TextPlanet
May 11, 2008
Tin Ear — Burma Donations
Give generously: Red Cross, CARE, World Vision, Oxfam and Medecins Sans Frontieres are all operating in the area.
ext 337 — Creating Bridges to Change
Intel’s Perry Gruber has a good post up at CSR@Intel about how people can come together, with and without traditional NGOs and development organizations, to work on the tough problems of the world. Perry writes:
But when you consider the upstarts and the results they’re producing, it’s plausible that in the not-too-distant future “development” and “aid” will be more directly dispensed by “we the people” instead of being bureaucratically administered on our behalf by international, bilateral and large aid agencies.
I may be wrong. Perhaps there’s room for everyone at the table. Afterall, the problems these agencies are working are big. But with the growing effectiveness of these new entrants, I think the game’s been changed.
I think he’s right about the change. The fact that individuals are increasingly able to come together to create solutions without the help of traditional nonprofits. I also think that this kind of bringing together is what is required to truly make change. I also think that NGOs need to change to take advantage of these tools.
I don’t think that it’s fair to say that the sector is broken. I think that there is a lot broken and there is a lot that is hard to make work right. It’s tough to work on long term problems when you customers, the people who need your services, by definition cannot afford them. You are always trying to mix and match things in productive ways and that is more or less possible depending on the size of your organization and your relationship with funders.
Fundamentally, though I think the questions he’s asking are the right ones and I think the organizations he points to are on the forefront of creating the kinds of bridges that are necessary to make that change.
I also think that this is part of what we are working on at NetSquared. We are working on, if I can use a phrase that pops up in our funding proposals, the human capital part of this problem, right now. How can we unlock the brainpower of hundreds of thousands of smart people to help create platforms and projects that can result in greater exposure of data. That’s what I think mashups are about, by the way. Ways to combine and expose data so that individuals can interact with the information in ways that allow them to change their behaviors, contribute where it matters or most, or just generally understand something in ways that they hadn’t before.
Perry Gruber put his questions to his colleagues in CSR-land. And they assume that NGOs aren’t a part of the solution but that business can come in and make the change that is required to either bypass the sector or get the sector on track. But let me reframe his questions: How are you working with corporations? How do you think the sector can work with corporations? How are you working together to bring together groups to create change? Do you think it’s even possible?
(credits: hat tip to vsef for the post pointer; the photo is mine)
Tobias S. Buckell Online — Edroxy review of Crystal Rain
LJ user edroxy reviews Crystal Rain. Snippet:
As someone who’s grown up in the Caribbean, I couldn’t possibly pass on a science fiction novel which took place in a Caribbean-like setting, now could I? That was what initially drew me to the book.
I’d be surprised to find someone who’s never heard about this author considering his strong online presence. Buckell is often invited on various podcasts for interviews (for example, The Dragon Page), but also has his own segment on the Adventures in SciFi Publishing podcast. He’s also on the Carl Brandon Society mailing list. You can also read his blog through lj. I’ve heard him speak at conventions (via The Time Traveler podcast for instance). So basically, I hadn’t even read the book that I already liked the guy!
Needless to say that I approached this book in a very positive way and had high expectations. And, well, sorry to disappoint all of you, but the book perfectly lived up to them.
Reviews by people who’ve spent serious time in, or come from, the Caribbean, are always extra special to me 
lookANDsee — Autumnal office
random ruminations — Linkfest — 05-10-2008
- Young Son sent me a link to an on-line comic, Looking for Group. It’s good. In fact, it’s very good.
- Rogue Amoeba produces some fine Macintosh software. They also offer some cool freebies of which Soundsource is very good.
- The Journal of Irreproducible Results is quite good, especially for science (scientist) types.
- The Case-Shiller Index tracks housing prices. I heard a podcast in which the theme was bottomfishers looking for good buys in the housing market. We’ve been holding off the big push for a house, in part because I do not want to buy in a declining market. I reviewed the data for Las Vegas and they’ve seen about a 25% decline there. I’m wondering what it is up here in northern Nevada.
- ET Geowizards is an excellent set of tools for GIS work.
