It's not often I get properly excited about new software. Maybe that's a function of age. Maybe a function of a cynical outlook. But when I started up the PostIt app yesterday, I was genuinely excited about the new feature that the app (which is free) has added - handwriting transcription. If you aren't familiar, … Continue reading Transcribing workshop outputs – the PostIt App
The Stevie Wonder albums from the 1970s are things of wonder and delight. Grown up from his "Little Stevie" days, they are complex and nuanced, political and funky. We had Talking Book at home - the cover etched into my brain with Stevie in his long robe sitting in the dust, the typography surrounding. But … Continue reading 51 for 50 – 1976
Over the Christmas break, one of the many things I read was Hannah Fry's book about algorithms, Hello World. It's a cracking exploration in non-technical terms about the world of algorithms, artificial intelligence and machine learning. Early on in the book, Hannah describes how all algorithms do one or more of the following things: Prioritization … Continue reading What are your algorithms?
So it turns out that next to no music from 1975 has permeated into my consciousness. Certainly no albums. The year before Punk, when Rick Wakeman was doing concept albums about King Arthur, I'd like to think it's because of my good taste. But there were generally acclaimed great albums by Led Zepplin, Patti Smith, … Continue reading 51 for 50 – 1975
The godfather of rap? Possibly. Gil Scott Heron set the mould for bombastic, political rhyme that would be followed years later by the likes of Public Enemy. But alongside the polemic, there was also the tender. Songs like Lady Day and John Coltrane and When You Are Who You Are are simply great pop songs. … Continue reading 51 for 50 – 1974
Well, that's been quite a year. At the beginning of 2019 I was continuing my adventures with Stamp. As the year draws to a close, I'm starting to understand the course of my adventures with RHP. The transition from free-range consultant back into full-time employee has been a welcome one. I've made some great relationships … Continue reading Weeknote 465: Yearnote 2019
The first artist on this list that I’ve actually seen perform live, Herbie Hancock first came into my field of musical view from his crossover hit Rockit in my hip hop-obsessed early teens. In my twenties, occasionally getting the chance to DJ chill out rooms at the hard house nights that friends ran in Camden, … Continue reading 51 for 50 – 1973
This week I have learned: the callous, psychopathic nature of the way in which multi-national corporates can drop their relationship with a long-term member of staff on a whim. that my interest in UK politics has now basically come to an end, if only to protect my own sanity. that cumulative "quick fixes" can exponentially … Continue reading Weeknote 464: End of the line
None of these early 1970s albums are ones that I actually remember from the time. If I know my mum, most of what I would have been hearing would have been Radio 1. I came across Nick Drake on a compilation album I picked up in the late 1990s and became somewhat captivated by his … Continue reading 51 for 51 – 1972
This week I have learned: The haka, whilst standing pitch side at Twickenham That decarbonisation is a systems-thinking challenge That the problems always sit at the boundaries That a constantly crashing PC really buggers up a great interview That I've pretty much given up on both football and politics Next week: a statement of intent … Continue reading Weeknote 463 – Twickers
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