« November 2004 | Main | January 2005 »
December 31, 2004
Hey man, I don't do *anything* for 3 minutes straight ...
Scientists are concerned that the Information Age is nurturing 'cognitive overload,' an umbrella term for the malaise and attention defecit disorder people feel as a result of distraction, stress - hey! let's go watch some TV!
Posted by David at 02:44 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 30, 2004
Dark realities of our neocon age.
"What if there really was no need for much - or even most - of the Cold War?
What if, in fact, the Cold War had been kept alive for two decades based on phony WMD threats?
What if, similarly, the War On Terror was largely a scam, and the administration was hyping it to seem larger-than-life?"
Explosive BBC Doc Exposes Decades-Old Neocon Deceits.
Posted by David at 07:03 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Sub Moscow
Did you know that there are between six and twelve levels areas of underground Moscow? Apparently the city has been built up and up throughout the years.
Vadim Mikhailov has been exploring them since his childhood:
First, they explored the bomb shelters under Leningradsky Prospekt, then they came across an Academy of Oceanology warehouse. "Imagine walking along endless corridors," recalls Mikhailov, "something dripping from the ceiling, the uneven light of torches. And all of sudden you find yourself in a room full of tanks of formalin, containing various sea monsters."
I highly recommend this intriguing story about the world under Moscow.
Posted by Nathan at 05:53 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Killer flesh-eating robots coming to get you!
You cannot run. You cannot hide.
Robots are on the rampage and they're hungry.
Just a thought: is it wise to produce robots which must kill to survive?
Posted by David at 03:16 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
December 29, 2004
I like violence
And nothing says kill like these fabulous objects.
Posted by Nathan at 01:16 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The case of the Amazon and the XML
I'm the kind of guy who always roots for the underdog. I like to see the little guy win. It's half the reason I like my Mac so much, I'm always rooting for someone to knock the big man off his block. So it might come as a surprise that I'm recommending an article which talks about Amazon's use of web services and XML to do some pretty cool shit.
I guess I like cool shit more than I do the underdog.
Posted by Nathan at 05:42 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Changing the game: Advertising controlled by the publisher
Sure I know we all hate living in a capitalistic society (or is that just me), but let's face reality, it's not going away anytime soon, and we've got to continue to live with the realities imposed by such a system.
That includes having to endure advertising that permeates throughout our media. Sure you don't find too many personal blogs like this one with ads on them, but the bigger the blog, the more likely it is you'll find advertising, and we accept that.
The problem is actually getting advertising that is interesting, relevant and that you, the site owner, agree with. Perhaps there is a solution, like this one proposed by John Battelle. Its an interesting little idea.
Posted by Nathan at 05:14 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
December 28, 2004
A day of global tragedy.
In the shadow of darkness spanning the globe, allow me to mark the passing of a single light.
Susan Sontag represented all things noble to me. Nothing was spared her probing intellect, left to right, and I honour her passion and her gift of word.
Posted by David at 04:25 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
December 27, 2004
Impact of Tsunami felt here
Often, it's hard to relate to devastation on the scale that is being reported from Asia right now. Tens of thousands of people dead and missing, anguish felt by millions.
Less than a year ago, I was on Railay beach, a Thai resort that appears to have been hit by the tsunami (New Zealander witnesses carnage). I've heard from my buddy Colin that his brother's good friend, James, is missing in Thailand; apparently James was in his bungalow with his pal when the tidal wave hit, his pal was rescued but James is missing.
May our thoughts and prayers go out to those missing, and the family and friends who are searching for them and mourning loved ones lost.
My heart goes out to you...
Posted by Tim at 07:24 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Second Chance
On the 23rd of December, on what is to remain one of the most romantic and brilliant December nights on record in San Francisco--read no fog, I asked my lovely girlfriend Jessica to marry me. Her reply...
Of Course! For those of you who have had a chance to meet and get to know this beautiful creature I am sure you can tell why I would not want to let this one go. The wedding will be on December 18th, 2005 so please, for those of you with long trips and those who can make it, please start planning. We are planning the wedding to be a small affair with only the clostest of friends and family in attendance in the San Francico Bay Area. I will send more details as they become available.
Posted by Justin at 02:21 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
December 26, 2004
Privacy Online
Yahoo has come under fire for their privacy policy. They have declared that an email account belonging to a marine who was recently killed in Iraq can not be read by his parents.
I personally believe that Yahoo is taking the right stand here, but it's an interesting problem.
