“The Amazon Recommendations page is a fine example of how badly computers do this sort of thing” - actually I’d say it is a fine example of how bad some programmers and designers are at recognising the need to be cleverer - Amazon in particular needs to understand that some products are functionally the same, oddly this is just what LibraryThing appears to be good at - it knows I have all the paperbacks of Terry Pratchett and doesn’t lazily recommend the hardback versions - instead it tries to cast the net a bit wider. In fact the thing I find fascinating is how good it is at suggesting books I’ve always meant to read, but have not quite got around to.

I long ago decided that some of the few genuine surprises at Christmas come from one particular wing of the family. It’s an awkward situation, I prefer surprises and really appreciate people going off list: when they get it right then they demonstrate a genuine knowledge of me. Unfortunately perhaps, the more I possess the harder it becomes for others to satisfy this desire: it is no secret, for example, that I rather like Julian Barnes, James and Buffy. Yet I would not be particularly grateful for a second copy of “Arthur and George”, “Laid” or Buffy season 1.

In the ideal world, givers would be sufficiently close to receivers to see what I like and to fill in the gaps. The Amazon Recommendations page is a fine example of how badly computers do this sort of thing (that company is keen to recommend to me several subtly different editions of “Fellowship of the Ring”, the paperback edition of “Arthur and George” and Buffy season 1 in its new, cheaper, packaging).

Perhaps one of the greatest presents I can remember receiving was a day driving a Formula Ford around Three Sisters Race Circuit. However, if I were to receive that present again the surprise and the pleasure would be less.

Two final points: is it not perhaps a little strong to suggest that you would be “thinking ill of others because of [their] gifts”? And “I’m a surprise loathing [...] man” could be read as a man who surprises people yet loathes: one of those situations where a hyphen is genuinely useful.

Opinions on the Wii will follow at some point.