Mad Minerva 2.0

Quote of the Day: On a French Bill

2012-01-31T10:47:00.001-05:00

"I suppose it'll add some spice to history exams though. Get the wrong answer and you not only fail: you get carted off to jail as well."

Some un-studious undergrads of my acquaintance should be quaking in their books, ha! The quote refers to a new French bill that, if made law, would criminalize denying that Ottoman Turks committed genocide against Armenians in 1915-6. (For what it's worth, I think this bill and others like it are a bad idea in principle.) Anyway, the bill is currently stalled because of questions of constitutionality, and Turkish EU Affairs Minister Egemen Bağış flatly denied the charges of genocide and dared the French to go arrest him. Oh, my.

"Game of Thrones" Season 2 Trailer

2012-01-31T10:19:00.003-05:00

BEHOLD:

Plan B: Alternate Speeches From D-Day and the Moon Landing

2012-01-30T11:22:00.000-05:00

You remember Eisenhower's speech to the troops for D-Day. How here's a bit of forgotten history: what he planned to say if the invasion failed. See too a Plan B speech for the moon landing. Thank goodness we never had to hear these alternate speeches!

Kepler Telescope Discovers 11 New Solar Systems

2012-01-30T07:57:00.000-05:00

Hooray!

Awesome: Lego Man in Space

2012-01-29T20:27:00.001-05:00

Check out what a couple of enterprising high school students from Toronto did with Legos, a camera, and a helium-filled weather balloon! Read all about it, and then watch this delightful (and beautiful) video footage. Outstanding.

Ancient Bread Stamps!

2012-01-29T20:20:00.000-05:00

Here's a cool new find from Israel: an ancient bread stamp marked with a menorah. You might love this preserved example from Pompeii. Other bread stamps have been found that date from ancient Egypt. Hey, labeling/branding your product is soooooooo not a new idea.

Newspaper Nastiness: Il Giornale vs. Der Spiegel

2012-01-29T12:25:00.002-05:00

*Sigh.* It's an all-around slapfest of crude national stereotypes. Everybody loses, especially good taste and common courtesy. You will of course remember this blog's standing rule that in any argument the first party to refer to Nazis automatically loses, so I guess Il Giornale loses twice.

Post-SOPA, MPAA Head Admits, "We're Not Comfortable with the Internet."

2012-01-29T11:56:00.000-05:00

Thanks, Captain Obvious. See this infographic. Look, people: in the marketplace, you innovate or die. It's nothing personal -- it's just business.

Salman Rushdie and the Jaipur Literary Festival

2012-01-29T11:49:00.000-05:00

This and this. Threats of violence prevailed. Alas. The essential nature of a robust defense of freedom of speech, conscience, association? You're doing it wrong. Pretty soon all of us are going to be subject to the whims and tantrums of the most easily offended.

Quote of the Day: From the Social Hierarchy in Egypt

2012-01-29T11:33:00.001-05:00

From Egyptian human rights activists Cynthia Farahat:

“But for me, as a woman and a Copt, I am a fourth-class citizen,” she said. “The first class citizen is the Egyptian Sunni Muslim male, the second class is the Sunni female. The third is the Christian male. The fourth is the Christian female. I’m a fourth-class Egyptian citizen with absolutely no legal rights.”

Spare a thought for the persecuted Christians in the Middle East -- a group about which we hear nearly nothing in the news media -- and the state of women.

PSA: See the New "Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Academic and Research Libraries"

2012-01-29T11:21:00.000-05:00

Are the copyright police on campus? You can't be too careful, I suppose.

Book Reviews: Corporate Conquerors

2012-01-29T11:19:00.000-05:00

Let's take some business lessons from some of history's most effective conquerors, shall we? In two different books, Hannibal and Julius Caesar invade the corporate boardroom.

LOL: French Politician Quotes the Wrong Shakespeare

2012-01-27T09:56:00.000-05:00

Lord, what fools these mortals be!

Friday Fun Video: What If Disney made "Jaws"?

2012-01-27T09:17:00.000-05:00

Via the always-delightful James Delingpole comes this uproarious video.

Nerd News: Student Loan Interest Rates May Double in July

2012-01-26T23:07:00.000-05:00

WHAT.