Medialoper — The Daily Loper
Todays links of interest:
- Spam Moves to Cellphones and Gets More Invasive
Just wait till we’re all inundated with bluetooth spam. - Dot-com Central returns to earthly pursuits
Spent quite a lot of time working about a block East from the area described in this story, and don’t quite remember it so dramatically. And I walked up and down 16th Street (from the always interesting BART station) every day. It certainly wasn’t Dot-com Central: that would have been the South Park (not the TV Show) area just north where Pac Bell is now. - AT&T?s Wi-Fi Tease for iPhone Users
Sigh. You’d think that AT&T would just get off of their ass and do it. You’d think. - Facebook To Lift 5,000 Friends Limit
Finally! It’s sort of hard building a cult with a 5,000 friend limit. - Comedy Central, Attell bang ‘Gong’
What the world needed: a remake of The Gong Show. - The Associated Press: Study of ‘Daily Show’: It’s a lot like O’Reilly
Except Jon Stewart isn’t a pompous blow-hard who refuses to listen to other people when they speak. - Neil Young v the MP3: let battle commence
Also, Neil Young about to embark on exciting experiment while simultaneously sounding like a cranky old man. - What Motivates the Wine Shopper?
For us, it’s the alcohol. Natch. - Los Angeles Says Piracy ‘Detrimental to the Public Health, Safety
Arrrrgh!
Tobias S. Buckell Online — My freelanceiversary gift to myself: Scotch
Was out shopping for a basic level scotch, I’d run out of Chivas 12 and was hitting my expensive and very great Balvenie Doublewood 12 a bit too often. Didn’t get Chivas this time, but the smokier, peatier, Laphroaig, which is probably one of my favorite $30-$40 bottles of Scotch.
But while I was at the store I noticed a small, fat bottle in a simple cardboard box advertising a Scotch I’d never heard of: Glenrothes. It had a sticker on the side with handwritten notes about that bottle. It was also the most expensive bottle in the store (although, keep in mind this is a store in Ohio, not the largest Scotch selection in the world). So I can get a basic Macallan, Chivas, Laphroaig here, anything fancier (in the $80+ bottle range) I’d have to order online. So I’m intrigued by the high end Scotch and the presentation. And what the hell it’s doing in a liquor store in Ohio.
What the hell, I thought, it’ll be my treat. Be impulsive.
When I got home and googled up the details I got excited. It’s won awards, although not a well known Scotch, it’s got a lot of cachet with Scotch enthusiasts and master tasters.
The Laphroaig was good, I had some on getting home. Not as good as a Lagavulin, which I’d have to get around to ordering on line, but still hit all the right smoky, peaty notes for me. It’s a very strong tasting Single Malt.
So I crossed my fingers and tried the Glenrothes. It’s very smooth for a Scotch at first, feels oily, slips right down, and then has a faint fruity taste, followed by vanilla or butterscotch, and then your whole body gets warm and you feel the incredibly high alcohol percentage kick in. It’s dangerous, because it doesn’t taste or feel like you’re drinking an incredibly potent hard liquor (most of the really expensive Scotches I’ve tried are like this, the Bowmore Darkest Sherry Finish in particular I remember being rather smooth as well).
So far, my favorite Scotch yet, even above Glenkeir, and after I finish up some work tonight, I’m looking forward to enjoying a finger of this and playing some Mario Kart with Emily.
May 10, 2008
hicksdesign — The Poison Sky
I’d missed this the first time I watched the Poison Sky last week! I know, I’m probably the last person to notice it…
In the Tardis, just before Donna looks at the monitor, there is a brief flash of Rose calling the Doctor – just for a few frames. Often the ‘story arcs’ throughout the season get on my pip, usually because they’re loud and obvious, but these brief flashes of Rose are really well done. Yay!
random ruminations — Fife and Drum
For this week (although I’m late — excused absence!) we have Fife and Drum so let’s see where it takes me!
Onesome: Fife— Barney? …a musical instrument? …the number after ‘four’? What came to mind when you saw this week’s title?
I thought in terms of a patriotic march of three wounded soldiers carrying a tattered flag.
Twosome: and— do you recall a painting of a fife and drum set with a flag? No? Maybe one of our American History majors can link it in…
I do and it brings somber memories for me.
Threesome: Drum— lines? Do you love them? …or do you even know they exist? I’m wondering if this is an “Eastern” thing…
I dunno if I’ve ever seen a drum line in the flesh. It would be interesting, but is not in my experience.
BioCurious — Pangea Day!
Pangea Day is a global event bringing the world together through film.
