I got a real buzz out of discovering I had a new Twitter followers last night. I admit I get new Twitter followers, it seems, every day in which case that might seem an odd thing to say, or something that is a little disrespectful to the rest, but I hope you will forgive me because my new follower announced his presence like this:
Harry Leslie Smith is 91. And he's a phenomenal writer and campaigner. Just read his latest article on the Guardian, here.
And now he's written a book - which I have on order. As he has said to The Nation:
As one of the last remaining survivors of the Great Depression and the Second World War, I will not go gently into that good night. I want to tell you what the world looks like through my eyes, so that you can help change it.
I hope I feel like that when I'm 91 (which I fully intend to be: that gives me 35 years campaigning still).
I'm honoured to be followed by Harry Leslie Smith.
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A bit strange, he followed 225 people on that day. Now following 3024 people with only 2841 followers. The world’s oldest spammer?
No – he launched a book and got a lot of interest and so followed more people
It happens
It’s called wanting to read your press – and why not when you’re 91?
If you had an ounce if his integrity you’d understand. Clearly you don’t
He’s following people with no tweets so not likely.
https://twitter.com/1923TheBook (55 more followed yesterday, following 1701, follows 1442)
https://www.facebook.com/harryslaststand
I think you are being followed by the publisher, not the man himself. Try it. Ask him.
Wow
Your cynicism is so sordid I think it’s time I stopped wasting my time on you
Harry is a friend of mine and I assure you he is entirely sincere in his efforts to draw attention to the alarming state of affairs in the world. I think he gets some help from his son navigating social media. He probably gets some pressure from publishers to promote his persona online, that’s pretty standard fare for anyone who writes books, makes music or runs any kind of business, really. Social media takes on a new relevance when you actually have something to say, its’ not always just a cult of personality.
Thanks Jason
Thanks for this post Richard-it is worth remembering as we commemorate the Normandy landings that many, now Harry’s age, feel a sense of shame and disgust at what has happened to our society. Some of the staunchest voices for the rediscovery of social purpose come from these veterans. They didn’t fight for a vision of corporate oligarchy and food banks and utterly rapacious financial systems they fought for social equity, community and generosity. neo-Liberalism impugns their spirit.
I can remember nonagenarian member of the House of Lords, Civil Liberties barrister and old Etonian Jeremy Hutchinson talking on desert Island Discs referring to how our society was moving backwards. These people experienced the horror of war in order to advance justice-and what do we end up with-supra-Governmental arrangements like TTIP!
I think I’ll order that book!
I can’t say I know much about being followed – or a follower – on Twitter, Richard, as I don’t use that technology. But I can say that I read Harry’s ‘Eulogy to the NHS’ in a paper version of The Guardian as I traveled home from Iceland yesterday and must say I was moved. I superb piece of writing, and an example of a person and standard that should act as an exemplar to us all.
I hope Iceland was good
His article in the Guardian was excellent – stories like his are very important to remind us there was a time when there was no NHS, and being poor and sick could be a death sentence (as it frequently still is in the US).
My huge respect and congratulations to Harry for writing what will hopefully be a best seller. I just hope I’m writing stuff as good as that article when I’m 91 (if indeed I’m even still around by then!)