A Brief History Of Seven Killings: 150-WORD BOOK REVIEW

briefA Brief History Of Seven Killings, Marlon James’ extraordinary third novel has received acclaim from the world’s literary critics and last year won the Man Booker Prize, but it is much more important than that.

Filmic (or more likely boxset-ic) from the start, it’s not surprising that HBO have already bought up the options because this book is magnificent. Like an updated War And Peace set in Kingston and New York, not St Petersburg and Moscow, there are more than enough characters to rival Tolstoy’s creations.

Based on an assassination attempt on Bob Marley when the CIA presumed Jamaica would be one of the dominoes that followed Cuba’s socialist revolution, the depiction of poverty and gangsters in Kingston shines new light on that period of history.

This book, however, is a serious commitment. Its 700 pages, some in patois and others in dreamscape, have to be respected and nurtured in a quiet space without distraction. Once that journey begins, so will yours. An awesome book.

EXCLUSIVE – 10% discount code for Mobilista Rockstars

Mobilista Rockstars - 150x150Mobilista Rockstars takes place in three continents in Hong Kong, London and New York in 7-11th October later this year.

In a (once-in-a-lifetime, you’ve never had it so good, people breaking down my door, you’ll never regret it) offer, readers of this (highly influential, awesome, critically engaged) website can get a 10% discount by using this code: 1MRPMM Continue reading

Mobilista Rockstars sets sail across three continents

mobilista_rockstarMore than 30 of the world’s foremost writers and experts on mobile will be part of a conference roadshow that runs for three consecutive events in Hong Kong, London and New York.

Taking place from 7-11th October later this year, Mobilista Rockstars will feature keynote-level presentations from each of the 32 specially invited speakers in each two-day event in each city. The event/events are organised by Tomi T Ahonen, ‘the world’s most influential expert in mobile’ in 2012 and Matthew Dawes, the foremost African conference expert.

“The speakers on the tour are the people that I quote in my books. The ones I retweet; the authors I mention in my presentations. I’m looking forward to? Going to all three events and not listening to a single corporate pitch. The presentations are going to be independent perspectives, from true thought-leaders; formed from years of exposure to the expansion of digital and how mobile has swelled within it,” says Ahonen.

For a full list of speakers and details of the event, go to the Mobilista Rockstars website.

US gangs use social media to daunt, flaunt and taunt

This post is by regular contributor and US hip-hop technology legend Mike Johns, who tweets here and is heading up iAM DIGITAL: MUSIC & TECH Symposium at this year’s CTIA

Instagram gangbangingWe’ve seen how social media has played an important role in creating cause awareness, inciting revolutions, and toppling Government regimes.

However, who could have ever imagined that these powerful tools would be used by US gangs across America? In cities such as New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, gang members often use Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media outlets to spread vitriolic ‘diss’ messages and encourage rival gangs to respond. Continue reading

Who knew?… Anti-virus company founders are the new rock n’ rollers

I have never had any interest in any anti-virus software. I don’t know anything about it, I just want it to work, rather like seeing an oestepath when I’m in pain, I only think about it when something goes wrong.

How wrong I was. The past two weeks have seen John McAfee, the eponymous founder of the McAfee anti-virus software company go all Colonel Kurtz Continue reading