Tuesday, July 24, 2007
GINORMOUS ADDITIONS TO DICTIONARY
I can see my grammarphilic friend Red Pen Inc. cringing over that headline, and how it uses a made-up word.
Only, it's not. "Ginormous" is in the 2007 edition of the Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, along with "sudoku," "crunk," "hardscape," "perfect storm," "Bollywood" and "nocebo." Strangely enough, the definition of "crunk" doesn't say anything about an awful-tasting energy drink pimped by a Southern rapper.
Now, if only M-W would designate "grammarphilic" as a real word...
Only, it's not. "Ginormous" is in the 2007 edition of the Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, along with "sudoku," "crunk," "hardscape," "perfect storm," "Bollywood" and "nocebo." Strangely enough, the definition of "crunk" doesn't say anything about an awful-tasting energy drink pimped by a Southern rapper.
Now, if only M-W would designate "grammarphilic" as a real word...
Sunday, June 03, 2007
HARD TO BLOG ANONYMOUSLY
The blogger behind thinkingthings found this story from the Boston Globe which should throw more gasoline on the fire started by the Springfield News-Leader, when it suggested that bloggers should sign their names to their blogs. Just about everyone in the Ozarks province of Blogistan has thrown in their two cents, including many of the blogs listed to the right.
The story talks about Robert P. Lindeman, a pediatrician on trial for malpractice. He wrote about the trial anonymously on his blog "drfleablog," which has since been taken down. While on the stand, opposing counsel asked him if he had a medical blog. The exchange, which might have puzzled jurors, telegraphed a message that the plantiffs were ready to bring the contents of the blog into the trial. Lindeman eventually settled the case.
Thinkingthings is right. Since I'm riding her coattails with this post (thanks for the ride!), the only thing I can add is that it is truly amazing what people will say under the cloak of anonimity. Want proof? Next time I write a report on the Joplin school board, read the comments. I guarantee some anonymous writers will go way over the line with personal attacks on board members.
Nine times out of 10, an unsigned, anonymous opinion means very little to me, personally. But that tenth time, it might be pretty important. The journalist's rule of thumb regarding anonymous sources seems to apply in the debate about anonymous blogs. Anonymous sources are critical to reporting. But the public needs to have trust in the media source that there is a legitimate reason for the source to be anonymous. Seems to me that bloggers and opinion-writers who conduct themselves uncivilly do more to harm legitimate anonymous writers.
The story talks about Robert P. Lindeman, a pediatrician on trial for malpractice. He wrote about the trial anonymously on his blog "drfleablog," which has since been taken down. While on the stand, opposing counsel asked him if he had a medical blog. The exchange, which might have puzzled jurors, telegraphed a message that the plantiffs were ready to bring the contents of the blog into the trial. Lindeman eventually settled the case.
Thinkingthings is right. Since I'm riding her coattails with this post (thanks for the ride!), the only thing I can add is that it is truly amazing what people will say under the cloak of anonimity. Want proof? Next time I write a report on the Joplin school board, read the comments. I guarantee some anonymous writers will go way over the line with personal attacks on board members.
Nine times out of 10, an unsigned, anonymous opinion means very little to me, personally. But that tenth time, it might be pretty important. The journalist's rule of thumb regarding anonymous sources seems to apply in the debate about anonymous blogs. Anonymous sources are critical to reporting. But the public needs to have trust in the media source that there is a legitimate reason for the source to be anonymous. Seems to me that bloggers and opinion-writers who conduct themselves uncivilly do more to harm legitimate anonymous writers.
Labels: BLOGGING, MEDIA, TRENDS
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
FACEBOOK 101 FOR NOOBS
An innovative approach to computer education is taking place at America's universities. The Wall St. Journal reports on how students are beginning to study social computing. Like classes on video game design, this is an attempt to make "technology studies relevant to students' lives," according to the article.
Traditionalists would argue that the classes are a waste of education and tuition fees. Considering the reach of these classes, which also delve into psychology and sociology, traditionalists would be wrong. The impact that MySpace and Facebook -- or even America Online 10 years ago -- has had on interpersonal communications is gargantuan.
Honestly, these classes make me wish I was back in college. The thought of studying blogs and wikis appeals to my inner geek.
