Early Morning Open Thread: Catnip for Geeks
The Guardian tracks an ‘exclusive’ on Stephen Fry’s next project:
“It’s a bit of a secret but the BBC have commissioned me to do a five-part series on language, called Planet Word,” he said. “Language is my real passion. So, I’m going to Beijing to interview the man who invented Pinyin, a phonetic version of the Chinese language. He’s 105 years old … if he dies on me I’m going to be so annoyed.”
Fry revealed details of his highbrow new project to 14-year-old Eden Parris in an interview for a Radio Times feature that enabled young readers to meet their TV heroes.
In a conversation that ranged from Harry Potter to Wagner, darts and porridge oats, Fry said: “I haven’t seen a good documentary about language, where it comes from, how we speak it, the variations of it, whether languages are dying, whether we are better at speaking than we were. There are so many questions.”
July 21, 2010 3:40 am
Posted in: Media, Open Thread
59 Comments
59 Responses
Yutsano - July 21, 2010 | 3:45 am · Link
Amazingly enough there is a ton of scholarship on this issue, but Fry is right: it has never been put to film. How exactly you would documentarize that (see what I did there? huh? huh?) is a totally different and possibly fascinating tale. You could go from the physiology of how we speak to the anthropology of the origins of language to how English became the dominant language on the planet even though technically more people speak Mandarin than any other language. I think you did this to me on purpose Anne Laurie!
asiangrrlMN - July 21, 2010 | 3:52 am · Link
Love, love, love me some Stephen Fry. I can’t wait to see what he does with the topic of language. And, thanks, AL, for the shiny new open thread. I was beginning to think I would have to retire before we got one.
Yutsano - July 21, 2010 | 3:55 am · Link
@asiangrrlMN: I was approaching a similar position. Now I’m sipping chocolate milk and trying to shake off the day. I got really fucking pissed off at work and I’m trying to figure out why I should give a fuck when I’m gone as of next Thursday.
drag0n - July 21, 2010 | 3:57 am · Link
I cannot wait to rub @LikeableInMyOwnWay face in this shit:
asiangrrlMN - July 21, 2010 | 4:01 am · Link
@Yutsano: No need to give a fuck! You’re out of there. I officially gave my last fuck today, so no more fuck-giving for me.
Xenos - July 21, 2010 | 4:01 am · Link
Of course, one can not mention Stephen Fry without linking to his debut on The Young Ones. For anyone who has not seen it, guess who else made their TV debut on that segment?
Mark S. - July 21, 2010 | 4:05 am · Link
@drag0n:
Man, what is with those two (TZ and LD)? Every couple weeks or so, they’ll get some dumb argument in their heads and then they’ll completely flame the joint. This latest one was a lot milder than their insanity over the Arizona law, though.
Yutsano - July 21, 2010 | 4:10 am · Link
@asiangrrlMN: The best part (for me anyway) is she has no termination authority. And since I’ve already officially resigned those that have it won’t bother at this point. I just need to get two more paychecks out of the deal then it’s sayonara and good riddance.
MikeJ - July 21, 2010 | 4:17 am · Link
Been downloading the reruns of BBC radio’s The Delve Special, where Fry plays an investigative reporter. A bad investigative reporter. Too bad they’re running it one ep a week.
asiangrrlMN - July 21, 2010 | 4:23 am · Link
@Xenos: Ummmm, Hugh Laurie? Just an educated guess.
ETA: Annnnd I’m right! What do I win? And, is that Emma Thompson?
@Yutsano: It must be so liberating!
Yutsano - July 21, 2010 | 4:40 am · Link
@asiangrrlMN: I’m also enjoying the fact that I haz dirt on her now. She did something totally bassackwards today that I was stunned she did what she did. But it’s not getting blown back to me so I don’t give a shiznit.
Anyway enough about that. Where is FH #1 hiding?
asiangrrlMN - July 21, 2010 | 4:48 am · Link
@Yutsano: Cooool. Have no idea. Maybe canoodling in marital bliss? Dunno. At any rate, I’m outie. Night!
Yutsano - July 21, 2010 | 4:54 am · Link
@asiangrrlMN: Moi aussi. Bon nuit!
fucen tarmal - July 21, 2010 | 5:07 am · Link
now that shirley sherrod seems to be getting her job back, its time to make her a star. she should be the accidentally and circumstantially appointed spokesperson for what the government does for non-corporate farmers, you know “real muricans”. want to kill breitbart, make it an inside job. get this woman a media and public speaking, blogging career speaking on the issues she has worked on, and prove to “real murica” that government isn’t just nebulous evil. once she gets traction as the spokesperson on these issues, when that bit of cherished rw base starts to listen, because she is speaking to them, and their concerns, you have turned breitbart into a liability. the last thing she needs to do, is blow this opportunity, by merely going back to work…this is an opportunity, if you read it right…
if only.
Warren Terra - July 21, 2010 | 5:12 am · Link
@MikeJ
Imho, the key Fry Radio comedies to hear are Saturday Night Fry and Mark Tavener’s Absolute Power. Delve Special is good, but Chris Langham’s People Like Us did a similar schtick better.
Warren Terra - July 21, 2010 | 5:16 am · Link
Fry has also done several podcasts about English and has done at least four hours of BBC Radio 4 documentaries on the subject (Current Puns, The Joy Of Gibberish, and 2 series of English Delight).
MikeJ - July 21, 2010 | 5:25 am · Link
Delve is what’s on now, so it’s what I’m listening to. get_iplayer is set up to grab anything with Fry in the title so any time 7 reruns his stuff I’ll get it. That and shows about chip shops.
drag0n - July 21, 2010 | 5:26 am · Link
I wonder what Rahm had to say to Vilsack last night… I would love to hear tapes of that.
Origuy - July 21, 2010 | 5:28 am · Link
The best series I’ve seen on language was The Story of English, presented by Robert MacNeil.
I hope the DVDs for this one will be available in the US, but I’ve had to import documentaries from the UK before.
bago - July 21, 2010 | 5:37 am · Link
Is there any rare parrot shagging involved?
drag0n - July 21, 2010 | 5:48 am · Link
Rahm VS Vilsack
I bet we have to create a whole new language for that. Let’s fill in the blanks
FUCK
But!
FUCK YOU
What about Iowa!
SCREW FUCKING IOWA and the cow she road in on. You FUCKING COCK SUCKING HICK .
It was probably even worse than that…
kommrade reproductive vigor - July 21, 2010 | 6:48 am · Link
Maybe he’ll do a special segment on Bush/Palin.
No really, that sounds really interesting. Especially to someone who luuurves this site.
@Origuy: Thanks, I knew there was another one.
Texas Dem - July 21, 2010 | 6:55 am · Link
It couldn’t have been pretty. BTW: The decision is “under review,” which I suppose means that the folks at the WH are trying to figure out how to walk back Sherrod’s firing without looking too stupid.
thalarctos - July 21, 2010 | 7:02 am · Link
@Yutsano:
Senioritis—embrace it!
demo woman - July 21, 2010 | 7:08 am · Link
Shirley Sherrod is going to be on GMA, unfortunately so will Breitbart.
demo woman - July 21, 2010 | 7:18 am · Link
Sherrod is not sure she will accept reinstatement without assurances that her job will not be hindered by what happened. It appears that rather than Breitbart and Fox receiving negative attention, the White House is getting slammed for the reaction. Breitbart is going to be on GMA shortly.
Lysana - July 21, 2010 | 7:28 am · Link
@demo woman:
In a perfect world, it’d be the two of them in a room with a few weapons handy to Mrs. Sherrod and nobody else. Cameras to record the action. Sic semper bigotus.
cleek - July 21, 2010 | 7:28 am · Link
@demo woman:
unless they’re televising his public flagellation, i will not be watching.
kommrade reproductive vigor - July 21, 2010 | 7:33 am · Link
@demo woman: Good, Breitfart is bound to run around screeching and throwing shit at a nice older lady. Even “heavily edited” he’ll look like a total fuckwad.
I know it’s too much to hope for but it would be nice if someone asked about his association with wannabe pimps and felons.
demo woman - July 21, 2010 | 7:36 am · Link
Breitbart stumbling about NAACP/Tea Party oh my.
Eric Boehler from Media Matters is on also and he mentioned that it’s not unusual for Breitbart to race bait.
Breitbart won’t talk about Sherrod only Tea Party.
demo woman - July 21, 2010 | 7:37 am · Link
OMG… Breitbart, this was never about Shirley it was about the NAACP/Tea Party. Steph is letting him just speak and speak and speak.
