Alan Turing, Marimekko, i-devices

Yesterday was Alan Turing's 100th birthday.

You may have seen Google's Doodle of the Turing Machine.

Common belief is that Turing suicided in 1954, but now that cause of death is being questioned.

However he died, Alan Turing is one of the historical figures whom I hold in high esteem. In fact, I hold him in very high esteem. He's one of my heroes.

I'm sure you're aware of Turing's pivotal role in the cracking of Germany's Enigma Codes during WWII, and of his mathematical genius.

Turing was also homosexual and, in the height of the Cold War, that was viewed as threat to the State ... especially so in Mr Turing's case considering his important role in England's security and how vulnerable he may have been to blackmail.

He was a man of great integrity and, as a result, found himself in front of the courts for his homosexual daliances. He was found guilty of gross indecency, and to prevent going to prison, he agreed to undergo a year of oestrogen injections, chemical castration, which affected him physically and psychologically. Apart from the effects, it was an appalling thing to do to a human being, particularly one who had assisted the Allies defeat Hitler.

It is assumed Turing suicided by consuming an apple poisoned with cyanide, a chemical he used in many of his experiments.

Turing reminds me of the importance of genius and its teetering confusion with anti-socialism, reclusiveness, auspergers or just plain-strange behaviour - Turing was viewed by some of his fellow code-breakers as strange, rude and aloof.

Turing also reminds me of the constant need to question authority, and the importance of truthfulness, human difference and dignity.

One of my sons reminds me Turing. And for that reason, that son is not allowed to eat apples or touch anything that has apples in it. He won't be allowed to use my Apple i-phone, for instance, when I buy one. (I've got to come up with some excuse.)

Turing. Think about him.

How's this Marimekko dress on the right? I'm quite smitten by it's summeryness and tent-ish twirlyness.

You can see more of Marimekko's beauty here. The dress is horrendously out of my price range. 

Who has an i-phone or i-pad? Please regale me with their benefits. Don't hold back.

 via

I like the idea of a bamboo case.

PS For those of you in my television coverage footprint, on ABC2 at 8:30pm next Saturday evening is the second-half of a cracker of a documentary on Woody Allen. Cracker I tell you.