June 13, 2018
We have always been at war for Net Neutrality
In 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted historic Internet rules (CNN Money), when the Democratic-led commission approved 3-to-2, split along party lines, to assert extra government authority over the Internet and permitted enforcement of net neutrality rules that would prevent Internet providers—including cellular carriers—from blocking or throttling traffic or giving priority to Web services in exchange for payment (Ars Technica). That came to an end on Monday, June 11, 2018 (CNN Money), following another FCC vote, split on party lines again (CNN Money), but breaking for the GOP. The FCC's Net Neutrality rules are dead, but the fight isn't (Wired). [more inside]
On Amazon’s Time
Gizmodo reports on Amazon's "Voluntary" Time Off (VTO) scheme, whereby workers are encouraged, incentivized, or even forced to work fewer hours in order to improve the efficiency of their distribution centers. [more inside]
Stupid cat drawings on a daily basis
Cats come in all shapes and forms. Even liquid. Documenting them all, an Instagram account called DailyPurrr is creating "stupid cat drawings on a daily basis." The portraits they share are purrrfect combinations of simplicity and humor, and even you'll be able to replicate them!
"We do not feel he disappeared voluntarily"
Before he mysteriously disappeared and landed on the Air Force Most Wanted list, Capt. William Howard Hughes Jr. phoned home to tell his mother and father that he was going to the Netherlands.
Balloonfest
A lesson in foresight: Balloonfest—about the Doomed Cleveland Balloonfest of 1986. Release 1.5 Million Helium Balloons at the same time? To raise funds for charity, to raise Cleveland's civic pride, and get the city into the Guinness Book of World Records? That's a Great Idea! What could possibly go wrong? This post features old-school local news footage, murmurations of balloons, the mysteries of atmospheric science in 1986, maritime tragedies, and Cleveland. \\ Happy footage. "Let the Bad Memories Fade Away." \\ [via The Atlantic and Jessamyn]
There's now a trillion dollars of uninvested capital in PE and VC firms
This Pitchbook report talks through this insane moment in private equity and venture capital. Some of the origins, some ongoing trends, and some potential effects it'll have on tech investing and our economy. Dizzying but interesting read.
Three headed giants with the heads of TSR founders... and S & M
An oral history of B3: Palace of the Silver Princess, the racy module that almost sunk Dungeons and Dragons. Some more details. A review.
You wanna leave a legacy? Get in the way, any way you can.
Cameron Esposito has a new stand-up special about sexual assault from a survivor’s perspective available to stream for free on her site. Proceeds from donations benefit RAINN, the United States’ largest anti-sexual violence organization. (CW: sexual assault) [more inside]
not dead enough
R.I.P., Liberal Contrarianism, Michael Bérubé
To Be Poor and Ignored During Ramadan
Dearborn, Mich., is the capital of Muslim America, and it is never more vibrant than during the holy month of Ramadan, which comes to an end this week. Authentic Yemeni cafes are packed with customers into the early-morning hours, colorful rows of desserts are displayed in Lebanese and Palestinian sweet shops, and the tables at private iftars — the traditional dinners where Muslims end their daily fast — overflow each evening with an abundance of food. [more inside]
Italian Auto Racing Posters early 20th C.
Lucio Venna was a Futurist movement artist. In 1920 he moved to Florence, left Futurism and painting behind, and became a commercial artist. This is a selection of his racing posters. [more inside]
Canada's first LGBTQ2 Heritage Minute honours Jim Egan
Falling in love in 1948 ... and still not recognized as a couple five decades later [YT]. Jim Egan, the pioneering gay rights activist, and his partner Jack Nesbit are recognized in the first LGBTQ2 Heritage Minute. [more inside]
Blood
OH SHIT A GHOST
Things sure catch on fire a lot in these films
They Might Be Giants' classic medley Fingertips, as told by clips from Star Wars: The Force Awakens (contains spoilers) [more inside]
The Rent Is Too Damn High
ProPublica’s roundup on rent and housing issues in NYC: THE RENT RACKET covers issues from tax breaks to loopholes to developers funding candidates to the history of why rents are so high. - Since 1993, NYC has lost 152,000 regulated units after landlords increased rent. (6Sqft) - ”Rent control is one of most effective ways to protect working-class tenants from being priced out of their homes and neighborhoods. Because it stands in the way of investors making money, however, it is under attack.” New Yorkers Need Universal Rent Control Now. (The Indypendant) Previously: Brokelyn
Unfortunately, nothing about Robert Frost
Yesterday at E3, the cast of Lucasarts' 1998 adventure game Grim Fandango reprised their roles in a reading of much of the game's script (SLYT, skips to 8:15:22 in the video).
Presenting Tim Burton's Jurassic Park
What would the last four decades look like if George Lucas had never made Star Wars at all? The release of Solo: A Star Wars Story just five months after that of The Last Jedi makes it clear that Star Wars has never been more ubiquitous than it is now; in fact, if Solo’s box office is any indication, audiences might actually be going a little sour on Disney’s attempts to turn the property from a touchstone of childhood and nostalgia into a never-ending modern-day cinematic universe like Marvel and its imitators.
Considering that tension, it makes sense to wonder: What would the last four decades look like if George Lucas had never made Star Wars at all?
Constantly hoping for another dose of gorgeously disquieting sounds
Music critic and composer Justin Davidson reflects on how the new music scene in New York has changed over the past decades - from inscrutable academic music to a thriving and diverse community of composers - along with his own life and career as a composer and critic. On 10 Years of the New New-Music Scene, and 30 Years of My Own
Slip Coaches: Passenger Train Cars Detached at Speed
For 100 years, express trains on British railways would sometimes drop passengers off at local stations without stopping, by detaching rear cars at speed while passing the station. Operation of these "slip coaches" (also called "slip carriages") required quite a bit of technical maneuvering, as Thomas and Friends could tell you. Slip coaches had their final day in 1960--and we have video from the voyage!
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