MetaFilter

Are Blogs to Blame? Tom Regan, Associate Editor of the Christian Science monitor wrote an interesting piece referencing the latest findings of the Feb 2005 Harris Poll showing that more and more Americans (64%) *still* think that Saddam Hussein had strong links to Al-Qaida. Tom's piece proposes that too many Americans are getting their "news" from sources -- including blogs -- that are tainted with right-wing opinion. Tom proposes that blogs share a large responsibility for confusing readers and blurring the lines between news and opinion. On this same topic, last week Editorial Cartoonist Ted Rall wrote an Op/Ed piece last week on blogs that primarily talks about the dangers of the right-wing blogger "lynch mob." Does the sphere of right-wing blogs far outweigh the sphere of influence of left-wing blogs? And is this something that is worrisome? Are blogs a danger to further polarizing public opinion? What do you think?
comment posted at 2:05 PM on Mar-4-05

I would post this to metatalk, but can't. Dejah420 in her userpage refers to me as a stalker. Apparently, she received an email from someone and thinks it is me. Her actions stem from this exchange.
comment posted at 12:07 PM on Mar-4-05

Deconstructing the Chicago Skyline - the dismantling of the Sun Times building through time lapse photography. An enterprising team of co-workers (with a previously obstructed view of the city) record (16MB avi) the razing of a Chicago icon, one floor at a time, courtesy of a new Chicago icon.
comment posted at 8:29 AM on Mar-2-05

Irark: an impressive video-mashup combining audio from Rambo and CNN footage of the Iraq war. (via boingboing).
comment posted at 8:14 AM on Mar-2-05

So I finally got around to watching 24, Fox's Golden Globe winning prime-time show. I normally don't go for shows like that, but I'd heard about the controversy surrounding this season's story line. I was pretty damned shocked when the hero decided to spark up some electrodes and torture one of the terrorists to get information out of him. Apparently, this is nothing new for the show. Can anyone think of a precedent for this type of heroic depiction of torture? On a network tv show?
comment posted at 7:14 PM on Feb-28-05

I've lost R2! [inspired by]
comment posted at 8:29 AM on Feb-28-05

Well I'd vote for him. Or maybe not.
comment posted at 8:22 AM on Feb-28-05

The main business of Napanoch, N.Y., is a maximum-security prison, Eastern New York Correctional Facility, also known as Happy Nap... There is, however, a reason that inmates call the prison Happy Nap. Eastern is more relaxed than other maximum-security prisons, or 'maxes,' in upstate New York, with less hostility between staff and prisoners, and as a result fewer U.I.'s, or 'unusual incidents' -- stabbings and the like. It is said that the farther upstate you go, the harsher the prison conditions can be. Among New York's maxes, Eastern has one of the best reputations. It is one of only three maximum-security prisons in the state where you can still get an education -- not just in manual skills, but a proper college education with a degree at the end, thanks to privately financed initiatives. Uncaptive Minds
comment posted at 10:20 PM on Feb-27-05

The Infinite Teen Slang Dictionary
For example, “screef”   ☛ from MonkeyFilter
comment posted at 2:59 PM on Feb-27-05
comment posted at 3:01 PM on Feb-27-05

40000
comment posted at 11:30 AM on Feb-27-05
comment posted at 11:38 AM on Feb-27-05

Unusual technical images of equipment used in World War II - vintage public information illustrations from the pre-computer graphics era.
comment posted at 11:23 AM on Feb-27-05

Governors Work to Improve H.S. Education The nation's governors offered an alarming account of the American high school Saturday, saying only drastic change will keep millions of students from falling short. "We can't keep explaining to our nation's parents or business leaders or college faculties why these kids can't do the work," said Virginia Democratic Gov. Mark Warner, as the state leaders convened for the first National Education Summit aimed at rallying governors around high school reform.
comment posted at 10:07 AM on Feb-27-05

