This and That

So, how do we solve the Syrian crisis?  How do we send in people from other countries who will be welcomed by both pro- and anti-Assad Syrian citizens to prevent more killing?

A friend asked why poetry is not as popular as other written art forms (non/fiction novels, for instance).

My response:

In general, books can put us into the complete narrative of other people’s lives — fictional and nonfictional — with excruciatingly drawnout detail, which some crave for its complete escapist fantasy (pick your favourite genre), while poetry is often a snapshot or sketch of a single moment or idea, requiring the reader to use imagination to fill in the blanks.

In my youth, a pop poet named Rod McKuen both attracted people to the power of poetry and alienated those who consider poetry a higher art form.

Most people, if they think of poetry at all, hear what you call “does so much more, it says so much more, it’s so much cleverer, it requires so much more, it’s simply brilliant,” in song lyrics, which is not such a bad thing.

Another friend explains why it’s more fun in the Philippines.

DARPA wants to know your biometric habits.

And finally, have you ever wanted your personal bobblehead nodding back to you every day?

BONUS: Where’s Emma Peel when you need an appealing car model named PEEL?