Last week, when I questioned the validity of UK-based philosopher Alain de Botton’s objections to his mother, I didn’t expect one of my blog followers to have personal knowledge of the matter. Not for a moment did I think that one of my readers might actually know Alain de Botton’s mother, Jacqueline.
Imagine my surprise, then, when an email arrived from Europe, confirming that de Botton had painted an entirely accurate picture of his mother’s ‘high maintenance’ status.
Drink, my pretty, drink... Alain de Botton's mum, Jacqueline (pictured right) greets Snow White at a cocktail function
Well, je suis désolée, Alain. I apologise unreservedly for doubting your filial instinct.
And let me just pause for a moment and, in a very middle-aged kind of way, be overwhelmed by the power of the internet.
I mean, I’m a Techno-Nobody. I’ve got a handful of Facebook ‘Likers’ (thank you! thank you!) and a small but interesting bunch of people who follow my blog.
So what’s the statistical probability of one of these blog-followers actually knowing Alain de Botton’s mother? It’s got to be the cyber equivalent of a lightning strike or a shark attack, surely.
Based on last week’s events, I might just sit back, make a cup of tea and wait for someone to advise me of the precise probability… some rogue statistician who’s also following my blog. It’s a small world, after all.