Posted by Nathan at 10:57 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 25, 2004
A Blog of Funny Overheard Conversation Snipets In New York
Overheard in New York: things such as this clever bit
Posted by Nick at 02:56 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 24, 2004
Finally a good use of government funds
I'm as much a grinch as they come, but the norad santa tracker is fucking cool.
Posted by Nathan at 07:41 AM | TrackBack
December 23, 2004
Texas Woman Gets Her Cat Cloned Just In Time For Christmas
This is just like in the movies!
The article makes some good points, such as:
Animals rights activists complain that new feline production systems aren't needed because thousands of stray cats are euthanized each year for want of homes.
And it costs $50,000! Is that really the best way to spend 50k?
Then there's this:
Scientists also warn that cloned animals suffer from more health problems than their traditionally bred peers and that cloning is still a very inexact science. It takes many gruesome failures to produce just a single clone.
Not unlike this movie.
Posted by Nick at 06:28 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
What's happening to the news?
An interesting short movie about one possible future of journalism.
I'm conflicted between populism and elitism on this topic, but it's an entertaining piece.
Posted by David at 04:13 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
The knife that is sharp today ...
I've been behind the curve on this one, I admit, but from the first glorious session with Firefox I was hooked. There's more good news.
With Thunderbird , it's the first few steps on the way to escaping the clutches of Monde de Redmond.
I'm fully migrated on three machines, another is "in process" and the only reason a MS e-mail client is on my laptop is to connect to the Exchange server at work. Entourage whimpers every time it comes to life on my Powerbook; no doubt it dreads the reality of numbered days.
Between these (fantastic) products and Wikipedia I'm quickly coming to appreciate the power of open source software. As a rule I believe you get what you pay for, but there's some significant value being created which is tipping the equation.
Posted by David at 03:02 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 22, 2004
World's Largest Solar Power Site Goes Live
In Germany, those sensible bastards!
Posted by Nick at 11:39 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Does technology make us happy
That's the question posed by this article. Are we any happier today than we were 60 years ago?
Posted by Nathan at 09:54 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 20, 2004
Boffins discover how to make a cool movie
Hell if I know exactly what this movie is actually supposed to illustrate, but it comes from those wacky kids at NASA. I'm fairly sure it's got something to do with solar storm activity.
I'm sure there is more info here. I just can be bothered to read anything else.
Posted by Nathan at 06:25 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
December 18, 2004
Keanu's Always in the Next Crazy/Cool Looking Movie
Posted by Nick at 11:39 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Segway Polo
For rich geeks only.
Bay Area Segway Enthusiasts Group
Posted by Nick at 11:26 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
FCC and indecency
It appears "...the vast majority of the 'indecency complaints' to the FCC this year have come from a very small and very-well-organized group called the Parent’s Television Council."
If true, it goes to show how well organized the right have become. They're doing nearly everything better than the left at manipulating the system in their favor.
Posted by David at 09:52 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 17, 2004
Cubans Evidently Not Without Sense of Irony Either
As pertaining to the post below.
Cuba places torture billboards in front of US diplomatic HQ
Posted by Nick at 04:18 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 15, 2004
The Tragic Irony of the Current Climate
Here's an odd article explaining how:
U.S. diplomats [in Havana, Cuba] on Wednesday refused to take down their offices' trimmings of Santa Claus, candy canes and white lights wrapped around palm trees, ignoring a demand by Cuba to remove Christmas decorations that include a reference to dissidents jailed by Fidel Castro's government.
They have a sign up that says "75" in reference to 75 Cuban dissidents jailed last year. In Washington, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher defended the decorations thusly:
The "75" sign "shows our solidarity with Cubans who struggle for democracy and freedom, when we think it's appropriate, at the holiday season, to remember ... these people who are missing because of political repression," Boucher said.
Hmmmmmmmm. Isn't it funny that on that same island we have a base full of political prisoners without any legal rights, who are remaining there for an indefinite stay without being charged with anything other than being "enemy combatants"?
Ironic? Hypocritical?
It wouldn't be the first time.
Posted by Nick at 04:39 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Do I know that walk?
From the ever moving world of biometrics, comes a few new techniques. Of course it's no surprise to me that you can identify people by
the way they walk. Before I started wearing glasses it was how I identified my friends at school.
Posted by Nathan at 07:27 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 14, 2004
The Science of Beer Brewing
With Great Beer, It's All in the Rocks (and That Doesn't Mean Ice)
Posted by Nick at 10:45 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
A Good Bit of Fiction
I don't generally post links to fiction on here. Probably because I don't read enough of it online (ironically), but this short sci-fi/fantasy story is dang good, so give it a read, if you like that kind of thing.
