Death franchise

Some days are good and some days are crap. Today was a crap one - a twelve-hour slog, researching dates and book details that should have been done years ago. Blood, Sweat and Tears, The Evolution of Work, a book I wrote 10 years ago, is to come out in a new edition in the spring as The History of Work.

I wrote a new chapter; that was straightforward enough. But in the past week I have been getting re-edited chapters back with queries. Almost all of the queries relate to notations. I didn't pay much heed to the notations in the original book but looking at them now I can see they're full of omissions. I can only assume that the original notations weren't properly edited. It was all a long time ago.

Anyway there was nothing for it than to wade in, checking references. Many of the books I have in my collection but some had to be checked online. One thing that surprised me was just how much material you can find online these days - far more than was available when I carried out the original research in 1999.

In fact it's made me wonder whether some notations are worth the candle since very often all someone needs to do when checking a reference is to stick in the quotation and the whole book appears. Some of these are pretty obscure titles. I'm finding this too with my latest research. There is so much on line, it's keeping me away from trips up to the British Library.

Just now I'm doing a lot of work on alternative energy sources and quite a bit on death. I'm curious about the potential for inter-generational tension as we grow older. I can imagine that the younger generations will be desperate to shove my generation in to retirement. It would be a big mistake, mind, as it would leave them with all the work to do. But then they would grow even more resentful at all those mouths to feed among the aging baby boomers.

There seems to be a growing debate on euthanasia and assisted suicide. I'm thinking that in 20 or 30 years time euthanasia will be taken for granted. More than that, it wouldn't surprise me if people were encouraged "to go early" so as not to be a burden on the kids and to release any remaining accumulated capital for those who might inherit.

I remember how that film, Soylent Green, disposed of Sol Roth, played by Edward G Robinson (who was dying of cancer at the time - this was his last film). Perhaps this was what Martin Amis had in mind when he mentioned street corner euthanasia booths the other day.

I suppose it would work best with a franchise arrangement, supported by advertising campaigns on the lines of "You should have gone to Specsavers."

Talking of my book

Talking of my book (did I mention my book?), I noticed when creating the link to Amazon .co.uk in the last blog that they had run out of copies.

Not to worry, however, because it lists 23 copies "used and new" from 96p. Ninety-six pence! That's about 1p for every 1,200 words, good value for all these quotes. I'm worth more than that. Mind you, so is the Bible and that's all on the internet, as are the complete works of Shakespeare.

It's really time that I wrote another book and I do update my outline on the future of work (mentioned here on the dullest page of my website) quite regularly as I get there (the future, that is). Besides, I said much of what I had to say in the last book and it it really hasn't dated.

That ludicrously cheap copy is to be found at somewhere called Warehouse Deals UK. I bet it's a place that treats books badly: uses them as door stops, table wedges and fire-lighters, that sort of thing.

Now the dealer I really like on that list is Speedybookseller offering a new copy for £28.68, still remarkable value for money. But that's quite a price spread. I cannot begin to understand pricing mechanisms in the publishing industry. If you wish to retain some humility in life, write a book.....and wait for the returns.

The Trip to Panama

It has to be the publishing sensation of the year - for me at least. Congratulations to the Andersen Press for republishing one of my favourite books that has been out of print for some time.

If you have never read The Trip to Panama by Janosch, you are in for a treat. Go out and buy it now. It might help if you have small children to give you an excuse. If not, buy it anyway. Although this is a children's book in shape and form, its message is important for everyone.

I won't spoil the story but I will say that it's all about understanding the things that really matter in life. It's about discovery, making friends, and enjoying the good things in life.

In fact I found it so inspiring I went out and bought the comfiest sofa (which northerners like myself would generally call a settee) I could find. No regrets.

If you do read the book, perhaps you would share your thoughts with me about the messages in the bottles that pass by from time to time. I have my own ideas about them but I would like to know if others concur.

I have used this book many times in lectures and referenced it in my book, Blood, Sweat and Tears, The Evolution of Work. But it's a long time since I have seen a copy. Gill bought me one today as a surprise. It's made my day.