Fill Your Television II
Are you tired of your geeky friend expounding on how Mork & Mindy is really a spin-off of Happy Days and that Charlie's Angels once set sail on the Love Boat? One up the bum with knowledge gleaned from Thom Holbrook's Crossovers and Spin Offs Master List. Like, I betcha didn't know that Col. Klink from Hogan's Heroes cameoed on a 1966 episode of Batman. Well, now you do.
Monday, July 22, 2002
Behind the Scenes: Rock Shows of Note XXIX
This weekend was the weekend of Art Beat on Davis Square in Somerville. I was involved in two Art Beat-related activities. One, I helped work the Somerville Comics Collaborative table, the brainchild of Jef Czekaj. He spent much of the day overseeing a collective comics creation project in which Art Beat participants could contribute panels and pages to an ongoing narrative comic.
Our spot at Art Beat
Even though the day was overcast and near-rain for most of Art Beat, there was a good turnout -- and the sun finally broke later in the afternoon. "The whole city is drawing a comic! You can help!" I would call into the crowds passing by. Young children, young adults, and even the elderly sat down for a spell to help develop a flip-book comic about a giant cat attacking Somerville, rocket ships, its friend Funky Dragon, giant cookies, dancing, and the sea.
Jef, head of the Somerville Comics Collaborative
We're going to produce a minicomic compiling all of the contributions to redistribute to all of the people who contributed. I was pretty pleased with how it came out -- and thrilled to be able to help Jef at the table. We're even discussing making a Web slideshow of the comic with a voiceover narration. I'll let you know if that comes together.
Somervillains co-create a comic
We shared table space with Dan Moynihan, who made Davis Square T-shirts sporting an image from a nearby traffic sign. He also had handmade note cards and minicomics for sale.
This is Dan. He's not glaring, but the sun is.
He only made 100 of the shirts, and they were quite popular. He was down to less than 10 by the end of the day and says that he might make more.
A better view of the sign. But not necessarily of Dan.
All that said, I spent much of the day hanging and helping out at the Dilboy VFW hall to set up for the Art Beat Sideshow organized by Handstand Command. (Mostly, it was organized by Emily and Beth of the Washington Street Art Center, so many thanks and kudos to them!) We gathered at the Dilboy to construct the stage, put together facades for the merch and display tables, and set up the popcorn and cotton candy maker.
The go-away zone.
It's amazing what paperboard, scrap wood, ribbon, thumbtacks, and duct tape can do -- and our constructions really changed the nature of the space. Even Rachel Strutt of the Somerville Arts Council contributed a display of Lemony Snicket-like circus relics.
Emily and Geisslah puttin' up the house.
Between meeting up with Jef at 11, checking out the Dilboy at 12:30, and reconvening for band setup and soundcheck at 6, Saturday was a full day -- and the Handstand Command Sideshow hadn't even happened yet!
Stay tuned for the rest of the story...
This weekend was the weekend of Art Beat on Davis Square in Somerville. I was involved in two Art Beat-related activities. One, I helped work the Somerville Comics Collaborative table, the brainchild of Jef Czekaj. He spent much of the day overseeing a collective comics creation project in which Art Beat participants could contribute panels and pages to an ongoing narrative comic.
Our spot at Art Beat
Even though the day was overcast and near-rain for most of Art Beat, there was a good turnout -- and the sun finally broke later in the afternoon. "The whole city is drawing a comic! You can help!" I would call into the crowds passing by. Young children, young adults, and even the elderly sat down for a spell to help develop a flip-book comic about a giant cat attacking Somerville, rocket ships, its friend Funky Dragon, giant cookies, dancing, and the sea.
Jef, head of the Somerville Comics Collaborative
We're going to produce a minicomic compiling all of the contributions to redistribute to all of the people who contributed. I was pretty pleased with how it came out -- and thrilled to be able to help Jef at the table. We're even discussing making a Web slideshow of the comic with a voiceover narration. I'll let you know if that comes together.
Somervillains co-create a comic
We shared table space with Dan Moynihan, who made Davis Square T-shirts sporting an image from a nearby traffic sign. He also had handmade note cards and minicomics for sale.
This is Dan. He's not glaring, but the sun is.
He only made 100 of the shirts, and they were quite popular. He was down to less than 10 by the end of the day and says that he might make more.
A better view of the sign. But not necessarily of Dan.
All that said, I spent much of the day hanging and helping out at the Dilboy VFW hall to set up for the Art Beat Sideshow organized by Handstand Command. (Mostly, it was organized by Emily and Beth of the Washington Street Art Center, so many thanks and kudos to them!) We gathered at the Dilboy to construct the stage, put together facades for the merch and display tables, and set up the popcorn and cotton candy maker.
The go-away zone.
It's amazing what paperboard, scrap wood, ribbon, thumbtacks, and duct tape can do -- and our constructions really changed the nature of the space. Even Rachel Strutt of the Somerville Arts Council contributed a display of Lemony Snicket-like circus relics.
Emily and Geisslah puttin' up the house.
Between meeting up with Jef at 11, checking out the Dilboy at 12:30, and reconvening for band setup and soundcheck at 6, Saturday was a full day -- and the Handstand Command Sideshow hadn't even happened yet!
Stay tuned for the rest of the story...
It's an Ad, Ad, Ad, Ad World XII
Been digging the new Apple Switch ads featuring fine folks such as Mark Frauenfelder? Now there's a parody of Mark's spot. It made me smile.
Thanks to BoingBoing.
Been digging the new Apple Switch ads featuring fine folks such as Mark Frauenfelder? Now there's a parody of Mark's spot. It made me smile.
Thanks to BoingBoing.
Cashing in on Comics
If you've been inside a comics shop lately -- or scanned the newsstand at your local grocery store -- you might have seen some throwbacks to old standbys: GI Joe, the Transformers, Battle of the Planets, and Thundercats. Why the resurgence of reminiscence? In Ninth Art, Ben Wooler takes a look at the return to time-tested cartoon and comic properties. He consider the market for what he terms a "new nostalgia" and compares the string of rehashed series to Vertigo's revitalization of Doom Patrol, Sandman, Swamp Thing and other titles in the '80s and '90s. While I agree that the new nostalgia is nothing new -- filmmakers, musicians, and cartoonists cyclically return to reconsider successful creative franchises of the past -- I doubt the strength of the Vertigo parallel. The new-old titles we're seeing lately are more media tie-in plays than drastic rewritings a la Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman. Think Archie's repositioning of Josie and the Pussycats in conjunction with the release of the move. Also, the publishers in question are clearing playing to the post-baby boomer nostalgia many post-Generation X'ers are currently experiencing. But Wooler poses an interesting question, hinged on his fond memories of Voltron and the Masters of the Universe: "We don't really remember the sub-par animation, dialogue and characterisation, do we?"
Do we?
