April, 2019 archive
How Stuff Works, Banking Dept. 0
Thom’s guest explains how the banking system developed and how it works and why you can’t have an economy without government.
The Write Stuff 0
Tony Norman remarks on and laments the fading skill of writing cursive (or, as we called it when I was in school, “writing,” as opposed to “printing”).
Freedom of Screech 0
Shorter Shaun Mullen: Whatever he may be, Julian Assange is not a member of the press corps.
It’s All about the Algorithm, Reprise 0
At the San Francisco Chronicle, John Diaz argues that, as persons increasing turn to the internet for news, the dominance of Google and Facebook and their use of algorithms designed to keep you “engaged,”* rather than informed, is warping and distorting persons’ perception of what is and what isn’t news. He also suggests that, as persons are more and more relying on “aggregators,” the revenue for outfits that do actual reporting, as opposed the “aggregation,” is suffering. These factors, in his eyes, and distorting and diluting the discourse and, ultimately, weakening the polity.
A snippet:
The playing field is anything but level. And the result is devastating for publishers who are becoming increasingly dependent on a digital audience as print circulation continues its decline.
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Listen to the Bad Voltage podcast which I mentioned yesterday for more about “engagement” and “inform-ment.”
Break Time 0
Off to drink liberally.
“The Monkey King” 0
Charles Blow suggests that, to his sycophants and idolizers, Donald Trump has become a folk hero. He posits that, rather than being blind to his venality, they treasure it. A snippet:
Perhaps one of the most popular folk heroes in the world is mythological: Chinese folklore’s Monkey King.
The British Council wrote of his legend:
“Despite his superpowers, at the heart of the Monkey King’s appeal is his human fallibility — he is greedy, selfish, and prone to sudden changes of mood and outbursts of exceptional violence. He defies divine authority, laughs at attempts to be controlled, and leaves chaos in his wake. But we know that there is fundamental good within him. He is the misbehaving child who only needs a firm hand and a sense of purpose to come good.”
It’s All about the Algorithm 0
The Bad Voltage crew discuss “social” media.
This is really worth a listen, folks, especially in view of stuff like this.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Be polite to those who would help you.
Upon arrival, crews found a dump truck into the guardrail with one person confined inside. The man inside pulled a pistol from his side when crews began extraction.
According to officials, Engine 43’s driver called out that the patient had a gun and began attempting to secure the patient’s arm. Members operating outside the dump truck quickly jumped inside, restrained the patient and secured the weapon.
