] "If New Orleans is "the Big Easy," then Detroit is "the
] Big Ugly."
] A convenient metaphor for all things scary and doomed,
] the city has long served as a bleak backdrop for writers
] and filmmakers who paint it as a desolate, dangerous
] melange of burned-up buildings and forgotten dreams."

I'm fairly interested in seeing this movie. Making it out of a ghetto as a rapper is a difficult road, especially for a white guy. There is a very powerful story to tell here if they do it well. The thing is that Americans put so much focus on rock stars and basketball stars, and the fact is that most people who do get out of the ghetto are much more likely to come out of it as accountants then as rock stars, and the challenges associated with that are every bit as real. Focusing on talent based activities instead of skill based activities encourages people to focus on stuff that most people will never be good at no matter how hard they try.

Of course, right now you are thinking, who would go see a movie about an accountant. I'll offer that if we can't make the right message interesting its because we're not trying.

Detroit Shows Its True Grit in '8 Mile' - 11/6/02

"We are not now developing, nor do we have any plans to develop, anything other than an external, wearable device."

Statement last winter by the company that just received FDA approval to begin implanting tracking chips in people. This whole thing will sound like the worst sort of conspiracy theory, but just THINK about these things. They are real. They are here.

Anything that can be implanted can be carried without bother. What is the advantage of implanting? What are the applications where this is required functionality?

politechbot.com: More on FDA permitting use of implantable ID chips in humans

"Writing in the advanced online edition of Nature magazine, Stanford University scientists Christopher D. Snow and Vijay S. Pande describe how they, with the help of 30,000 personal computers, successfully simulated part of the complex folding process that a typical protein molecule undergoes to achieve its unique, three-dimensional shape."

ScienceDaily Magazine -- Folding@home Scientists Report First Distributed Computing Success

"I doubt if the average American knows enough about Canada to make a reasoned assessment, what the pros and cons might be," said Waller. "There's really an abysmal level of ignorance about Canada in the United States so I don't know what conclusions you can reach."

From a historical perspective, there hasn't been a real push by Americans for annexation since the 19th century, he added. "

The recommendation of this article is obvious troll bait, but I'll respond anyway.

Most Americans view their country as being better then other countries. Canada in particular is viewed as being silly because, other then being "better then" Canadians, Americans don't really see themselves as being otherwise different, so whats the point?

Thats actually a good question. The fact is that Canada is really two countries: 1. British North America. 2. French North America.

Either identity in and of itself would be a lot more interesting then what Canada has got. Being British means something significant culturally which Americans try very hard not to be. (Ever wonder WHY Americans spell colour wrong?? It was intentional and deliberate.) Being French is even more so obviously not being American.

But, in order to maintain national cohesion, Canada, in the last 40 years, and tried very hard to eliminate these cultural identities. If not for this effort, Canada would not exist, and the economic implications of that would be bad for everyone concerned. The new national identity that replaces the old two is one which is scarcely 30 years old. It simply doesn't have enough history or uniqueness to present a real solid creed that people can identify as being "not American."

Of course, most people OUTSIDE the United States hold the two countries in a very different light. Mostly this is because, again, Americans tend to view themselves as being better then other cultures. Other cultures respond to this with resentment. So, liking Canadians is a way to identify with what you like about American culture without having to sacrifice your resentment.

On the other hand, what this professor is afraid to say is that the 38% of Americans who support "annexing Canada" are simply being bumptious. The fact is that if the U.S. "annexed" Canada the Repubicans would never win another election and the U.S. would loose a powerful associate in international relations, with no real economic benefit for either side as the border is fluid anyway.

--

In rereading this I should add that this view of Canada is quite Euro-centric. Immigration policies in the last 20 years have had a dramatic impact on the country's cultural makeup, and the Native Americans in Canada are increasingly politically savvy and culturally significant. Canada is, in fact, at the very start of a melting pot phase which could make the traditional french/english dichotomy insignificant. Its also possible that these people are simply using Canada as a generational stepping stone toward moving into the US. It will take several generations for this to play out and it will be interesting to see what differences (if any) emerge between the two countries over that time. I think that the amount of diversity that currently exists in Canada has the potential to produce some very interesting results verses the slowed diversification of the US, where the dominant English culture strongly resists threats. Unfortunately, the results of this are measured in generations and may not be apparent in my life-time.

Should the US annex Canada?

Looks like Warez has a new friend this year.

[Warez is way cooler;) - Nano]

1013 005

Wild says:
Thought you would appreciate this one. :)

(this is after i spent all day sunday futzing with the memestreams colors in an attempt to make the beta site more readable...)

[ha...this is ironic after all the talk of making this site look different this weekend:) I *heart* Dilbert cartoons - Nano]

Interface design

The guy that wrote ownz0red said: "Lots of Robots Two is the best science fiction video I've ever downloaded from the Internet -- an hallucinogenic short film tracing life in a world of mythopoeic, robotic splendour."

[this is very cool, as was ownz0red - Nano]

Lots of Robots

Check out this t-shirt. It rocks!

Asthma is sexy

God kills a domo-kun

[ROFL - Nano:)]

Everytime you send that fucking picture...

"The premier site for Canadians worldwide who are craving a taste of home. Shop safely online from the widest available selection of Canadian food products including Tim Horton's Coffee, Nestlé Chocolate, E.D. Smith Jams, Red Rose Tea, Humpty Dumpty Chips and so many more we know you'll be happy to see."

OMG, this fucking rox!!!! Smarties, Coffee Crisp, Aero Bars! Oh my!

[This brings a tear to my eye *sniffle*. Its just so beautiful - Nano]

Canadian Food - Canadian Favourites, Food, Chocolate, Candy & Sweets from Canada - a Unique Taste of Home