Comments for The New Adventures of Stephen Fry http://www.stephenfry.com Blessays, blogs and blisquisitions Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:19:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 Comment on Influences by StirFry http://www.stephenfry.com/moab/influences/comment-page-1/#comment-20871 StirFry Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:19:15 +0000 http://www.stephenfry.com/?page_id=373#comment-20871 I have just been able to catch-up with the Channel 4 program 'The History of the Bible' with Anne Widdecombe, which included the excerts of the 'interview', following the debate that day, between Stephen Fry and Miss Widdecombe and Christopher Hitchins and Miss Widdecombe. Accepting Stephen's comments above it is clear to see, from the continuity of the presentation, that both Stephen and Christopher were edited in a less then favourable light. The apparent 'walk out' of Christopher, and Stephen appearing dogmatic. Perhaps is was also a bad time for such and interview to gain material for a completely different event (the Channel 4 programme); Stephen and Christopher will have been on fire with their passion for the main lecture that day (the Catholic church). Stephen even commented on his nervousness on the subject because it was so deeply felt. So with this in mind to walk into a talk (presumably late in the evening) about the 10 commandments would mean that the wrong debate would take place (Stephen again commented that he was in 'speaking' mode not talking mode). Many things were inappropriate. Interestingly when I have been viewing this series of programmes via the Channel 4 on demand service all of the programmes showed without faulter except the one with Anne Widdecombe which would hang or crash my machine (I had to borrow another PC to view it). Maybe that is a physical form of ex-communication :-) I have just been able to catch-up with the Channel 4 program ‘The History of the Bible’ with Anne Widdecombe, which included the excerts of the ‘interview’, following the debate that day, between Stephen Fry and Miss Widdecombe and Christopher Hitchins and Miss Widdecombe. Accepting Stephen’s comments above it is clear to see, from the continuity of the presentation, that both Stephen and Christopher were edited in a less then favourable light. The apparent ‘walk out’ of Christopher, and Stephen appearing dogmatic.

Perhaps is was also a bad time for such and interview to gain material for a completely different event (the Channel 4 programme); Stephen and Christopher will have been on fire with their passion for the main lecture that day (the Catholic church). Stephen even commented on his nervousness on the subject because it was so deeply felt. So with this in mind to walk into a talk (presumably late in the evening) about the 10 commandments would mean that the wrong debate would take place (Stephen again commented that he was in ’speaking’ mode not talking mode). Many things were inappropriate.

Interestingly when I have been viewing this series of programmes via the Channel 4 on demand service all of the programmes showed without faulter except the one with Anne Widdecombe which would hang or crash my machine (I had to borrow another PC to view it). Maybe that is a physical form of ex-communication :-)

]]> Comment on Influences by mudguts http://www.stephenfry.com/moab/influences/comment-page-1/#comment-20869 mudguts Mon, 01 Mar 2010 09:51:37 +0000 http://www.stephenfry.com/?page_id=373#comment-20869 I think you are being a bit harsh on the veracity of ten commandments. To me they appear to be a mish mash of any semitic folk and their chosen item of veneration. It is in fact galling when one crazy (eternal) moabite says one thing (hold to the Torah) yet the other who is the moabite's promoter says quite the opposite. Stephen, from its inception, religion was never meant to be an ISO quality manual for being perfect unless some smiting or humiliation had to be done. If Moses hadn't had a fair stouche with a cranky two fisted god, nobody wold have had their willy adjusted with a stone and... well no history is no history. For the less than casual reader, I would refer the reader to Ezra or stay safely sane reading page three. That's the one with the naked lady facing a large snake. I think you are being a bit harsh on the veracity of ten commandments. To me they appear to be a mish mash of any semitic folk and their chosen item of veneration.

It is in fact galling when one crazy (eternal) moabite says one thing (hold to the Torah) yet the other who is the moabite’s promoter says quite the opposite.

Stephen, from its inception, religion was never meant to be an ISO quality manual for being perfect unless some smiting or humiliation had to be done.

If Moses hadn’t had a fair stouche with a cranky two fisted god, nobody wold have had their willy adjusted with a stone and… well no history is no history.

For the less than casual reader, I would refer the reader to Ezra or stay safely sane reading page three. That’s the one with the naked lady facing a large snake.

