If you’ve come to think of those who espouse an opposing political view as a bunch of unreconstructed Neanderthals, perhaps you’re on to something.
#66: Here We Go Again: How to Tell a Bubble When You See One
The symptoms of an investment bubble are as obvious as the disease. Heaven forbid we should ever wise up.
#65: Measuring in the New Year
Despite our inexorable march into a digital future, one hardy (and very analog) survivor soldiers on — ten yards at a time.
Standards of Political Civility and Darwin’s Finches
Heaven help us all in these United States. It’s election time again.
How Now, Gold Bug?
To William Jennings Bryan, the gold standard was a cross upon which the monied classes would crucify the working man. But in times of economic turmoil, some yearn for a return to a standard you can see, touch, and even hide under your mattress. Really, though, it’s just another case of “turtles all the way down.”
The New Yorker Story (J.D. Salinger, R.I.P)
Once upon a time, a roustabout named Harold Ross created a magic magazine that managed to define sophistication while remaining accessible to everyone. When he died, his successor and authors like J.D. Salinger set out to redefine what sophistication in fiction was (supposed to be) all about, and a new type of story was born. Pity, that.
Jazz, Jazz Standards, and Open Source
What exactly did software programmers do before there was software to program? The similarity of open source software to jazz provides a clue.
The Constantine Code and the Missing Standard!
Dan Brown is renowned for spinning tales that weave together ancient events and contemporary intrigue with potentially dire modern effects. I guess he does OK, considering what he has to work with. But next time, he should look into standards (what the hell?)
Digitization and the (Vanishing) Arts of the Book
Throughout the ages, monks, artists and graphic designers have lovingly illuminated and designed published works of all kinds. With electronic books finally taking hold, will the arts of the book be abandoned forever, or will a new generation of artists be allowed the bandwidth needed to enrich our future reading experience?
Googling to Newspaper Solvency
Major newspapers and wire services have recently begun talking tough about cracking down on on-line aggregators that reproduce news extracts and then link back to the full text. Are the news organizations biting the hands that could save them?