Embracing-the-New, by Benjamin Rosenbaum
Posted by Nick at 07:33 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Bush Monkey Portrait Shuts Down Gallery
What kind of country do we live in when a man can not paint a picture of the president using only monkeys and get respect??
Posted by Nick at 02:55 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
December 13, 2004
Short (but Very Good) Stephen Hawking Interview in the NYT Mag
Questions for Stephen Hawking: The Science of Second-Guessing
Posted by Nick at 08:59 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Ah, Censorship
As reported in the Los Angeles Times, the federal Office of Foreign Assets (OFAC) has now criminalized the efforts of any US publisher who publishes the work of any writer in Iran, Iraq, Sudan, North Korea, or Cuba (list to be expanded). The penalties: $1 million for the publisher, 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for individuals.
Maud Newton: Another Day, Another Unbelievable Outrage
The spokesperson for the U.S. Treasury Department, which oversees OFAC, said that the sanctions are:a very important part of our overall national security. These are countries that pose serious threats to the United States, to our economy and security and our well being around the globe.
Posted by Nick at 06:59 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Google Suggest
Dan Gillmor reports on one of Google labs latest interesting developement features. This attemps to predicts what you want to search for.
Posted by Nathan at 06:11 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 12, 2004
Bhopal and the BBC
I only vaguely remember hearing about Bhopal before this got in the press.
It appears the BBC was duped into putting on air an activist pretending to be a DOW Chemical representative. The "representative" admitted responsibility and offered $12 billion dollars compensation.
Story from the Technology Review blog.
Posted by Nathan at 08:43 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Better Than iPod
Boing Boing: iPod-sized video player without DRM
This thing looks sweet!
Posted by Nick at 03:27 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 10, 2004
Not a Big Suprise, But Funny None The Less
Electronics gear outsells books on Amazon.com
Posted by Nick at 08:56 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Teaser Trailer for Tim Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Wow, this is a gonna be a strange one!
Even stranger than the first, I bet.
Stoked.
Posted by Nick at 03:01 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Zombie Infection Simulator
For a nice projection of zombie outbreak contagion in your town: Zombie Simulator
Posted by Nick at 02:24 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Just weird
I'm not sure I can even begin to explain this one.
Posted by Nathan at 01:56 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 09, 2004
Radiohead Fan Video
Exceptionally well made flash video.
(via stakes is high)
Posted by Nick at 09:19 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
All Hail Spock!
The Church of Spock of Latter-day Science Officers
Posted by Nick at 07:40 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Music I Am Listening To
At the request of my friend David, here is a top twenty list of who is getting heavy rotation on my iPod. This is in no particular order except for number 1, who I can't get enough of right now.
1. The Arcade Fire
2. And You Will Know Us By The Trail of the Dead
3. Broken Social Scene
4. Chin Up Chin Up
5. The Delgados
6. Karate
7. Iron and Wine
8. Her Space Holiday
9. Menomena!
10. Razorlight
11. The Secret Handshake
12. Interpol
13. Earlimart
14. Delays
15. Bright Eyes
16. Gomez
17. Low
18. Sorry about Dresden
19. Red House Painters
20. The Black Keys
I would also like to mention that I am a indie-pop freak and you may not have heard of any of these bands. I can send you some information, perhaps some samples, of some of this stuff if anyone is interested.
Posted by Justin at 05:59 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Every Few Years, A New Format War
This time it's Sony's Blu-ray vs. HD DVD
Posted by Nick at 05:01 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Can you super size that gram for me?
There seems to be a lot of interest recently in the power of man to improve our drug supply through genetic modification. I noticed this story on The Register today and remembered this one in Wired from last month.
Both talk about the rumoured existence of GM Coke. The latest weapon those evil drug dealers have against the good American crop dusters.
Posted by Nathan at 06:11 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 07, 2004
Who needs terrorists?
French police planted plastic explosives in a random, unknowing passenger's luggage as part of a canine dog sniffing exercise. Unfortunately, they lost the luggage. Officials believe the luggage ended up on one of 90 flights leaving the airport Friday, according to BBC news. [from Pragmatic Andy]
There's my first post here at Nick's hip hoplit blog. I'm in my late twenties and live in Portland, Oregon in a house where Nick once occupied the basement. I started my own weblog a few years ago, back when Nick would make fun of me for spending hours on end reading and writing this crazy gibberish on the web.
Posted by Eli at 12:35 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Is that a projector in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?