]]> Comment on iPad About by cjp http://www.stephenfry.com/2010/01/28/ipad-about/comment-page-5/#comment-20865 cjp Sun, 28 Feb 2010 16:10:46 +0000 http://www.stephenfry.com/?p=1965#comment-20865 I'm sure the iPad will be a success - but I do think for it's worth holding out longer and taking a look at the competition. I don't think it'll have as easy a ride as the iPod or iPhone, I think their competitors are more wised up now. To me main disadvantage of the iPad is the the display - I'm looking for something I can read, and back-lit LCD displays (like the ones used on the iPad) just give me a headache. If I want to browse the Internet or watch videos then Archos are launching a 7" Android based tablet this year for just £149 - personally I think I'll go for that, but I'm sure Apple can market it well enough to sell (and it'll be easier to use.). For me though the future has to be devices based on colour e-paper displays - like the Qualcomm Mirasol (video below), did you catch this one at the MWC Stephen? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRbI09euepM&feature=youtube_gdata I’m sure the iPad will be a success – but I do think for it’s worth holding out longer and taking a look at the competition. I don’t think it’ll have as easy a ride as the iPod or iPhone, I think their competitors are more wised up now. To me main disadvantage of the iPad is the the display – I’m looking for something I can read, and back-lit LCD displays (like the ones used on the iPad) just give me a headache. If I want to browse the Internet or watch videos then Archos are launching a 7″ Android based tablet this year for just £149 – personally I think I’ll go for that, but I’m sure Apple can market it well enough to sell (and it’ll be easier to use.). For me though the future has to be devices based on colour e-paper displays – like the Qualcomm Mirasol (video below), did you catch this one at the MWC Stephen?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRbI09euepM&feature=youtube_gdata

]]> Comment on Personal & Professional by msdiogenes http://www.stephenfry.com/moab/personal-and-professional/comment-page-1/#comment-20859 msdiogenes Thu, 25 Feb 2010 09:07:53 +0000 http://www.stephenfry.com/?page_id=387#comment-20859 Thank you so much for such a clear and concise website. I still have the letter and pic you sent to me a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. Mine was the stationary with the Suzi's zoo cat and sticker. Thanks for personalizing the pic and letter by the way. You are a very nice man. I'm writing my own novel now. And I've written some poetry. Got a start on your book about that and trying to get my tiny mind around it. I hear what you are saying. But sometimes you (people) just have to write....and whatever form that comes out in is just what it is....... Not saying anything everybody writes is worthy of publishing but it IS a form of self expression. And I just gotta be me. But I'll keep reading on. Thank you so much for such a clear and concise website. I still have the letter and pic you sent to me a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. Mine was the stationary with the Suzi’s zoo cat and sticker. Thanks for personalizing the pic and letter by the way. You are a very nice man. I’m writing my own novel now. And I’ve written some poetry. Got a start on your book about that and trying to get my tiny mind around it. I hear what you are saying. But sometimes you (people) just have to write….and whatever form that comes out in is just what it is……. Not saying anything everybody writes is worthy of publishing but it IS a form of self expression. And I just gotta be me. But I’ll keep reading on.

]]> Comment on Social Media – A Force for Good by Johnecooper http://www.stephenfry.com/2009/11/19/social-media-force-for-good/comment-page-1/#comment-20857 Johnecooper Wed, 24 Feb 2010 22:42:30 +0000 http://www.stephenfry.com/?p=1829#comment-20857 I found the discussion fascinating, thank you. I believe social media can be a force for good and there are many interesting projects going on right now in this field. One that Stephen might be interested in (he visited this part of Peru on one of his programmes) is an open source project called Ushahidi which is a mash-up of many social media platforms to give an overall picture of a particular situation. The site gathers information from citizens, tourists and local authorities to give everybody involved in the recovery of the Sacred Valley, Peru an up-to-date picture of the current situation. This link provides you with a taster. http://gawana.com/peru/ushahidi I found the discussion fascinating, thank you. I believe social media can be a force for good and there are many interesting projects going on right now in this field. One that Stephen might be interested in (he visited this part of Peru on one of his programmes) is an open source project called Ushahidi which is a mash-up of many social media platforms to give an overall picture of a particular situation. The site gathers information from citizens, tourists and local authorities to give everybody involved in the recovery of the Sacred Valley, Peru an up-to-date picture of the current situation.