If you've been inside a comics shop lately -- or scanned the newsstand at your local grocery store -- you might have seen some throwbacks to old standbys: GI Joe, the Transformers, Battle of the Planets, and Thundercats. Why the resurgence of reminiscence? In Ninth Art, Ben Wooler takes a look at the return to time-tested cartoon and comic properties. He consider the market for what he terms a "new nostalgia" and compares the string of rehashed series to Vertigo's revitalization of Doom Patrol, Sandman, Swamp Thing and other titles in the '80s and '90s. While I agree that the new nostalgia is nothing new -- filmmakers, musicians, and cartoonists cyclically return to reconsider successful creative franchises of the past -- I doubt the strength of the Vertigo parallel. The new-old titles we're seeing lately are more media tie-in plays than drastic rewritings a la Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman. Think Archie's repositioning of Josie and the Pussycats in conjunction with the release of the move. Also, the publishers in question are clearing playing to the post-baby boomer nostalgia many post-Generation X'ers are currently experiencing. But Wooler poses an interesting question, hinged on his fond memories of Voltron and the Masters of the Universe: "We don't really remember the sub-par animation, dialogue and characterisation, do we?"
Do we?
Friday, July 19, 2002
Blogging About Blogging XXVIII
The Media Diet discussion forum is open again! Now you can either comment on a Media Diet entry or take your talk over to the discussion forum.
Why bring it back? Well, I missed other friends' forums, and my recent participation in a discussion in the Atlantic Monthly's Post & Riposte forum heightened that longing. So there you go. Do what you will. We'll see if Delphi Advanced's $1.25/month is worth it.
The Media Diet discussion forum is open again! Now you can either comment on a Media Diet entry or take your talk over to the discussion forum.
Why bring it back? Well, I missed other friends' forums, and my recent participation in a discussion in the Atlantic Monthly's Post & Riposte forum heightened that longing. So there you go. Do what you will. We'll see if Delphi Advanced's $1.25/month is worth it.
Comics and Calamity II
Not only can you help William Messner-Loebs, creator of Journey, through his current financial and housing crisis by making a donation via PayPal -- Bill's email address is billmloebs@aol.com -- but John Roberson is currently working on a benefit e-book for the cause.
Entitled Working for the Man, thanks to Donna Barr, the book will include work by folks such as Sam Henderson, Peter Kuper, David Lasky, and a score of others whose names I do not recognize. Word is that Gary Groth will pen the introduction and that Unbound Comics will publish the e-book.
Thanks to the Warren Ellis Forum.
Not only can you help William Messner-Loebs, creator of Journey, through his current financial and housing crisis by making a donation via PayPal -- Bill's email address is billmloebs@aol.com -- but John Roberson is currently working on a benefit e-book for the cause.
Entitled Working for the Man, thanks to Donna Barr, the book will include work by folks such as Sam Henderson, Peter Kuper, David Lasky, and a score of others whose names I do not recognize. Word is that Gary Groth will pen the introduction and that Unbound Comics will publish the e-book.
Thanks to the Warren Ellis Forum.
Amazon.com Wasted My Money
I'm obsessed with secret societies. And while I realize that the Masons are hardly secret, I've been researching their history, organization, and rituals. So I recently bought Duncan's Ritual of Freemasonry from Amazon. They even recommended that I also purchase a companion volume, Duncan's Masonic Ritual and Monitor, at a discount along with Duncan's Ritual. So I did.
The tomes arrived in the mail yesterday. And while I should have done a little more poking around before making good on that impulse purchase and cross-sell, Amazon wasted my money. They are the same book. One is hardcover, one is softcover. And while the ISBN's are different -- hardcover and softcover editions differ by a single digit -- the title and author is exactly the same. Despite Amazon's positioning on their site.
Thanks a lot, Amazon. This is why I usually buy books from Powell's or the Harvard Book Store. And why Media Dieticians should do the same.
I'm obsessed with secret societies. And while I realize that the Masons are hardly secret, I've been researching their history, organization, and rituals. So I recently bought Duncan's Ritual of Freemasonry from Amazon. They even recommended that I also purchase a companion volume, Duncan's Masonic Ritual and Monitor, at a discount along with Duncan's Ritual. So I did.
The tomes arrived in the mail yesterday. And while I should have done a little more poking around before making good on that impulse purchase and cross-sell, Amazon wasted my money. They are the same book. One is hardcover, one is softcover. And while the ISBN's are different -- hardcover and softcover editions differ by a single digit -- the title and author is exactly the same. Despite Amazon's positioning on their site.
Thanks a lot, Amazon. This is why I usually buy books from Powell's or the Harvard Book Store. And why Media Dieticians should do the same.
Playwright or Wrong
David Mogolov, former editor-in-chief of Knowumsayin, gets his 15 seconds of fame today courtesy of Claire Zulkey. David and Claire chat about a one-man play David wrote about a night he spent at an airport in Warwick, R.I., improvisational acting, and the history of Knowumsayin and 1099, another Webzine David was involved in. He also comments on the differences between the Midwest and New England -- as well as the perceived rivalry between Boston and New York City.
I haven't met David, but I'll be sure to check out his play when it debuts in September. And I know he knows Ken Gordon, so he's probably good people.
David Mogolov, former editor-in-chief of Knowumsayin, gets his 15 seconds of fame today courtesy of Claire Zulkey. David and Claire chat about a one-man play David wrote about a night he spent at an airport in Warwick, R.I., improvisational acting, and the history of Knowumsayin and 1099, another Webzine David was involved in. He also comments on the differences between the Midwest and New England -- as well as the perceived rivalry between Boston and New York City.
I haven't met David, but I'll be sure to check out his play when it debuts in September. And I know he knows Ken Gordon, so he's probably good people.
Event-O-Dex VI
Don't forget the Somerville Arts Council Art Beat festivities this weekend on Davis Square. The Anchormen are performing several short songs about food and fighting as part of the Art Beat Sideshow organized by the Handstand Command music collective. Expect a burlesque show, wrestling vegetables, and other fun. If by fun you mean a baton twirler.
The Handstand Command collective was featured today in the Boston Globe. If you get your hands on the print edition, look for the photograph -- I'm the guy in the red T-shirt with the stringless violin standing on the tree. Reilly Capps, a relatively young and recent transplant to the area pens a piece that is part report on Art Beat and part profile of the collective. He shares our origin story, outlines the kinds of arts and music events we like to organize, and details our place in the Somerville and Boston-area arts community.
Anchormen, aweigh!
Don't forget the Somerville Arts Council Art Beat festivities this weekend on Davis Square. The Anchormen are performing several short songs about food and fighting as part of the Art Beat Sideshow organized by the Handstand Command music collective. Expect a burlesque show, wrestling vegetables, and other fun. If by fun you mean a baton twirler.
The Handstand Command collective was featured today in the Boston Globe. If you get your hands on the print edition, look for the photograph -- I'm the guy in the red T-shirt with the stringless violin standing on the tree. Reilly Capps, a relatively young and recent transplant to the area pens a piece that is part report on Art Beat and part profile of the collective. He shares our origin story, outlines the kinds of arts and music events we like to organize, and details our place in the Somerville and Boston-area arts community.
Anchormen, aweigh!
Thursday, July 18, 2002
Among the Literati XI
If you think that David Eggers' writing is funny, you might find these jokes about Eggers funny.
Thanks to Typing, Typing, Typing: AOPTTWADE.
If you think that David Eggers' writing is funny, you might find these jokes about Eggers funny.
Thanks to Typing, Typing, Typing: AOPTTWADE.