Celebrating India's Republic Day

2012-01-26T16:49:00.002-05:00

An Indian friend of mine sent me this cool video of a little celebration on a Finnair flight to mark the day. That particular flight's destination? Delhi, natch.

Happy Australia Day!

2012-01-26T11:44:00.000-05:00

Have a great one, mate!

Geek Fun: "Star Wars Uncut"

2012-01-26T10:27:00.000-05:00

The massive fan-driven project is finally complete! Take a look:

Star Wars Uncut: Director's Cut from Casey Pugh on Vimeo.

Nerdworld Soundtrack: "What Doesn't Kill You"

2012-01-25T11:45:00.000-05:00

It's been a long time since I posted in the "Nerdworld Soundtrack" category, so here's another song from the trenches of higher education and research/writing Nerdpocalypse Now. "That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger"? Of course, I should note a former classmate's cynical comment on that: "That which doesn't kill you just postpones the inevitable." He then proceeded to flunk out of grad school. ANYWAY. Here's some Kelly Clarkson!

Hello Kitty Monstrosity of the Day: A Photo Gallery from Hell

2012-01-25T11:32:00.000-05:00

I can't bear to look.

Every State of the Union Address Ever

2012-01-25T09:45:00.000-05:00

Here's a cheeky breakdown:

The State of the Union is strong.
Applause.
It’s stronger because I’m up here and you’re not.
Applause.
Attack the Supreme Court [Obama only].
Here’s why my political party is awesome.
Applause from one side of room.
Here’s why the other party is a bunch of doody-heads.
Applause from the same side of the room.
Here’s a program I want you to pass.
Applause.
Here’s an Ordinary Average Guy whose story should convince you to pass my program.
Television shot of Ordinary Average Guy.
Applause.
Repeat steps 6-14 about 874 times.
Here’s a couple more reasons why I’m awesome.
Applause.

I didn't even bother watching the State of the Union address last night. I was doing homework while watching "Mission: Impossible 3." UPDATE: Apparently I missed even less than I'd thought. So rhetoric isn't enough, eh? I told you that years ago, and you already knew it before I blogged it. The real question is why so many people still seem enamoured of politicians' speeches that are really be-glittered piles of [insert substance here]. If I want [insert substance here], I can just listen to my undergrads' utterances of big words and little substance. *Yawn.* BORED NOW.

What Do You Do After You Shoot Bin Laden?

2012-01-25T09:38:00.000-05:00

~~You go to Disneyland~~. You go off in a daring raid and rescue American and Danish hostages from Somali pirates. Kudos!

Girl Talk: Old and New Feminism

2012-01-25T09:32:00.001-05:00

Here's an interesting little rumination from Down Under. The very end of it is right on target. Perspective, people.

Read: "Lords of the Sea" and the Story of the World's First Dominant Navy

2012-01-24T19:24:00.001-05:00

Before the Roman navy made the Mediterranean Sea their lake and before the British navy ruled the waves around the globe, the Athenian navy underpinned a maritime empire. I'm checking out Lords of the Sea by archaeologist John R. Hale (Penguin, 2010). Does it have anything at all to do with my own schoolwork? Nope! And I don't care. Triremes are cool. They're even cooler when some crazy history buffs and archaeologists re-create one and sail it around!

Geek Icon Vs. Pro-SOPA MPAA and Politicians: A Rant

2012-01-24T19:13:00.000-05:00

Yup, it's Wil Wheaton, and he's got something to say!

MM in the Kitchen: Guyana Style Roti

2012-01-24T19:05:00.002-05:00

We'll see how well this experiment goes.

Hey, Let's Use Bees to Repel Vandals!

2012-01-24T18:59:00.003-05:00

Take it under advisement?

Not-So-Still Life with Fruit

2012-01-24T18:54:00.001-05:00

Still Life from Scott Garner on Vimeo.

Nerd News: A Glance at Japanese University Student Life

2012-01-24T10:20:00.000-05:00

Here's something interesting! It looks like college students will be college students just about everywhere in terms of playing with technology. (OK, but to the guy who says he spends 3 hours a week doing homework ... REALLY? Is that 3 hours total? I mean, I tell my students that they should be spending around 3 hours outside class for every 1 hour in class, which averages out to 9 hours a week for any given class doing reading/homework/review/etc. Or perhaps grad school has turned me into a cranky old slavedriver...?)

