Another tid-bit from our friends in the UK. I know I might sound paranoid, but trust me - I'm not. On my last post on the texting of immigrants to go home there was mention of biometric cards, so I had to check out the low-down. Who do you think will be the first nation into the fully fledged world of Big Brother: the US or the UK?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3556720.stm
Friday, March 9, 2007
Is American Idol really about singing?
So if you have been hooked by the oh-so-popular show, you are probably as stunned as I am not only that Antonella Barba lasted as long as she did, but that Sanjaya made the top 12. It really does beg the question that Simon is often asking, "Is this really a singing competition?"
Well, yes, and no. It is a popularity contest, and part of what makes you popular is a good voice. But that is not everything. CLearly, looks plays a role, especially for the girls. How else do you explain Antonella making it into the top 20? Personlaity also plays a role, as defined by Sanjaya, who certainly lacks the powerful voice (although it's not bad, just weak) but is seen as such a sweetheart that he pulls in votes.
But would it be better run as a radio contest? I think we would be more likely to choose the ultimate singer, but so much of artist's success is media driven, not just talent driven. And the Media loves pretty, personable people. I find it amusing that it is now so often Simon who is bothered by the way the voting is going, when it was he who in the choosing process told people that they "looked," or "didn't look," like an American Idol. An idol is someone admired, and beauty is something that most of us admire. We are not unthinking though - not every idol has been a true "looker."
Well, yes, and no. It is a popularity contest, and part of what makes you popular is a good voice. But that is not everything. CLearly, looks plays a role, especially for the girls. How else do you explain Antonella making it into the top 20? Personlaity also plays a role, as defined by Sanjaya, who certainly lacks the powerful voice (although it's not bad, just weak) but is seen as such a sweetheart that he pulls in votes.
But would it be better run as a radio contest? I think we would be more likely to choose the ultimate singer, but so much of artist's success is media driven, not just talent driven. And the Media loves pretty, personable people. I find it amusing that it is now so often Simon who is bothered by the way the voting is going, when it was he who in the choosing process told people that they "looked," or "didn't look," like an American Idol. An idol is someone admired, and beauty is something that most of us admire. We are not unthinking though - not every idol has been a true "looker."
Texting Immigrants to Go Home
Stumbled upon this interesting little tid-bit. So Governments of 1st world countries are thinking about sending text messages to illegal immigrants to remind them that they have to go home. Is that crazy or what? I mean, who would have guessed or dreamt up such a scheme? I mean I can just see the picture now: your an immigrant toiling away picking fruit in some orchard when all of a sudden your cell phone gets a text: Please Go Home. So you drop your gear and go pack all your stuff - I don't see that happening. Sounds like Big Brother is going to be a nagging older sibling as well, great!
http://news.uk.msn.com/Article.aspx?cp-documentid=3850123
http://news.uk.msn.com/Article.aspx?cp-documentid=3850123
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Another dead philosopher
Jean Baudrillard, the french postmodern philosopher who's work explored the "blurring lines between simulation and reality" died on Tuesday.
here's the story:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7761639
The story focus is on his influence on the Matrix movies, which lifted heavily from his work.
In the years since he first published his work, virtual reality technology has developed, giving form to his theories. The article says that, despite the Matrix movies, he felt that the best illustration of his theories in real life was Disneyland.
This seems like really dense stuff and I am intrigued, so, of course, I have to Wikipedia him now.
here's the story:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7761639
The story focus is on his influence on the Matrix movies, which lifted heavily from his work.
In the years since he first published his work, virtual reality technology has developed, giving form to his theories. The article says that, despite the Matrix movies, he felt that the best illustration of his theories in real life was Disneyland.
This seems like really dense stuff and I am intrigued, so, of course, I have to Wikipedia him now.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Rosie's Depression
The Associated Press released an article today talking about Rosie O'Donnel's depression. She will be talking about it on her current talk show as well, the View. Rosie says that her depression started after the Columbine shootings in 1999 because she felt as though her own children had been killed. While her own were safe, she clearly empathized with the parents, and suffered a reaction that probably many of them also did.
I appreciate her honesty in talking about depression. I think itis a major problem in our world today, and it is important to have people with some exposure willing to talk about it without it hitting the tabloids. In our time, I think it may be true that depression is overdiagnosed, which I also believe about ADD and ADHD in children. However, I think there are legitimate cases for sure, and that people deserve to be treated - whether with medication like Rosie, or just with therapy.
I can't help thinking- probably as a result of this class - that this could also be a ploy for media attention. Rosie has not exactly been a headliner lately, and although the story is likely true, it is most often something people keep private. Could it be that she decided to share this story to get some publicity? I would certainly not put it past anyone in Hollywood to put her personal life in the spotlight if it brought them along for the ride.
I appreciate her honesty in talking about depression. I think itis a major problem in our world today, and it is important to have people with some exposure willing to talk about it without it hitting the tabloids. In our time, I think it may be true that depression is overdiagnosed, which I also believe about ADD and ADHD in children. However, I think there are legitimate cases for sure, and that people deserve to be treated - whether with medication like Rosie, or just with therapy.
