“The train wreck was predetermined on Day 1,” said A. Thomas Young, a former aerospace executive who led a panel that examined the project.

The Future Imagery project is one of several satellite programs to break down in recent years, leaving the United States with outdated imaging technology. But perhaps more striking is that the multiple failures that led to the program’s demise reveal weaknesses in the government’s ability to manage complex contracts at a time when military and intelligence contracting is soaring.

In Death of Spy Satellite Program, Lofty Plans and Unrealistic Bids - New York Times

Decius wrote:

k wrote:

Decius wrote:
Unfortunately the theatrical release is ONLY New York and LA. I will be in New York 4 days after it stops screening there. The intent is that you almost, but didn't quite get to see it in the theater and you so you might be more likely to spring for this ridiculous 5 DVD set. Its really disappointing to see something which is supposed to be important for artistic rather than commercial reasons getting used in such a manipulative way.

Oh balls, I actually hadn't heard that. I knew it was going to be a limited release, but not that limited. That is disappointing.

What are the dates? I might find myself in NY, although I imagine tickets will be nigh impossible to acquire.

Fuck.

Its at the Zeigfeld from October 5th until the 18th. Its also on in LA at the Landmark. I emailed Landmark and asked them why they couldn't distribute the film to all their national theaters (there is one in Atlanta) and their response was that "there probably isn't enough demand" but that my email was sent to the proper authorities.

If YOU'D like to see a wider release of Blade Runner Final Cut PLEASE email Landmark and let them know! If they get enough feedback perhaps they'll take a closer look at the market for this.

I happened to be in LA over the weekend and it was still running at the Landmark so I went and saw it at 1:50 in the afternoon. Goregous! Better than ever!

RE: Q&A: Ridley Scott Has Finally Created the Blade Runner He Always Imagined

For years, the broadband wars have been largely fought over download speeds, but Verizon has just thrown down the gauntlet and declared that it's going to fight over upstream speeds too, and in a big way. How does 20Mbps sound?

Verizon discovers symmetry, offers 20/20 symmetrical FiOS service

A contemplative toy
that gently rocks
as it infuses
clouds of flavor
before your eyes.

This is what happens
when designers
and connoisseurs
meet for tea.

I encountered this tea infuser at Ritual Coffee -- it's the coolest tea infuser I've yet encountered!

Features

It is the question of the moment in music circles, where a short but growing list of recording stars that includes Prince, Madonna, Nine Inch Nails and — as of Sunday night — Radiohead have indicated their willingness to depart from the conventions of music sales and the control of the four multinational corporations that dominate the industry.

In the latest instance the members of Radiohead, the respected British rock act, said that the band would sell its new album, at least initially, exclusively as a digital download and allow fans to decide how much to pay for it, if anything. In a statement yesterday, the band said it had begun taking orders for the album, “In Rainbows,” which will be available beginning Oct. 10.

Radiohead - Album - Cost - New York Times

The Navy plans to spend $600,000 for “camouflage” landscaping and rooftop adjustments so that 1960s-era barracks at the Naval Base Coronado near San Diego will no longer look like a Nazi swastika from the air.

The resemblance went unnoticed by the public for decades until it was spotted in aerial views on Google Earth.

Navy to Mask Swastika Look of Barracks in California - New York Times

In a bid to take the lead in the race to revive the nuclear power industry, an energy company will ask the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Tuesday for permission to build two reactors in Texas.

Approval Is Sought for Reactors - New York Times

Their stories are hardly unique or new; they represent part of the core of the city's most pressing problem: a lack of affordable housing.

What's being proposed here is totally messed up.

San Francisco Bay Guardian : Article : Our three-point plan to save San Francisco

VANU BOSE is the son of a fabled engineer, but he garnered no mercy when he presented his big idea at a technical conference in 1996. Mr. Bose’s graduate work at M.I.T. involved using software to handle the radio function in a cellular phone. He remembers that after he successfully demonstrated his technology, an audience member stood up and dismissed it with: “Congratulations! You’ve just invented the world’s most expensive cellphone.”

Software That Fills a Cellphone Gap - New York Times

Today, the President accepted the recommendation of the Department of Defense to end procurement of Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites that have the capability to intentionally degrade the accuracy of civil signals. This decision reflects the United States strong commitment to users of GPS that this free global utility can be counted on to support peaceful civil activities around the world.

One more nail in the coffin for ESA's Galileo system.

White House Statement Regarding Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites | SpaceRef - Your Space Reference