Many modern idioms are mechanical: “she has a screw loose,” or “he broke down crying”. Every culture has its in-jokes and specialized language. The Jargon File defines computing terms such as “404 compliant” and “kluge“. Similar:The secret life of a public library security guardThis made me think of a college friend w…CultureEmpty InboxMy to-do do…
Playwright Arthur Miller on Terrorism
“Ever since Stalin and the Nazis, reality has transcended fiction.” (BBC) —Playwright Arthur Miller on Terrorism Similar:Close reading is hard to do in a state of normalized outrage.So this “Muslim ban” thing… is a ban o…Current_EventsEnglish teaching: Johnson: Talking past each otherWhen I got to college, I had already lea…AcademiaFun and Games with Samuel Beckett…
Talk to Me
‘‘Hello,’’ a man’s voice, not my husband’s, said. I had no idea whom I’d called, but I had finally gotten through to New York, to news. NYT Magazine —Talk to Me Similar:Opinion | Defiant, Now Infected: Trump Is a Morality TaleFrom Frank Bruni, NYT It’s a measure …Current_EventsTwo Cheers for the Middle Ages! by Eric…
Novelist John Updike witnessed the WTC Attack
“The freedom we have enjoyed in the states has been unusual in world history and may be becoming more unusual.” (BBC) —Novelist John Updike witnessed the WTC Attack Similar:NTSB Blames Intern for Confirming Offensive Fake Names of Asiana Flight 214 PilotsBlogging this so I can find it when I te…Current_EventsFirst time visiting the Point. Listening…
Another Eyewitness Account
10:19 a.m. To: Dad Call Kozue [my wife] and tell her I’m fine. We evacuated my office and I’m walking somewhere. War zone. Jonathan Segal —Another Eyewitness Account Similar:Books Wield a Dangerous PowerWhile we might point to violent video ga…BooksHow journalists can prep for a possible violent eventJournalists face a unique threat when co…CultureDHS official…
The Internet is Now a Dominant Tool for Regular People
The Internet has succeeded in becoming a tool that many regular people turn to in lieu of alternatives for communicating and for finding information. It has become a new, often-used tool in their personal toolbox. Dan Bricklin —The Internet is Now a Dominant Tool for Regular People Similar:In May, 2002, I was blogging about… typefaces…
www.derrickito.com
Large collection of links to the World Trace Center tributes that have sprung up after the towers came down. —www.derrickito.com Similar:The Unstoppable Rise of the Digital Content CreatorThis is why I have been encouraging blog…BusinessSeton Hill's #CIO @PhilKomarny is moving on to @robotsNpencilsSeton Hill’s #CIO @PhilKomarny (who insp…AcademiaRanked First out of 2 Billion Google Hits…
The Americans
“Can you name me even one time when someone else raced to the Americans in trouble? I don’t think there was outside help even during the San Francisco earthquake. Our neighbours have faced it alone and I am one Canadian who is damned tired of hearing them kicked around.” Gordon Sinclair, 1973 —The Americans Similar:An…
"I was in the building when it all happened."
Harrowing first-person account from a survivor. —“I was in the building when it all happened.” Similar:Studying STEM Isn’t The Career Boost We ThinkTurns out, getting a STEM education may …AcademiaStunning, bleak unemployment chart from the front page of the New York TimesCurrent_EventsInternet Archive puts classic 70s and 80s games onlineClassic video games from the 1970s…
Net Draws Fire, Offers Comfort in Wake of Disaster
Interesting article focuses on how people are using the Internet to react to the terrorists attacks on New York and Washington. Globe and Mail —Net Draws Fire, Offers Comfort in Wake of Disaster Similar:I have for some reason reached another #duolingo milestone.CultureTrump communications director Murtaugh rallies supporters by tweeting fake Washington Time…Here’s more evidence of…
Semiotics for Beginners
“One of the broadest definitions is that of Umberto Eco, who states that ‘semiotics is concerned with everything that can be taken as a sign’ (Eco 1976, 7). Semiotics involves the study not only of what we refer to as ‘signs’ in everyday speech, but of anything which ‘stands for’ something else.” Daniel Chandler —Semiotics…
World Trade Center: Reflections on the Disaster
“Skyscrapers in general, and the twin towers of the World Trade Center in particular, symbolize, for many writers, either prideful arrogance, or a new technological beauty.” Dennis G. Jerz —World Trade Center: Reflections on the Disaster Similar:Where is the tipping point?What if universities stopped buying acad…AcademiaBy the way, humans sent a robot to another planet,…
Online Health Websites Frequently Inaccurate
“[T]here were big holes in the information offered. Across all four health conditions, nearly a quarter of the key questions were completely ignored, and less than half were given both more than minimal coverage and complete accuracy.” Rae Fry —Online Health Websites Frequently Inaccurate Similar:Conundrum (#StarTrek #TNG Rewatch, Season 5, Episode 14) You Get Amnesia!…
Apocalypse Soon: Is the Web-Development Fairy Tale Over?
Good web designers are a dime a dozen — just like the former armies of professional typists and word-processor operators, whose specialized tasks were eventually absorbed by the average office worker. Frank Yu, Gorilla Asia —Apocalypse Soon: Is the Web-Development Fairy Tale Over? Similar:Battlestar Galactica 'Launch When Ready' Bridge Girl Fan Page (updated with links…
Children 'Slow' at Learning English
“Children learning to read and write in English are slower to master it than other European youngsters learning their own language, new research suggests.” BBC —Children ‘Slow’ at Learning English Similar:I didn't exactly set out to achieve this goal, but it's not hard to do the minimum to keep…EducationUtility Tactical Waist Pack Pouch Military Camping…
Superstitions and carelessness
cause many boating deaths. “[I]f you believe an accident occurs because of the hand of God or because George opened the can of beans with the label upside-down, then that gives you every reason to not read safety literature or continue learning about fishing.” National Post —Superstitions and carelessness Similar:The Hut Where the Internet Began…
The Gentleman's Page: A Practical Guide for the 19th Century Man
“A gentleman should always walk around a lady’s train and never attempt to step over it. If by accident he should tread upon her dress, he should beg her pardon, and if by greater awkwardness he should tear it, he must offer to escort her to the dressing room so that it may be repaired.”…
10 Myths about Copyright Explained
“An attempt to answer common myths about copyright seen on the net and cover issues related to copyright and USENET/Internet publication.” Brad Templeton —10 Myths about Copyright Explained Similar:Obamacare's broken website cost more than LinkedIn, Spotify combinedMuch of the criticism of Healthcare.gov …CultureRevisiting a Website I Created in 1996: Engineering Writing Centre (University of Toronto)During…
Scott Adams: Storytelling in Computer Games
The author of the first commercial computer game (“Adventureland,” 1978) leads a lively discussion on narrative, copyright, and violence. He also describes his first night playing EverQuest. UWEC English Festival. —Scott Adams: Storytelling in Computer Games Similar:Washington Post, Breaking News, Is Also Breaking New GroundThe Washington Post, famous for breaking…BusinessOutsiders. Four sold out matinees this…
How To Write a Book in 10 Days
“It won’t be a large book, but you can write a small book and get acquainted with the basics of how to write a book.” [But see this discussion thread: “Theory: Write a web-book in a day“] —How To Write a Book in 10 Days Similar:You, Too, Can Have a Viral Tweet Like Mine: Demystifying…