this sounds a lot like an Agatha Christie plot...invite 10 strangers to an historic home under the pretext of a design workshop...find out all of them are keeping murderous secrets.... and then there was none. sounds great.
Your observation about reading the news reminded me of Neil Postman's 1985 book "Amusing Ourselves to Death." His thesis was that modern communications technology (starting with the telegraph) transformed our culture into one dominated by fragmented information that has no purpose other than as entertainment.
Postman asks, "How often does it occur that information provided you on morning radio or television, or in the morning newspaper, causes you to alter your plans for the day, or to take some action you would not otherwise have taken, or provides insight into some problem you are required to solve?"
In this case, if your reading of a far-away murder (one with no direct connection or relevance to your own life) inspires you to create a project or a workshop, you may be, in an interesting way, proving him wrong.
Hey Annie, I'm totally interested in the spooky murder-mystery version of the course! (I was enrolled a few years ago but had that nervous breakdown and missed it..)
If you want to read a paywalled article from the NYT or wherever then go to https://archive.md/ and pop the url of the story in question into the box. 9 times out of 10 you'll be able to read it.
this sounds a lot like an Agatha Christie plot...invite 10 strangers to an historic home under the pretext of a design workshop...find out all of them are keeping murderous secrets.... and then there was none. sounds great.
I did not know a murder mystery design weekend was ln my bingo card for 2025, but after this read most apparently it is
Come along! https://www.annieatkins.com/murder
This read was a rollercoaster of emotions but the idea of a murder mystery style design camp weekend is somehow my dream I didn't even know existed.
Your observation about reading the news reminded me of Neil Postman's 1985 book "Amusing Ourselves to Death." His thesis was that modern communications technology (starting with the telegraph) transformed our culture into one dominated by fragmented information that has no purpose other than as entertainment.
Postman asks, "How often does it occur that information provided you on morning radio or television, or in the morning newspaper, causes you to alter your plans for the day, or to take some action you would not otherwise have taken, or provides insight into some problem you are required to solve?"
In this case, if your reading of a far-away murder (one with no direct connection or relevance to your own life) inspires you to create a project or a workshop, you may be, in an interesting way, proving him wrong.
You got me at « true crime props ». As a designer specialized in investigation games… your offer sounds like a dream. Sign me in for the updates ! 👀
Here you go! https://www.annieatkins.com/murder
I already sent my application… 🤞 thanks Annie !
Old manor house, Irish countryside, prop making with other designers in a murder solving mood, that's my kind of deadly potion !
I'm all ears.
Definitely interested 👀
Here's the registration form: https://www.annieatkins.com/murder
Hey Annie, I'm totally interested in the spooky murder-mystery version of the course! (I was enrolled a few years ago but had that nervous breakdown and missed it..)
Hey Stephanie! Yes I remember you were signed up before. Here's the new info: https://www.annieatkins.com/murder
Just had a read, it sounds awesome but I’ll be working on a series in Fiji at that time 😭 I hope it’s such a success you hold another one!
The merging of worlds I don’t know could overlap. Very interested! Love the idea of a design camp.
Registration is open: https://www.annieatkins.com/murder
Country house murder mystery design weekend sounds like my ideal Spotify daylist title. Sign me up for updates on this!
This could get me out there
I'm wildly (nearly frantically) interested in joining you—in Dublin or anywhere.
Please add me to the list!
Hello AJ! The murder retreat is now taking applications: https://www.annieatkins.com/murder
That sounds SO cool (wistfully, from Australia)
This sounds like a dream! I'd love to join
Registration is open! https://www.annieatkins.com/murder
Love these Substacks - you are making my inbox a better place to be : D x x
Thank you Siobhan!!
If you want to read a paywalled article from the NYT or wherever then go to https://archive.md/ and pop the url of the story in question into the box. 9 times out of 10 you'll be able to read it.
good call! Thank you