Frivolity

I never knew that! With Kettle Technology Editor, Joshua Daniels

9 years ago
by Naomi

At Kettle Mag the editors remain hidden away in Kettle towers occupying themselves with ideas, proofing, tweeting and keeping their ears tuned to the latest news. But what do we know about these busy creatures? Here at frivolity over the coming weeks we intend to find out…and this week Technology Editor Josh Daniels gives us some smart answers.

My parents don’t know this about me but…

I’ve decided I’m not straight. This isn’t based on any sexual preference so much as my outright abandonment of the binary gender model, and ergo, heterosexuality. Besides, Matthew McConaughey makes me question things.

What’s your favourite word that rhymes with Kettle?

Well, it has to be mettle, doesn’t it? One’s mettle is one’s ability to demonstrate resilience, which is always admirable.

How long after you wake up do you check your phone?

Unfortunately, my phone wakes me up so the answer’s immediately. The first thing I go through each morning is the news, the second is the messages that have come in overnight – not only do I go to bed super early, but I’ve got a few friends scattered around different timezones, so there’s always a couple.

Stranded on a desert island you wouldn’t be without…

A Leatherman. If you’re going to make it out alive, you’ll need a multitool. And I reckon that’s the best one.

Leatherman tool, wikimedia commons

Josh’s favourite multitool.

What’s the most revolting food you’ve ever eaten?

Although not actually revolting, I’m vegetarian, so the mistaken consumption of chicken schnitzel was nearly a fatal mistake.

What is the best piece of tech that you own?

That’s a bloody hard question. Sometimes the best product is genuinely the simplest. I have a Maglite AA torch that’s been around for longer than I have.

When has technology failed you, and did you keep your cool?

Technology rarely fails. That is, hardware problems are actually pretty infrequent. Human error or software issues are everyday things though. When my burglar alarm goes off at the improper times, entirely because of my mistakes, I lose it.

If you couldn’t edit the Technology section for Kettle, which section would you choose?

I’d like to give politics a go. Wouldn’t we all? It’s the one I’m probably apt for – I spend my days in Westminster, I’m immersed in the subject and it strikes me as the one that has by far the most impact on our lives.

Which friend that you met at uni is likely to be at your 60th birthday party?

Full disclosure, I’m not at uni. Being a little bit of a journalism obsessive, I started for Kettle when I was only 14 so at 16 now, in lower sixth, I’ve got my first editor gig. I’ve got one friend who I’ve been close with since before nursery. His name’s Jacob, and I see no reason why we couldn’t do another few decades of friendship.

Wine or beer?

I feel like beer as a likeable drink is probably a lie passed down through the ages, designed to discover which generation actually feels comfortable defying the status quo. Wine of course carries no elements of traditionalism and is therefore my favourite.

Cat or dog?

Dog. A pet is a companion. The appeal of cats is that they’re low maintenance, but no one goes to the pet store and buys a hoodie. Accept you want an actual likeable creature and get a dog.

Football or rugby?

Rugby. That’s more down to which I was less dreadful at than anything else. I like swimming. I get on with swimming.

iPhone or Android?

Don’t drag me down this rabbit hole. You can’t compare like for like, and for most people, the right choice is an iPhone. That said, I’m typing this on my OnePlus One, which is an Android handset.

Apart from writing, what other creative talents do you have?

I wouldn’t go so far as talent, but I’m a keen photographer. Check out my Behance page to keep up with my work.

If you were a punctuation mark, what would you be?

I feel like I’d be a comma. Commas are overused and undervalued, and as an A-Level student, I find that most relatable.

What is your most unappealing habit?

I’m inflexible. I go to the gym every day and I won’t stop. I’m a creature of routine in the extreme sense and beyond a certain point it’s unpleasant.

What would you like to be remembered for?

Perhaps this is self-aggrandising, but I’d like to be remembered as a Don Quixote figure. He was delusional, and his greatest delusion was that he could singlehandedly fix the world. I don’t suffer from that delusion, but I too like to think my life represents a quest for civility.

Have you ever volunteered for anything?

So many things. My existence is characterised by an inability to say no. Greatest mistake of them all was the Duke of Edinburgh award. Utter disaster.

Who so far, family or otherwise has influenced you in your life?

Arthur Miller. His clarity of thought, his ability to satirise, his liberalism and pursuit of justice… Aren’t these all desirable qualities?

Which emoji do you use most frequently?

Facebook stickers has a pride pack, and within that pack is a man with a dog. Except the man is wearing leather straps. And a collar I think. I find him endlessly amusing.

What was the last song you listened to on your iPod/phone?

‘Cousin Jack’, by Fisherman’s Friends.

What is your most over used word or expression?

‘Fundamentally’. It’s meaningless yet useful. I approve.

What keeps you awake at night?

Insomnia.

Do you have a question to put to our editors? Let us know in the comments below!

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