Real-time

Posted by ESC on September 15, 2003

Today (Monday) I am catching up on my Sunday newspapers. Twice I've come across the use of the word "real-time." Can anyone enlighten me as to the meaning of the word in these instances?

"There are three cliques of songwriters. There are the struggling songwriters like me, the newly signed just starting out and your real-time poets writing songs for the artists." Brendon Church, 22-year-old college student and music major, quoted in "Nashville mourns Cash: But country capital didn't always revere the man in Black" by Peter T. Kilborn with Marta Aldrich, New York Times News Service, reprinted in the Herald-Leader, Lexington, Ky., September 14, 2003.

"Tonight, HBO delves into Washington's lobbying industry. In K Street, a new half-hour show, Steven Soderbergh, a co-executive producer, is aiming for 'real-time fiction.' The show will depict a fictional firm of lobbyists and consultants, but will blend in real politicians, lawmakers and issues." From "Your Sunday: On TV," a column in the Herald-Leader, Lexington, Ky., September 14, 2003.

• Real-time Lewis 22/September/03