James Joyce’s classic ‘Ulysses’ meets Twitter

James Joyce’s classic ‘Ulysses’ meets Twitter

NEW YORK — Forget about Ashton Kutcher. James Joyce’s “Ulysses,” one of the most difficult novels in English, is on Twitter.

Two devotees of “Ulysses” have adapted its 10th chapter to Twitter, which limits users to 140 characters per post. Called “Wandering Rocks,” the chapter is especially well-suited to Twitter because it follows 19 Dubliners going about their daily business.

For three years now, Ian Bogost, a Georgia Tech professor, and friend Ian McCarthy, a product manager at LinkedIn, have commemorated “Bloomsday” on Twitter on June 16. That date in 1904 is when the entirety of “Ulysses” takes place, chronicling the experiences of a man named Leopold Bloom.

Bogost says using Twitter “for literary performance art might help shift perspectives on the service” and get people to use it for more than self-centered musings.

Consumer reviews coming under review

Savvy consumers often go online for independent consumer reviews of products and services, without realizing that such reviews can be tainted as many bloggers accept free laptops, trips to Europe, cash and other perks.

Now, the Federal Trade Commission is paying attention. New guidelines the agency is expected to adopt this summer would mark the first time it tries to patrol systematically what bloggers say and do online.

Associated Press