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For every possible angle on things that Brins can think of
Saturday, December 03, 2005
A Torch
Not just any torch, but a small, plastic, yellow torch.
Before analysing this torch, let's consider the world of torches as a whole. Now, torches have been around for some time, and it could be argued that society - in general - has become a touch complacent about the use and place of torches in the modern world. Comparatively, the individual doesn't really stop on a brisk, outdoor jog to consider how much they owe to torches.
These factors compiled with respect to the yellow torch, it is time to consider these outlooks and others in our review.
Let's take the individual and society separately: now, as you will soon come to see with my reviewing ethos, I don't like to disdain or demote any point of view on a subject, as I consider there to be merit to all. Furthermore, we must remember that for any view on something to come about, any person that holds to one must surely have solid personal convictions for doing so - that is to say, they know why they couldn't care less about the torch. Those who have always loved torches can't fathom them, and vice versa.
So basically, I always give account for all views on these matters. Society has a point about torches not having a particular place in modern life - certainly, pass a Medieval person a torch and they would be overjoyed at having their own light to do with as they please. However, we now have artificial light all over the place: streetlamps, indoor lamps, Christmas decorations, computer screens; everywhere we look, there's something to light our way. While torches came into great use in days gone by, particularly for workers in dark places like tunnels, these things were invaluable to doing things efficiently. Yet, who needs torches when you can see your streets for lamps?
The individual who has gone their whole life without thinking about torches in any great deal would also have a fascinating perspective on them - having never been faced with the world of the torch, save perhaps for some brief need of one for looking in a cupboard, they present the undervalued contribution of ignorance to the great torch debate. Why should they care about torches? They've never needed them. Indeed, someone who has never used a torch will probably not think too highly of them. The issue raised with this is that if the individual doesn't care much about torches, then can that individial point of view be expanded to encapsulate the vast proportion of Western thinking on the subject? The majority of people will no doubt have heard of a torch, but owe little-to-nothing to the torch as an item of light.
These views on the torch are very interesting, and sum up at least one angle of torches. However, that's not to say there aren't more.
For a striking example, consider this: it's night-time, and you're in a supermarket; suddenly there is a power-cut - all the lights go out. There are now no lights left in the building, and everyone's pretty much stranded without being able to see a thing. What single thing can take you out of this bothersome plight with minimal difficultly? A torch? Not to put words in mouths, but it seems to be that the case would be in favour of a torch. If we consider the definition of 'torch' to mean any kind of lighting mechanism which works independently of any external influence, then yes, a torch alone can save your bacon (you don't want it going stale outside the fridge, do you?)
Similarly, what happens if you go into a dark forest late at night? A torch is useful. An unexplored mine-shaft? Again, torch useful. A volcano? A haunted mansion? Outer space? Black holes? (Though common thinking in the field of astro-physics is that utilising a torch within a black hole would be impossible [note: common astro-physics thinking also presumes that black holes actually exist]. Perhaps black holes will be considered more in-depth at a later date.) Where would we be without torches in at least some of these mundane scenarios?
We can ascertain the values of society and the individual - in general - with respect to torches, and their arguments are very sound. Nonetheless, who can deny that a torch would come in handy at the local unlit graveyard in the witching hour? Until the day when someone decides to invent something that make the universe bright all the time, a torch will always have its place in such scenarios.
In closing, I feel that I've managed to cover some fair ground in the analysis of torches, and represented both basic sides of the torch debate to the extent of giving a true and fair view of their summations.
To word the review less technically, the yellow torch works. It turns on when a small, black object on its side is moved upwards slightly. This could be viewed as being a tedious operation, but suits minor practical purposes for most people. Provided the batteries don't go flat, the little yellow torch is fine.
Brins has reviewed a torch to a Grade 2 level.
Not just any torch, but a small, plastic, yellow torch.
Before analysing this torch, let's consider the world of torches as a whole. Now, torches have been around for some time, and it could be argued that society - in general - has become a touch complacent about the use and place of torches in the modern world. Comparatively, the individual doesn't really stop on a brisk, outdoor jog to consider how much they owe to torches.
These factors compiled with respect to the yellow torch, it is time to consider these outlooks and others in our review.
Let's take the individual and society separately: now, as you will soon come to see with my reviewing ethos, I don't like to disdain or demote any point of view on a subject, as I consider there to be merit to all. Furthermore, we must remember that for any view on something to come about, any person that holds to one must surely have solid personal convictions for doing so - that is to say, they know why they couldn't care less about the torch. Those who have always loved torches can't fathom them, and vice versa.
So basically, I always give account for all views on these matters. Society has a point about torches not having a particular place in modern life - certainly, pass a Medieval person a torch and they would be overjoyed at having their own light to do with as they please. However, we now have artificial light all over the place: streetlamps, indoor lamps, Christmas decorations, computer screens; everywhere we look, there's something to light our way. While torches came into great use in days gone by, particularly for workers in dark places like tunnels, these things were invaluable to doing things efficiently. Yet, who needs torches when you can see your streets for lamps?
The individual who has gone their whole life without thinking about torches in any great deal would also have a fascinating perspective on them - having never been faced with the world of the torch, save perhaps for some brief need of one for looking in a cupboard, they present the undervalued contribution of ignorance to the great torch debate. Why should they care about torches? They've never needed them. Indeed, someone who has never used a torch will probably not think too highly of them. The issue raised with this is that if the individual doesn't care much about torches, then can that individial point of view be expanded to encapsulate the vast proportion of Western thinking on the subject? The majority of people will no doubt have heard of a torch, but owe little-to-nothing to the torch as an item of light.
These views on the torch are very interesting, and sum up at least one angle of torches. However, that's not to say there aren't more.
For a striking example, consider this: it's night-time, and you're in a supermarket; suddenly there is a power-cut - all the lights go out. There are now no lights left in the building, and everyone's pretty much stranded without being able to see a thing. What single thing can take you out of this bothersome plight with minimal difficultly? A torch? Not to put words in mouths, but it seems to be that the case would be in favour of a torch. If we consider the definition of 'torch' to mean any kind of lighting mechanism which works independently of any external influence, then yes, a torch alone can save your bacon (you don't want it going stale outside the fridge, do you?)
Similarly, what happens if you go into a dark forest late at night? A torch is useful. An unexplored mine-shaft? Again, torch useful. A volcano? A haunted mansion? Outer space? Black holes? (Though common thinking in the field of astro-physics is that utilising a torch within a black hole would be impossible [note: common astro-physics thinking also presumes that black holes actually exist]. Perhaps black holes will be considered more in-depth at a later date.) Where would we be without torches in at least some of these mundane scenarios?
We can ascertain the values of society and the individual - in general - with respect to torches, and their arguments are very sound. Nonetheless, who can deny that a torch would come in handy at the local unlit graveyard in the witching hour? Until the day when someone decides to invent something that make the universe bright all the time, a torch will always have its place in such scenarios.
In closing, I feel that I've managed to cover some fair ground in the analysis of torches, and represented both basic sides of the torch debate to the extent of giving a true and fair view of their summations.
To word the review less technically, the yellow torch works. It turns on when a small, black object on its side is moved upwards slightly. This could be viewed as being a tedious operation, but suits minor practical purposes for most people. Provided the batteries don't go flat, the little yellow torch is fine.
Brins has reviewed a torch to a Grade 2 level.
Brins would appreciate it if you didn't swear in your comments
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