Traditionalists would argue that the classes are a waste of education and tuition fees. Considering the reach of these classes, which also delve into psychology and sociology, traditionalists would be wrong. The impact that MySpace and Facebook -- or even America Online 10 years ago -- has had on interpersonal communications is gargantuan.
Honestly, these classes make me wish I was back in college. The thought of studying blogs and wikis appeals to my inner geek.
Labels: EDUCATION, INTERNET, TRENDS
Monday, May 28, 2007
NEW MATH IN INDIA IS REALLY OLD
Take a glance at a clock with a second hand. Now, what is the square of 115?
How long did it take you to get 13,225? It probably took some Indian students only a second.
Kamlesh Shetty told Wired News how he came up with the square of 85 in less than a second.
"To find the square of any number ending with 5, just put 25 on the right-hand side," he said. "Take the number that precedes five. In this case it is 8. Add 1 to it. So in this case it becomes 9. Multiply 8 and 9. You get 72. 7,225 is the square of 85. It's easy."
Julio Leon, president of Missouri Southern State University, has talked about how students in Brazil, Russia, India and China view a college education as salvation. Manu Joseph's story details how far Indian children will go to secure a coveted spot in India's main engineering school -- to the point of searching out the Vedic formula above.
As for the Vedic formulas, 16 of them have been found in cryptic Sanskrit verses. There is an amount of controversy involved in finding such specific, accurate mathematical formulas amidst praises of Lord Krishna. Maybe the Bible explains phi in Matthew 7:12.
Labels: EDUCATION, MATH, TRENDS
Thursday, May 10, 2007
WHEN PROG-ROCK AND PROMOTION UNITE
What a difference a new record company can make.
Dream Theater signed with Roadrunner Records for their upcoming album, Systematic Chaos. Since that time, they have started a MySpace page (finally), released a song as a free mp3 (kick-ass), requested bootlegs for a YouTube page and put out extra videos to promote the upcoming album, including this online press kit.
Here's the latest to hit the 'Net: This is a recording of "Dark Eternal Night" on top of footage taken in the studio. Watch, turn the volume up and marvel at bassist John Myung's fingers and drummer Mike Portnoy's feet.
The Mailbox doesn't remember a time when Dream Theater was so well promoted. From the sounds of the two songs released, it doesn't sound like they've made any musical compromises for mass-market consumption. The Mailbox is excited as all get out about Dream Theater's future. The real question is whether it will translate to higher record sales, but Roadrunner will see that we DT freaks are loyal buyers, even though our number is not as high as the group who will buy whatever popcrap the radio tells them to.
Two petty gripes from the two songs: There's too much singing about mystical beasts and Portnoy is not the best backup singer. But John Petrucci has some amazing performances, Portnoy is all over his kit and the band sounds tight -- especially the unison between Petrucci and Myung. Can't wait for June 6.
Dream Theater signed with Roadrunner Records for their upcoming album, Systematic Chaos. Since that time, they have started a MySpace page (finally), released a song as a free mp3 (kick-ass), requested bootlegs for a YouTube page and put out extra videos to promote the upcoming album, including this online press kit.
Here's the latest to hit the 'Net: This is a recording of "Dark Eternal Night" on top of footage taken in the studio. Watch, turn the volume up and marvel at bassist John Myung's fingers and drummer Mike Portnoy's feet.
The Mailbox doesn't remember a time when Dream Theater was so well promoted. From the sounds of the two songs released, it doesn't sound like they've made any musical compromises for mass-market consumption. The Mailbox is excited as all get out about Dream Theater's future. The real question is whether it will translate to higher record sales, but Roadrunner will see that we DT freaks are loyal buyers, even though our number is not as high as the group who will buy whatever popcrap the radio tells them to.
Two petty gripes from the two songs: There's too much singing about mystical beasts and Portnoy is not the best backup singer. But John Petrucci has some amazing performances, Portnoy is all over his kit and the band sounds tight -- especially the unison between Petrucci and Myung. Can't wait for June 6.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT IN THE NAME OF GOD
Margo Crawford, official friend of the Mailbox, sent an interesting e-mail about T-shirt entrepreneur Todd Goldman, the guy who made those controversial T-shirts about boys being stupid. Some think Goldman is a hack artist, plagiarist and copyright infringer. The story is interesting, but it got the Mailbox thinking about another form of copyright infringement.
