Gossip Grrrl Beth Ditto Takes Full 'Control'

Nice interview. Beth is cool.

Clinton-Wallace mix 'n' match

“Match the quotation with the angry white male!” Ouch…

San Diego GOP chairman co-founded international piracy ring

One of those headlines that can put a smile on your face on a dour, rainy morning…

35 Fantastic HDR Pictures

I have been somewhat quite a bit wary of HDR photography lately a long while now — but a collection such as this one could make me go back and have one more look.

The Autumn of the Multitaskers

Human freedom, as classically defined (to think and act and choose with minimal interference by outside powers), was not a product that firms like Microsoft could offer, but they recast it as something they could provide. A product for which they could raise the demand by refining its features, upping its speed, restyling its appearance, and linking it up with all the other products that promised freedom, too, but had replaced it with three inferior substitutes that they could market in its name:

Efficiency, convenience, and mobility.

For proof that these bundled minor virtues don’t amount to freedom but are, instead, a formula for a period of mounting frenzy climaxing with a lapse into fatigue, consider that “Where do you want to go today?” was really manipulative advice, not an open question. “Go somewhere now,” it strongly recommended, then go somewhere else tomorrow, but always go, go, go—and with our help. But did any rebel reply, “Nowhere. I like it fine right here”? Did anyone boldly ask, “What business is it of yours?” Was anyone brave enough to say, “Frankly, I want to go back to bed”?

— via I cite

Why We Should All Get Rid of Our Microwave Ovens

In this here on-going war on science and reason and what not, I never cease to be amazed at the sheer gullibility and, let’s face it, laziness of some folks.

A family friend forwarded a link to the above article, mentioning that he is seriously considering getting rid of his microwave oven.

Perhaps, before doing anything quite so drastic, he should try and google something like “microwave myths”. That would turn up quite a bit, including something like Fact vs. fiction.

As for the author of the article — well, I just grew even warier of somebody who styles themselves “ … kinesiologist, nutritionist and holistic practioner.”

Thumbs down for Hands Up

A somewhat provocative article from the Oxford University student newspaper about using a fashion show to raise money for Darfur. Although most comments are rather negative, a few agree with the brilliant young author. This one just about nails it:

Why on earth does the poster for a charity that fights against the rape of women in Africa consist of a photograph of a white, headless, naked woman?

I should probably add a disclaimer: the author is a dear friend of the family. He makes us proud.

Music Intelligence Quiz Results

“Mix-Tape Master (109-144 points)” — in the same kinda bracket as this guy — totally undeserved (I guessed a few…)

Marx Blog

“A class discussion blog for Derek Stanovsky’s Marx courses at Appalachian State University.” Appalachian State University?!? Like, wow.