This link provides you with a taster.

http://gawana.com/peru/ushahidi

]]> Comment on Poles, Politeness and Politics in the age of Twitter by tallshadow http://www.stephenfry.com/2009/10/19/poles-politeness-and-politics-in-the-age-of-twitter/comment-page-5/#comment-20855 tallshadow Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:05:02 +0000 http://www.stephenfry.com/?p=1675#comment-20855 Hello fellow LGBT'r, I loved you with Craig Ferguson tonight! I needed that kind of show tonight. Craig has been getting too Jr. High dick jokey lately I wasn't going to watch..then saw that you were going to be on. I know I'm not his demographic so I understand. This lesbo of nearly 51 has been a fan of both of you for years. Thank you for sharing your Bipolar struggle. I care for my 93 year old mentaly deteriating mom. We used to go dancing and she wouds say " your club tonight or mine?" All the lesbos would adoopt her as there owm mom. Now, I learn daily on how to deal with her as her memory fades and the converstions change.Sometimes I have to say "I'll be right back" so I can go cry without her knowing. Her humor still exists. I tease her daily especially while I change her. She keeps thanking me for helping her so I distract her with goofiness and impersonations of actors of the past and comedians she loves...I say..." you look marvelous!"..and she says...ohhh..sure...". I am so grateful to have her still everyday. Crying is a good thing. I call it an emotional pee. "I pee therefore I am!" I look forward to seeing you enjoy many..many...more acting adventures. Love You! Carolyn Hello fellow LGBT’r,

I loved you with Craig Ferguson tonight! I needed that kind of show tonight. Craig has been getting too Jr. High dick jokey lately I wasn’t going to watch..then saw that you were going to be on. I know I’m not his demographic so I understand.
This lesbo of nearly 51 has been a fan of both of you for years.
Thank you for sharing your Bipolar struggle.
I care for my 93 year old mentaly deteriating mom. We used to go dancing and she wouds say ” your club tonight or mine?” All the lesbos would adoopt her as there owm mom.
Now, I learn daily on how to deal with her as her memory fades and the converstions change.Sometimes I have to say “I’ll be right back” so I can go cry without her knowing. Her humor still exists. I tease her daily especially while I change her. She keeps thanking me for helping her so I distract her with goofiness and impersonations of actors of the past and comedians she loves…I say…” you look marvelous!”..and she says…ohhh..sure…”. I am so grateful to have her still everyday. Crying is a good thing. I call it an emotional pee. “I pee therefore I am!”

I look forward to seeing you enjoy many..many…more acting adventures.

Love You!
Carolyn

]]> Comment on iPad About by E-St-Scooter820 http://www.stephenfry.com/2010/01/28/ipad-about/comment-page-5/#comment-20853 E-St-Scooter820 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 07:32:44 +0000 http://www.stephenfry.com/?p=1965#comment-20853 Presently watching C.F.Show, to be honest, I've never heard of you, but do know some of your work (career). I am not a writer in any strech, but had to say, I have some experences with Bi-Polar, and drug addiction , and I will look for your documentaries. My common-law wife of 13 years, was diagnoise with both, she ended her life 3 years this St. Patricks Day,(our anniversary date). I lost the house the car and inherited, cc debts, but still very happy raising my (our) children 12,11 years of age, that will always be the greatest gift she ever gave me, but just can't understand why she would want to miss that. If ever I can help with research, or you can help with huh I dont know , answers(wrong word but...)I will be a fan, you and Craig good show! Presently watching C.F.Show, to be honest, I’ve never heard of you, but do know some of your work (career). I am not a writer in any strech, but had to say, I have some experences with Bi-Polar, and drug addiction , and I will look for your documentaries. My common-law wife of 13 years, was diagnoise with both, she ended her life 3 years this St. Patricks Day,(our anniversary date). I lost the house the car and inherited, cc debts, but still very happy raising my (our) children 12,11 years of age, that will always be the greatest gift she ever gave me, but just can’t understand why she would want to miss that. If ever I can help with research, or you can help with huh I dont know , answers(wrong word but…)I will be a fan, you and Craig good show!

