Sunday, February 11, 2018

As Seen on TV and Radio

That was the text of a placard that a fortune teller in Dublin's Henry Street used to advertise his (or her) service. I thought it was hilarious. Sadly, it was eventually corrected to "As Seen and Heard on TV and Radio".

Anyway, I had a piece on RTE Radio's Sunday Miscellany arts programme today. Here it is.

6 comments:

  1. It's great to see you on the airwaves at last!
    I agree about the value of greetings cards. Many people are certainly afraid of being thought sentimental, though - hence the descent in some quarters, in Britain at least, into the coarse and the crass. But let chocolate-box cards flourish!
    I shouldn't have mentioned chocolate on the first day of Lent.
    Anyway, I certainly agree that 'Gestures are the currency of love', and the two things produce each other - it works both ways; gestures can teach us to love as much as love begets gestures.
    I've only had time to listen to your segment, but I think that's a really good format for a radio programme.

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    Replies
    1. It's a difficult one because I agree there is a legitimate critique of sentimentality, and the Catholic approach of actions rather than feelings.

      And yet...I think the rejection of sentimentality has gone too far, and is excessive in its zeal.

      Thanks for listening, and I'm glad you liked it!

      I could write a long post about the gestures of love that remain with me after many years.

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    2. Yes, I know what you mean. There's more to it, though, than a simple rejection of sentimentality. There's a hatred of sentiment, and a fear of exercising the muscle of the heart. Sneering and cynicism is safer, as well as easier, than making a genuine engagement with the emotions.

      How did it come about? Was it you who got in touch with RTE or the other way around?

      Yes, I could write such a post too.

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    3. The programme is open to outside submissions. My father encouraged me to send stuff in. I wasn't enthusiastic, since I never seem to have much luck with those kind of things, but he told me to submit for eight weeks and see what happened, which I did. Months later, they gave me call, they thought the cardshop piece was good for Valentine's Day. I will send in more at some point.

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    4. Good! Yes, I think you should send in more.

      I know you are busy, but has the podcast idea gone any further?

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    5. No, I haven't explored that at all. I do find the technological aspect intimidating. But I may well do so, and perhaps not before long.

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