23rd July, 2025.
Sadly, I have a habit: of buying albums in sad circumstances.
I bought Bowie’s Blackstar, when I heard about his death.
I bought Prince’s Purple Rain, when he died.
You can see what’s coming, can’t you?
I bought a copy of Black Sabbath, last night.
Because?
The band’s lead singer, Ozzy Osbourne, the Prince of Darkness himself, died.
I’ve got to admit, I was never a huge fan.
But he, and the band he fronted, were — like Bowie, Prince, Madonna, Springsteen, Elvis, the Beatles and a handful of others — made at least one song that you’re doing to love.
In my case, the Madonna one is “Dear Jessie”: no one else could’ve got away with that.
Ozzy?
Was one of those acts.
He died, yesterday: after doing his final concert only a few weeks ago.
The man was a legend*.
~≈✝️≈~
Hmmm …
The other thing the Today programme’s been discussing?
For less time than Ozzy’s death?
Is the old idea of a digital identity.
I’m not sure quite what the government’s planning on that front: but know it’s been discussed for some time.
My one concern?
Is simply this: will people need a smart-phone to use aspects of any planned scheme?
I think that will be an issue: as many will be unable to afford one, let alone able to use one.
Indeed there’s going to be people unable to afford one, unable to use one … or unable, for various reasons, even to read the on-screen text.
I think any proposed digital ID scheme will need to address this, right from the start.
~≈📱≈~
