final thoughts on james gleick’s "the information"
Two weeks ago, I wrote some impressions of The Information, by James Gleick. (If you read that earlier post, do also read the comments.) I was hoping that the book…
laura k
what i’m watching: old timey tv and old timey ads
One of my favourite comedies has always been “The Burns and Allen Show,” the old TV vehicle for the comedy team of Gracie Allen and George Burns. The show’s entire…
from newspeak central: frederick douglass, susan b. anthony, and the anti-abortion-rights movement
Paging George Orwell: a new US anti-abortion bill is named Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act. Good story plus mostly good comments at the link, too. Thanks…
"you must fearlessly accept the challenge and aggressively spread the idea of war resistance."
Those who think that the danger of war is past are living in a fool’s paradise. We are faced today with militarism more powerful and more dangerous than that which…
report from bradley manning hearing, day one
From NCF, at Bradley Manning’s hearing: And what the day it was! Manning’s lawyer David Coombs (whose very nice wife is from TO) is a force to be reckoned with!…
the daily show, all-american muslim and lowe’s: watch, laugh, and write
The episode of The Daily Show that I mentioned here can be seen here. The part I found hilarious begins at about 6:00. Many thanks to David H for the…
from out of nowhere, beautiful music transforms my night
Tonight on my way home from work, I had no music with me, and was forced to listen to the radio. To think I was once a radio addict; now…
stand against islamophobia: boycott lowe’s… and more
By now you’ve probably heard about the “All-American Muslim” TV show vs. Lowe’s Home Improvement vs. Florida Family Association craziness. I know “The Daily Show” has been tracking the story…
there can be no justice for bradley manning
Today begins the “Article 32” hearing for accused whistleblower Bradley Manning, the first time in 18 months of incarceration that Manning will face a judge. Tonight there’s a vigil outside…
citizenship ceremonies now include islamophobia
Last week I learned citizenship ceremonies now include militarism. This week I learn they also include Islamophobia. I’m grateful I became a citizen before this hateful bullshit started. Face veils…
we like lists: list # 12: ten best of anything
Lists are back! I was a little disappointed in the turnout for our last list, awesome art. Statcounter and Google Reader tell me that a few hundred people read this…
worlds collide: the high line meets the information
This photo is used in James Gleick’s The Information, in which I am currently engrossed. The building is Bell Labs, the hottest of hot spots for engineering and technology for…
write for rights: spotlight on reggie clemons
Black man. White murder victims. No physical evidence. Sentenced to death despite very compelling doubts about guilt. If this sounds like Troy Davis 2.0, that’s because Troy Davis was not…
write for rights: celebrate human rights day with amnesty
Are you participating in Write for Rights? This annual event is a simple, hands-on way you can stand up for global human rights at least once a year. Be a…
international human rights day: mohamed harkat and indefinite detention
Today is International Human Rights Day, a day to work for and affirm human rights at home and abroad. Today also marks 9 years since Mohamed Harkat, a Canadian citizen,…
tell the senate: don’t rubber-stamp the harper crime bill
From Leadnow.ca: On Monday, Prime Minister Harper’s Conservative MPs voted for the cruel Crime Bill. That night, the NDP, Liberal, Bloc and Green MPs stood together against the bill, and…
how can we live without polar bears? bbc’s planet earth gets political
In October, I blogged about my impressions of the BBC nature series “Planet Earth”. I loved the show, but criticized the producers for making it completely apolitical. There was not…
what i’m reading: the information, by james gleick
I’ve started reading a book that I cannot put down: James Gleick’s The Information. The book’s full title is The Information: A History, A Theory, A Flood, and it is…
income inequality in canada sinks to 30-year high
The rich grow richer, the poor grow more numerous. The income gap widens – and our entire society is poorer because of it. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development…
the militarization of canadian life continues: citizenship ceremonies now include soldiers
I mentioned this yesterday in my post about the Canadian Peace Alliance’s Peace & Prosperity not War & Austerity campaign, but it deserves special emphasis. In April 2010, I wrote…