Comics Crackdown II
Chicago-area cartoonist Stu Helm, also known as King VelVeeda, has been ordered to stop using his nickname as part of a court case brought on by Kraft Foods. According to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund:
CBLDF defendant Stu Helm has lost the first round in his battle against corporate censorship. Magistrate Judge Arlander Keys handed down a 32 page decision granting Kraft's request for preliminary injunction against Helm's use of the nickname "King VelVeeda." The injunction prohibits Helm from using the name on his Website or in any commercial context. The decision freezes Helm's ability to sell original art created before the injunction unless he physically removes the nickname from the piece, effectively defacing each original image. It also blocks the sale of "Singles and Seconds," a collection of single page erotic vignettes.
The Magistrate's decision further orders Helm to remove the nickname from all Web pages, metatags, and search engines. Helm has spent the weeks since the decision painstakingly obliterating all references to the name from his site. His next court date is July 29 where he will demonstrate full compliance with the Judge's orders.
The CBLDF's legal team has filed an appeal to the Magistrate's decision. Presently we are awaiting a decision on the appeal, following which a trial date will be set. However, the decision on the appeal may take months to come through. Meanwhile, the Fund is nearing the five figure mark in case expenses and needs to build funds to fight the next round.
"They already took my name," Stu Helm says, "and in court I could be fighting for my life." Part of the terms of Kraft's suit is that if Helm loses he may have to pay Kraft's legal fees plus punitive damages. The Fund's legal team estimates Kraft's expenses are nearing six figures. The longer the case is delayed, the sharper their fees escalate, and the more urgent Stu's plight becomes.
CBLDF Director Charles Brownstein explains, "We leapt onto this case when it was already in motion with all our legal guns. Unfortunately the judge felt that the balance of harms favored Kraft's commercial speech over Helm's artistic speech, but that doesn't mean that Stu's case has been weakened. The preliminary injunction needed to show Kraft having a fair shot at prevailing in the trial, it doesn't mean that they're right, and it certainly doesn't mean that they'll win. It's still early in the process, and we intend to keep fighting."
"With trademark and copyright laws in a state of flux, it's important to fight these instances of corporate censorship," explains Fund Board Member Louise Nemschoff. "If Kraft prevails, the precedent could be damaging not only to comic book creators poking fun at corporate culture, but to musicians, filmmakers, and other artists making use of puns or homonyms of corporate marks."
"This case is about what is protected as free speech," says CBLDF legal counsel Ken Levinson. "We would be remiss in our duties if we didn't protect a comic book artist like Stu while that battle is being waged in the higher courts. Comics are a place where precedents are set in entertainment law, and we have to fight to ensure that a bad precedent isn't set here."
To Support the CBLDF's continuing defense of Stu Helm and other casework make a donation.
Or, boycott Kraft, Phillip Morris, and affiliated products and brands.
Chicago-area cartoonist Stu Helm, also known as King VelVeeda, has been ordered to stop using his nickname as part of a court case brought on by Kraft Foods. According to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund:
CBLDF defendant Stu Helm has lost the first round in his battle against corporate censorship. Magistrate Judge Arlander Keys handed down a 32 page decision granting Kraft's request for preliminary injunction against Helm's use of the nickname "King VelVeeda." The injunction prohibits Helm from using the name on his Website or in any commercial context. The decision freezes Helm's ability to sell original art created before the injunction unless he physically removes the nickname from the piece, effectively defacing each original image. It also blocks the sale of "Singles and Seconds," a collection of single page erotic vignettes.
The Magistrate's decision further orders Helm to remove the nickname from all Web pages, metatags, and search engines. Helm has spent the weeks since the decision painstakingly obliterating all references to the name from his site. His next court date is July 29 where he will demonstrate full compliance with the Judge's orders.
The CBLDF's legal team has filed an appeal to the Magistrate's decision. Presently we are awaiting a decision on the appeal, following which a trial date will be set. However, the decision on the appeal may take months to come through. Meanwhile, the Fund is nearing the five figure mark in case expenses and needs to build funds to fight the next round.
"They already took my name," Stu Helm says, "and in court I could be fighting for my life." Part of the terms of Kraft's suit is that if Helm loses he may have to pay Kraft's legal fees plus punitive damages. The Fund's legal team estimates Kraft's expenses are nearing six figures. The longer the case is delayed, the sharper their fees escalate, and the more urgent Stu's plight becomes.
CBLDF Director Charles Brownstein explains, "We leapt onto this case when it was already in motion with all our legal guns. Unfortunately the judge felt that the balance of harms favored Kraft's commercial speech over Helm's artistic speech, but that doesn't mean that Stu's case has been weakened. The preliminary injunction needed to show Kraft having a fair shot at prevailing in the trial, it doesn't mean that they're right, and it certainly doesn't mean that they'll win. It's still early in the process, and we intend to keep fighting."
"With trademark and copyright laws in a state of flux, it's important to fight these instances of corporate censorship," explains Fund Board Member Louise Nemschoff. "If Kraft prevails, the precedent could be damaging not only to comic book creators poking fun at corporate culture, but to musicians, filmmakers, and other artists making use of puns or homonyms of corporate marks."
"This case is about what is protected as free speech," says CBLDF legal counsel Ken Levinson. "We would be remiss in our duties if we didn't protect a comic book artist like Stu while that battle is being waged in the higher courts. Comics are a place where precedents are set in entertainment law, and we have to fight to ensure that a bad precedent isn't set here."
To Support the CBLDF's continuing defense of Stu Helm and other casework make a donation.
Or, boycott Kraft, Phillip Morris, and affiliated products and brands.
Music to My URL's
WebPlayer is one of the most interesting Shockwave projects I've encountered recently. The tool converts Web pages' HTML code into numbers, which are then run through formulas that create sound streams. The Fast Company home page evokes a soothing wash of sound, while this very page results in a stuttering, busy signal-like series of tones.
Thanks to Metafilter.
WebPlayer is one of the most interesting Shockwave projects I've encountered recently. The tool converts Web pages' HTML code into numbers, which are then run through formulas that create sound streams. The Fast Company home page evokes a soothing wash of sound, while this very page results in a stuttering, busy signal-like series of tones.
Thanks to Metafilter.
North End Moment XXIII
In the alley behind the Scotch & Sirloin building, there's a Meola Vending van. Meola is based in Worcester, Massachusetts. On the rear door of the van, there's lettering that reads "Just Say No to Drugs." Quote marks formerly surrounded "No," but they've been removed. You can still see faint traces.
I have two questions. One, why is Meola taking such a public position on the drug issue? And two, grammatically, "Just Say 'No' to Drugs" is correct, while "Just Say No to Drugs" is not, no? I'm no copy editor.
In the alley behind the Scotch & Sirloin building, there's a Meola Vending van. Meola is based in Worcester, Massachusetts. On the rear door of the van, there's lettering that reads "Just Say No to Drugs." Quote marks formerly surrounded "No," but they've been removed. You can still see faint traces.
I have two questions. One, why is Meola taking such a public position on the drug issue? And two, grammatically, "Just Say 'No' to Drugs" is correct, while "Just Say No to Drugs" is not, no? I'm no copy editor.
Wednesday, July 17, 2002
Technofetishism XII
Finally up and running with my new PowerBook G4 full time! Getting all of my preferences set -- printer, etc. -- and making sure everything's here. What a beaut!
