MTV Raises Programming IQ With “How’s Your News?”
[ 2 Comments ]Posted on February 6, 2009 by admin in Popular Media
If I’d known this crew was covering the Grammies, I might’ve actually tuned in this year…
Tired of the vain stupidity of the typical entertainment or news show hosts employed by major networks? Shake up your perception of television news with MTV’s new program How’s Your News?, hosted by people with disabilities. I have a sister with Down Syndrome (probably one of the nicer people I know) and I’m a bit of a ‘tard myself, so it’s refreshing to see a program like this. The potential for appearing to be exploitive is incredibly high, but as one of the creators (Matt Stone, of South Park fame) has been quick to point out: “We weren’t worried about being associated with them, we were worried about them being associated with us“. If I’d known this crew was covering the Grammies, I might’ve actually tuned in this year (see clip featured at left). After years of MTV basing most of their programming on “normally abled” people who act like retards, it’s a bold and dicey move (and probably a step up in quality) to air a show like this. Inspired by the 1999 film How’s Your News?
This Twit Won’t Twitter
[ 3 Comments ]Posted on February 5, 2009 by admin in Lifestyle & Culture
I’ve created sample accounts on over thirty social networking sites as research for clients, which is why I’ve watched the recent explosion on Facebook of users over forty with considerable amusement*. I remember well the feeling I got when, as an 18-year-old, I went from being so far on the fringe of pop culture that [...]
I’ve created sample accounts on over thirty social networking sites as research for clients, which is why I’ve watched the recent explosion on Facebook of users over forty with considerable amusement*. I remember well the feeling I got when, as an 18-year-old, I went from being so far on the fringe of pop culture that there wasn’t a name for it, to suddenly being called “Punk” by “normal” people. Just about as soon as I got used to the idea that maybe I WAS punk, everyone suddenly started taking the worst aspects of whatever I was and basing whole music genres and movies on it. Before I knew it, my friends and I had gotten normal just to avoid the creepy older people that were mimicking us. This must be a little bit like what it feels like to be an 18-24 year old MySpace or FaceBook user the past few years. First they had to watch the oldsters creep in on MySpace, pimping out their pages like high-schoolers. Recently MySpace feels like 4am at a 30-year high school reunion; only the socially inept and drunk late-comers are still hanging around. Facebook should be suffering a similar fate by mid-year, leaving kids to Twitter desperately in a difficult economy. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see new text message pricing plans that gouge these users. I for one don’t see myself opening my mobile device up to this kind of shenanigans, causing the return of the nearly-extinct fail whale (pictured here). Maybe I’ll take up knitting and join Ravelry. Any suggestions for where to go with my social networking addiction?
*Confession: I’ve used Facebook addictively the last few weeks myself.
Chips ‘n’ Dips: White Hat Hacker Remotely Reads RFID Passports
[ Comments Off ]Posted on February 4, 2009 by admin in Technology
The latest in drive-by RFID
Feeling safer after eight years of the Bush administration’s paranoid and insane attempts at making life in America safer? Well don’t. Perhaps you’ve seen the 2006 “Prank the Virginia DMV” clips on YouTube, in which two wild and crazy guys dress up in absurd outfits (like the cartoonish Asian pictured here) and proceed to secure legitimate Virginia driver’s licenses. Don’t forget, it was the Virginia DMV that issued ID’s to several of the 9/11 hijackers. Well now, to add to all the TSA woes we’re familiar with (which I’ve touched on here), a San Francisco white hat hacker has demonstrated just how easy it is to extract identity info from those RFID passports that were supposed to enhance our security. In spite of acknowledged flaws with RFID, the US State Dept. has moved ahead with the technology. For a humorous twist on RFID, see this article about tracking dementia with RFID technology that uses a photo of John McCain with absolutely no explanation.
Valentine’s Day 2009: Is That Love Gun Loaded?
[ 1 Comment ]Posted on February 3, 2009 by admin in Holidays
Nothing says “I Love You” Like $40,000
 $40,000 Of Pure Love |
Thinking of getting your partner a diamond for Valentine’s Day? Well, as they say Nothing Says ‘I love you’ Like a Superficial and Overvalued Rock Clawed From the Guts of The Earth by African Slave Labor. And on that note, nothing says “Disposable Income” like a Blancpain Womens Ultra-slim Valentine’s edition watch. Only $40,800 USD. A bit steep for your budget? Do V-Day on the cheap with a Blancpain Camelia
I Feel Like I Posted This Before
[ 2 Comments ]Posted on February 3, 2009 by admin in Holidays
This morning I completely forgot it was Groundhog Day, mostly because of the fact that it was a good friend’s birthday (Happy Birthday Laura!) was more important in my thoughts. In any case, once I realized it was Groundhog Day, I took note of the fact that it was sunny, and thought “Oh. That means [...]
This morning I completely forgot it was Groundhog Day, mostly because of the fact that it was a good friend’s birthday (Happy Birthday Laura!) was more important in my thoughts. In any case, once I realized it was Groundhog Day, I took note of the fact that it was sunny, and thought “Oh. That means we’ll have….um…six more weeks of winter?” I couldn’t for the life of me remember how the tradition went, and kept asking people. They all said something similar like “I think it means, um…y’know, six or eight more weeks of….hmmm.” Living in Michigan, it was pretty darn clear to me that whatever that little rodent saw, we were in for at LEAST six more weeks of Winter. And suddenly I was overcome with the weird feeling that I had gone through all of this before. Which made me think it would be fun to rent Groundhog Day the movie. And then I remembered I had thought the same thing last year, and none of the local rental places had a copy. Then it dawned on me that the only time I seem to see the movie is when I’m laying around at a friend’s place in a different city, watching cable and recovering from the party the night before or something. And I think every time that happens, it feels creepily familiar. And now I’m just creeped out all around. Can we just start over?