iMakeContentNews, analysis and stuff from a screen in London(Untitled)- November 29, 2002 Bye Buy: And they're off. In the US, the day after Thanksgiving traditionally marks the start of the Christmas shopping season. This year, to avoid a double-dip recession, consumers have been told to spend, spend, spend. It's nothing less than their patriotic duty. Like lemmings with credit cards, let's say a quick prayer before throwing ourselves down those aisles. Not me. Today is also Buy Nothing Day. Tomorrow is Buy Nothing Day in the UK. Bah humbug Only in the minds of the most...http://www.scribble.clara.net/2002/11/29.html#a815 (Untitled)- November 28, 2002 Virtually you: A thinking sim's chance to live life or death again.http://www.scribble.clara.net/2002/11/28.html#a813 (Untitled)- November 27, 2002 American idol: The new US foreign aid fund, the Millennium Challenge Account, is, in what passes for reality, just the latest in the rash of 'reality talent' shows spreading across the mainstream media.The NY Times says Millennium Challenge, previewed in detail for the first time on Monday, is part of an effort by the US government to 'get the rest of the world to follow Mr. Bush's own philosophy'. For 'philosophy', of course, read the automated TV profiling provided by the...http://www.scribble.clara.net/2002/11/27.html#a812 (Untitled)- November 26, 2002 Belushi, Hegel and you: It's sharing ideas that leads to innovation. The Romantic idea of the artist as a lonely genius It's more like Newton and Oasis and the rest of us jostling for position on the shoulders of giants. According to Malcolm 'Tipping Point' Gladwell, innovation happens when people egg each other on. Group social interaction results in radical ideas. He looks at how Fichte, Schelling and Hegel, how Darwin, Watt and Priestley, how TV comedians Saturday Night Live got...http://www.scribble.clara.net/2002/11/26.html#a811 (Untitled)- November 25, 2002 Rip, burn and desist: Develop an existing idea so that it becomes something new and you'll be applauded for your creativity and genius. Unless you're hit with a cease-and-desist letter first. The images and sounds in Illegal Art, currently at New York's 313 Gallery, broke copyright law and so media corporations and their lawyers dragged the artists responsible to the courtroom. Not a familiar cartoon character by Ashley Holt Highlights include: Brian Boyce's State of the...http://www.scribble.clara.net/2002/11/25.html#a809 (Untitled)- November 22, 2002 Trusting Linux: Despite throwing cash around during his tour of India last week, Bill Gates failed to persuade at least one Indian to fall for Windows.Digvijay Singh, chief minister of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, told Gates that he's decided to plump for Linux, Microsoft's open source rival, when considering software for government projects.'For us it is not a question of Microsoft versus Linux. It is just a matter of choosing between a free software and a monopoly. We feel that when we.http://www.scribble.clara.net/2002/11/22.html#a808 (Untitled)- November 21, 2002 Courting trouble: Labour MP Tony McWalter had the nerve to ask the PM yesterday what weight he gives to 'independence of mind' when considering applicants for government appointments. The House of Commons fell about laughing. Last year, McWalter asked after Blair's political philosophy. To similar gales of laughter.Simon Hoggart describes what happens to anyone foolish enough to demonstrate 'independence of mind' around Blair:'They make speeches in the Lords, but no one pays any heed. Quangos...http://www.scribble.clara.net/2002/11/21.html#a807 (Untitled)- November 20, 2002 Shellfish waste: Each Christmas, Norway sends a tree to London as a sign of its gratitude for British help during the Second World War. But for how much longer Norwegian gratitude may about to be eclipsed by exasperation. A Norwegian businessman chained himself to a bridge by Sellafield nuclear plant yesterday. Petter Stordalen, chief executive of Choice Hotels Scandinavia, Norway's largest hotel chain, said he had been forced to take action because Tony Blair wasn't listening to fears about..http://www.scribble.clara.net/2002/11/20.html#a805 (Untitled)- November 19, 2002 Oil stains: A new online book lifts the (petrol) lid on Shell. Jack Doyle, an investigative researcher who's worked for Friends of the Earth, argues in Riding the Dragon that while Shell may brand itself as socially responsible, its behaviour marks it out as one of the biggest environmental violators on the planet.http://www.scribble.clara.net/2002/11/19.html#a804 |