The blues are much easier to hear

DR1006_Miles_DAVIS — Miles Davis and his horn at the Isle of Wight Festival.
Photograph: David Redfern/Redferns

We love a beautiful blue sky. So how did blue come to mean depression?

Nowadays we tend to talk about the black dog of depression but at least in the 1700s, and probably earlier, the blue devils were demons who brought misery and sadness. Through abbreviation this led to “the blues” to describe feelings of profound despair.
Ursula Nixon, Bodalla, NSW, Australia

• A predilection for all things blue seems to be a common human trait. Witness the yearning of the German Romantics for die blaue Blume – the unattainable blue flower.

Perhaps the rarity of a blue sky in many countries including Britain gives rise to feeling blue, on awakening to yet another dismal day. Am I blue? Well, probably not with the intensity I’d be feeling were it not for the redeeming songs of Billie Holiday.
Noel Bird, Boreen Point, Queensland, Australia

• After listening to the Miles Davis jazz piece Kind of Blue you would know the dichotomy.
Bruce Cohen, Worcester, Massachusetts, US

• It doesn’t everywhere. In Brazil they say, Tudo azul (all blue) when things are going well, in celebration of the blueness of the sky and the sea.
Michael Olin, Holt, UK

• A blue sky is associated with a high pressure area, which is inevitably followed by a depression. In human terms, for those whose cup is half empty, the colour blue is therefore associated with the ensuing misery. The rest of us just hope it will last a few days longer.
Joan Dawson, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

• Because puce doesn’t have the same ring to it.
Jim Dewar, Gosford, NSW, Australia

I want my money back!

What if it isn’t what it is?

Don’t be silly: we all know “it is what it is”. It is a tryingly tiresome truism!
Terence Rowell, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada

• It must be something else.
Lawrie Bradly, Surrey Hills, Victoria, Australia

• Get on with it regardless.
David Isaacs, Sydney, Australia

• It’s a wotsit.

Adrian Cooper, Queens Park, NSW, Australia

• Then it is what it shouldn’t be.
R De Braganza, Kilifi, Kenya

• Nothing ever is – but you should ask for your money back.
John Stockdale, Lewes, UK

• It is. I assure you.
Ben Coles, Sydney, Australia

• Then it will never be what it never was.
Christopher Austin, Coimbra, Portugal

• Then you need to consult a philosopher.
Philip Stigger, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada

Only if they vote correctly

Should we let computers vote?

If we did, they would vote against any law that would curtail their influence. I vote that we keep them in their place. Or is it too late?
Richard Orlando, Westmount, Quebec, Canada

• Yes, as long as they vote for our candidates.
Pat Phillips, Adelaide, South Australia

• Why not? It may even lead to a better calibre of politicians.
Margaret Wilkes, Perth, Western Australia

• Perhaps – but at what age?
Brian Sykes, Eaglehawk Neck, Tasmania, Australia