June 20, 2015
Mycologist and champion sheep breeder
Vrrrrrrm
The Inanimate and the Animate are not separated in this world
The family dog is going to die. From 1999 through 2006 Sony produced Aibo, a robotic dog which while not a true artificial intelligence was artfully crafted to inspire feelings of love and affection in its human owners. Sony stopped producing Aibo in 2006 (previously) but kept up a repair service until last year. Now that parts are getting scarce and Sony isn't fixing them any more, Aibo owners are dealing with new feelings for their robotic pals -- grief and loss.
The City's shiny new toy.
San Francisco City Hall peacocks for its birthday (SLYT) in front of tens of thousands, including the US Conference of Mayors. The projection system will be a permanent donation, complimenting its elaborate LED lighting, used to celebrate holidays, Pride Month, sports victories, etc. The building was completed in time for 1915's Panama Pacific Exposition, and features the 5th largest classical dome in the world, surpassing the US Capitol. A retrofit made it the world's largest base-isolated building, while the grand dome was restored with $500,000 worth of gold foil. The new lighting, combined with the Bay Lights and other projects, have prompted discussion about creating an annual festival of lights.
#Charleston syllabus
Here is a list of selected readings that educators can use to broach conversations in the classroom about the horrendous events that unfolded in Charleston, South Carolina this week. These readings provide valuable information about the history of racial violence in this country and contextualize the history of race relations in South Carolina and the United States in general. They also offer insights on race, racial identities, global white supremacy and black resistance. [more inside]
The Neofascism of Sparks
Back in the 1980s (and well before), many "serious social critics" in the West decried the influence of popular music as "degenerate", promoting sex, violence and even Communism, right? Well, the Commies/Soviets didn't like them much either, as demonstrated by this 1985 list from Komsomol (aka the All-Union Leninist Young Communist League) of 38 Western music acts with their "types of propaganda". [more inside]
A Trans Duet
"I found this song I started working on last year before I started hormones, and I decided to sing a duet with my Pre T self." [more inside]
"I remember serving him and watching his neck as I sat the plate down."
Mr. and Mrs. B. As a young man, writer Alexander Chee served as a waiter in the house of the William F. Buckleys, and recalls the genteel madness of the Upper East Side.
“The dreams are the skeleton of all reality.”
James Salter, a ‘Writer’s Writer’ Short on Sales but Long on Acclaim, Dies at 90 [New York Times]
James Salter, whose intimately detailed novels and short stories kept a small but devoted audience in his thrall for more than half a century, died on Friday in Sag Harbor, N.Y. He was 90. His wife, Kay Eldredge, confirmed his death, saying he had been at a physical therapy session. He lived in Bridgehampton, N.Y. Mr. Salter wrote slowly, exactingly and, by almost every critic’s estimation, beautifully. Michael Dirda once observed in The Washington Post that “he can, when he wants, break your heart with a sentence.”Previously. Previously.
“You can ruin my life when this show is over.”
"He sent me long emails about how I was a tool of the devil. I pictured him with two computer screens open — one for looking up scripture, and another to Mapquest the location of his next bathroom rendezvous.
We were never going to have the cool kind of gay dad."
Why I Answered My Dad's Gay Sex Ad by Aussa Lorens
It's Time To Take The Pressure Off
Duran Duran presents Pressure Off, featuring Janelle Monáe and Nile Rodgers, their first single in four years.
SNUB-TV
SNUB-TV was an alternative music TV show that began life in 1987 as part of Night Flight on the USA Network. It was subsequently picked up by the BBC, and ran for three seasons (1989-91) as part of Janet Street-Porter’s DEF II ‘Youth TV’ strand. A diligent YouTube user has compiled a playlist of 64 SNUB-TV clips, featuring artists such as The Cure, The Sugarcubes, Fugazi, The Cramps, The Stone Roses, Ride, Sonic Youth, The Breeders, Primal Scream, The Butthole Surfers among many others. Marvel at the strange haircuts and peculiar music from this faraway time… [more inside]
Wait for it...
DECOLONIZE OR DIE.
THE MONGREL COALITION AGAINST GRINGPO
THE MONGREL COALITION AGAINST GRINGPO RESPONDS TO THE LINKS BETWEEN CONCEPTUAL ART AND CONCEPTUAL POETRY
THE MONGREL COALITION AGAINST GRINGPO OFFERS EXTENDED THOUGHTS ON THE TATTERED FLAG OF WHITE CONCEPTUALISM
FOR WHOM THE DRONES FLY: A POETICS OF DISSED RESPECTABILITY / THE MONGREL COALITION AGAINST GRINGPO
The Gold Star Awards… A message from The Mongrel Coalition Against Gringpo
THE MONGREL COALITION AGAINST GRINGPO RESPONDS TO THE LINKS BETWEEN CONCEPTUAL ART AND CONCEPTUAL POETRY
THE MONGREL COALITION AGAINST GRINGPO OFFERS EXTENDED THOUGHTS ON THE TATTERED FLAG OF WHITE CONCEPTUALISM
FOR WHOM THE DRONES FLY: A POETICS OF DISSED RESPECTABILITY / THE MONGREL COALITION AGAINST GRINGPO
The Gold Star Awards… A message from The Mongrel Coalition Against Gringpo
L.A. To Nepal
Last one out, get the lights
When you play the World Cup, you win....or you go home.
16 teams remain in the FIFA 2015 Women's World Cup as we enter the knockout stages. Let's review the 16 survivors, how they got there, and how far they might go. [more inside]
Colorado court: Workers can be fired for using pot off-duty
Earlier this week, the Colorado Supreme Court unanimously confirmed that although medical marijuana is legal, employers have the power to fire workers if they fail company-sponsored drug tests. Monday’s ruling is the latest in a series of decisions around the country denying job protection to state-sanctioned medical marijuana users who medicate off-duty.
Enterage.
I saw that he was thirsty.
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