***
Just a quick review of the Toymax Activision 10-in-1 TV Game, which I took for a test drive last night. It's important that you use fresh batteries in the controller, or you get these surreal, shifting pixellated graphics on your TV. I thought it was broken at first. Of the games included, Grand Prix and Crack Pots seem to be the most fun. There's a game called Freeway that really perplexes me. You're a chicken, and all you can do is cross the road in a straight line. It's like Frogger, only boring. Additionally, it doesn't seem that you can actually progress through levels in the games. When you complete a run, the game just ends, and you have to select a level manually. So it doesn't bode well for long-time game play. But the biggest frustration is the fire button. You see, it doesn't work very well. The directional keypad works fine, but the keypad used for firing is slightly inconsistent and difficult to work. That'll also affect gameplay. But it's fun revisiting all the old Activism games. And for $20, some cheap design elements can be overlooked.
Finally up and running with my new PowerBook G4 full time! Getting all of my preferences set -- printer, etc. -- and making sure everything's here. What a beaut!
Just a quick review of the Toymax Activision 10-in-1 TV Game, which I took for a test drive last night. It's important that you use fresh batteries in the controller, or you get these surreal, shifting pixellated graphics on your TV. I thought it was broken at first. Of the games included, Grand Prix and Crack Pots seem to be the most fun. There's a game called Freeway that really perplexes me. You're a chicken, and all you can do is cross the road in a straight line. It's like Frogger, only boring. Additionally, it doesn't seem that you can actually progress through levels in the games. When you complete a run, the game just ends, and you have to select a level manually. So it doesn't bode well for long-time game play. But the biggest frustration is the fire button. You see, it doesn't work very well. The directional keypad works fine, but the keypad used for firing is slightly inconsistent and difficult to work. That'll also affect gameplay. But it's fun revisiting all the old Activism games. And for $20, some cheap design elements can be overlooked.
Sketchy Ethics II
In her blog Hangzhou T-Salon, Media Dietician Andrea Leung comments on my recent post about Steve Friess' time working in China. She argues that as a foreigner, Steve probably didn't have any opportunity to initiate change at the paper -- and that any attempts to do so may have written his ticket home.
Valid context. Thanks, Andrea! I must admit that I'm still somewhat bemused by opinion pieces like Steve's, however. American journalist works overseas. American journalist comes home and writes a snarky take on the experience, pointing out the limitations of non-American journalism with some humor. American journalist makes little effort to improve conditions overseas. The columns just write themselves!
In her blog Hangzhou T-Salon, Media Dietician Andrea Leung comments on my recent post about Steve Friess' time working in China. She argues that as a foreigner, Steve probably didn't have any opportunity to initiate change at the paper -- and that any attempts to do so may have written his ticket home.
Valid context. Thanks, Andrea! I must admit that I'm still somewhat bemused by opinion pieces like Steve's, however. American journalist works overseas. American journalist comes home and writes a snarky take on the experience, pointing out the limitations of non-American journalism with some humor. American journalist makes little effort to improve conditions overseas. The columns just write themselves!
Read But Dead VIII
The Oxford American which almost shut up shop this spring, has found a new backer. But don't expect to see the same magazine. OxAm's going to relocate to Little Rock, Arkansas, has let go its existing staff, and will hire a new team after the relocation. I hope they continue publishing the music issue, at least.
***
In other news, it looks like Paul Miller and a gang of others is going to relaunch 21C magazine, an Australian mag that combines elements of Mondo 2000, BoingBoing, Wired, and Shift. The issues of 21C that I've read were quite solid, and this is a way welcome relaunch.
The Oxford American which almost shut up shop this spring, has found a new backer. But don't expect to see the same magazine. OxAm's going to relocate to Little Rock, Arkansas, has let go its existing staff, and will hire a new team after the relocation. I hope they continue publishing the music issue, at least.
In other news, it looks like Paul Miller and a gang of others is going to relaunch 21C magazine, an Australian mag that combines elements of Mondo 2000, BoingBoing, Wired, and Shift. The issues of 21C that I've read were quite solid, and this is a way welcome relaunch.
Telefun and Games
Junkbusters, an organization devoted to helping people eliminate junk mail and messages from their lives -- telemarketing calls, spam, Web ads -- offers an anti-telemarketing script that you can use to gather information about telemarketers who call you, request that they not call you again, and learn what you need to know if you decide to pursue legal action against telemarketers.
The script identifies what questions might be grounds for legal action if the telemarketer responds negatively, and the script is separated into two sections, the first of which is pretty general. "If you feel like making them pay, keep going."
Thanks to Utne Web Watch.
Junkbusters, an organization devoted to helping people eliminate junk mail and messages from their lives -- telemarketing calls, spam, Web ads -- offers an anti-telemarketing script that you can use to gather information about telemarketers who call you, request that they not call you again, and learn what you need to know if you decide to pursue legal action against telemarketers.
The script identifies what questions might be grounds for legal action if the telemarketer responds negatively, and the script is separated into two sections, the first of which is pretty general. "If you feel like making them pay, keep going."
Thanks to Utne Web Watch.
Tuesday, July 16, 2002
Technofetishism XI
In the mail today, I received my Toymax Activision 10-in-1 TV Game. It's got 10 old Activision games stored in the handheld controller, which looks like a Nintendo controller. You just plug it in your TV and go, go, go. Games include Pitfall, Atlantis, River Raid (!!!), and Grand Prix.
Tonight I'll be clickin' it old school!
Thanks to Matt.
In the mail today, I received my Toymax Activision 10-in-1 TV Game. It's got 10 old Activision games stored in the handheld controller, which looks like a Nintendo controller. You just plug it in your TV and go, go, go. Games include Pitfall, Atlantis, River Raid (!!!), and Grand Prix.
Tonight I'll be clickin' it old school!
Thanks to Matt.
Fill Your Television
Marc Weissbot is reviewing the pilot episodes of TV shows slated for the 2002-03 season. The blog is all about pilots -- about 20 tapes worth -- and seems to be geared toward getting more work reviewing TV shows. Weissbot also maintains a more general site, Weissblog.
Thanks to TV Barn.
Marc Weissbot is reviewing the pilot episodes of TV shows slated for the 2002-03 season. The blog is all about pilots -- about 20 tapes worth -- and seems to be geared toward getting more work reviewing TV shows. Weissbot also maintains a more general site, Weissblog.
Thanks to TV Barn.
Adventures in Book Reviewing
Taking a step beyond Katha Pollitt's piece in the Nation in April, Mark Bauerlein contributes a thoughtful look at the differences between peer review in academia and being reviewed in the mainstream press to the July 19 edition of the Chronicle of Higher Education. Bauerlein considers the slow pace of reviews in academia -- it can take years for a scholarly tome to have impact -- scholars reaction to reviews written by what they consider "unqualified or uncongenial" writers, the lack of discource in the mainstream media, and how academics can improve their relations with mainstream reviewers.
Thanks to MobyLives.