Don't Know Much About History

2012-01-23T21:52:00.001-05:00

ALAS. Nevertheless, some of us are still fighting the good fight. I refuse to give up. I know you do too.

Happy Year of the Dragon!

2012-01-23T19:44:00.000-05:00

Happy Chinese New Year, my lovelies. Bring on the firecrackers and red paper envelopes! UPDATE: Check out some lovely photos from celebrations all over Asia.

The Great Firewall of China and the "Preventing Piracy" Rationale

2012-01-23T19:43:00.001-05:00

Well, DUH.

LOL: The Word "Sustainable" Is Unsustainable

2012-01-23T19:31:00.000-05:00

xkcd is definitely onto something here. Trendy buzzwords are such a pain.

Monday Therapy: the Dancing Filipino Traffic Cop

2012-01-23T11:48:00.000-05:00

DVD Review: "Warrior" -- Ain't That a Kick in the Head

2012-01-22T22:10:00.000-05:00

Rocky Road.

You'll see just about every sports-movie cliché known to man in 2011's "Warrior" ... and you'll love this flick anyway because Brit Tom Hardy and Aussie Joel Edgerton turn in knockout performances that transcend the preposterous storyline.

OK, bear with me here, because I know you'll be tempted to run away when you hear the trope-tastic premise of this flick. Actually, it's like two underdog sports flicks in one. On the one hand, you have beloved Philadelphia high school physics teacher and family man Brendan Conlon (Joel Edgerton) who is in financial crisis and about to lose his house, so he goes into a mixed martial arts tournament desperately hoping to win the prize money and stave off foreclosure. On the other hand, you have Tommy Riordan (Tom Hardy, who gave a breakout performance in 2010's glorious "Inception"), an emotionally troubled but physically muscular bull of man from a working-class Irish family in Pittsburgh, a former Marine now consumed with pain, rage, and bitterness who turns to MMA for his own reasons. Is this flick already hopelessly clichéd (twice over, even!) and shamelessly yanking on your heartstrings? Guilty as charged. What's more remarkable is the fact that Edgerton and Hardy are so fiercely committed to their roles that you believe them: you find yourself actually -- and even in spite of yourself -- engrossed in their cheese-slathered stories.

So guess what, kids -- Brendan and Tommy end up in the same high-stakes MMA tournament, and you don't need me to tell you that they are on track for a massive head-on collision in the finals (in Atlantic City, for goodness sake! in a tournament referred to as "War on the Shore"!). Trying to hide this inevitable confrontation from the audience would be like trying to hide a marching band in a broom closet -- it's completely impossible. Even so, with Edgerton's and especially Hardy's performances, you find yourself not only cheering each one on, but being deeply uncertain which of the two you really want to win in the end. Somehow I found myself being invested in both Brendan and Tommy and their depiction of the vital humanity -- flawed, damaged, and all -- underneath the atavistic fights, testosterone, tattoos, and "300"-esque musculature.

Oh, not enough cheesy storytelling for you? How about this detail: Brendan and Tommy are estranged brothers ... who are both suffering from the breakup of their family when they were teenagers ... and both likewise estranged from their alcoholic father Paddy (Nick Nolte in a great turn) ... who is now training Tommy on Tommy's condition that their relationship be only about the sport. Good grief. This movie is frankly, as one critic said, "too corny to live" ... and yet it somehow still works anyway. The brutal violence of the MMA ring is really the metaphor for and extension of Brendan and Tommy's escalating internal struggles. The final confrontation is pure emotional dynamite.

Rounding out the cast in supporting roles is Jennifer Morrison (recently of House) as ~~Adrian~~ Tess, Brendan's wife who is opposed to his MMA pursuits; Kevin Dunn as Brendan's boss Principal Zito who comes with a waffling charm; and Frank Grillo as Frank Campana, Brendan's unorthodox but charismatic trainer.

The obvious recent film to compare with "Warrior" is 2010's "The Fighter" with Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale, but I confess that I haven't seen that yet. I'll blog something when I do! Now onto ...

You know, there's plenty of room for cynical mockery when it comes to formulaic sports movies about underdogs ("Dodgeball" is a hilarious satire and "The Cutting Edge" all but a spoof) ... but I don't care. If the movie is well done, then who cares about cliché, trope, and formula? We wouldn't have clichés if they didn't work in the first place. "Rocky," "Hoosiers," "Rudy," "Remember the Titans," "Seabiscuit," "Cinderella Man"... We love these flicks. I love these flicks. So what if it's sometimes escapist? Oh, but not always. Sometimes the underdog victory really does happen in unforgettable ways. (Note that the director of "Warrior," Gavin O'Connor, also directed "Miracle.") Sport, it turns out in almost every case, isn't only about scores, wins, and losses but about being human with all the complexities and complications that go with it. The best and greatest of the sport flicks -- no matter how corny they are (and there's enough corn to choke you with ethanol subsidies) -- resonate with the human condition and bring us back to that emotionally visceral point. "Warrior" does that too. Amid all the ferociously physical kicks and throws, it is about family, and it is about the hope and desire for reconciliation, and you can hardly ask for a bigger emotional punch to the gut than that. Catharsis can hurt so good.

Mad Minerva gives this film a B+. Aside from all the corny glory, I just can't dislike a sports film that includes ancient Greek history, Beethoven, and Moby Dick.

"Rotten Tomatoes" gives "Warrior" a Fresh rating of 83%.

The official website is here.

"Warrior" runs for 140 minutes and is rated PG-13 for some language and adult themes but mostly for savage MMA fighting sequences.

Here's the trailer:

Forgotten History: Forbidden Coffee

2012-01-22T10:55:00.000-05:00

Did you know that one ruler of 17th century Turkey (Sultan Murad IV) made drinking coffee a capital offense? Oh, come on. Coffee is the greatest addiction ever!

Dude, Seriously?

2012-01-21T19:55:00.000-05:00

Really?

Movie Critique: "Mission: Impossible-Verdana Font"

2012-01-21T19:36:00.000-05:00

I really liked "Mission: Impossible-Ghost Protocol." So did a typographer named Matthew Butterick, who wrote a letter to director Brad Bird to lodge a complaint not about the plot but about the font. That's a guy passionate about his fonts!

LOL: John Scalzi 1, Slate 0

2012-01-21T19:15:00.001-05:00

Scalzi eviscerates a particularly awful and whiny Slate article. The whole thing's worth a read, but I'll leave you with an ice skating reference and what he says about the hapless writing of that terrible piece:

It’s like a triple axel directly into a pile of pig manure. It’s impressive in its way, but you have to question the wisdom of skating on sh*t to begin with.

Bwahahahaha!

"Welcome to the Party!": Larry Correia's SOPA Rant

2012-01-21T11:56:00.001-05:00

Just read. In fact, Correia (a published sci fi author) is always worth a look, as is fellow sci fi author John Scalzi (who, by the way, has his own SOPA rant). I do like their books a lot too, so there's that.

Quirky Asia Files: Bamboo Scaffolding in Hong Kong

2012-01-21T11:19:00.001-05:00

Yup, folks are still using bamboo for construction projects as they've done for ages. Why not? If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Here's a little video:

Disgustingly Cute: Bye, Chloe!

2012-01-20T22:21:00.000-05:00

Quote of the Day: William Faulkner

2012-01-20T19:21:00.000-05:00

You know, I would totally read more Faulkner if he wrote like he spoke in this splendid speech when he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. Here's the conclusion:

I decline to accept the end of man. It is easy enough to say that man is immortal simply because he will endure: that when the last dingdong of doom has clanged and faded from the last worthless rock hanging tideless in the last red and dying evening, that even then there will still be one more sound: that of his puny inexhaustible voice, still talking.

I refuse to accept this. I believe that man will not merely endure: he will prevail. He is immortal, not because he alone among creatures has an inexhaustible voice, but because he has a soul, a spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance. The poet's, the writer's, duty is to write about these things. It is his privilege to help man endure by lifting his heart, by reminding him of the courage and honor and hope and pride and compassion and pity and sacrifice which have been the glory of his past. The poet's voice need not merely be the record of man, it can be one of the props, the pillars to help him endure and prevail.

Friday Fun Video: Taiwanese News Animators Vs. SOPA

2012-01-20T18:15:00.000-05:00

The Sport of Sheep-Shearing

2012-01-20T12:50:00.000-05:00

I'm taking a break from my SOPA sermonizing to give you more of the silly/quirky/amusing content that you've come to expect ... Here's a tale of New Zealand farmers who want sheep-shearing to be an Olympic sport!

Friday Fun: Philosoraptor and SOPA

2012-01-20T09:32:00.000-05:00

The Internet meme ponders on:

Google Reports 7 Million Signatures on Anti-SOPA Petition

2012-01-20T05:55:00.000-05:00

GOOD. (Correction/Update: Now 7 million signatures. An earlier report noted 4.5 million) Meanwhile, SOPA and PIPA are losing sponsors in Congress amid the rage of millions of nerds and geeks ... nerds and geeks who vote. Ah, digital grassroots.

UPDATE: See this cool breakdown of who in Congress publicly supports or opposes SOPA/PIPA before and after the January protests. Oh, I hope it's so. I'm especially glad to see that Marco Rubio (R-Florida) has disavowed PIPA. Meanwhile, other senators are running from PIPA like ~~rats~~ Francesco Schettino from a sinking ship. In current politics, all the GOP presidential candidates in the latest debate came out opposing SOPA/PIPA. These bills have now become political Kryptonite.

Awesome: Ragtime "Star Trek"

2012-01-19T22:00:00.000-05:00

The good stuff starts at 1:50 or so. Engage!

Discovered: Prehistoric Tulipomania!

2012-01-19T18:02:00.000-05:00

Here's some cool scientific news from Canada, eh! Would a bunch of these fossils make an awesome "bouquet" for a paleontologist whom you fancy?

TED Talks Vs. SOPA/PIPA

2012-01-19T17:39:00.000-05:00

Even TED! Take a look (via Boing Boing). Great stuff.

Jon Stewart Vs. SOPA/PIPA

2012-01-19T10:04:00.001-05:00

The Daily Show
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

Santelli Rants About Government Overreach

2012-01-19T10:01:00.002-05:00

Dirtbag of the Year: the Cowardly Captain

2012-01-19T09:57:00.000-05:00

Unbelievable. So the captain of the shipwrecked Costa Concordia repeatedly refused to go back and help evacuate the passengers thrown into distress by his own negligence. You can practically hear the Italian Coast Guard hopping with frustration and rage. See too this study in contrasts. UPDATE: A bit of rude Italian has now gone viral.

Awesome: Southwest Airlines and a Damaged Suitcase

2012-01-19T09:43:00.000-05:00

Three cheers for a customer and a company that both have a sense of humor! See first the customer's letter about a damaged suitcase, and then see Southwest Airlines' response. Public relations and customer service? You're doing it right! (United Airlines, take note!)

Anti-SOPA/PIPA Protests Are Having An Effect

2012-01-19T09:39:00.000-05:00

GOOD. Here's more as Senators start abandoning their support of the anti-piracy bills. Keep on voicing your opposition to SOPA and PIPA! I'll tell you what -- I had never written to my Congresspeople before this, but SOPA and PIPA so enraged me that I did. It's worth getting stupid campaign spam from the Congressdorks in the future if I could tell them right now in no uncertain terms what I thought of SOPA, PIPA, and their support for these crapulous, noxious bills.

UPDATE 1: Senate websites are crashing due to overwhelming emails. Check out some cool screenshots of protesting websites. On a related note, here is one opinion on how things even got to this point. Hmmm.

UPDATE 2: See what Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), a SOPA/PIPA opponent, has to say. You'll recall Representative Jared Polis (D-Colorado), the gamer.

UPDATE 3: Check out this hilarious response to the SOPA protest by Representative Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) posted on the Congressman's official YouTube channel. Kudos, sir, for not only grasping the issue but having a sense of humor too:

How Do You Like Me Now?

2012-01-18T23:05:00.003-05:00

Now that my semi-blackout for the SOPA/PIPA protest is over, I was thinking about a new blog look for a new year (my fifth blogiversary went by a few days ago -- I had completely forgotten about it until now!). Whaddya think? Fugly or fabulous?

Irony Alert: Supreme Court Vs. Public Domain

2012-01-18T19:47:00.000-05:00

ON TODAY OF ALL DAYS. On SOPA/PIPA protest day. REALLY?

The SOPA/PIPA Internet Strike is Today. Please Contact Your Congresspeople.

