Summary

The website content reflects on the author's experiences with writing, reading, and engaging with the online community on Medium.com, expressing a desire for peaceful creativity amidst the digital hustle.

Abstract

The author, John Rose, shares a personal reflection on the tranquility of writing and reading within the comfort of his home, surrounded by his personal library. He fondly describes his nearly 30-year-old desk as a steadfast companion in his creative endeavors, which include not only writing but also lecturing and learning. The act of writing, whether it results in a polished piece or an unfinished draft, is embraced as a valuable process. The author's love for reading extends to both literary and technical books, though he notes the fleeting relevance of the latter due to rapid technological advancements. His engagement with Medium.com is multifaceted; while he appreciates the platform for its social journalism aspect and enjoys interacting with the community, he critiques its corporate-like atmosphere and the pressure to maintain a constant presence. The author concludes with a contemplation on creating a publication that captures places evoking cherished memories, drawing inspiration from the natural world.

Opinions

The author values the peace and purpose that his old desk brings to his writing process.
He appreciates the tactile experience of reading physical books and the mental escape they provide.
There is a sense of nostalgia for the days when technical books were essential, though he acknowledges their quick obsolescence in the digital age.
The author enjoys the community aspects of Medium.com but is critical of its overly commercial environment.
He is inspired by nature and personal memories, considering the creation of a publication that would feature serene locations for reading and reflective writing.
Despite the fatigue from the online platform's demands, the author remains enthusiastic about writing and publishing, and the joy it brings through interaction and creativity.

A Quiet Read.

I write in peace. I want to read in peace.

One of my Library shelves, they pop up around my apartment. Picture by John Rose.

Writing at home.

My desk is nearly 30 years old, Nothing fancy, Bought for first IT business, Supported PC’s and servers screens and laptops, Far off days.

Now for writing, Lectures and learning handouts and tutorials poems and stories, Through long habit old desk imbues purposeful attitude, Feel relaxed yet energised and there to get things done, Set about task coffee in hand.

Sometimes ideas flow and poems shape and form before my very eyes, Other times polish half finished poems like model cars missing wheel or two, No matter, Embrace all my writing polished and unpolished published and deleted, Even embarrassing unwritable ideas, Love creative writing, Finished poem is better for struggle.

Once published, poem enters medium.com maelstrom.

Reading Books.

Always delighted reading books, Comfortable surrounds, Book’s tactile feel, Eyes immersed devouring pages, Mind transported wondrous lands.

Technical books, Visualised structures cogs and plates, Complex programming envisaged abstract models.

Unfortunately technical books become obsolescent all too soon, PhD research accessed on-line libraries and journals, Eventually online reading speed matched book reading speed.

Online research or book in hand, Always have sense of wonder and peace in reading and learning.

Medium.com.

Medium.com is online publishing platform, Really it’s social journalism, Relies upon community involvement social newsgathering and relationship building.

Participants join and participate in managing community publications, Without treading into membership payments and earnings from reads it’s created an image at least to my mind of dystopian workhouse with frenzied activity of regular publishing, monitoring stats, reading stories, making comments and doing claps, Many “must do” activities typical of corporates.

Must admit I thoroughly enjoy writing and publishing, Reading and commenting, Interacting with friends, But I’m tired of shopping mall ambience, Spruikers by doors, Pamphleteers and scammers. Expecting invasion of model reindeers!

Where to now?

Snapdragon, first flower buds of “Magic Carpet”. Picture today by John Rose.

Had an idea while admiring first snapdragon buds, Create publication of places invoking memories of favorite times with friends and family, Favorite beach could be feature page, Forest walk another, Sleepy lagoon, Drifting in kayak, Places of calm for peacefully reading, Gently writing from my heart as mind frolics in treasured mind scapes.

Well so much for feelings, Wishes and daydreams, Guess my thoughts akin to description by Walt Disney for inspiring creation of Cinderella Castle.

Not sure what will come of these silly thoughts but feel impelled to experiment and try.

Blessed be.