Taking a step beyond Katha Pollitt's piece in the Nation in April, Mark Bauerlein contributes a thoughtful look at the differences between peer review in academia and being reviewed in the mainstream press to the July 19 edition of the Chronicle of Higher Education. Bauerlein considers the slow pace of reviews in academia -- it can take years for a scholarly tome to have impact -- scholars reaction to reviews written by what they consider "unqualified or uncongenial" writers, the lack of discource in the mainstream media, and how academics can improve their relations with mainstream reviewers.
Thanks to MobyLives.
Products I Love II
Toscanini's ginger snap molasses ice cream. It's like eating gingerbread with vanilla ice cream, only all mixed up. Real pieces of ginger snap -- though they're soft, not snappy. Sooo good. I left the pint in the freezer when I went home to Wisconsin, and it was still tasty when I returned a week later. I usually eat a pint of ice cream in three sittings. How many does it take you?
Toscanini's ginger snap molasses ice cream. It's like eating gingerbread with vanilla ice cream, only all mixed up. Real pieces of ginger snap -- though they're soft, not snappy. Sooo good. I left the pint in the freezer when I went home to Wisconsin, and it was still tasty when I returned a week later. I usually eat a pint of ice cream in three sittings. How many does it take you?
Workaday World III
The bulletin board in my office just fell off the wall. I hardly even touched it.
The bulletin board in my office just fell off the wall. I hardly even touched it.
Personal Daze
I am inexplicably sad today. Absolutely morose. What do you do when you're not quite sure why you're sad? I'd rather be happy.
I am inexplicably sad today. Absolutely morose. What do you do when you're not quite sure why you're sad? I'd rather be happy.
Rules for Fools IX
Rule No. 12: Don't email 43,000 people during the peak of summer. A lot of people will be on vacation, and a lot of those people will set autoreplies to inform you of that fact.
Rule No. 12: Don't email 43,000 people during the peak of summer. A lot of people will be on vacation, and a lot of those people will set autoreplies to inform you of that fact.
Monday, July 15, 2002
Sketchy Ethics
Not one to shy away from controversy, a former colleague of mine, Steve Friess, recently penned an opinion piece for Editor & Publisher. I was originally going to list it in today's Pieces, Particles entry, but I think it begs further comment.
Steve's piece bothers me for several reasons. One, it's an example of the classic Ugly American story. A Western journalist goes to work for an overseas news organization and is appalled by what he finds. He goes on to portray the locals' journalistic gaffes and foibles as humorous and quaint. (Steve secures his rebellious outsider role in his tagline to the piece: "Friess wrote frequently [and illegally] for USA Today from China last year.")
Two, Steve shares his experience giving no real sense that he seriously tried not to be complicit in -- much less to counter -- those very same gaffes and foibles. As an employee of the Chinese Ministry of Information, Steve passed on the party line. Colleagues changed quotes and invented people. Sure, Steve "wrote a query into the text" questioning the veracity of a statistic, but it's unnerving to think that -- if the practices of the Chinese journalists Steve worked beside were so wrong -- he didn't do more than he alludes to in the article.
Now, I didn't spend Steve's time overseas. I'm sure the role he found himself in was challenging. I'm also sure that he was surprised and not always delighted by how the China Daily's journalists worked. But Steve was in the mix. He was complicit in the very practices he's criticizing in what's supposed to be one of professional journalism's trade magazines. The point of this opinion piece -- outside of highlighting the humorous and quaint gaffes and foibles (and romanticizing Steve as a journalist) -- is weak. He helped local staffers apply to American journalism schools, "spreading the subversive gospel of the First Amendment." Please.
Higher up in the last column of the piece, Steve asks himself, "How did we stomach it?"
I ask, how did you sleep at night?
Not one to shy away from controversy, a former colleague of mine, Steve Friess, recently penned an opinion piece for Editor & Publisher. I was originally going to list it in today's Pieces, Particles entry, but I think it begs further comment.
Bull in China Shop
Our man in Beijing and his Year of Living Ridiculously
Steve's piece bothers me for several reasons. One, it's an example of the classic Ugly American story. A Western journalist goes to work for an overseas news organization and is appalled by what he finds. He goes on to portray the locals' journalistic gaffes and foibles as humorous and quaint. (Steve secures his rebellious outsider role in his tagline to the piece: "Friess wrote frequently [and illegally] for USA Today from China last year.")
Two, Steve shares his experience giving no real sense that he seriously tried not to be complicit in -- much less to counter -- those very same gaffes and foibles. As an employee of the Chinese Ministry of Information, Steve passed on the party line. Colleagues changed quotes and invented people. Sure, Steve "wrote a query into the text" questioning the veracity of a statistic, but it's unnerving to think that -- if the practices of the Chinese journalists Steve worked beside were so wrong -- he didn't do more than he alludes to in the article.
Now, I didn't spend Steve's time overseas. I'm sure the role he found himself in was challenging. I'm also sure that he was surprised and not always delighted by how the China Daily's journalists worked. But Steve was in the mix. He was complicit in the very practices he's criticizing in what's supposed to be one of professional journalism's trade magazines. The point of this opinion piece -- outside of highlighting the humorous and quaint gaffes and foibles (and romanticizing Steve as a journalist) -- is weak. He helped local staffers apply to American journalism schools, "spreading the subversive gospel of the First Amendment." Please.
Higher up in the last column of the piece, Steve asks himself, "How did we stomach it?"
I ask, how did you sleep at night?
Pieces, Particles VI
The following media-related stories recently spotted in print publications -- and now online -- might be worth a look. Heads and decks, only. Heads and decks.
A Model Journalist, by Richard Connelly, Houston Press, July 4-10, 2002
A TV anchor does a little promotional work on the side
Board the Weblog Bandwagon Now, Please, by Steve Outing, Editor & Publisher, June 26, 2002
Newspapers missed most Internet trends; isn't it time to catch one?
Journalistic Blogging, by Barb Palser, American Journalism Review, July/August 2002
Mainstream news organizations could steal an idea or two from blogs.
Midgets in Advertising, by Don Preziosi, Postcard Collector, July 2001
No Longer the Cat's Meow?, by Dave Astor, Editor & Publisher, June 17, 2002
Their core daily-newspaper market isn't what it used to be, but syndicates are improvising by finding new revenue sources
Radio: The Rookies, by Ariel Hart, Columbia Journalism Review, July/August 2002
"Sentinel" Seeking Drive-By Business, by Lucia Moses, Editor & Publisher, June 17, 2002
Electronic billboard is designed to steer Orlando motorists to the print product
The following media-related stories recently spotted in print publications -- and now online -- might be worth a look. Heads and decks, only. Heads and decks.
A Model Journalist, by Richard Connelly, Houston Press, July 4-10, 2002
A TV anchor does a little promotional work on the side
Board the Weblog Bandwagon Now, Please, by Steve Outing, Editor & Publisher, June 26, 2002
Newspapers missed most Internet trends; isn't it time to catch one?
Journalistic Blogging, by Barb Palser, American Journalism Review, July/August 2002
Mainstream news organizations could steal an idea or two from blogs.