2012-01-18T07:23:00.000-05:00

The SOPA/PIPA strike is on from 8 AM - 8 PM Eastern Standard Time for some sites and for all 24 hours for others. Mad Minerva Blog has gone partially dark today to mark this protest. Please call/email/contact your senators and representatives! Kill these pernicious bills! Boing Boing does my ranting for me. More here and here and here and here and here. The main page of the English Wikipedia is blacked out for the protest, but it will give you contact information for your Congresspeople if you enter your ZIP code.

PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet
from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.

Greece: Circling the Drain?

2012-01-17T10:30:00.000-05:00

The S&P expects Greece to default soon.

The American Dream Lives in Canada?

2012-01-17T10:20:00.002-05:00

A professor at the University of Ottawa has recently done a study. What do you think, eh? It's a lot about upward economic mobility. We should also be thinking about opportunity.

SOPA/PIPA: How Far We've Come; How Far We Need To Go

2012-01-17T10:17:00.003-05:00

Do read this.

Martin Luther King Jr Tells a Joke

2012-01-16T21:17:00.000-05:00

Here is another (and charming) side of the civil rights leader during an appearance on The Tonight Show on February 8, 1968:

Geek Fun: File-Sharing Officially Recognized as Religion in Sweden

2012-01-16T20:41:00.004-05:00

I swear I'm not making this up!

Rhode Island Bakery Creates TSA-Compliant Cupcake

2012-01-16T20:35:00.000-05:00

In response to this idiocy, one enterprising bakery has created a TSA-compliant cupcake! Check out the Silver Spoon Bakery's cheeky advertising image.

SOPA Stalls in House of Representatives

2012-01-16T20:31:00.000-05:00

GOOD. Now kill the Senate version PIPA too!

Couch Potato Chronicles: Fairy Tales on Primetime TV

2012-01-16T10:19:00.000-05:00

Here are some interesting thoughts.

Life Imitates Star Wars: "Tatooine" Planets

2012-01-16T10:15:00.000-05:00

Well, whaddya know?

SOPA Resistance Is Not Futile!

2012-01-14T15:28:00.001-05:00

Well, well, well. Keep pushing back, fellow geeks and nerds! More here. On a related note, the January 18 protest plan seems also to be proceeding.

Volcano Forms New Island in Red Sea

2012-01-14T15:16:00.000-05:00

Meet the new hotness.

Awesome: A Foodie's Vacation Video

2012-01-14T15:09:00.002-05:00

Check out this video compilation of some gorgeous food photography from South Korea and Japan. Warning: music alert!

Taiwan: Ma Re-Elected

2012-01-14T11:39:00.000-05:00

UGH. The Cine-Sib called to vent this morning. We're not at all happy with this, Ma, or the KMT. Still, voter turnout was estimated at more than 70% with about 13.5 million votes cast, and about 800,000 votes made the difference between Ma and the DPP's Tsai. It would have been nice to have a woman president. Still, here is one small consolation: James Soong fared miserably in third place.

Movie Madness: "Beauty and the Beast 3D"

2012-01-13T20:39:00.003-05:00

It's a blast from the past ... now in 3D. I don't even care if the 3D is all that and a bag of chips (or not). I'll go see this 1991 Disney movie for sheer nostalgia. You?

The 2012 Index of Economic Freedom Is Out

2012-01-13T13:16:00.000-05:00

We're not doing so well? The US is out of the top tier at #10. What would Milton Friedman say? By the way, the top tier rated "Free" consists of Hong Kong at #1, followed by Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and (the first non-Asian country on the list) Switzerland. Taiwan is #18. C'mon, guys, we can do better than that.

Nerd News: Death at Oxford

2012-01-13T13:13:00.001-05:00

One professor found dead, with another released on bail after being arrested on suspicion of murder. The investigation is ongoing. The widow believes that the death was not murder but "a tragic accident."

Nerd News: Be Your Own Weird Nerdy Self?

2012-01-13T10:40:00.000-05:00

So says this little piece in Inside Higher Ed. That's great and all, but I have to tell you that not all forms of weirdness or idiosyncrasy are equal in nature, acceptability, appropriateness in the workplace/classroom, or whatever. Use your common sense, mmmmmkay?

The January 18 SOPA Protest

2012-01-13T10:30:00.000-05:00

Here's the latest on the blackout-as-protest. Lolcats are joining the resistance. UPDATE 1: Wikipedia too? More here. UPDATE 2: The PC game protest.

