BookLust

Random Readings 33

The obsolescence principle, the motivational research principle and the subliminal perception principle would appear to have been invented only to improve methods whereby people are cynically induced to shackle themselves to pay for things they do not need out of money they do not have.

Ever since the dawn of mass production, the quality of manufactured products has deteriorated in direct proportion to their diffusion throughout the community.

I am ineluctably drawn to the gloomy conclusion that the genius of the American people will drive them into ever tightening bonds of enslavement to technological progress.

– From Memiors of a Professional Cad by the actor George Sanders (originally published in 1960).

TRANSITory Reading 13

Yup, I can't believe it myself. More walking readers. It's gotta be some sort of growing political movement or something.

And this time it's a twofer! The first guy is a chap I have discussed before, and I don't usually do repeats, but this one's rather special, I would say. When I'm power walking I usually see this fellow reading a magazine or a paperback book. But I guess he was a good boy this Christmas, 'cuz Santa got him a Kindle! First time I've ever seen anyone in the city walking and reading a Kindle, I tell ya. So I'm guessing those things work well in cold temperatures, 'cuz it was mighty chilly the day I saw him!

The next walking reader I saw, well...this gets kinda interesting. You see, I power walk pretty much along the same route every day, because there's a limited amount of cars in this neighbourhood, and well, it's a mighty perty neighbourhood to boot. Now please don't be thinking that I'm some sort of stalker or anything, but after seeing the power walking guy over and over on my travels, I happened to notice what house he actually lived in, 'cuz I saw him walking along with his book, and I guess he was finished his walk, so he went into one of the  nice houses. Well, the other day this lady came out of the same house, and she was holding a book, and then yup, you guessed it, she started to walk and read at the same time, too! Husband and wife walking readers! How cool is that? Would be even cooler if they walked and read together. Anyway, she wore almost all black, she looked, well, a tad grumpy, and she just happened to be reading the book The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World.

I hope she gets something out of the book, but I dunno – I'm a firm believer of everywhere you walk, there you are.

Bloor West Toonin' Town Cryin' 23

Sadly I have been very negligent in posting my editorial cartoons from the Town Crier. If anyone is interested in viewing all those cartoons, I've got a Flickr site where you can check 'em out.

For those not in the know, Toronto has a new Mayor, and his name be Rob Ford. I did not vote for the man. And I must confess that I have very strong doubts regarding his ability to do a fair and just and competent job. But I am trying very hard to withold judgement and keep a 'wait and see' approach. Of course, this does not mean that I won't stoop to drawing the dude in a diaper.