SiubhanDuinne - July 21, 2010 | 7:39 am · Link
Surely not Hitler?!
Anne Laurie, this is catnip indeed. Stephen Fry is one of the most fascinating people on the planet and I already know I’ll love this language documentary.
If you want a heady treat, read his book on poetry The Ode Not Taken (or possibly The Ode Less Taken, am doing this from memory and book is not at hand)—he very entertainigly goes through just about every poetic form that exists, gives examples from his own work, and practically hangs from the chandelier urging and bullying his readers to try their own hand at writing in each of the styles. It’s very fine. Order it through Amazon and give John the cut (wish I could link from BlackBerry).
R-Jud - July 21, 2010 | 7:45 am · Link
I like Stephen Fry a lot, but I am growing weary of his “reviews” of the latest Apple products in the Guardian. The fanboy drooling is embarrassing.
demo woman - July 21, 2010 | 7:49 am · Link
Morning Siubhan. Hopefully Deal and Handel destroy each other in the runoff.
Breitbart was allowed to rant and his supporters will give him an atta boy. There was little mention about his ability to destroy lives and Eric from Media Matters had little time to respond. He did not receive the public flogging I was hoping for.
Did anyone else watch and if so what was your reaction?
Shalimar - July 21, 2010 | 7:53 am · Link
@Texas Dem: Too late. Their stupidity was the lead story on the CBS early morning show, and probably every other news show this morning. They should have fixed it last night before it reached the point where it will dominate the news today.
roshan - July 21, 2010 | 7:56 am · Link
Freeway Shooter Meant To Hit ACLU
stuckinred - July 21, 2010 | 8:06 am · Link
@roshan: And when was it I got all these lectures on how wonderful Oakland is? Two weeks maybe. spit
brantl - July 21, 2010 | 8:08 am · Link
Hard to believe this guy isn’t a jerk, but maybe not.
cleek - July 21, 2010 | 8:09 am · Link
@demo woman:
combine that with Drum’s theory that what fires-up the teabaggers turns-off independents and, well, maybe there’s a chance something good will come out of this.
stuckinred - July 21, 2010 | 8:10 am · Link
@demo woman: I guess Roy has a fighting chance but it’s hard to imagine a dem getting elected here in gooberville. Good to see Joe Martin won! And Mike Thurmond!
kommrade reproductive vigor - July 21, 2010 | 8:16 am · Link
@roshan: Wow. I guess he thought the CHiPs officers were the ACLU’s storm troopers. Man, what the fuck?
Fucking con. He should be the new fReichtard poster boy. A fucking loser who can’t connect the dots between his behavior and the consequences, so better shoot someone because that will make it all better. At least he won’t have to worry about unemployment anymore.
Fortunately for him, groups like the ACLU helped make sure it is illegal for cops to stomp on his ass. And guess who’ll be there for him if there was anything unkosher about his arrest or treatment?
SiubhanDuinne - July 21, 2010 | 8:16 am · Link
@demo woman #34:
Morning backatcha, Demo! I’d love to see Deal-Handel as surrogates for Gingrich-Palin. If we could get a good fight going at that level of conservatarditude, it would be a wondrous and beautiful thing to see.
I quit watching morning TV (except for West Wing reruns on Bravo) some months ago, so did not see any of the Sherrod-Breitbart-Boehler stuff on GMA today.
roshan - July 21, 2010 | 8:17 am · Link
@stuckinred:
Oakland is still good.
roshan - July 21, 2010 | 8:22 am · Link
@kommrade reproductive vigor:
Yeah, he can shoot liberals and the ACLU after they free him and guarantee welfare.
stuckinred - July 21, 2010 | 8:23 am · Link
@roshan: Is that some kind of proof?
snarkyspice - July 21, 2010 | 8:25 am · Link
@R-Jud:
Really? I don’t care what people are excited and happy about – as long as they’re excited and happy. There’s enough misery to go round.
I think Stephen Fry’s passion is what makes him so fascinating and fun to watch. I’m not at all interested in wildlife, but I found his show about endangered species to be interesting all the same, just because he cared about it so much.
