Innovation
Friday
Friday 20/09/2002You may remember that I mentioned Victorian physicist and lost hero of radio Oliver Heaviside a couple of weeks back, saying that he'd spent his final years going doolalli tap in Torquay. The current incumbent of the Heaviside House was also showing signs of alternative cognition, I said, relaying a report from my West Country contacts.
Friday 20/09/2002
You may remember that I mentioned Victorian physicist and lost hero of radio Oliver Heaviside a couple of weeks back, saying that he'd spent his final years going doolalli tap in Torquay. The current incumbent of the Heaviside House was also showing signs of alternative cognition, I said, relaying a report from my West Country contacts. Thanks to the wonder of Webbery -- and the recent electrification projects west of Exeter -- this then got back to the chap in question. I must admit to being a little worried that I had upset someone less bound by the strictures of society than most -- what if he were violent? A practitioner of black magic? Worst of all, a lawyer? -- but all is well. Let me relay the latest intelligence from the English Riviera, courtesy of our man's friend Roy. "(On 11 September) ...he paid his respects to the anniversary of September 11th by putting a tarpaulin on the roof saying: "Please remember the people who have died" and underneath he put a clothes line with clothing representing the people who died i.e. shirt and tie representing the office workers, fireman's helmet, chefs clothing and a policeman's hat. He then did a vigil by sitting on a giant's chair outside the house complete with standard lamp. Unfortunately the locals think he's nuts but in fact he's just an eccentric and a showman, a bit like a young Quentin Crisp and Torquay is the better off for it." We at ZDNet UK applaud him in his struggles, and if you know of any other eccentrics whose activities could do with a bit of exposure -- well, you know my email. Just nobody with a chainsaw, a voodoo doll or a seat in chambers, OK? To have your say online click on TalkBack and go to the ZDNet UK forums.
You may remember that I mentioned Victorian physicist and lost hero of radio Oliver Heaviside a couple of weeks back, saying that he'd spent his final years going doolalli tap in Torquay. The current incumbent of the Heaviside House was also showing signs of alternative cognition, I said, relaying a report from my West Country contacts. Thanks to the wonder of Webbery -- and the recent electrification projects west of Exeter -- this then got back to the chap in question. I must admit to being a little worried that I had upset someone less bound by the strictures of society than most -- what if he were violent? A practitioner of black magic? Worst of all, a lawyer? -- but all is well. Let me relay the latest intelligence from the English Riviera, courtesy of our man's friend Roy. "(On 11 September) ...he paid his respects to the anniversary of September 11th by putting a tarpaulin on the roof saying: "Please remember the people who have died" and underneath he put a clothes line with clothing representing the people who died i.e. shirt and tie representing the office workers, fireman's helmet, chefs clothing and a policeman's hat. He then did a vigil by sitting on a giant's chair outside the house complete with standard lamp. Unfortunately the locals think he's nuts but in fact he's just an eccentric and a showman, a bit like a young Quentin Crisp and Torquay is the better off for it." We at ZDNet UK applaud him in his struggles, and if you know of any other eccentrics whose activities could do with a bit of exposure -- well, you know my email. Just nobody with a chainsaw, a voodoo doll or a seat in chambers, OK? To have your say online click on TalkBack and go to the ZDNet UK forums.