I’ve mentioned before that I listen to, and highly recommend, the entertaining and smart Science Weekly podcast from the Guardian [subscribe here]. This week’s broadcasts has plenty of explicit sexual language, so I know you’re interested: Penisology. By the way, Science Weekly is normally hosted by a guy named Alok Jha, and he does a […]
Archive | Net and Tech
Google Flu and Agreement on Books
Flu. Books agreement.
Next Generation Hand-Wringing
I’ve commented several times about how how wrong-headed some people are about technology (here, and here, and here). In short, Facebook and iPods really really really aren’t ruining society or creating people who can’t communicate. So I guess it’s obvious where I stand. There’s a new book out, A Better Pencil, which explains that the […]
The Worst Place for Homosexuals on Earth
Iraq. Technology and social media makes it easier to torture and murder people who aren’t bothering anyone.
Cheap Pics
These guys spent just under $150, total, to send a camera into SPACE and take pictures. Or, almost space. Close enough for me. Go have a look, and read how they did it. You could do it, too, ’cause they’re gonna post instructions. [Link from Wired’s Gadget Lab.]
Google Books is So Good. But Imperfect
I really like Google Books. Lots of times, when I’ve considered buying a book that isn’t in the library, I’ve just read a chapter or two on Google Books and made my decision. Or when trying to remember just the way someone described something, I can find the book and read for myself: “My very […]
BBC Pretends to Have No Sense of Humor
Or should that be “humour”? Anyway, it’s weird (but inevitable) that news reports now quote random bloggers in their news stories. It would be one thing if the blogger replaced the “man in the street” nonsense interview, but it seems as though “the bloggers” are actually considered more than that. But that’s beside the point. […]
Dyson Hand Dryer: "Blades of Glory"
Before eating at a local joint last night, I went to wash my hands. There were three hand-drying options: 1. Paper. 2. Air blower. 3. Slick-looking Dyson hand-dryer. I tried the Dyson and thought that it was mostly stupid. Then I watched a video about it and have revised my opinion. It’s completely stupid. Let’s […]
Citing Kindle
I recently wondered how to properly cite a tweet. Today I read, on The Chicago Manual of Style’s New Questions and Answers page, a question about citing something from Kindle. The world is changing. [While we’re on the Q and A page, check out the sort of snitty response at the very bottom. I avoid […]
Walk Tall Walkman
Thirty short years ago, the scene changed. Happy birthday, Walkman! This kid wore one for a week and wrote a little report (remembering to use lots of big words like “plethora” and “aesthetically.” Kids have to prove that they’re adults). The most best line was: “It took me three days to figure out that there […]