"We're Hunting The Jews" go the chants at the Feyenoord soccer stadium in Rotterdam whenever Ajax is in town. Supporters of Ajax, one of the top Dutch football clubs based in Amsterdam, call themselves "Jews" or "Super Jews" based perhaps on historical Jewish communities. They wave Israeli flags and wear Stars of David in one of the oddest traditions in sport. Of course, the story wouldn't be complete without their opponents chanting "They've forgotten to gas you!" and hissing to mimic the gas chambers. Further complicating matters is the mosque being built overshadowing Feyenoord's stadium. Ajax wants the Jewish symbolism to stop to prevent further embarrassment, but this isn't the only case of "Jewish" clubs in European football, and the reaction they provoke.
comment posted at 5:45 PM on Feb-26-05

Republican Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney - a likely contender for the Presidential Race in 2008 - pulls out the "gay marriage" card in two recent speeches: one in South Carolina; the other in Utah. Forget the fact that Romney seems to be spending most of his tenure as governor traveling outside the state, campaigning and not dealing with the affairs of the State, but he has now flip-flopped on his stance...and now continues the use of "gay marriage" and "civil unions" as a divisive political ploy on a national stage.
comment posted at 5:50 PM on Feb-26-05

Ben's Bargains | The Freebie Resource | Cheap Ass Gamer | FatWallet | SlickDeals | Free After Rebate
comment posted at 7:13 AM on Feb-26-05

The Lyric Theatre, Blacksburg, Virginia, opened in 1930; was closed in 1989 when an eight-screen multiplex opened nearby; and was saved and reopened in the 1996 thanks to community involvement. Take a virtual tour; read about the haunted theatre's ghosts; then play the text adventure.
comment posted at 1:42 PM on Feb-23-05

Kottke.org! Time was that you could get the crap kicked out of you for posting kottke.org to MeFi. Three and a quarter years later, what's changed? Jason's decided to make a living off this blog ... but without running advertising. Good luck, says I.
comment posted at 6:39 PM on Feb-22-05
comment posted at 1:13 PM on Feb-23-05

Words and images from the Belgian Front.
comment posted at 2:53 PM on Feb-21-05

The Annual Chicago Auto Show Protest was, as usual a friendly affair. Some might even consider it holy. Photos abound. Long live the duocycle!
comment posted at 11:23 AM on Feb-21-05

The strongest evidence yet that global warming has been triggered by human activity has emerged from a major study of rising temperatures in the world’s oceans. The present trend of warmer sea temperatures, which have risen by an average of half a degree Celsius (0.9F) over the past 40 years, can be explained only if greenhouse gas emissions are responsible, new research has revealed. The results are so compelling that they should end controversy about the causes of climate change, one of the scientists who led the study said yesterday. "The debate about whether there is a global warming signal now is over, at least for rational people," said Tim Barnett, of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, California. "The models got it right. If a politician stands up and says the uncertainty is too great to believe these models, that is no longer tenable."
Studies confirm global warming underway
comment posted at 11:23 AM on Feb-18-05
comment posted at 6:43 PM on Feb-18-05

Social Security Benefit Cuts Calculator. As President Bush barnstorms the country for Wall Street, you can find out what effects the proposed changes will have on your current benefits.
comment posted at 11:00 AM on Feb-18-05
comment posted at 11:49 AM on Feb-18-05
comment posted at 2:52 PM on Feb-18-05

These people scalp restaurant reservations. Can't find a table this Valentine's Day? If you're in LA, NY or SF, it may be because these people have reserved the seats weeks ago under an assumed name. Which they will sell you for $40. (Via MarhginalRevolution)
comment posted at 5:44 AM on Feb-15-05

CNN Executive Eason Jordan has resigned. He says he is leaving the news network before his comments at the World Economic Forum in Davos "unfairly tarnish" CNN. Sources allege he said at a panel on "Will Democracy Survive the Media?" that American servicemen are intentionally targeting and killing journalists in Iraq. Congressman Barney Frank, who was also on the panel at Davos, was one of the first to criticizes Jordan. Oddly Jordan, who claims his comments are being misunderstood, has resigned before a transcript or video of the event has even surfaced.

While there has been very little coverage of this in the "traditional media," motivated people mobilized quickly across the Internet(s). All of this very similar to the recent controversies with Dan Rather, and "Jeff Gannon."