Why? In a world where people are often divided by borders, difference, and conflict, it’s easy to lose sight of what we all have in common. Pangea Day seeks to overcome that – to help people see themselves in others – through the power of film.
It’s an amazing concept, and it’s happening right now. Watch it here on the Pangea Day web site. The moment I tuned in, they just happened to be playing my favourite passage from Carl Sagan, perhaps my favourite passage ever:
I love the idea of watching the movies simultaneously with people all around the world, but I just hope they will make all the films available when it’s over so that you and I can catch everything we’ve missed.
Happy Pangea Day! Enjoy.
random ruminations — Three Bad Habits
As part of the me-me-meme I’ll continue with what I think are my three bad habits. Well, check that — there are probably more bad habits, but I’ll focus on the three I think are my worst.
My first is waking too early in the morning. I posses an over-active mind. I often wake between 0300 and 0400. If I’m able, I roll over or plug in the iPod and go back to sleep. Too often, however, like this morning I don’t return to sleep and find myself in my workroom. Sometimes I putter, browsing the ‘net a little or researching something that interests me. Other times I’m at work on a project and often have a half-day done before I even hit the office.
My second bad habit is trichotillomania. If my beard grows too long, I pull at it, particularly when thinking really hard. So, I keep it short because I hate the regular shave but don’t like to pull at my beard.
Hmm… Now for the third… I suppose I have a bad habit for interrupting someone when they’re talking. Sometimes my thoughts start working and I can move really fast from idea to idea and a discussion can become highly dynamic. I am something of a free-associator and my thoughts can take on a random appearance as one idea leads to a synaptic jump to something else, where the relation between the two may not be apparent.
Whether I do that or not seems to depend on the situation. For example, a friend was here this week to do a training class for us. He’s an expert in geospatial applications. After work we went to supper and I went into “hyper-mode.” We were talking shop (Wife is quite patient with me) and the talk turned to something I’ve thought about for a long time. It was fun, but I’m afraid I was not very polite. However, my friend is patient and we still had a good time.
So, there you go — three bad habits.
lookANDsee — Calmer waters
A day later and the waters at Manly Beach were somewhat quieter - though I’m sure the surfers wished for more action.
sillybean — into the wild blue yonder
The semester from hell being over (FINALLY), we are commencing de-stressing procedures by hopping on a plane to Seattle. Back in a week.
Mail-sorting conversation at our house…
Me, upon finding yet another stack of unopened mail on the dining room table: NOOOOO!
Michael: I found a Playboy offer in mine.
Me: Why don’t I get Playboy offers? All my offers are from Publishers Weekly and book clubs.
Michael: That’s because you know how to read.
Davenetics — Nature and Human Nature
The military rulers in Myanmar continue to block aid and food for the masses of people devastated by the cyclone (an event that is being played down on state TV). The leadership is also still focused on a referendum that would give them even more power (the date of the vote is not being changed in part because it was ordained by astrologers).
We really need to broaden the meaning of the word genocide.
More news on Myanmar, always updated.
Bits and Pieces — The Cult of Information
Medialoper — The Daily Loper - May 9, 2008
Hill People Milk Edition
Todays links of interest:
- Dot-com Central returns to earthly pursuits
Spent quite a lot of time working about a block East from the area described in this story, and don’t quite remember it so dramatically. And I walked up and down 16th Street (from the always interesting BART station) every day. It certainly wasn’t Dot-com Central: that would have been the South Park (not the TV Show) area just north where Pac Bell is now. - AT&T?s Wi-Fi Tease for iPhone Users
Sigh. You’d think that AT&T would just get off of their ass and do it. You’d think. - Facebook To Lift 5,000 Friends Limit
Finally! It’s sort of hard building a cult with a 5,000 friend limit. - Comedy Central, Attell bang ‘Gong’
What the world needed: a remake of The Gong Show. - The Associated Press: Study of ‘Daily Show’: It’s a lot like O’Reilly
Except Jon Stewart isn’t a pompous blow-hard who refuses to listen to other people when they speak. - Neil Young v the MP3: let battle commence
Also, Neil Young about to embark on exciting experiment while simultaneously sounding like a cranky old man. - What Motivates the Wine Shopper?
For us, it’s the alcohol. Natch. - Los Angeles Says Piracy ‘Detrimental to the Public Health, Safety
Arrrrgh!
