| |
| compos mentis. Concision. Media. Clarity. Memes. Context. Melange. Confluence. Mishmash. Conflation. Mellifluous. Conviviality. Miscellany. Confelicity. Milieu. Cogent. Minty. Concoction. |
|
|
|---|
| Topic: Current Events |
10:56 pm EST, Feb 15, 2004 |
Lycos, the Internet search engine, reported that the number of searches for Janet Jackson tied the record set by 9/11-related searches on and just after 9/11. "That a single breast received as much attention as the first attack on United States soil in 60 years is beyond belief," wrote Aaron Schatz, the columnist on the Lycos Top 50 site. Okay. Now, I've seen everything. (Why did he cite Lycos? Was no one at Google available for comment? Who uses Lycos?) When MTV proposed that part of the show be devoted to a performance of the song "An American Prayer" by Bono to increase awareness of the horrific AIDS epidemic in Africa, the NFL said no. Of course they said no -- it would have killed the mood. It's all about fantasy, not reality. As you'll recall, CBS also denied air time to a public advocacy organization but allowed advertisements for Cialis, complete with a rather graphic disclaimer. "Suckers, liars, get me a shovel ..." My Hero, Janet Jackson |
|
Game Theory Evolves With Mouse, Click, PhD |
|
|
|---|
| Topic: Human Computer Interaction |
10:52 am EST, Feb 15, 2004 |
Ever yearn to study "Tetris" as a metaphor for American consumerism? How about ponder "Grand Theft Auto III" as an examination of the human condition? Game studies (or "ludology," as it's known, from the Latin for "game") has spawned a new class of academics who devote themselves to analyzing how the wildly popular form of entertainment tells stories -- and what it reveals about how we express ourselves. What do the social dynamics of online worlds -- those massively multiplayer games -- tell us about human behavior? In the US, some of the most influential work is being done by Janet Murray at Georgia Tech and by MIT's Henry Jenkins. Game Theory Evolves With Mouse, Click, PhD |
|
Debate on TV This Afternoon |
|
|
|---|
| Topic: Politics and Law |
10:36 am EST, Feb 15, 2004 |
A debate among the Democratic presidential candidates in Milwaukee will air on MSNBC today (February 15, 2004) from 3:30 pm to 5 pm (PST). Debate on TV This Afternoon |
|
Why Your Job Isn't Moving to Bangalore |
|
|
|---|
| Topic: Business |
9:57 am EST, Feb 15, 2004 |
In objecting to moving service jobs overseas, Senator Kerry is wrong on two counts. First, his economics is faulty. Second, Mr. Kerry is making a political error. The fact is, when jobs disappear in America it is usually because technical change has destroyed them, not because they have gone anywhere. In the end, Americans' increasing dependence on an ever-widening array of technology will create a flood of high-paying jobs requiring hands-on technicians, not disembodied voices from the other side of the world. Blame iPod, not India. Globalization needs an Al Sharpton. Why Your Job Isn't Moving to Bangalore |
|
A Samurai Fighter, Clad in Jeans, Takes On Putin |
|
|
|---|
| Topic: International Relations |
7:40 pm EST, Feb 14, 2004 |
A female Samurai who dresses only in black and admires Hillary Clinton is running for president in Russia next month. A Samurai Fighter, Clad in Jeans, Takes On Putin |
|
Computer-Assisted Passenger Prescreening System Faces Significant Implementation Challenges [PDF] |
|
|
|---|
| Topic: Politics and Law |
4:23 pm EST, Feb 14, 2004 |
The GAO finds that even of the eight issues identified by the Congress have not been fully addressed, including accuracy of data, stress testing, abuse prevention, unauthorized access prevention, policies for operation and use, privacy concerns, and redress process. Computer-Assisted Passenger Prescreening System Faces Significant Implementation Challenges [PDF] |
|
NPR interviews Norah Jones about 'Feels Like Home' |
|
|
|---|
| Topic: Music |
2:15 am EST, Feb 11, 2004 |