Apparently, some forms of copyright infringement seem acceptable, but they are really not. Those logos are intellectual property theft, advertising a religion that says, "Thou shalt not steal." Hell, even that trash-talkin' bunny was stolen by Christians.
Remember Calvin and Hobbes, created by Bill Watterson? God bless that man...no comic strip will ever be as good. There was a legendary strip that was nothing but Calvin and Hobbes dancing. Art from that strip started appearing on T-shirts advertising spring break trips and parties. Then this abomination surfaced. Apparently, Calvin has no problem peeing on everything from car logos to entire countries. The next iteration of that theme was to turn Calvin from a pisser to a believer. Apparently, choosing between those two is quite difficult for NASCAR fans.
Watterson's struggle to keep his comic strip off of merchandise was legendary, and eventually forced him to stop drawing the strip. He said that he hasn't seen a dime from Calvin appearing on anything, including a sticker. That means Calvin peeing is on the same level as Calvin praying.
The Mailbox is more forgiving of the corporate-logo spin-offs, because the Christian twists are satirical in nature. Besides, these companies have paid big bucks to place their logos everywhere, burning their vector-based graphics into our brain cells. But what's wrong with originality? God gave us creativity; why not use it? The Mailbox found that some Christian stuff can be funny and original.
Labels: MEDIA, RELIGION, TRENDS
Monday, January 29, 2007
VISTA RELEASED WORLDWIDE TO MILD INTEREST
Um, yeah. Yawn. So Vista, the new Windows OS, is supposed to be as graphically beautiful as Mac's OS X. It retails for $100-$400. And it's going to cause everybody to upgrade to DirectX10, buy new motherboards and be ticked off that they STILL can't run World of Warcraft while copying and burning DVDs of Ghost Rider with Nicholas Cage.
I can't say I'm going to rush out and buy it. I'm hardly excited. Heck, if I were a software pirate, I wouldn't be excited about stealing it. Seriously: Look at the demo. Their introduction piece does nothing but advertise the different software packages. It doesn't explain how Vista is easier, more efficient or worth the upgrade at all. Those of you who use Macs know the truth: Mac's OS improved things like MOVING FILES from one folder to another. It's just a better system. Vista is finally catching up to where OS X is. Not like Apple is doing anything to advance its OS. Too busy with iPods, I guess.
The most bizarre thing about the release was Bill Gates appearing on The Daily Show. Jon Stewart tried his best to joke with the guy and talk to him, but it didn't work. Gates ended up leaving the set before the cameras faded.
Of course, with Windows releasing Vista, that means Mac will have to compete. That means watching more of these tools.
Labels: COMPUTERS, TECHNOLOGY, TRENDS
Friday, January 26, 2007
LIPS OF AN ANGEL, WORDS OF A PLAYA
The Mailbox is always amazed at what people will buy. Apparently, enough of y'all are buying "Lips of an Angel" in both rock and country flavors. It needs to stop.
I about drove into a ditch when I heard a country singer singing, "My girl's in the next room, sometimes I wish she was you." Jack Ingram had to go and remake a song that was just released last year by Oklahoma City band Hinder.
"Lips of an Angel" -- the Mailbox will say it -- is the worst song ever. The lyrics are cheesy, bombastic and immature. And, though the band denies the song is about cheating, the song sure sounds like it's about cheating.
The Mailbox read the lyrics to the song and wonders if girls really buy into this crap. "I never wanna say goodbye / But girl you make it hard to be faithful / With the lips of an angel." The song made it to No. 1 in the Top 40, meaning that a whole bunch of people bought it and bought into it. TLP, official girlfriend of the Mailbox, says it best: "Any woman who would find that song romantic is an insult to the species."
I about drove into a ditch when I heard a country singer singing, "My girl's in the next room, sometimes I wish she was you." Jack Ingram had to go and remake a song that was just released last year by Oklahoma City band Hinder.
