Interesting set of observations exploring the limits of omniscience and the sheer scale involved in watching an entire population. Failures in empathy lead to misinterpretation of anonymous rebellion in plain sight. Tolkien’s most potent and intimidating image of centralized surveillance, the Eye of Sauron atop a tower, taking in the whole world, has resonated with…
This project looks promising. I’ve donated the money I was going to spend on a haircut. We’re keeping our UI super simple. The experience is entirely sound and story: Writing + Voiceover + SFX + Music. With either a spoken word or a simple tap on the screen you can listen to the drama unfold…
A recent Pew study (Smartphone Ownership 2013) found that blacks were about 10% more likely than whites to own smartphones, and that young urban people regardless of income are very likely to own smartphones. (With older people, a smartphone is more of a luxury.) It’s little wonder, then, that phone-friendly Twitter has been such a…
These are shoe-holding racks at a local indoor play area, where I took my daughter and a friend for a few hours. Why buy six different rainbow-colored shoe-holding racks, if you’re not going to arrange them in the proper order? I really wanted to pick up the purple one and at least put it in…
Sample, improved lyrics: “An old man turned 98 /He won the lottery, and died the next day (from a severe paper cut from his lottery ticket).” Similar:Vienna State Opera, funny ballet.Vienna State Opera, funny ballet. Слава …AestheticsThe Pepe the Frog Meme Is Probably Not Worth Understanding”Life is short, much of Internet communi…Current_EventsInternet Explorer and Murder…
Rewatching the classic Trek episode “The Conscience of the King,” which features a Shakespearean acting troupe. In one scene, McCoy writes a report on a wedge proto-iPad… …but in the very next scene Kirk scrawls on a piece of paper. This episode also features characters doing computer searches, using an exposition-friendly voice interface to call…
At least three journalists left NBC, after the network aired a tape of George Zimmerman, edited in a manner that substantially altered its content. Filed in Seminole County, the suit adds that “NBC News saw the death of Trayvon Martin not as a tragedy but as an opportunity to increase ratings, and so set about…
Jon Negroni creates a meta-narrative to connect every Pixar movie, using Boo as the still point in the turning universe. Every Pixar movie is connected. I explain how, and possibly why. Several months ago, I watched a fun-filled video on Cracked.com that introduced the idea (at least to me) that all of the Pixar movies…
The contrast between KTVU’s treatment of its triumphs vs errors reminds us of the difference between journalism vs public relations. Similar:Overheard at Quora: "Why after all these years is Moodle still so ugly?"Moodle is a free course-management tool …AcademiaShe doesn't have keys or a phone or an ID. Why does my tween need a purse?To…
Last week, the Fox-afiliated KTVU fell for a prank, repeating offensive fake names for the pilots involved in the crash of Asiana Flight 214 last week. [S]even-year veteran KTVU producer Brad Belstock closed his @producerBB Twitter account after his last Friday tweet just moments after the names were read aloud on the air by Tori Campbell.…
Francesca Borri writes of being a freelancer and a woman covering the war in Syria. (When my life gets hectic, a story like this helps me keep some perspective.) Similar:Journalism is now the second draft of historyThe unavoidable truth is that first draf…CultureNo Money, No Time We tend to assume that pressure makes …CultureMy #Blender3D…
Is your Sunday feeling incomplete because you haven’t read anything about punctuation today? This explanation of the semicolon should help. You’re welcome. Similar:'A Klingon Christmas Carol' Translates Dickens' Scrooge Fable to 'Star Trek' Universe for …Be still, my nerdy heart. (The other hea…AmusingIntegrating Quotations in Research Papers: Citing Sources EffectivelyTouched up this handout on integrating…
My wife is something of a hoarder. Now, as it happens, I have saved my half of the slip of paper that I tore so that we could write down each other’s phone numbers back when we were about 22, but she saves old catalogs and phone books (phone books!) from years ago. Sometimes, when…
So I’m not being selfish… this is a parenting strategy. Similar:Fact check: Trump lies about CNN at Mississippi rallyI tell my journalism students they won’t…Current_EventsStudents Are Using ChatGPT to Write Their Personal Essays Now: AI can replicate the shape …Students say they appreciate AI’s abilit…AcademiaA very happy geekling playing Dungeons and Dragons on her one…
Next up: Stage Right summer musical theater camp starts Monday! Similar:The daughter introduced me to this wonderful Martin Freeman comedy. Kind of like School of…PersonalDear students, no need to apologize for anything unless…AwesomeReady to teach another set of students what research is (and what it isn’t).AcademiaWikipedia:VisualEditor – Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaWikipedia is testing a visual…
Testing a tool to automate connections between iOS apps. Similar:Annie Sullivan on teaching: Helen Keller, rendered blind and dea…CultureMaybe Star Wars 7 won't suck, but I'm not holding my breath.I was burned in 1999 when I saw The Phan…HomeYour Brain Does Not Work Like a ComputerThe brain-as-computer is a powerful meme…HealthKirby Delauter SagaLet’s hope many,…
Similar:Mars Curiosity rover sings 'Happy Birthday,' dares Earth to collect royalties One year ago today, NASA’s Curio…AmusingHeard any good stories lately?My daughter has a terrible time settling…BooksMy crazy Friday night involved tweaking the graphic for an #MLAstyle instructional web pag…AcademiaNew Facebook Notifications Alert Users When They Not Currently Looking At Facebook “We hope these helpful…
Submitted revisions of 6 video tutorial scripts & drafted 5 more. Also, scored 3 boxes of leftover reception cupcakes and 1 of brownies. Similar:Spot of sunlight seems to be sliding down an escalator. View t…AestheticsMy brother, in town to see The Nutcracker, starts a chess game with my sonPersonalMy brother drove my mother in…
Blogging this so I can find it when I teach my “News Writing” class this fall. People do like to prank journalists with fake names. In this case, the reporter did what you’re supposed to do — get confirmation — but sheesh. KTVU reports fake racist names of Asiana Airlines 214 pilots from NTSB intern…
I recently bought a new phone. since then, I have answered an incoming call in my car. It felt awesome. Similar:Former student: "I remember sometimes being annoyed with all of our blogging assignments, …A third alum in the last few weeks has c…AcademiaHabits for happiness: tips for looking on the bright side of lifeHabits for happiness: tips…