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Problems:
I’ve heard many interviews of this guy, Jonathan Zittrain, on NPR and elsewhere decrying the world of closed tech. At first I was full-blown fan-boy mad at him; now, I'm just a little ambivalent. On the one hand, it's true that the internet did allow, and mostly, still does allow, open anyone who wants to understand it to read the source code and dive in. There are plenty of examples of how and why this is bad. I won't get into them as I must go put on my ballet hat.
If you’re in the market for an eBook reader, the iPad is for you; as you'll be able to do much much more than any of the competing devices, it will be gorgeous, and probably even fun. The name, however, must go.
]]>There's a cabinet behind the tub that we keep closed because it has an opening to the crawl space under the house. I grabbed a flashlight and opened the door. Inside was an opossum huddled against the cold. $350.00 to have him removed tonight; so, we'll be hosting the little critter and check on him in the morning. I'm fairly confident he's the same guy that walks around the front yard at night. If I was certain that I wouldn't be bitten or have him play dead and stink up the house, I'd invite him all the way in and maybe show him to Tess. Or, not.
]]>Supporting Ballet is so much easier without those costly dancers and artsy fartsy types living, working, and paying taxes in the community.
]]>Dear Editor,
I just read the news of the Augusta Ballet's emergence from debt. Indeed, operating in the black is laudable; still, I ask, at what cost? The sacking of the entire creative staff, i.e. the professional 'local talent.' What remains? A couple of folks occupying an office, conference-calling presenters to pick touring companies. Big deal.
Sincerely,
Benjamin Westafer
http://www.cpyb.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/2009_tw_brochure.pdf
It's $675.00 for the tuition and lord knows how much a week of hotel stay costs. I might be able to find a place to crash. Maybe. I have a book to return in Hummelstown.
]]>I understand that they have a relatively small geographic area; ‘slightly smaller than Maine.’ and they have lots of money. Still, one marvels at their use of space. Their policy on crumbs found on airline customers aside (it’s a big aside, I know), one is curious how it is that we can’, in our infinite wisdom, afford similar efforts of engineering.
My theory on this is probably population density and relative ethnic, tribal hegemony. I'm guessing that the more populous, hegemonous, and dense is a population, the easier it is to get things done. It's too bad that we cannot somehow formulate some sort of national identity. I'm not talking about patriotism as much as self identifying as an American. After 911, there were AdCouncil ads with people of various backgrounds saying, ‘I am an American.’ I wish we could somehow get back to that idea.
]]> I just saw this:I understand that they have a relatively small geographic area; ‘slightly smaller than Maine.’ and they have lots of money. Still, one marvels at their use of space. Their policy on crumbs found on airline customers aside (it’s a big aside, I know), one is curious how it is that we can’, in our infinite wisdom, afford similar efforts of engineering.
My theory on this is probably population density and relative ethnic, tribal hegemony. I'm guessing that the more populous, hegemonous, and dense is a population, the easier it is to get things done. It's too bad that we cannot somehow formulate some sort of national identity. I'm not talking about patriotism as much as self identifying as an American. After 911, there were AdCouncil ads with people of various backgrounds saying, ‘I am an American.’ I wish we could somehow get back to that idea.
There should be pride in our shared citizenship. That’ all I’m saying. Then maybe, we could build something.
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