I'm a big fan of the MIT Technology Review daily newsletter. It's always full of great little geekbits like this article which talks about one possible future display technology, the portable projector.
The article is a slight bit of a let down, as I want one now, but some of the stuff they are doing is incredibly cool. Just imagine "hardware and software that can project digital images onto whatever surface is handy—the wall, say, or a desktop—and make them look good even if the impromptu screen isn’t nice and smooth" sitting inside your cell phone.
Posted by Nathan at 09:07 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 06, 2004
Welcome to my World
Hello Everyone, I too am a friend of Nick's and I have been fortunate enough to have been asked by him to post here on this Blog.
A little about me. I am almost 30, live just North of San Francisco, and enjoy, amongst other things: art, literature, movies, and music.
I lead a pretty dull existence working from home and traveling for the company I am employed by but when I have time to do the things I love they include writing a vast array of things from poems to the ever elusive screenplay, writing and playing music on my gee-tar, and immersing myself in local culture.
Speaking of local culture, I found this and think you should check it out. It even has some things for those blokes, my good friends, in Britain.
Posted by Justin at 03:42 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 05, 2004
Cost of War Counter
Posted by Nick at 06:33 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
What's on your xmas wish list?
I've found the perfect xmas gift for my wife.
Posted by Nathan at 10:36 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 04, 2004
I too live in England
I'll try not to hit you over the head with it.
As Nick mentioned, he's offered a few of his old friends a chance to mess around with his new baby blog. I just couldn't resist a chance to inflict my views on the world.
Now for a bit about me...
I went to College with Nick, and am now living in London. I'm 30, married to a skinny English bird from Leicester (ask me if you need help pronouncing that), I'm rapidly becoming a socialist, and I work in Marketing. I tend to prefer to use a Mac and I consider myself to have slightly geeky tendencies.
I'm also a virgo, I’d like to see California secede from the union, and I can’t spell to save my fucking life.
Hope you now feel you know me well enough now.
Oh, and I found this online and enjoyed it ... I figure the rest of the guys posting on here will enjoy it if no one else does.
Note: the link is to the Times and they require free registration.
Posted by Nathan at 09:06 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 03, 2004
American like me, dkb
Dec. 3, 2004 | WASHINGTON (AP) -- Evidence gained by torture can be used by the U.S. military in deciding whether to imprison a foreigner indefinitely at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as an enemy combatant, the government concedes.
Statements produced under torture have been inadmissible in U.S. courts for about 70 years. But the U.S. military panels reviewing the detention of 550 foreigners as enemy combatants at the U.S. naval base in Cuba are allowed to use such evidence, Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Brian Boyle acknowledged at a U.S. District Court hearing Thursday.
It is reassuring. I'm glad the FCC is spending so much time, money and attention on clearly the most pressing threat to our nation - breasts and obscenity.
*+*
Sad I couldn't be home, I celebrated Thanksgiving in London with my best friends last week. It is a holiday which brings me the biggest pause, not only for what it represents but because -- as I describe it to those here who enquire about its significance -- I consider it America at its best.
Then I think about the Americans, the Brits, the human beings held in captivity in prisons worldwide by my government. They stand accused of no crime, they face no magistrate and no jury will consider their defense.
I'm thankful this year for my liberty. I'm especially thankful for my health and my faculties.
And I'm thankful I can think, read and write. There are some burdens to bear with my prose: I have wholly adopted British idiom and spelling. When I write colour and specialised, I do so consciously.
*+*
I posted the documentation for Permanent Residency today, petitioning for my indefinite right to remain. It made me very happy.
dkb
Posted by David at 08:56 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
December 02, 2004
Hoplit: Now Loaded With Even More Juicy Guest Bloggers!
First off, thank you Tim!
Over the course of this rocky political month, I couldn't have had a better guest blogger. Many thanks!
But your stint is not quite up!
Circumstances in my life are still keeping me from a settled, continually bloggable lifestyle. So for at least the next month I'm bring in more help. Five more guest bloggers, possibly more!
You see, multi-author blogging was so much fun I'm going to now stretch the limits and see where it breaks.
I'm bringing in a few friends who I thought might be interested, and if this month goes well, maybe we'll spin off some kind of new group blog.
In the mean time, please welcome David, Nathan, Justin, Ben and Eli. Along with Tim continuing on for another month.
I have no idea what kind of stuff they're going to post, so this should be interesting.
(PS-I've enlarged the name of the author, as seen below, so it will be more obvious who is posting)
Posted by Nick at 02:50 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack