http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005-2007 by the authors Tue, 6 Apr 2004 23:30:08 EDT http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/ Phillip WinnSunday, August 26, 2007, marks the switch of all Blogcritics.org article feeds from full-content to short-content. This is the result of several converging factors, and is unfortunately a permanent decision (as permanent as any decision can be on the web, that is). We are aware of all of the reasons that this is a Bad Idea, and we are aware that some of you will be quite upset about having to click on something to read the free content, and we're sorry. Unfortunately, despite great effort, full-content feeds are not currently economically viable. Two other factors are involved: full-content feeds have resulted in an unprecedented level of content theft, with BC content appearing on many websites, usually spam sites, without attribution or permission. This duplicate content causes a cascading set of problems, not the least of which is that search engines generally aren't favorable to duplicate content, and don't always guess correctly. Finally, our RSS advertising partner is strongly in favor of short-content feeds. We hope that you'll continue to subscribe to BC via RSS, and when an article grabs your eye, it's only a click away, still free on the BC website. Thank you for your understanding. Administration0@blogcritics.org Sun, 26 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/04/06/233008.php Joel BlainLawrence Lessig has caused quite a stir with the publishing of his new book Free Culture. In it he argues that the current set of copyright laws are inherently flawed in favor of larger conglomerates instead of start-ups. For instance, Lessig uses the example of Disney who built their company's reputation by using various stories that were in the common domain (Snow White, Cinderella, Robin Hood etc...). But when it comes to their own intellectual property Disney is vigorous to extend their copyrights to almost a century in length.Just to show he practices what he preaches Lessig released his book for free on the internet in addition to the print version (which is currently at 194 on Amazon). And since the book is published under a Creative Commons license people are free to use Lessig's work as long as there is proper attribution and no sale takes place. With that in mind several bloggers have come together to create an open source audiobook version of Free Culture. Worth Checkin' out. Books14483@blogcritics.org Tue, 6 Apr 2004 23:30:08 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/03/27/151531.php Joel Blain Thomas Friedman is probably best known for his book on globalization "The Lexus and the Olive Tree" and his popular opinion/foreign affairs column in the New York Times. Over the past twenty years Friedman has become one of the most insightful and knowledgeable sources on the Middle East and terrorism (two issues which sadly often go hand in hand). In his latest book "Longitudes and Attitudes" Friedman collects his columns that appeared in the New York Times in the weeks leading up to 9/11 and the months that followed.In his columns contained in the period before 9/11 Friedman discusses how globalization is changing the world and through breakthroughs such as the internet, information (and in trickle-down fashion; knowledge then freedom) has led to the empowerment of individuals. Friedman explains that before the 20th century and the advent of rapid globalization it had always been states and not people who held the keys to personal destiny. In this new and changing world Friedman surmises that now there are not only "Superpowers" and international "Supermarkets" but now there are "super-empowered individuals."Unfortunately in the following columns both the reader and Friedman are witness to what these individuals are capable of. After the terrorist attacks Friedman spares no time in traveling to some of the locations that play key roles in the hunt for the terrorists. He asks questions that almost everyone was asking right after 9/11 (Why did this happem? Who did this? Did we deserve it?) and in all honesty some that still haven't been answered. Some of the questions raised have easy answers, (Friedman writes that no US policy not matter how offensive could ever warrant such an act of cowardice) while others are vastly more complex requiring countless hours of research. Friedman is a credible (spending 20+ years on the front lines covering the Israeli/Palestinian conflict) and engaging author; it's very easy to understand where he's coming from and the questions and facts he raises. Even though this book was published in the months shortly following 9/11 that doesn't mean it's dated. I would recommend this book to anyone who is truly interested in dissecting 9/11 from a more global point of view. Books14124@blogcritics.org Sat, 27 Mar 2004 15:15:31 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/02/22/135550.php Joel BlainOver the past couple weeks I've been blogging the events of Army Basic Training by proxy. My friend Jeremy left on Jan 20th for Fort Benning Georgia and has been sending letters home for me to post on his blog. My initial post about this on BlogCritics garnered some attention and soon the site was picked up by The BlogFather himself over at InstaPundit! After that the hits have been coming in from ALL OVER. Jeremy's letters describe what it's like to go through Army Basic with pretty much no idea what to expect next. A pretty interesting read, the only downside being that the entries are sent by snail mail (but since soldiers are only allowed to send and receive letters thats to be expected). This site as been welcomed by former and current servicemen and it's interesting just to read the comments of soldiers as they reminisce and give advice about their experiences in Basic. Jeremy starts BRM (Basic Rifle Marksmanship) next week so be sure to stop by and take a look! Sci/Tech13034@blogcritics.org Sun, 22 Feb 2004 13:55:50 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/01/29/213934.php Joel Blain A couple days ago I launched a new blog for my friend Jeremy. I've known Jeremy for around 6 years and he's always been interested in computing and technology and was about to set up a blog of his own before he left for Army Basic training on the 20th. We both decided it would be a cool idea to "blog" his training, but there was one problem. The Army relegates the time of its recruits and does not for very good reason allow them free access to the internet or in some cases phone calls home. So that means that Jeremy is stuck "blogging" in much the same way that countless other soldiers before him have... the only difference is I turn around and post them via Movable Type to his site. So if you're curious about the experience of a fresh recruit at Army Basic (from the perspective of a guy who would more likely be found reading Slashdot than Guns and Ammo) check out www.JeremyHall.com. And keep him in your prayers. Sci/Tech12157@blogcritics.org Thu, 29 Jan 2004 21:39:34 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/01/27/215004.php Joel BlainThe '90s saw the supposed death of thoughtful hip hop and the rise of a more masochistic, violent, hard hitting sound. But never fear! The underground of hip hop has been quietly mounting one of the most relevant comebacks in any genre. Artists like Common, The Roots, Soul Junk, Mos Def, and other have been turning the tide from "getting krunk" and pistol play to issues that touch people where they live. One of the best new editions to this new guard of intelligent and soulful rap is North Carolina's Little Brother. The three members make music that could be mistaken for late '80s/early '90s tracks from De La Soul or A Tribe Called Quest but that doesn't mean they're behind the times. Recently members of The Roots were quoted as saying they were jealous of Little Brother's ability to meld new and old sounds so seamlessly. Fresh off an appearance on MTV's "You Hear It First" Little Brother talks about how they have used the internet as a tool to gain listeners ears and to turn execs heads. In fact to promote their newest effort on ABB records they have been serving up their mpthrees... for free! Yeah I thought that might get your attention, go give them a listen. Music12101@blogcritics.org Tue, 27 Jan 2004 21:50:04 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/01/27/140558.php Joel BlainOn the eve of the New Hampshire primaries wiseass and recent bane of the Fox News Network, Al Franken has thrust himself into the spotlight yet again. Errr make that body slammed his way into the spotlight. The New York Post is reporting that Franken responded to a rowdy anti-Dean protest with a full on charge and takedown right out of the WWE. That doesn't seem to me how Stuart Smalley would have handled the situation... Politics12092@blogcritics.org Tue, 27 Jan 2004 14:05:58 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/01/25/172150.php Joel Blain The travel site World66 offer a neat tool to visually represent the countries you have visited. Simply check the appropriate countries and it builds you a map! I'm at 8 countries (which by their calculations is 3% of the world). Pretty interesting because depending on whom you trust for information the number of countries varies by 2-3. The US State Department says 192 while the UN's number is 191 and others in the EU point to as many as 198!!!(via Metafilter) Sci/Tech12021@blogcritics.org Sun, 25 Jan 2004 17:21:50 EST