I can't help thinking- probably as a result of this class - that this could also be a ploy for media attention. Rosie has not exactly been a headliner lately, and although the story is likely true, it is most often something people keep private. Could it be that she decided to share this story to get some publicity? I would certainly not put it past anyone in Hollywood to put her personal life in the spotlight if it brought them along for the ride.
R.I.P. Captain America
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/07/AR2007030701540.html
After 66 years, Captain America was shot dead by a sniper in his last comic which was released today. Many in the comic book community are mourning the loss of America's beloved superhero.
Captain America was first introduced in 1941 as a patriotic adversary for Adolf Hitler. His Alter ego, Steve Rogers, enlisted in the army only to be rejected because of his physical infirmities. Later Roger's take part in an experiment and is injected with "super soldier serum" created by General Chester Phillips which eventually makes him incredibly strong and powerful.
I wrote about this today because I never thought the death of a superhero would e such a big deal. I love superheros, especially x-men, but I never saw myself becoming sad when one of them "died." Although, superheros never really die, their alter ego dies and someone else could potentially take over. Which is was happened in 1993 when Superman died.
Regardless, when I was surfing the web this morning for stories I found something about the death of Captain America on almost every page. Some of the headlines read; "Captain America shot, killed" "Captain America Dead at 66," and "Captain America Dead: National Hero Since 1941."
I don't know about anyone else, but I got the feeling that he was a real person when I read those headlines. Although, some weren't as serious; "Captain America Dead: Movie Still in Development." Nice. Way to acknowledge our national superhero! :)
After 66 years, Captain America was shot dead by a sniper in his last comic which was released today. Many in the comic book community are mourning the loss of America's beloved superhero.
Captain America was first introduced in 1941 as a patriotic adversary for Adolf Hitler. His Alter ego, Steve Rogers, enlisted in the army only to be rejected because of his physical infirmities. Later Roger's take part in an experiment and is injected with "super soldier serum" created by General Chester Phillips which eventually makes him incredibly strong and powerful.
I wrote about this today because I never thought the death of a superhero would e such a big deal. I love superheros, especially x-men, but I never saw myself becoming sad when one of them "died." Although, superheros never really die, their alter ego dies and someone else could potentially take over. Which is was happened in 1993 when Superman died.
Regardless, when I was surfing the web this morning for stories I found something about the death of Captain America on almost every page. Some of the headlines read; "Captain America shot, killed" "Captain America Dead at 66," and "Captain America Dead: National Hero Since 1941."
I don't know about anyone else, but I got the feeling that he was a real person when I read those headlines. Although, some weren't as serious; "Captain America Dead: Movie Still in Development." Nice. Way to acknowledge our national superhero! :)
Cell Phones as Bookkeeping Device?
http://uwnews.washington.edu/ni/article.asp?articleID=31066
Talk about innovation. Who would have thought to use cell phones as data collectors instead of what they are intended for, talking.
I found this article to be quite interesting. A doctoral student at the UW has found a way for third world countries to use modern technology (one that we take for granted on a daily basis), and use it for bookkeeping purposes, and for authenticating whether or not coffee farms are organic.
Leading countries (like the US), have certainly found innovative ways to help the world! I appreciate that Tapan Parikh took a chance on proposing, and finding funding for his project. He is doing a great service not only for the people of India, but for us as well. He is establishing that innovation is not left to just those at Microsoft, Boeing, Smith Klein Beecham, or any other big name innovator or research facility, but people that have a passion and desire to help those that are definitely less fortunate, and don’t have the luxury or means by which to obtain our technology.
The farmers don’t object to this either. According to the article, they had to schlep journals (paper) with them wherever they went, and god forbid that they would drop their journal in a puddle! The new system affords these people of downloading the information and sending it to a main server, thus preserving the information. It’s a great idea, and my hat goes off to Tapan.
Talk about innovation. Who would have thought to use cell phones as data collectors instead of what they are intended for, talking.
I found this article to be quite interesting. A doctoral student at the UW has found a way for third world countries to use modern technology (one that we take for granted on a daily basis), and use it for bookkeeping purposes, and for authenticating whether or not coffee farms are organic.
Leading countries (like the US), have certainly found innovative ways to help the world! I appreciate that Tapan Parikh took a chance on proposing, and finding funding for his project. He is doing a great service not only for the people of India, but for us as well. He is establishing that innovation is not left to just those at Microsoft, Boeing, Smith Klein Beecham, or any other big name innovator or research facility, but people that have a passion and desire to help those that are definitely less fortunate, and don’t have the luxury or means by which to obtain our technology.
The farmers don’t object to this either. According to the article, they had to schlep journals (paper) with them wherever they went, and god forbid that they would drop their journal in a puddle! The new system affords these people of downloading the information and sending it to a main server, thus preserving the information. It’s a great idea, and my hat goes off to Tapan.
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