"Lips of an Angel" -- the Mailbox will say it -- is the worst song ever. The lyrics are cheesy, bombastic and immature. And, though the band denies the song is about cheating, the song sure sounds like it's about cheating.
The Mailbox read the lyrics to the song and wonders if girls really buy into this crap. "I never wanna say goodbye / But girl you make it hard to be faithful / With the lips of an angel." The song made it to No. 1 in the Top 40, meaning that a whole bunch of people bought it and bought into it. TLP, official girlfriend of the Mailbox, says it best: "Any woman who would find that song romantic is an insult to the species."
Labels: AWFULNESS, MUSIC, TRENDS
Thursday, December 21, 2006
'HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS'
That's what the title of book No. 7 will be, according to her official Web site.
Some uninformed speculations, based on the title: Halloween has its roots in All Hallow's Eve, the day before All Saints' Day. According to Britannica.com, this is the day when souls of those who have died return home. Will "Deathly Hallows" break format by occurring over the fall, and not an entire school year at Hogwarts? Those who read "The Half-Blood Prince" could argue that Harry intends NOT to finish his final year at Hogwarts, going on a hunt for Voldemort (yeah, the Mailbox said "Voldemort"). Does the epic, final battle happen over Halloween? Will Dumbledore return from the dead a la Gandalf the Gr-- er, White? Will All Saints' Day play a pivotal role in the story?
Probably not. "Hallow" is a verb, according to Merriam-Webster. It means "to make something sacred, holy." The Mailbox originally thought "hallows" might refer to a place, but M-W.com slapped some sense into the Mailbox. So, the Mailbox sees "Deathly Hallows" happening at Hogwarts. Though the evidence in HBP points to Harry going hunting, it's more likely to the Mailbox that we'll learn even more about Hogwarts' history and construction, and that Voldemort will hunt Harry. Besides, Dumbledore isn't dead, remember? Oh, wait. Rowling said he was, and will not be pullin' a Gandalf-type resurrection. Ching-wah tsao duh liao mahng.
ANYWAY... BeyondHogwarts.com has many more in-depth spoilers and such from fanboy extraordinaire David Haber.
The AP reported that author J.K. Rowling has only recently started dreaming that she is the famous boy wizard. She also said she is "elated and overwrought" about writing the seventh book; which includes scenes she has planned for more than 12 years. Which leads to an interesting writer's conundrum: Everyone knows the "Potter" series was meant to last seven books. But Harry is so beloved that if Rowling broke her promise of seven books, the world would rejoice (except for these goons).
So, should Rowling continue to tell Potter's stories after graduation? Will we read them as voraciously? If she does, will she get so sick of writing about Potter that the moppet will meet Draco Malfoy at Reichenbach Falls for a final problem?
That's what the title of book No. 7 will be, according to her official Web site.
Some uninformed speculations, based on the title: Halloween has its roots in All Hallow's Eve, the day before All Saints' Day. According to Britannica.com, this is the day when souls of those who have died return home. Will "Deathly Hallows" break format by occurring over the fall, and not an entire school year at Hogwarts? Those who read "The Half-Blood Prince" could argue that Harry intends NOT to finish his final year at Hogwarts, going on a hunt for Voldemort (yeah, the Mailbox said "Voldemort"). Does the epic, final battle happen over Halloween? Will Dumbledore return from the dead a la Gandalf the Gr-- er, White? Will All Saints' Day play a pivotal role in the story?
Probably not. "Hallow" is a verb, according to Merriam-Webster. It means "to make something sacred, holy." The Mailbox originally thought "hallows" might refer to a place, but M-W.com slapped some sense into the Mailbox. So, the Mailbox sees "Deathly Hallows" happening at Hogwarts. Though the evidence in HBP points to Harry going hunting, it's more likely to the Mailbox that we'll learn even more about Hogwarts' history and construction, and that Voldemort will hunt Harry. Besides, Dumbledore isn't dead, remember? Oh, wait. Rowling said he was, and will not be pullin' a Gandalf-type resurrection. Ching-wah tsao duh liao mahng.
ANYWAY... BeyondHogwarts.com has many more in-depth spoilers and such from fanboy extraordinaire David Haber.
