Lovely essay, Tom. I’ve long been interested at how “talking about the weather” got a bad rap. In addition to the small-talk scenario you describe so well, weather is important in its own right! One has to be pretty insulated with umbrellas and thermostats and polar fleece to look down on weather talk and think there is something more pressing and abstract to put in its place.
Yeah, I always talk about the weather because it’s always changing around here. I virtually always carry both sunglasses and something to cover my head if it rains. Good to have all bases covered.
Yup, and in New England I grew up with, “if you don’t like the weather, wait a minute.” Which just goes to show that we are parasites, and impatient ones.
St. Ives itself is a very special place where the quality of light is greater than normal because of its geographical position, hence why it attracts many artists. I also noticed that the sky generally tends to be a much deeper blue in Cornwall than where I live now in Kent - a beautiful background for those passing clouds.
Ah yes, I remember the days of bemoaning small talk. Now it’s what I look forward to most when I log on to my Zoom meetings at work. Great observations
“ How foolish I was to not see the paradox that the extraordinary parts of life are to only be found in the depths of the ordinary”. Brilliant observation.
Such a great post! My husband and I make time for 'cloud safaris' - at least one of us is always checking out the clouds wherever we're going, and if we get the chance, we stop and linger for a proper look. A few minutes spent looking at the sky never represent time wasted! 🌥️
Couldn’t agree more! I try not to lay out instrumental reasons and engage with prevalent Utilitarian spirit on its own terms but if you do weigh such things on a time vs outcome scale they always turn out to be well worth the few minutes that you expend on them.
Lovely essay, Tom. I’ve long been interested at how “talking about the weather” got a bad rap. In addition to the small-talk scenario you describe so well, weather is important in its own right! One has to be pretty insulated with umbrellas and thermostats and polar fleece to look down on weather talk and think there is something more pressing and abstract to put in its place.
Yeah, I always talk about the weather because it’s always changing around here. I virtually always carry both sunglasses and something to cover my head if it rains. Good to have all bases covered.
Yup, and in New England I grew up with, “if you don’t like the weather, wait a minute.” Which just goes to show that we are parasites, and impatient ones.
New England sounds a lot like Old England…
Reminded me of this subscription that Hugh Dennis enjoys, for example: https://cloudappreciationsociety.org
The issue is, of course, that with this subscription you'd still be looking at a screen, but perhaps is the cloud-methadone for cubicle-dwellers.
I’m not sure how I feel about this. One the one hand- they get it. On the other hand- screens.
But like you say: methadone. Perhaps it’s a needed first step for some.
St. Ives itself is a very special place where the quality of light is greater than normal because of its geographical position, hence why it attracts many artists. I also noticed that the sky generally tends to be a much deeper blue in Cornwall than where I live now in Kent - a beautiful background for those passing clouds.
Wonderful place St Ives, I think it fully deserves the reputation it has. Good ice cream there too.
Ah yes, I remember the days of bemoaning small talk. Now it’s what I look forward to most when I log on to my Zoom meetings at work. Great observations
I do wonder if it’s simply a sign of growing up? Some sort of transitional phase you go through.
“ How foolish I was to not see the paradox that the extraordinary parts of life are to only be found in the depths of the ordinary”. Brilliant observation.
We try and run away from this fact and get fancy, but it’s undeniably true.
Nice transition from small talk to what could be called "small seeing", regarding the world without specific intent.
Well spotted, Larry. Glad you caught that.
I would try and coin a phrase for these kinds of non-instrumental, a-productive activities, but...that would kind of miss the point, wouldn’t it?
It would, yet it is so tempting to do so, isn’t it?
Such a great post! My husband and I make time for 'cloud safaris' - at least one of us is always checking out the clouds wherever we're going, and if we get the chance, we stop and linger for a proper look. A few minutes spent looking at the sky never represent time wasted! 🌥️
Couldn’t agree more! I try not to lay out instrumental reasons and engage with prevalent Utilitarian spirit on its own terms but if you do weigh such things on a time vs outcome scale they always turn out to be well worth the few minutes that you expend on them.
😁