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Author profile: Simon Hertnon

I have been writing, in one form or another, since I completed my BA in Linguistics from Victoria University of Wellington in 1989. My greatest professional joy is to uncover simple solutions to significant problems so, as a writer, it is no surprise that I felt highly motivated to tackle the crippling issue of poor written communication skills. The other major issue that captivates my attention is (for want of a better label) unwise human activity. At a time in history when we should be slowing down to enjoy our good fortune and to wisely plan for the future, we are instead busily just doing stuff — creating, manipulating, consuming, wasting — without due consideration of the effects of our actions. I think we assume that we're somehow making things better, but we're not, we're making things worse for ourselves, our children, and for future generations. For many years I have been trying to fathom why we act so unwisely and I have distilled what I have learned into a Theory of Universal Human Needs. I know it sounds pompous, but the title is accurate and the content, at just 72 words, is anything but pompous. And though I greatly value academic study and authorship, my theory is clearly not an academic one. But does that make it less helpful? I don't think so, but you can decide for yourself. And that's the key to my theory: accessibility — anyone can read it and critique it, which is surely essential for a theory that is attempting to identify and understand universal human needs. So my approach relies on brevity and natural philosophy (observation, contemplation, logic), and my simple hope is that it proves useful. I have, in any case, put a peg in the ground. Bibliography Endangered Words: A collection of rare gems for book lovers (Skyhorse Publishing, July 2009) ISBN 9781602397125 US edition of From Afterwit to Zemblanity. From Afterwit to Zemblanity: 100 endangered words brought to life (New Holland, June 2008) ISBN 9781869661939 A hardback gift book about rare but 'valuable' words written in the context of a world flush with options but short on discernment. Clear > Concise > Compelling: How to write less and achieve more (Nakedize, February 2007) ISBN 9780958278409 A super-concise writing skills guidebook based on Simon's writing skills seminar, Nakedgrammar. Love & Logic: A bloke's guide to commitment (Marsilio Press, November 2001) ISBN 9780473078821 A guidebook for commitment phobics (their partners, and their partners' mothers). You've Got Male, a column about a bloke's perspective on girlie stuff, for New Idea magazine. Various newspaper and magazine articles.

More information Bibliography   Contact Simon   Pastimes   I enjoy movies, books, cooking, travel and the outdoors, running and other sports, music, and (rather to my surprise) handyman stuff. Likes and dislikes   Our likes and dislikes say so much about us. So here are mine. I like excellent friends, joy, discernment, simplicity, appreciation, exploration, politeness, open-mindedness, and any efforts to help make life better for others (that is, humans or any other members of our commonwealth of species) or to preserve, appreciate, or enjoy nature. I dislike the opposites of pretty much everything I like. (What can I say? I'm logical!)

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