The Time Capsule

By Alan Spence

» Haris Pepic - 483 11.01.2021.

 About the Author

Alan Spence

Born 1947 in Glasgow, but based in Edinburgh

Law at University of Glasgow, then switched to English and Philosophy
He and his wife run the Sri Chinmoy Meditation Centre
Scottish award winning poet, playwriter, novelist and short - story writer
Professor in Creative writing at the University of Aberdeen
Emeritus Professor at WORD Festival
 His collection:

Short Stories
• Its colour they are fine (1977)
• Stone Garden (1996)

Plays
• Sailmaler (1982)
• Space Invaders (1983)
• Changed days (1991)

Novels
• The Magic Flute (1990)
• Pure Land (2006)
• Way to go

Poetry
• Glasgow Zen (1990)
• Pure land (2006)
• Night boat
 Plot overview

The meaning of a Time Capsule

• ‚ a container storing a selection of objects chosen as being typical of the present time, buried for discovery in
the future‘

A tin bought in a charity shop, which is described in details

He talks about some other tin he used to get for Christmas or New Year as gift, with all the sweets inside
Once empty, the tin was not thrown away - it was kept as a depot for things that were too important to be
thrown away
He lists all the items he has in his tin
He repeats that he could have bought a new one, or built one by himself, but he went for a second hand one
in the charity shop - which was the best decision to make
Then he list another set of items he could have placed inside the tin if it was a bit larger
Once he finishes placing alll the items back in his tin, he has a kind of special moment, where he lists
another set of all the things that made his life, and is kind of sad that the life is tasing by

My Time Capsule
 Time and legacy
• ‚Sum quod enis, quod es alim fui‘,
• ‚As ye are so once were we, and as we are so ye shall be‘

• Free yourself from mental slavery

• None but ourselves can free our minds
• Have no fear for atomic energy
• ‚cause none of them can stop the time
• How long shall they kill our prophets
• While we stand aside and look? Ohh
• Some say it’s just a part of it
• We’ve got to fulfil the book’
• *Bob Marley*

• Everyone of us will die two times

• The things that shape what our legacy is
• Time is the currency of live
• Make small things big
• Everything you see around you is somebody’s legacy
• History cannot be taken away
• What kind of a bridge are we building for those who follow
• Prevent harm and bring benefit
• Increase your tenac
•
 References:

http://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poet/alan-spence/
Kouzes M. James/Posner Z. Barry: A Leader’s Legacy, 2006
https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2009/01/21/president-barack-
obamas-inaugural-address
 Thank you
for your Attention