The AP reported that author J.K. Rowling has only recently started dreaming that she is the famous boy wizard. She also said she is "elated and overwrought" about writing the seventh book; which includes scenes she has planned for more than 12 years. Which leads to an interesting writer's conundrum: Everyone knows the "Potter" series was meant to last seven books. But Harry is so beloved that if Rowling broke her promise of seven books, the world would rejoice (except for these goons).
So, should Rowling continue to tell Potter's stories after graduation? Will we read them as voraciously? If she does, will she get so sick of writing about Potter that the moppet will meet Draco Malfoy at Reichenbach Falls for a final problem?
Labels: BOOKS, TRENDS, WRITING
AFTER NEARLY LOSING LEG, TEEN THREATENED NOT TO TALK ABOUT CANNON EXPLOSION
Football is a cherished sport. The players are blessed with the community's attention. We even have TV shows and movies dedicated to towns and their love of the game.
But this is going too far.
In a nutshell, Brett Karch is an ROTC member at a Washington high school. One of the school's football traditions is to fire a red cannon. Unfortunately, it exploded, almost killing Karch and damaging his leg nearly to the point of amputation.
The community responded with threats, not get-well wishes. Police increased security around his hospital room after people threatened to "break his other leg" and "ban his family" if they didn't keep quiet about the incident.
Huh. Haven't seen anything like this on Friday Night Lights yet.
Football is a cherished sport. The players are blessed with the community's attention. We even have TV shows and movies dedicated to towns and their love of the game.
But this is going too far.
In a nutshell, Brett Karch is an ROTC member at a Washington high school. One of the school's football traditions is to fire a red cannon. Unfortunately, it exploded, almost killing Karch and damaging his leg nearly to the point of amputation.
The community responded with threats, not get-well wishes. Police increased security around his hospital room after people threatened to "break his other leg" and "ban his family" if they didn't keep quiet about the incident.
Huh. Haven't seen anything like this on Friday Night Lights yet.
Labels: FOOTBALL, PSYCHOS, TRENDS
Friday, October 20, 2006
CURSIVE CURSED TO A SLOW DEATH
While the loss of most childhood institutions would be bemoaned, here's one the Mailbox is glad to see die a slow death.
The Washington Post reports that cursive writing is slowly being fazed out of American classrooms. It's being killed by computers and printers, experts say. Teachers say penmanship seems reliquary, when there’s so much technology, foreign languages and state testing standards to teach. Lord knows, kids aren’t crying about it.
Of course, some think that cursive teaches good cognitive lessons. The 15 percent who wrote SAT essays in cursive scored better than the 85 percent who didn’t, according to a blurb in this press release. Others think that our national culture is at a crossroads, switching from the written word to the typed one.
The Mailbox thinks this is B.S. Cursive is a waste of time. The Mailbox, as a third-grader, dreaded the inefficiency of having to learn a second alphabet. The only use for cursive in high school was for girls to send florid notes with i’s dotted with hearts or smiley-faces. Sure, it’s supposed to save time, but how much? Any time saved writing my cursive was lost trying to read my cursive. Many may mourn the loss of this fancy form of writing, but the Mailbox won’t.
While the loss of most childhood institutions would be bemoaned, here's one the Mailbox is glad to see die a slow death.
The Washington Post reports that cursive writing is slowly being fazed out of American classrooms. It's being killed by computers and printers, experts say. Teachers say penmanship seems reliquary, when there’s so much technology, foreign languages and state testing standards to teach. Lord knows, kids aren’t crying about it.
Of course, some think that cursive teaches good cognitive lessons. The 15 percent who wrote SAT essays in cursive scored better than the 85 percent who didn’t, according to a blurb in this press release. Others think that our national culture is at a crossroads, switching from the written word to the typed one.
The Mailbox thinks this is B.S. Cursive is a waste of time. The Mailbox, as a third-grader, dreaded the inefficiency of having to learn a second alphabet. The only use for cursive in high school was for girls to send florid notes with i’s dotted with hearts or smiley-faces. Sure, it’s supposed to save time, but how much? Any time saved writing my cursive was lost trying to read my cursive. Many may mourn the loss of this fancy form of writing, but the Mailbox won’t.
Labels: EDUCATION, TRENDS, WRITING
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