Jazz-pop singer Norah Jones, who won eight Grammies alone for her debut album, releases her second CD today, called Feels Like Home. Jones' music has its foundation in jazz, and her new recording comes with her signature nocturnal touch of sparse piano with acoustical accompaniment. But the arrangements often feel closer to her Oklahoma and Austin, Texas, roots than her jazz training. This comes through stronger than ever on Feels Like Home. "I studied jazz piano and I always wanted to be like Bill Evans," says the 24-year-old daughter of Indian sitar guru Ravi Shankar and New York concert producer Sue Jones. "But for some reason, the way I play piano is more country than anything else." NPR's Michele Norris, host of All Things Considered, talks with Jones about her latest work. The new album is excellent, and it's available now for Rhapsody subscribers. Be sure to check out her cover of Tom Waits' "The Long Way Home." In this interview, she says she's been listening to lots of Johnny Cash and Hank Williams. Total running time for this segment is 13 minutes. In a few months' time, industry executives will point to the multi-platinum sales of this album as evidence that their physical distribution systems are still the best way to sell music, neglecting the exceptional nature of the artist in question. The glory of her success will blind them to the fact that the primary problem facing the industry is simply a shortage of talent competing against a wide array of alternative multimedia. NPR interviews Norah Jones about 'Feels Like Home' |
|
2004 Economic Report of the President [PDF] |
|
|
|---|
| Topic: Politics and Law |
12:35 am EST, Feb 11, 2004 |
The Economic Report of the President is an annual report written by the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors. It overviews the nation's economic progress using text and extensive data appendices. The Economic Report of the President is transmitted to Congress no later than ten days after the submission of the Budget of the United States Government. Supplementary reports can be issued to the Congress which contain additional and/or revised recommendations. 2004 Economic Report of the President [PDF] |
|
Mr. Bush's Version (of History? of the Present? of Reality?) |
|
|
|---|
| Topic: Current Events |
10:51 am EST, Feb 9, 2004 |
The only clarity in the president's vision appears to be his own perfect sense of self-justification. The questions average Americans are asking about Iraq seem much clearer than the ones Mr. Bush is willing to confront. I'm sure this will get old soon, but ... let's hear it for average Americans! (sincerely, this time!) Mr. Bush's explanation ... was simply silly. ... very hard to take seriously ... ... The president's claim ... was inaccurate ... questions even more disturbing ... responds by overreacting ... In the coming campaign, Mr. Bush ... [must] show that he is capable ... and has the courage to tell the nation the truth ... Nothing in the interview offered much hope in that direction. Freedom of the press in action. The word 'skewer' comes to mind. Looking back, this interview will be seen as a turning point. There is at least one question I didn't hear Tim Russert ask yesterday. Can you guess it? On a related note, another editorial in today's New York Times offers this comment: The Bush administration needs to shed the melodrama, the "good and evil" posturing. It serves no purpose, and creates a lot of irritation. Mr. Bush's Version (of History? of the Present? of Reality?) |
|
Public Health Posters at the National Library of Medicine |
|
|
|---|
| Topic: Health and Wellness |
9:16 pm EST, Feb 8, 2004 |
"Posters have been a powerful force in shaping public opinion because propagandists have long known that visual impressions are extremely strong. People may forget a newspaper article but most remember a picture. A pamphlet or a newspaper can be thrown away, unread; the radio or television turned off; films or political meetings not attended. But everyone at some time or other notices messages when walking or driving, or sees posters on bulletin boards in offices, hospitals, clinics or pharmacies. The main objective of posters, as with other communications media is to influence attitudes, to sell a product or service or to change behavior patterns. Public health posters are clearly in the third category, their purpose being to alter the consciousness of the public to bring about an improvement in health practices." If you liked "American Social Hygiene Posters", you'll probably like these, too. "A sailor doesn't have to prove he's a man!" Remember: There's no medicine for regret ... "She may look clean, but 'Good Time' girls spread syphilis and gonorrhea. You can't beat the Axis if you get VD!" Public Health Posters at the National Library of Medicine |
|
