inspiring Ai WeiWei documentary

Independent Lens on PBS broadcast and netcasts it.  Watch it and be moved - I was!

JFK speech

I like this recreation of the most famous inaugural speech.

I DJ a swing dance party March 9 in Santa Rosa (benefit for Buddhist center)

details

Scott Amendola and Will Blades

If I had more time I would see them play Sunday as described here.

Gordon Parks Exhibition

I want to see this.

for those who are about to go to war I salute you! (for nerds only)

Vim emulation in Emacs :-)

Rachel Maddow show tonight on Iraq war deception

David Corn description and recommendation

NFC

Near Field Communication devices: what you need to know  especially for DP, as we discussed

Great visit with hometown friends!

We had a great time visiting with Bonnie and Laura and David and Bebe!
Good, interesting people of like minds - very rejuvenating...

Other Minds performances next week

I plan to attend the Thursday performance of the Other Minds series, as I will be in SF for the Heroku conference during the day.  I would really like to attend Friday and Saturday as well, but am too busy.  I am a big fan of Craig Taborn, so I am sorry to miss him...

in memory of Laurence

This anniversary of his suicide especially brings him to mind, although many things per week remind me of him.  He was a close friend for over forty years...

Tea Party brewed by Big Tobacco

A study of the astroturf roots of the Tea Party confirms what RS and I have discussed for decades: the Right is very good at building their movement primarily because they fund it well and pay to manage it professionally.   The increase in the concentration of wealth and the Citizens United decision feed this tendency steroids and that shows strong results.  We are fortunate that they are outnumbered and on the wrong end of demographic trends.  What is the answer to this asymmetry:  if I can make billions of dollars from an idea that lowers the standard of living of 300 million people by one hundred dollars each, I have all the incentive in the world to pursue the idea while the 300 million won't be moved by the one hundred dollars?  Replicate that pattern throughout the economy, society and politics and you have what we face today.

Armed bands watching your every move

Businessweek shows domestic drones are not our only new concern.  h/t: RS

social engineering heist attempt explained

this story of successfully blocked social engineering is worth reading to educate yourself.

basics

A grizzled veteran explorer of Africa is accompanied by a young, inexperienced aide
in the early 20th century.  Suddenly they are captured by a tribe and tied next to each
other.  Members of the tribe dance wildly around them, singing and chanting in a language
the explorers cannot understand while loud drums pound loudly for hours.  Suddenly the
drums and dancing halt.  The younger explorer moans with fear, then panics when
the older man says "Oh, no!  It can't be!"  "What, what is it?"  "Now the bass solo..."

This and this are for DP and Ricky - you know who you are ;-)

jazz clarinetist Ben Goldberg's two new releases

this NY Times review of one of my favorite local musicians captures a lot of what appeals to me:
the Ornette Coleman roots, the Joey Baron-sounding drums, the downtown style, and Ron Miles, a recent discovery for me, plays trumpet.

Sasaki Roshi sexual scandal reported

NY Times coverage

new Berkeley Art Museum under construction

New Berkeley Art Museum to open in 2016 at Center and Oxford

Sycamour Slough String Band

I am also a fan of David Gans' Sycamore Slough String Band, which most of the time plays string band versions of Dead songs.

House of Lies cable tv show

I'm a big fan of House of Lies, a laugh out loud comedy about management consulting and modern business!  If you want high voltage verbal action full of self-mocking managementeze, find it here.  Available on Showtime and Amazon Instant Video...  Now to monetize the meta via concretizing the hierarchy of needs!

Beck does Bowie

Slate adds some deets and shows the vid.  This is especially for sadams.uk and Ray :-)

US youth view government role positively

According to this NY Times article, young US citizens' liberal views encompass more than marriage equality and climate change - reinforces my sense that the R's, particularly their Tea Party wing, are on the wane historically.

"Science cafes" are an interesting idea

A newsdaily story describes these, which are events ala TED or Charlie Rose Brain Series on a small scale with a chance to meet people locally.  h/t to Henry

NPR is streaming the new Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds release

First Listen: Push the Sky Away  I'm checking it out now.

After listening: I really like this and plan to buy it!

high end residence boom in downtown Berkeley

1000 units in downtown planned ( $6400/month rent!!)

Will Ferrell ad

for Thai Steve :-)

Fashion

One of the best satirical ads is a funny find by Slate.  I do have to admit, however, that In Vogue: the Editors Eye on HBO was amazing to me.

Slate on "Where to start with Richard Thompson"

10 best songs to listen to before Electric Audio

Pot calls Kettle black/chess player (me) says "Go, Pot!"

Business Week says Matt "I Am the Grassroots" Kibbe called Rove "Orwellian" for trying to block Tea Party candidates in favor of more electable Republicans.  I am all for Republicans nominating un-electable candidates, or better yet, for a Tea Party separate from the Reeps ;-)

SELECT SONG FROM MUSIC WHERE COOLNESS > 1

from the beets changelog for the upcoming release:

New Smart Playlist Plugin: generate and maintain m3u playlist files based on beets queries

Linux chrome flash broken by new release + workaround

http://code.google.com/p/chromium/issues/detail?id=173790

Did Obama undo the packing done by Bush?

Among other schemes to staff the government with extremists, the Bush administration hired many Regent University graduates.  I'd like to know if these people are still working in these positions.