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| There are great benefits to connectedness, but we haven't wrapped our minds around the costs. |
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Toward a Revolution in Intelligence Affairs |
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| Topic: Politics and Law |
12:09 pm EDT, Apr 14, 2005 |
As the global war on terrorism continues to expand and the post-Cold War security environment remains in flux, both the strengths and weaknesses of U.S. intelligence have been thrust into the public spotlight. The author advances the argument that a Revolution in Intelligence Affairs is needed to prepare the Intelligence Community to meet its future challenges. In this report, she presents a framework for how the United States should consider specific changes to its intelligence enterprise to improve its effectiveness. Toward a Revolution in Intelligence Affairs |
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| Topic: Society |
12:08 pm EDT, Apr 14, 2005 |
"Why do they hate us?" Americans have been asking that question about Muslims since the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks. And now a growing number of Muslims in America are asking the same question about their fellow Americans. Nearly half of all Americans believe the US government should restrict the civil liberties of Muslim Americans. 27 per cent of 1,000 respondents supported requiring all Muslim Americans to register their home addresses with the federal government. In addition, 29 per cent believed undercover agents should infiltrate Muslim civic organisations. Efforts to convince Muslims not to hate Americans need to be combined with efforts to convince Americans not to hate Muslims. The Muslim Ghetto |
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| Topic: Miscellaneous |
1:07 am EDT, Apr 14, 2005 |
The Long Tail is about the shift from hits to niches. Several readers have asked what this means for the future of mass (hit-driven, mainstream) culture in America. The short answer is that it will not only get less mass, but that this is a trend that's already well underway. This Long Tail Blog could be a big hit! Stay tuned! The Long Tail Blog |
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| Topic: Politics and Law |
6:49 pm EDT, Apr 9, 2005 |
A double dose of the Constitution in action. Here's the latest evidence that the first amendment dutifully protects America's whackos even as it enables the press to show us how very silly (but no less frightening) they are. Ominously, Vieira said his "bottom line" for dealing with the Supreme Court comes from Joseph Stalin. "He had a slogan, and it worked very well for him, whenever he ran into difficulty: 'no man, no problem,' " Vieira said. And people make fun of Hollywood! Forget about the Scientologists ... the truth in Washington is stranger yet. Michael Farris told the crowd he is "sick and tired of having to lobby people I helped get elected." A better-educated citizenry, he said, would know that "Medicare is a bad idea" and that "Social Security is a horrible idea when run by the government." Oh, yes -- much better to hire lackeys and yes-men to do your political and judicial bidding. One man, one problem. |
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My Life as a TV Executive |
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| Topic: TV |
5:07 pm EDT, Apr 9, 2005 |
Like most Jewish kids, I dreamed of one day controlling the media. Specifically, I wanted to run a TV network. As I grew older, this became less of a possibility, partly because a big part of being a network executive seemed to involve owning a suit. But then my digital-cable box neared 200 channels, designer-outlet stores became more prevalent, and my dream moved within reach. ... Testing how thoroughly I could ruin Trio's reputation as the smartest channel on cable, I got Andrew Cohen, vice president of Original Programming, to green-light Good Clean Porn, a series where I would show adult films without the sex scenes and introduce them, Alistair Cooke style, sitting in a leather chair and smoking a pipe. For the week, Trio even changed its slogan from "Pop, Culture, TV" to "Joel, Stein, TV" and had me introduce each show. They also had me write and host a half-hour show of clips from my selections. It was about 12 hours into the day of shooting that it struck me that I wasn't getting paid for any of my work: not the hosting, the months of programming, the Good Clean Porn show or the My Trio idea. Trio is indeed the smartest network in the world. My Life as a TV Executive |
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| Topic: TV |
5:00 pm EDT, Apr 9, 2005 |
For those who may remain as yet unconvinced that television networks have, indeed, completely run out of ideas, I offer you this compelling evidence. The subtlety of acting in adult films is explored in three half-hour specials featuring the unforgettable dramatic scenes from such perennial favorites as DEBBIE DOES DALLAS and I DREAM OF JENNA. With the distracting action sequences edited out, these programs allow the viewer to focus on those moments which best illustrate the skills of the writers, directors and most importantly, the performers who set the plot in motion and keep it going and going and going. Good Clean Porn | Trio |
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Facing the Future: Meeting the Threats & Challenges of the 21st Century |
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| Topic: Military |
3:13 pm EDT, Apr 9, 2005 |