Midgets in Advertising, by Don Preziosi, Postcard Collector, July 2001
No Longer the Cat's Meow?, by Dave Astor, Editor & Publisher, June 17, 2002
Their core daily-newspaper market isn't what it used to be, but syndicates are improvising by finding new revenue sources
Radio: The Rookies, by Ariel Hart, Columbia Journalism Review, July/August 2002
"Sentinel" Seeking Drive-By Business, by Lucia Moses, Editor & Publisher, June 17, 2002
Electronic billboard is designed to steer Orlando motorists to the print product
Event-O-Dex V
Several upcoming DIY and other media gatherings you might be interested in:
July 18, Allston, Massachusetts: So & So, the In Out, Choo Choo La Rouge, and the Rudds at O'Brien's
Erin says, "Judy and I are playing a set under the name So & So. Dave and Dan of the Fightin Dogs will back us up on bass and/or drums. Plus! I'm gonna wear a Canada shirt." Maybe she'll even sing in Canadian!
July 19-20, Somerville, Massachusetts: Somerville Arts Council Art Beat
Food, folks, and fun, as well as the Art Beat Sideshow organized by Handstand Command. The Anchormen will play several songs at the Sideshow.
August 10-24, New York City: In the Wire
A friend from college who just today re-entered my life is putting on this play with her husband. I don't know if there are puppets involved, but the InterWeb sure is!
Several upcoming DIY and other media gatherings you might be interested in:
July 18, Allston, Massachusetts: So & So, the In Out, Choo Choo La Rouge, and the Rudds at O'Brien's
Erin says, "Judy and I are playing a set under the name So & So. Dave and Dan of the Fightin Dogs will back us up on bass and/or drums. Plus! I'm gonna wear a Canada shirt." Maybe she'll even sing in Canadian!
July 19-20, Somerville, Massachusetts: Somerville Arts Council Art Beat
Food, folks, and fun, as well as the Art Beat Sideshow organized by Handstand Command. The Anchormen will play several songs at the Sideshow.
August 10-24, New York City: In the Wire
A friend from college who just today re-entered my life is putting on this play with her husband. I don't know if there are puppets involved, but the InterWeb sure is!
From the In Box: The Story of Spam III
I like the spam on your site today and kinda thought this was one of the better spams I've seen. Hope you enjoy, too. And hope all is well with you otherwise. -- Marty
I like the spam on your site today and kinda thought this was one of the better spams I've seen. Hope you enjoy, too. And hope all is well with you otherwise. -- Marty
You have just received the Amish virus. Because we don't have any computers or programming experience, this virus works on the honor system.
Please delete all the files from your hard drive and then manually forward this virus to everyone on your mailing list.
Thank you for your cooperation and God bless you.
The Amish Computer Engineering Department
Metafilter Down!
Following the trend set by Ditherati, Metafilter is now down. Happy birthday, server maintenance.
Following the trend set by Ditherati, Metafilter is now down. Happy birthday, server maintenance.
The Story of Spam III
This is the best spam I've received in a long time:
Well, at least they've clearly defined their target market.
This is the best spam I've received in a long time:
Subject: LOOK! Desparately Seeking 100 Lazy People.... Who Wants To Make Money
Dear Friend,
We are desparately looking for 100 lazy people who wish to make lots of money without working.
We are not looking for people who are self-motivated. We are not looking for people who join every 'get rich quick' scheme offered on the internet. We are not looking for class presidents, beautiful people, career builders or even college graduates. We don't even want union workers or trade school graduates.
We want the laziest people that exist - the guys and gals who expect to make money without lifting a finger. We want the people who stay in bed until noon. We want those of you who think that getting out of bed to go lay on the couch is an effort that is best not thought about.
If you meet this criteria, go to this site and join free:
[URL deleted to protect the guilty]
In case you haven't figured it out yet, we want the kind of people who DO NOT take risks. If you are the kind of person who will consider doing something that's NOT a 'sure thing', then do NOT respond.
This is too easy a way to make money and there's no challenge in it.
If you can get to the website, you will be able to see the first home business in history that requires no work. NONE.
By clicking on this link and going to this website, you will be aknowledging the fact that you want to make enough money that you can quit your regular job and sleep all day.
We are not looking for a commitment from youand we don't even want your money.
As a matter of fact, we don't even want you to hear from us again if the idea of making lots of money without working does not interest you.
So if nothing else, remember this -
to make money without working for it just "Join Free". Simple as that.
[URL deleted to protect the guilty]
We look forward to hearing from you.
In all seriousness,
This is NOT a "no work" program that will make you money without lifting a finger.
Advertising effectively requires WORK and plenty of it. Oh, for sure, it's not like picking cotton under a broiling sun, but it IS work, nonetheless.
And we DO want peoples' money ONLY when they see the value of our products, services and upgrades.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Cordially your lazy friend,
[Name deleted to protect the guilty]
Well, at least they've clearly defined their target market.
Friday, July 12, 2002
Tickle Me Emo
Several friends have asked me to explain emo music to them recently. And I've had some trouble doing so. Well, if you haven't read the newsweekly magazines' recent expositions on emo, I've found the best emo song ever. "Three Easy Steps to Emo" by Girlband is a three-ingredient recipe for the perfect emo song. You'll have to listen to it to truly appreciate its greatness, but here are Girlband's three easy steps to emo:
That's basically it. Listen to the song, and you've heard almost every single emo song. Truth.
Several friends have asked me to explain emo music to them recently. And I've had some trouble doing so. Well, if you haven't read the newsweekly magazines' recent expositions on emo, I've found the best emo song ever. "Three Easy Steps to Emo" by Girlband is a three-ingredient recipe for the perfect emo song. You'll have to listen to it to truly appreciate its greatness, but here are Girlband's three easy steps to emo:
Lesson 1: Start out mellow.
Lesson 2: Scream.
Lesson 3: Go for the throat.
That's basically it. Listen to the song, and you've heard almost every single emo song. Truth.
Community and Reconstruction
Fellow Webby Awards nominating judge Cliff Figallo is recruiting about 50 volunteer online facilitators to help with part of New York's recovery from 911. A recent email from Cliff says, "Volunteer online facilitators are needed between July 29 and August 14 to help gather citizen input for planning the redevelopment of Lower Manhattan and the design of a memorial for WTC victims from 9/11. Discussion will take place using Web Lab's innovative Small Group Dialogue interface and technique."
If you're interested -- or if you know people who might be -- check out the full announcement.
Fellow Webby Awards nominating judge Cliff Figallo is recruiting about 50 volunteer online facilitators to help with part of New York's recovery from 911. A recent email from Cliff says, "Volunteer online facilitators are needed between July 29 and August 14 to help gather citizen input for planning the redevelopment of Lower Manhattan and the design of a memorial for WTC victims from 9/11. Discussion will take place using Web Lab's innovative Small Group Dialogue interface and technique."
If you're interested -- or if you know people who might be -- check out the full announcement.
From the In Box: Comic Book Collections
I first read Swamp Thing ("Love and Death") from the Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Public Library. We had a good library back then. I don't know if they had other graphic novels; I didn't look for them much, but my friend Chris Breitenbach was a pretty big Alan Moore fan and he told me to go looking for it.
I bet they stock a few graphic novels at CCPL. I used to check out pop music charts when I was playing the guitar. They had lots of good stuff, although you had to order it from the regional branch.
I don't go to the library enough any more. I had a phase in the winter when I got some real good stuff, but the Chicago branches are usually pretty mediocre. When I lived near Sulzer Regional in Lincoln Square, that was promising, and Evanston will let me check out up to three books at a time on my Chicago card, so that's good.
The best library book i got during that binge was Basil Davidson's "The Lost Cities of Africa," about the history of Africa before colonialism. So much that we don't learn in school! But understandable in the sense that there's not much written record, and archaeology has only been digging this stuff up (sorry!) for about fifty years now. -- Joe Germuska
I first read Swamp Thing ("Love and Death") from the Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Public Library. We had a good library back then. I don't know if they had other graphic novels; I didn't look for them much, but my friend Chris Breitenbach was a pretty big Alan Moore fan and he told me to go looking for it.
I bet they stock a few graphic novels at CCPL. I used to check out pop music charts when I was playing the guitar. They had lots of good stuff, although you had to order it from the regional branch.
I don't go to the library enough any more. I had a phase in the winter when I got some real good stuff, but the Chicago branches are usually pretty mediocre. When I lived near Sulzer Regional in Lincoln Square, that was promising, and Evanston will let me check out up to three books at a time on my Chicago card, so that's good.
The best library book i got during that binge was Basil Davidson's "The Lost Cities of Africa," about the history of Africa before colonialism. So much that we don't learn in school! But understandable in the sense that there's not much written record, and archaeology has only been digging this stuff up (sorry!) for about fifty years now. -- Joe Germuska
Books to Be Took II
Neal Coonerty, uncle of a former colleague of mine and owner of Bookshop Santa Cruz -- with whom I spent time with while traveling last fall -- penned an interesting column about shoplifting for the American Booksellers Association's BookWeb yesterday. He recounts some of the shop's most notable shoplifters -- including a nun in full habit who almost lifted a copy of Buck Naked: A Photographic Guide to Gay Men's Sex -- and a court case in which a young man is torn between three months in jail or a year banishment from Neal's store. "I don't know if I could go a year without going into Bookshop Santa Cruz," he told the judge. I know Abbie Hoffman wrote a tome entitled Steal This Book, but if you do shoplift texts, please don't steal from beautiful independent stores like Bookshop Santa Cruz. Shoplift at Borders or Barnes & Noble. I mean, come on.
Neal Coonerty, uncle of a former colleague of mine and owner of Bookshop Santa Cruz -- with whom I spent time with while traveling last fall -- penned an interesting column about shoplifting for the American Booksellers Association's BookWeb yesterday. He recounts some of the shop's most notable shoplifters -- including a nun in full habit who almost lifted a copy of Buck Naked: A Photographic Guide to Gay Men's Sex -- and a court case in which a young man is torn between three months in jail or a year banishment from Neal's store. "I don't know if I could go a year without going into Bookshop Santa Cruz," he told the judge. I know Abbie Hoffman wrote a tome entitled Steal This Book, but if you do shoplift texts, please don't steal from beautiful independent stores like Bookshop Santa Cruz. Shoplift at Borders or Barnes & Noble. I mean, come on.
The Movie I Watched Last Night XXVII
The Bourne Identity
After hanging out at the Different Drummer for a couple of hours after work, Dan, Dave, Nick, and I headed over to the new Boston Common theater to see The Bourne Identity. I almost didn't go, thinking that 9 p.m. was a good time to head home, but it's a movie I was slightly interested in -- and I haven't gone to a movie with friends for quite awhile. And you know what? Even though it's based on a Robert Ludlum novel (I'm not a fan of the Crichton/Ludlum/Clancy school of writers), it's a pretty good movie. Incorporating elements of The Manchurian Candidate, DOA, and Memento, the movie tells the story of a former government assassin who loses his memory and strives to untangle his web of international intrigue while evading his former employers. Matt Damon has the makings of a solid heroic actor -- much more promise than Ben Affleck -- and I'm sure his role in The Talented Mr. Ripley helped secure this part. Julia Stiles of Save the Last Dance for Me and 10 Things I Hate About You is surprisingly under-utilized, and I was surprised to see her in the movie, her part was so inconsequential. The ending doesn't come as much of a surprise, but it's a nice ride along the way.
The Bourne Identity
After hanging out at the Different Drummer for a couple of hours after work, Dan, Dave, Nick, and I headed over to the new Boston Common theater to see The Bourne Identity. I almost didn't go, thinking that 9 p.m. was a good time to head home, but it's a movie I was slightly interested in -- and I haven't gone to a movie with friends for quite awhile. And you know what? Even though it's based on a Robert Ludlum novel (I'm not a fan of the Crichton/Ludlum/Clancy school of writers), it's a pretty good movie. Incorporating elements of The Manchurian Candidate, DOA, and Memento, the movie tells the story of a former government assassin who loses his memory and strives to untangle his web of international intrigue while evading his former employers. Matt Damon has the makings of a solid heroic actor -- much more promise than Ben Affleck -- and I'm sure his role in The Talented Mr. Ripley helped secure this part. Julia Stiles of Save the Last Dance for Me and 10 Things I Hate About You is surprisingly under-utilized, and I was surprised to see her in the movie, her part was so inconsequential. The ending doesn't come as much of a surprise, but it's a nice ride along the way.
Comic Book Collections
Does your library include comic books in its permanent collection? Bryan Fagan went to last month's annual American Library Association conference to explore why libraries don't stock comic books and graphic novels; how comics publishers such as DC, Dark Horse, and CrossGen are trying to make inroads with libraries; what kind of swag the publishers distributed; and what the publishers did not do: explain why libraries should choose comics over other media. Fagan makes the extremely important distinction between the heavy presence of superhero-related wares -- seemingly a hard sell to libraries -- and Diamond's focus on books such as Maus, Safe Area Gorazde, and the 911 anthologies. He also suggests that "libraries will pay more than $50 for an academic press's thin volume containing the diary of a war refugee, but they won't pay less than $20 for Joe Kubert's Fax from Sarajevo or Will Eisner's Last Day in Vietnam."
I was slightly surprised that publishers pushed superhero-related material. Libraries -- unless they host an extensive underground comics, Golden Age, or Silver Age collection -- don't have room for single issues. So trade paperbacks, anthologies, and comic-related books are better bets. But how do you select what TPB's have a shelf life? The 911 books make sense. As does Maus. But should a library stock the Preacher series? I'm not so sure.
Several librarians and people involved in the comics industry have compiled lists of recommended graphic novels. Here are a few resources to draw on:
That's three Steve's. Why so many Steve's?
Does your library include comic books in its permanent collection? Bryan Fagan went to last month's annual American Library Association conference to explore why libraries don't stock comic books and graphic novels; how comics publishers such as DC, Dark Horse, and CrossGen are trying to make inroads with libraries; what kind of swag the publishers distributed; and what the publishers did not do: explain why libraries should choose comics over other media. Fagan makes the extremely important distinction between the heavy presence of superhero-related wares -- seemingly a hard sell to libraries -- and Diamond's focus on books such as Maus, Safe Area Gorazde, and the 911 anthologies. He also suggests that "libraries will pay more than $50 for an academic press's thin volume containing the diary of a war refugee, but they won't pay less than $20 for Joe Kubert's Fax from Sarajevo or Will Eisner's Last Day in Vietnam."