]]> Comment on Influences by StirFry http://www.stephenfry.com/moab/influences/comment-page-1/#comment-20849 StirFry Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:08:58 +0000 http://www.stephenfry.com/?page_id=373#comment-20849 I have just read Moab, some ten years after it was written. This was good as it meant I read it in the light of Stephen's recent years where I have seen more joy and smiles from him in the public eye and his success with QI, Kingdom, Last Chance and so on. Reading Moab was a sheer delight mixing humour, sadness, pathos and poignancy. It was all of that said in the comments and reviews printed on the book cover. (Warning spoiler) But the line that touched me the most was the description in the visiting room of the detention centre, when Stephen's mother pushed beneath the seperation glass a wad of Times crosswords all neatly cut from every days paper. She had done this every day during Stephens absense. Even after the sadness of missing him on his eighteenth birthday there was no anger, she did not discard the collection, she kept it until they could meet. Stephen describes the impact that such love had upon him. There is a story which goes that C S Lewis entered a room in which a debate on religion was taking place. He was asked what he thought was different about Christianity then any other religion. His reply was "That is easy, God's grace". Whenever I have tried to explain the nature of God's grace I have found it hard to convey any meaning other then love. Sometimes an event shows it better then words. And the story of Stephen's mother, how she went about collecting the crosswords for her boy irrespective of what he had done (or not done) displays the nature of grace far better then any words can. I have just read Moab, some ten years after it was written. This was good as it meant I read it in the light of Stephen’s recent years where I have seen more joy and smiles from him in the public eye and his success with QI, Kingdom, Last Chance and so on.

Reading Moab was a sheer delight mixing humour, sadness, pathos and poignancy. It was all of that said in the comments and reviews printed on the book cover.

(Warning spoiler)

But the line that touched me the most was the description in the visiting room of the detention centre, when Stephen’s mother pushed beneath the seperation glass a wad of Times crosswords all neatly cut from every days paper. She had done this every day during Stephens absense. Even after the sadness of missing him on his eighteenth birthday there was no anger, she did not discard the collection, she kept it until they could meet. Stephen describes the impact that such love had upon him.

There is a story which goes that C S Lewis entered a room in which a debate on religion was taking place. He was asked what he thought was different about Christianity then any other religion. His reply was “That is easy, God’s grace”. Whenever I have tried to explain the nature of God’s grace I have found it hard to convey any meaning other then love. Sometimes an event shows it better then words. And the story of Stephen’s mother, how she went about collecting the crosswords for her boy irrespective of what he had done (or not done) displays the nature of grace far better then any words can.

]]> Comment on Social Media – A Force for Good by Zelda_zip_al http://www.stephenfry.com/2009/11/19/social-media-force-for-good/comment-page-1/#comment-20845 Zelda_zip_al Mon, 22 Feb 2010 09:59:09 +0000 http://www.stephenfry.com/?p=1829#comment-20845 I've only made it through half an hour of the program but, I will most definitely return. My thoughts have been stimulated and many of the points are resonating with me. Being a babe in the twitter woods many of the references are unknown to me but I am still able to follow the discussion. It is informative without being dull and the panel is, thus far, keeping my attention. I look forward to returning. Thank you, and good morning. I’ve only made it through half an hour of the program but, I will most definitely return. My thoughts have been stimulated and many of the points are resonating with me. Being a babe in the twitter woods many of the references are unknown to me but I am still able to follow the discussion. It is informative without being dull and the panel is, thus far, keeping my attention. I look forward to returning. Thank you, and good morning.

]]> Comment on Ave atque Vale by oseric http://www.stephenfry.com/2010/01/02/ave-atque-vale/comment-page-7/#comment-20843 oseric Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:25:59 +0000 http://www.stephenfry.com/?p=1948#comment-20843 I still can't get the failed Apple Newton out of my head. And only now, in writing this, have realised the correlation between apples and Newtons and gravity theories. is this one of those connections that everyone else made in the 90's? I still can’t get the failed Apple Newton out of my head. And only now, in writing this, have realised the correlation between apples and Newtons and gravity theories.

is this one of those connections that everyone else made in the 90’s?

]]>