Both Left & Right, has there been a power-shift in the media to the general citizens of this country? What does this say about the accountability of the media in the future?
comment posted at 10:11 AM on Feb-12-05

Free desktop backgrounds from digital blasphemy... you can pay for access, or just check out the (limited) free gallery here.
comment posted at 4:06 PM on Feb-10-05

Movie to release DVD within FOUR DAYS of theatrical release : This is of interest as a shift in marketing strategy that could be highly significant. Consider the implications.
comment posted at 9:05 AM on Feb-10-05

Superman is a Dick. The worst comic book covers.
comment posted at 2:17 PM on Feb-8-05

For all your sizearching nizeeds.
comment posted at 9:03 AM on Feb-8-05

whoa...
comment posted at 10:05 PM on Feb-7-05

WE WENT TO IRAQ TO GIVE THE IRAQIS THE GIFT OF DEMOCRACY*

*Not valid in Sunni majority provinces. "Democracy" means the right to cast a ballot, not necessarily to know for whom you're voting. Democracy means the right to cast a ballot, not necessarily national sovereignty. Democracy means the right to cast a ballot, not to decide who owns your oil. Not valid with other offers, like voting for Islamic theocracy or a pro-Iranian government. Must retain fourteen permanent U.S. military bases to play. Voting will not restore lost parents or children, and will not remove the horror from your soul. Void where prohibited by Ken Blackwell, the USA Patriot Act, the Bybee Memo, Proconsul John Negroponte or any U.S. Soldier's whim.

Brought to you by sien and muckster.
comment posted at 2:00 PM on Feb-7-05
comment posted at 2:21 PM on Feb-7-05
comment posted at 2:27 PM on Feb-7-05
comment posted at 2:37 PM on Feb-7-05

This is what American fighters are really like. Spare me all the chest thumping they carry on with. The reality is that they stand around thinking they are playing a video game until somebody gets hurt. And then they go home crying like babies.
comment posted at 6:19 AM on Feb-7-05

The Quilts of Gees Bend Amazing quilts from a town in Alabama, these are quilts as abstract art. Women in the town have been making them for years, and now they are featured in an art exhibition. The designs are incredible, as is the history of the women who make them.
comment posted at 12:18 PM on Feb-6-05

Heavyweight champion Max Schmeling, dead at 99. Against his wishes, Schmeling was held up by Hitler as a shining example of Aryan supremacy for years until he became unpopular among the Nazis after losing a rematch against Joe Louis. Due to "the embarrassing loss to the black man," he was not used anymore in Nazi propaganda, which was a relief to him. In truth, Max Schmeling was not just a sportsman, he was a hero.
comment posted at 10:20 AM on Feb-4-05

Jack London was a prolific writer best known for White Fang, The Call of the Wild and The Sea Wolf. However, he also wrote about his experiences as a hobo, a socialist and a journalist. While most biographies portray his life as vibrant and engaged, his legacy and arguable suicide has some troublesome baggage.
comment posted at 6:50 PM on Feb-3-05
comment posted at 7:00 PM on Feb-3-05
comment posted at 7:01 PM on Feb-3-05
comment posted at 7:40 PM on Feb-3-05

The Pond is the history of a secret, independent US intelligence-gathering group which preceded (and outlasted) the OSS. Shuffled from Cabinet to Cabinet to the CIA, it eventually ran aground against the infighting of McCarthy's Red Scare hearings and was no more by 1955.
comment posted at 2:11 PM on Feb-3-05

The clueless reviews the Mac Mini His chief gripes are "The Mini boots up into a stripped-down operating system which Apple calls OS X, similar to the stripped-down WindowsCE OS found on many handhelds." and "No serial ports, no way to connect a printer, no PS/2 ports, no floppy drive, no 5.25" bays." Let the hate mail campaign begin!
comment posted at 11:44 PM on Feb-2-05

Pre-emptive protest: Iranians for peace "No war can contribute to the establishment of liberty and democracy in our country. 'Iranians for Peace' welcomes the opinions of Iranian people around the globe who are in opposition to war."
comment posted at 11:28 PM on Feb-2-05

How to Cut illustrates proper knife techniques for a variety of vegetables. [Via Lifehacker]
comment posted at 3:30 PM on Feb-2-05

Ahhhh Germany 1933 German unemployment surged to 5.04 million, the highest since the 1993 and the dark days surrounding the rise of Adolf Hitler, according to data released on Wednesday by the Federal Labour Office. Ominous sign of things to come?
comment posted at 1:40 PM on Feb-2-05