the heretic genetic algorithm

Courtesy of quercus

I'm aware that I have often wibbled fulsomely on the subject of Monty Don as [ex] presenter of Gardeners World, probably due to intellectual crushing of some sort that I'm unashamed of - compared to my usual drug-addled, Vulcan and sarcastic role-models, it's all onwards and upwards. I'm not really so into Gardeners World these days - 10% due to lack of Monty, 90% due to just having outgrown it.

I never watched when Alan Titchmarsh (from now on to be referred to as "the Tit") presented. In fact, I didn't know he HAD ever presented, as I'd only ever seen him in GroundForce, which seemed to suit him (and label him) in my mind.

I don't like him. Two reasons - the first of which has more credence. He owns a gardening products company, an acquaintance of mine worked for him, and he's a complete arsehole to work for. However I didn't like him anyway. The second reason is personal. In my mind, he exudes a sort of false and oily joviality. Old ladies think he's a lovely young man. He has no message, although I'm sure he's perfectly competent.

In short, I just find him annoying. I'm sure Monty Don is probably just as false in his "man with an organic mission persona", but it's just down to the subjective and hypocritical fact that I prefer his persona to that of "the Tit". Plus he has better hair.

Interestingly, I did used to watch Gardeners World with Geoff Hamilton, even though I had minimal interest in gardening at that point.

As an aside, I am really pleased to have finally found my calling in horticulture - a perfect blend of physical activity, science and creative desing that suits me to the ground. I'm beyond thinking of careers for life these days - life's both too long and too short for that - but this'll do me for a while.