C-span has . . .

some amazing stuff. Awful website to navigate -- but almost everything they have showed seems to be available.

Here is Jon Stewart from 2004 -- and what he says is so on target for today as well. He is best when not going for a laugh, though he is very funny in a serious context. He really has a palpable outrage. I think that outrage is most focused on the fact that he is one of the few people with an outlet who is willing to say the things that need to be said.

Coyote

Somehow I never heard this song until I saw it in this movie. And while many performances are great in this movie (The Last Waltz), this might be the best.

Nixon/Frost Liveblogging

I can't imagine this is that interesting. It was pretty easy to do, and kind of cool. It updated in real time. It has better purposes then commenting in real-time about 30 year-old interviews. I've seen Neil Best use it in Newsday to host his live chats. Click on the Green circular arrow to replay.

Frost/Nixon

I'm watching the Frost/Nixon interview, my sister got it for me for christmas. I'm interested to see how it compares to the movie. Sometimes, art can bring more truth then the truth itself, or at least can seem to. I'll have to see and compare.

It may make the movie anti-climatic, or conversely, more interesting.

Of finance, pyramids, me and krugman

Now I don't think he read my post below. But it sure feels cool to pretend that he did.

The Madoff Economy

A column by Brooks on Gladwell

Lost in the Crowd

Nothing could get me this excited -- except for watching the Nixon/Frost interviews that my sister got me (the real interviews).

Of finance, pyramids and ponzi

I am not well versed in economics. Because of this, when I read or listened to how people were making money in their investments, it often sounded like a large pyramid scheme. Maybe I am better versed then I thought.

Give the people what they want

No, not the The Kinks

Tom Friedman wrote this today:

Over the years, Detroit bosses kept repeating: “We have to make the cars people want.” That’s why they’re in trouble. Their job is to make the cars people don’t know they want but will buy like crazy when they see them. I would have been happy with my Sony Walkman had Apple not invented the iPod. Now I can’t live without my iPod. I didn’t know I wanted it, but Apple did. Same with my Toyota hybrid.

This theme is talked about in this Malcolm Gladwell talk about the invention of chunky tomato sauce. The key is that nobody would have told you that they wanted chunky tomato sauce, but they did. This is more interesting than Friedman's ipod analogy -- because technological innovation is always happening, and is expected.

Calvin Trillin: About Alice

I just listened to this interview at the 92nd Street Y. Very funny and touching. I don't think anyone makes me laugh out loud as much as Trillin does, and with so little effort. At least it seems effortless. I never knew I loved poetry this much.

Trillin claims he wrote the shortest poem of all time, it is about the social implications of the OJ Simpson case:

OJ
Oy vey


Below is an hour long interview between Charlie Rose and Trillin right around the start of the Iraq war. At one point Trillin talks about getting thrown out of dinner parties because of his views about the war. Hard to remember when that was such an unpopular position.

TEDtalks are terrific

TEDtalks

Coldplay

Sometimes I find them hokey -- but irresistible (as is this movie)

Byrne

Podcasting

It really has enhanced my life. I hardly ever listen to music when I go for my walks. I download various shows and interviews, usually through Itunes, but occasionally through the websites that the shows are themselves broadcast. And mostly for free. You can subscribe to most NPR (Fresh Air, Leonard Lopate and This American Life to name a few) and C-Span book shows, and the podcasts will automatically update. Many of those shows will charge a fee if you try to download them later, though not a large one. One does not have to have an ipod to take advantage of this, the files can usually be transferred to a competing device.

Lately I've been delving into Itunes U -- and am currently going through some interviews sponsored by the 92nd Street Y (NYC). They have a few interviews that touch on science between Robert Krulwich and various writers and researchers. I listened to his interview of Oliver Sacks, played by Robin Williams in Awakenings. Krulwich is a science reporter for NPR and co-hosts the Radiolab show.

I must say I look forward to my walks -- and don't feel as deficient in my reading. I am also a convert to listening to interviews, I don't feel a need to see the person. In fact, walking seems to allow me to listen without distraction. My only complaint is that some of my best thoughts seem to come in go while I am on my walks, and while I return, the thoughts leave me.

Interesting Article about Technology, Social Networking and Teens

Teenagers' Internet Socializing

Below is the researcher talking about her findings.

REM -- Reveal

They were my first concert, 1984 at Radio City.

These songs are from the album Reveal -- came out the same year as U2's All That You Can't Leave Behind, and while I liked that album, I loved this one. It didn't really get any play, though. Stipe never played the game in the same way as Bono. He has charisma, but nobody plays in Bono's league. And when I think of where REM started -- they are probably where they always wanted to be.