I was slightly surprised that publishers pushed superhero-related material. Libraries -- unless they host an extensive underground comics, Golden Age, or Silver Age collection -- don't have room for single issues. So trade paperbacks, anthologies, and comic-related books are better bets. But how do you select what TPB's have a shelf life? The 911 books make sense. As does Maus. But should a library stock the Preacher series? I'm not so sure.
Several librarians and people involved in the comics industry have compiled lists of recommended graphic novels. Here are a few resources to draw on:
Steve Raiteri
Recommended Graphic Novels for Public Libraries
Steve Miller
Graphic Novels in Libraries mailing list
Francisca Goldsmith
YA Talk: Graphic Novels
Patrick Jones
Graphic Novels for Young Adults: A Core Collection
Stephen Weiner
The 101 Best Graphic Novels
That's three Steve's. Why so many Steve's?
Thursday, July 11, 2002
Among the Literati X
Neal Pollack is moving to Texas. And he pens a farewell for the Philadelphia Inquirer's daily magazine explaining why he likes the city so.
Neal Pollack is moving to Texas. And he pens a farewell for the Philadelphia Inquirer's daily magazine explaining why he likes the city so.
Blogging About Blogging XXVII
Two of my favorite Netizens, Justin Hall and Cory Doctorow recently discussed linking tactics within their respective sites via email. It's well worth reading, and even though Justin and Cory agree to disagree -- Justin builds links into his writing as I do, and Cory aims to highlight as many links as possible without spending a lot of time researching or contextualizing. Both have their uses. And not everyone uses either well. Justin and Cory are heading in the right direction, though they may be divergent. May diverge? Oh, I don't know how to use that word. Link.
Two of my favorite Netizens, Justin Hall and Cory Doctorow recently discussed linking tactics within their respective sites via email. It's well worth reading, and even though Justin and Cory agree to disagree -- Justin builds links into his writing as I do, and Cory aims to highlight as many links as possible without spending a lot of time researching or contextualizing. Both have their uses. And not everyone uses either well. Justin and Cory are heading in the right direction, though they may be divergent. May diverge? Oh, I don't know how to use that word. Link.
.Conversation
The fine folks over at Play have opened up their blog Pure Content to allow frequent readers to join their street team. Participants will be able to post business, creativity, design, and similar news and resources to Pure Content, as well as the usual contributors -- employees of Play. Media Dietician Charlie Park hopes that the street team will foster an ongoing conversation about business and innovation topics. Seems like a step in the right direction!
The fine folks over at Play have opened up their blog Pure Content to allow frequent readers to join their street team. Participants will be able to post business, creativity, design, and similar news and resources to Pure Content, as well as the usual contributors -- employees of Play. Media Dietician Charlie Park hopes that the street team will foster an ongoing conversation about business and innovation topics. Seems like a step in the right direction!
Ravaging Radio VI
Laura Holson contributes an excellent article to the New York Times today about radio station marketing research and how playlists are developed. She details the rise of radio conglomerates such as Clear Channel, which operates about 1,000 stations, and analyzes how commercial playlists are constructed. Mainstream DJ's don't take requests any more. They can't. And what they can and do play is determined by what are now mostly automated playlists -- which are created based on test marketing, telephone surveys, and other research. Commercial programmers say it makes for more democratic radio. I say that it makes for bland, white-bread radio that represents no regional variation or DJ-driven exploration of new music. I want my WMBR and WNUR, thank you very much.
Laura Holson contributes an excellent article to the New York Times today about radio station marketing research and how playlists are developed. She details the rise of radio conglomerates such as Clear Channel, which operates about 1,000 stations, and analyzes how commercial playlists are constructed. Mainstream DJ's don't take requests any more. They can't. And what they can and do play is determined by what are now mostly automated playlists -- which are created based on test marketing, telephone surveys, and other research. Commercial programmers say it makes for more democratic radio. I say that it makes for bland, white-bread radio that represents no regional variation or DJ-driven exploration of new music. I want my WMBR and WNUR, thank you very much.
The Movie I Watched Last Night XXVI
Tuesday: Stephen King's Rose Red
Most Stephen King stories and novels haven't translated that well to the TV or silver screen. This TV miniseries -- which hasn't been published previously as script, story, or otherwise -- stands up well. I usually wouldn't even be interested in a show like this (my days as a King fan are behind me), but I stayed in the castle used as the primary exterior set for the miniseries -- Thornewood Castle near Tacoma, Washington -- while traveling last fall. Awesome to see what the filmmakers did with the property! The story, like many of King's recent writing, is a hodgepodge of themes and models he's used previously. At one level, Rose Red is your classic haunted house story -- a locked-room mystery of sorts. But it also incorporates King's penchant for possession (a la Christine) and organically growing horror (a la Thinner). Throw in a little telekinesis that evokes Carrie, and it's clear what made it into the equation. I made the mistake of watching this in one sitting -- it's almost five hours long, and I recommend taking a break -- but I was riveted the entire time. The acting is solid, the special effects are impressive, and the plot progresses at a good pace. On the DVD, there's an additional documentary about the making of the series, so you can learn more about Thornewood, the special effects, and how the producer and director worked around the untimely death of David Dukes, who passed away playing tennis during the shoot.
Tuesday: Stephen King's Rose Red
Most Stephen King stories and novels haven't translated that well to the TV or silver screen. This TV miniseries -- which hasn't been published previously as script, story, or otherwise -- stands up well. I usually wouldn't even be interested in a show like this (my days as a King fan are behind me), but I stayed in the castle used as the primary exterior set for the miniseries -- Thornewood Castle near Tacoma, Washington -- while traveling last fall. Awesome to see what the filmmakers did with the property! The story, like many of King's recent writing, is a hodgepodge of themes and models he's used previously. At one level, Rose Red is your classic haunted house story -- a locked-room mystery of sorts. But it also incorporates King's penchant for possession (a la Christine) and organically growing horror (a la Thinner). Throw in a little telekinesis that evokes Carrie, and it's clear what made it into the equation. I made the mistake of watching this in one sitting -- it's almost five hours long, and I recommend taking a break -- but I was riveted the entire time. The acting is solid, the special effects are impressive, and the plot progresses at a good pace. On the DVD, there's an additional documentary about the making of the series, so you can learn more about Thornewood, the special effects, and how the producer and director worked around the untimely death of David Dukes, who passed away playing tennis during the shoot.
Wednesday, July 10, 2002
Technofetishism X
I have been playing with my new PowerBook all day. It is absolutely beautiful. Tomorrow, I'll be able to start using it full time. Yay!
***
The born-again geek in me is kinda wishing I was going to MacWorld next week, but I'm not. Maybe someone will blog the conference like Dan Gillmore did for the Berkman Center for Internet & Society's Internet Law Program.
Meanwhile, especially because MacWorld pulled about 30 press passes from folks who'd hoped to cover the conference online, you might
I have been playing with my new PowerBook all day. It is absolutely beautiful. Tomorrow, I'll be able to start using it full time. Yay!
The born-again geek in me is kinda wishing I was going to MacWorld next week, but I'm not. Maybe someone will blog the conference like Dan Gillmore did for the Berkman Center for Internet & Society's Internet Law Program.
Meanwhile, especially because MacWorld pulled about 30 press passes from folks who'd hoped to cover the conference online, you might