is making decisions now behind the scenes..and how objective they really are.

They will have their friends and allies. That's human nature. But will they ever front up and admit to that?

And the BIGGEST problem for me is how much more dependant I've become on this place. I can hardly function in real life apart from a bit of shopping. I doubt I'll ever be able to drive again..and yet up until a few months ago that was my life for expressing my self confidence.

And this isn't me whining. It's the hard cold horrible truth.

That sounds horrible. How come you can't drive?

As far as I know, the people who make decisions are quite open with it.
I think they are just as appalled as you about the attack on mr Fry, who was a close friend of Douglas Adams.
I'm also sad about people testing the limits for what is acceptable. I find it childish. I wish people would have uplifting conversations. I wish they would contribute with entries.

I can't think of much to change other people, other than being a good example. Which is also hard, I talk so much silly. But I really stay away as soon as a conversation turns sour.

I hope you can find it okay here again. And if you like my company, I will hang out here with you.

Yeah I like you loads Milla. Please do hang out.

I have no idea why I can't drive or have more or less disintegrated in the last few months. Well I have a few ideas.

And I can't bring myself to really full on shake the mental health unit about it. It's too embarasing to feel something in you could be triggered by things and people to do with the internet. Which I'm certain it is. So far by phone..they just say carry on with the tablets.

**

Earlier today I emailed the community eds about someone who appeared to have opened a new account and was free to post on ask. But I had the integrity not to open a new account. That was many hours ago now. And no reply.

It sends out a message to me about integrity being valued here or not. It clearly isn't.So that's another thing that's changing.

It's basically a free for all now.

So those are two separate things. I don't want to talk anymore about either now. I'll work out what to do as things gradually pan out here. And just have to accept what has happened to my health.

Just as we had to accept my uncle's brains being smashed to pieces in that accident that wasn't his fault...And people all the time have to accept reality naturally.

**

How did you get into doing performance stuff like choir and musicals?

Unless the person has transfered their old account, I don't think there is any way to verify if it is a person returning, or a real new person.
I can see if I can mail gurus too, and ask them to reply.

I started in choirs as a kid, in church and in school. And when I went to uni, found new choirs, and made some friends. One of them went on to become a producer for musicals, and for one show, he was short of middle aged women, but had quite a lot of teenage girls. And knowing I could sing some, asked me. And also my son joined that show, he was six at the time.

Since then, I've auditioned for most of his shows, about one a year, and was accepted for some, rejected for some.

I have a great time on stage. I prefer ensemble parts/extra roles. No big parts or solos but choir, "city people" to fill the stage stuff.

Where have you been singing?