India's Progress Against Polio

2012-01-13T10:25:00.000-05:00

Once India led the world in polio cases (5000 cases recorded since 2000). Now here is the happy news that with India's immunization efforts, since January 13 of 2011 no new cases were recorded. Pakistan now takes the dubious title of world's most polio-prone nation.

Friday Fun Video: Roommates and Portals

2012-01-13T10:18:00.000-05:00

Here's a hilarious little video playing with the idea of the game "Portal":

WELL, DUH (SOPA Edition)

2012-01-12T11:47:00.000-05:00

I give you only this blazingly obvious thought that I've said before:

... in a presentation at the Consumer Electronics Show titled "The State of Digital Piracy," Envisional's head of piracy intelligence, David Price, said the large levels of pirated content downloaded on sites and BitTorrent proves something else: that content owners aren't offering enough legitimate, user-friendly avenues to get content.

There are basically three approaches for content owners, Price says. One is to sue sites out of existence, which has worked in some cases. Another is to push legislation such as the aforementioned bills. But in the long run, the most effective method is to simply compete more effectively, something Netflix has already achieved to great effect.

Despite the content industry's success shutting some sites down, piracy still flourishes through BitTorrent, cyberlockers, peer-to-peer networks, and video streaming, Price argued. While piracy is unlikely to ever stop completely, many Internet users will turn to legitimate alternatives if the price and service are right.

"The content owners are really fighting the tide of the Internet," Price said. "They're trying to fight the flow of the Internet which is all about making content as widely available as possible, as easily as possible, as quickly as possible. They're trying to hold back the 1.4 billon users of the Internet from doing what the Internet wants them to do."

SOPA and the Gamer Congressman

2012-01-12T11:05:00.001-05:00

Here's something fascinating ... and hopeful. I give you a blurb from a post by Representative Jared Polis (D-Colorado) who voiced the following on a gaming forum. Good on you!

Hi, this is Congressman Jared Polis of Colorado. As a member of the League of Legends community (partial to Anivia and Maokai), and as someone who made his living as an Internet entrepreneur before being elected to Congress, I'm greatly concerned about the future of the Internet and gaming if Congress doesn't wake up. You may have heard that Congress is currently considering a bill called the Stop Online Piracy Act, or SOPA. While SOPA has a ton of problems, there are some significant issues that I thought fellow gamers might want to know about.

I'm particularly concerned that SOPA might stifle the kind of innovation that brings us games we love, such as LoL. The bill makes it far too easy for angry competitors to sue good law abiding companies out of existence. It threatens any company or website that depends on user-generated content, even companies like Riot. Instead of coming up with great ways to keep making games like LoL even better, companies will have to spend their money hiring lawyers. That's why companies like Riot, who want to protect the games they create, are opposed to SOPA.

I've been working on alternative legislation that would protect the games companies create while also fostering innovation. But we also need you to call your members of Congress and let them know of your opposition to SOPA. This bill has a very real chance of passing, and it is up to all of who want to protect the Internet to take action. More information is available at http://keepthewebopen.com/. Please make your voices heard in this debate!

Awesome Nerd/Geek News: Free Online Courses From MIT

2012-01-12T10:56:00.004-05:00

Here's the announcement from December 2011, and here is the website for the free courses. Thanks, MIT! Here's a nice quote from MIT President Susan Hockfield:

“MIT has long believed that anyone in the world with the motivation and ability to engage MIT coursework should have the opportunity to attain the best MIT-based educational experience that Internet technology enables. OpenCourseWare’s great success signals high demand for MIT’s course content and propels us to advance beyond making content available. MIT now aspires to develop new approaches to online teaching.”

Movie Trailer: "The Artist" and Sheer Cinematic Splendor

2012-01-11T15:15:00.001-05:00

Old school movie magic done in the here and now. This French flick seems destined for Oscar glory!

TSA Doubles Down on Cupcake Confiscation

2012-01-11T15:11:00.000-05:00

Remember this bit of idiocy? Well, the TSA is defending its actions. You should click on the link if only to see the snarky PhotoShopped accompanying image.