For anyone who doesn’t know Stephen’s beginnings, do a quick Google search for ‘Fry and Laurie’ – you’ll laugh till you pee.
roshan - July 21, 2010 | 8:26 am · Link
@stuckinred:
Nope, just some detail. BTW, NY is still good after 9/11. Just don’t venture into Baghdad by any means.
demo woman - July 21, 2010 | 8:27 am · Link
@stuckinred: A friend just called and slammed Martin. Said he was forced off the Atlanta School Board and I asked why? Duh, she was not sure about the particulars.
My fingers are crossed for the fall elections.
slightly_peeved - July 21, 2010 | 8:27 am · Link
If you can find some QI (Quite Interesting), watch it. Stephen Fry hosting a show entirely about obscure and interesting facts. Now THERE’s catnip for nerds.
stuckinred - July 21, 2010 | 8:40 am · Link
@demo woman: I’ll ask Jane Kidd when I see her at the Farmers Market Saturday. I do know she supported him in the special Senate race. Of course she is the chair of the Georgia Democratic Party.
demo woman - July 21, 2010 | 8:47 am · Link
@stuckinred: Thanks. It’s easy to say something negative about a candidate but when challenged not to be able to back it up.
R-Jud - July 21, 2010 | 8:57 am · Link
@snarkyspice:
Okay, but the Guardian is basically running “advertorials” for Apple whenever they commission a column from him. He used to do general tech reviews for them, but now, no: only Apple.
Don’t get me wrong: I own all the Fry and Laurie DVDs, and will watch the language series. But I’m kind of getting fatigued of him. Maybe it’s because I’m a UK resident, and he’s kind of overexposed now: you see him in a lot of unfunny Twinings tea advertisements and other such stuff.
stuckinred - July 21, 2010 | 9:03 am · Link
@demo woman: Getting ousted from the chairship of a large school district is not too shocking methinks.
Steeplejack - July 21, 2010 | 11:01 am · Link
@SiubhanDuinne:
The Ode Less Travelled.
Also, Fry should have gotten (at least) an Oscar nomination for Wilde. Excellent movie.
SiubhanDuinne - July 21, 2010 | 7:34 pm · Link
@Steeplejack:
After 8 hours, I’m guessing you’re not exactly waiting around this thread for my response, but for the record: THIS. Wilde is a terrific movie, with an excellent cast all the way (Jude Law, Jennifer Ehle, Zoe Wanamaker, more)—but Stephen Fry truly was born to play Oscar Wilde.
Steep, if I see you on another thread later tonight, I’ll reiterate.
Steeplejack - July 21, 2010 | 8:49 pm · Link
@SiubhanDuinne:
Noted. I usually swing by threads in which I commented to look for replies and make sure they’re definitively dead, especially since I know that most Juicers are not on the night shift like me.
SiubhanDuinne - July 21, 2010 | 9:40 pm · Link
@Steep #56: Cool. And unexpected :-)
SiubhanDuinne - July 21, 2010 | 9:44 pm · Link
@Steep #56: Cool. And unexpected :-)
ETA: how do you keep track of the threads where you’ve commented? Serious question—I made some comment earlier today, went back later to see if there had been any response, could not remember the original post topic, visited (I think) every thread and did an “edit/find” for my handle, and . . . nothing. Is there a trick to searching for one’s own comments that I just haven’t figured out yet?
Steeplejack - July 22, 2010 | 12:54 am · Link
@SiubhanDuinne:
No genius involved. I open a different tab for each post (in Firefox, currently, but I used to do the same thing in Opera), so I can leave them and go on to other things and come back to them later. If I shut down my computer when I go to work—which I don’t always do—I can have Firefox save all open tabs, and it reopens them when I fire up Firefox again when I come home.
The key point is that Firefox (re)opens them with the page “focus” at the point (i.e., comment) where I left off reading. So, to take this thread as an example, I made my comment at 54, shut down the computer and went to work. When I came home, I fired up the computer, started Firefox and came back to this thread. My comment was still showing as the last one. I hit “refresh” (F5) and—voilà—your reply at 55 showed up. So I knew the thread was still “live,” at least for me, and I replied.
And I don’t use this just for threads where I have commented. I use it for any thread in which I’m interested and I want to follow it to the (often inconclusive) “conclusion.” I will check the thread to see if anyone has commented in the last [some number of hours] and will realize that it’s dead.
I seem to remember that you read Balloon Juice with a BlackBerry or some such, rather than a “real” computer, so you might not be able to have multiple tabs open. That’s the key.