It's a heartwarming tale of military transformation. Looking back over the past four years, an extraordinary amount of change has taken place within the US military establishment. Without doubt, the status quo has been challenged, and a new architecture of American defense, not only envisioned but planned, developed, constructed and, in many areas, employed. Some of the change was driven by external events, most notably, the Global War on Terror. However, much was undertaken as a result of the Departments own internal analysis of what was required to prepare the US military and the Department for the threats and challenges of the 21st century. Together, they represent possibly one of the most significant periods of accomplishment in the history of the Department of Defense. The Department has initiated significant change and accomplished a great deal over the past four years and, with the continuing support of the Congress and, most importantly, the American people, we will continue to improve and accomplish our mission in the years to come. Facing the Future: Meeting the Threats & Challenges of the 21st Century |
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Extending the Life of the Hubble Space Telescope |
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| Topic: Technology |
3:07 pm EDT, Apr 9, 2005 |
The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) has operated continuously since 1990. During that time, four space shuttle-based service missions were launched, three of which added major observational capabilities. A fifth SM-4 was intended to replace key telescope systems and install two new instruments. The loss of the space shuttle Columbia, however, resulted in a decision by NASA not to pursue the SM-4 mission leading to a likely end of Hubble s useful life in 2007-2008. This situation resulted in an unprecedented outcry from scientists and the public. As a result, NASA began to explore and develop a robotic servicing mission; and Congress directed NASA to request a study from the National Research Council (NRC) of the robotic and shuttle servicing options for extending the life of Hubble. This report presents an assessment of those two options. It provides an examination of the contributions made by Hubble and those likely as the result of a servicing mission, and a comparative analysis of the potential risk of the two options for servicing Hubble. The study concludes that the Shuttle option would be the most effective one for prolonging Hubble s productive life. This book is available for free download in PDF. Extending the Life of the Hubble Space Telescope |
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GAO Assessments of Selected Major Weapon Programs [PDF] |
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| Topic: Military Technology |
2:19 pm EDT, Apr 9, 2005 |
GAO assessed 54 programs, which represent an investment of over $800 billion, ranging from the Missile Defense Agency's Airborne Laser to the Army's Warfighter Information Network-Tactical. GAO's assessments are anchored in a knowledge-based approach to product development that reflects best practices of successful programs. The majority of programs GAO assessed are costing more and taking longer to develop than planned. Most of the programs proceeded with less knowledge at critical junctures than suggested by best practices. GAO Assessments of Selected Major Weapon Programs [PDF] |
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Boston at the Movies: First Films of the City 1901-1905 |
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| Topic: Documentary |
2:12 pm EDT, Apr 9, 2005 |
Persons who have visited the "Hub," no doubt carried away with vivid recollections of Boston's famous system of Underground Transportation and this film takes the audience from the bright sunshine into the dim obscurity of the subway. The Underground stations and rows of Electric Arc lamps are plainly shown and, after traversing the tunnel for a considerable distance, the car finally emerges opposite the railroad depot. This we believe to be the best as well as the most interesting subject of Boston's latest fad yet taken. The opening of this picture brings into view the beautiful Charles River, considered to be the most picturesque spot in the East. One of the features of this picture is the great number of canoes which are being skillfully handled by the occupants of same. They approach in large numbers, and as they pass close to the camera it makes this picture a most striking one. The happy faces of the fair occupants can be plainly seen as they glide past, and this, of course, is bound to make it a bright and winning subject. A trolley car takes you an on whirlwind ride through the busy streets of downtown Boston past Jordan Marsh and along Boylston Street to Copley Square passing by the Boston Public Library. This astonishing picture was made at the "L" Street baths, Boston, in midwinter, the temperature being only a few degrees above zero. A number of sturdy men in bathing trunks are first shown playing on the ice, some of them having skates attached to their bare feet and others playing hand-ball. After their exercise, they run along the shore, upon which ice hummocks are piled high and plunge from the end of the ice-covered pier into the freezing waters of the bay. During the entire picture, the frosty breath of the men is plainly discernible. The film is of the very best photographic value, and the subject in every way one of the most remarkable we have ever made.
Boston at the Movies: First Films of the City 1901-1905 |
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