Books After Hours

2012-01-10T10:20:00.001-05:00

Take a look at this charming bit of stop-motion animation for Type Books in Toronto:

SOPA Versus Scientific Publishing

2012-01-09T11:32:00.004-05:00

Here's a possible unintended consequence of SOPA. This thing (and PIPA) looks worse every time I look at it. Kill this bill!

Around the World in 5 Minutes

2012-01-07T11:09:00.000-05:00

Here's a vacation for your eyes in the form of footage from a journey through 17 countries in 343 days. (MM sighs as she looks at her stack of papers, books, journal articles, and syllabi.)

Time is Nothing // Around The World Time Lapse from Kien Lam on Vimeo.

LOL: Road Rage

2012-01-04T15:57:00.003-05:00

Road Rage from Nick Khoo on Vimeo.

Geek Vs. Nerd: the Infographic

2012-01-04T15:50:00.000-05:00

Identify yourselves!

Nerd Fun: What If Other Authors Had Written "Twilight"?

2012-01-04T15:48:00.000-05:00

For La Parisienne -- this idea is full of win.

Orca Versus Great White Shark

2012-01-04T15:41:00.000-05:00

Nature red in tooth and claw ... and awesome. After all, it's not called a "killer whale" for nothing.

Quote of the Day: the Welfare State

2012-01-04T15:32:00.003-05:00

Here's a bit of a larger op-ed:

The radical Left once believed in the power of the working man not only to hold down a job but also to remake society and the future – to watch them now fight tooth-and-nail in defence of the idea that much of the working class is pathetic and weak and in need of permanent care by the welfare state is genuinely depressing.

A Luggage-Eye View of the World

2012-01-04T10:37:00.001-05:00

As everyone heads back to school for a new semester, here's a cool video by Delta Airlines:

Dirtbag du Jour: Library Sends Police After 5-Year-Old Kid

2012-01-03T18:01:00.000-05:00

You cannot be serious!

Delicious Defiance: the Veto Ale

2012-01-03T16:11:00.000-05:00

LOL!

Is LG's 55-Inch OLED the Best TV Ever?

2012-01-03T15:38:00.000-05:00

Oooooo, pretty! Remember, I did once say that I would rather have a kick-butt TV than diamonds. I stand by that statement.

9-Year-Old Kid Interviews GOP Primary Candidates

2012-01-03T13:16:00.000-05:00

FINALLY, some political commentary worth your time! The kid's dad, journalist Darren Garnick, did a writeup for the Atlantic, but I had more fun watching 9-year-old Ari with the candidates (video dated December 23, 2011):

History Lesson: 100 Years in 10 Minutes

2012-01-03T10:59:00.000-05:00

This is an interesting compilation, though I do take issue with the fact that the selection is often desultory and that it focuses too much on the negative and does not include enough mention of humanitarian, scientific, medical, artistic, and other forms of achievements. (No, mentioning the founding of Greenpeace does not count.) It's so pessimistic, complete with the depressingly doom-tastic soundtrack. I also found it a little odd that the founding of Israel in 1948 was not included, even though this moment in history is hugely important both to supporters and opponents. Well, still, whoever made this took the time and effort to do this, so props to them. Maybe I should make my own video.

Belarus: More Internet Censorship

2012-01-03T10:33:00.002-05:00

UGH! It's as disgusting as SOPA.

Awesome: Kids + Stickers = Art

2012-01-03T09:02:00.000-05:00

Take a look at this fabulous idea for an art installation in Brisbane. Kudos!

What Fresh Hell Is This? Let's Throw Due Process Under the Bus

2012-01-02T15:18:00.000-05:00

Well, that's just great:

In his last official act of business in 2011, President Barack Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act from his vacation rental in Kailua, Hawaii. In a statement, the president said he did so with reservations about key provisions in the law — including a controversial component that would allow the military to indefinitely detain terror suspects, including American citizens arrested in the United States, without charge.

The legislation has drawn severe criticism from civil liberties groups, many Democrats, along with Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul, who called it “a slip into tyranny.” Recently two retired four-star Marine generals called on the president to veto the bill in a New York Times op-ed, deeming it “misguided and unnecessary.”

Doesn't ANYBODY know what due process is? Read the Fifth Amendment, please. (You'll remember this related bit with the TSA.) Between this and SOPA, I am starting off the year in a nasty mood indeed. Hope and change? Civil rights? You're doing it wrong. Once upon a time, it actually meant something to be a citizen!