The 16 Greatest Moments in Web History and The 13 Most Embarrassing Moments in Web History
Things I learned from these articles include:
- The "Yahoo" name is an acronym for "Yet Another Hierarchical Officious Oracle".
- The first item sold on eBay was a broken laser pointer that went for $14.83. Broken.
- Oddpost was the webmail company that springboarded people's use of AJAX and Ruby on Rails to give an application-like feel in a browser.
- Amazon's first headquarters was a garage in Washington with 3 SPARC workstations and a bell that would ring with every sale.
- CNN has pre-prepared obituaries of many public figures ready to go for its website - in 2001 it was discovered that these were publicly accessible.
- A Florida cop blew off his own toe at a gun safety demonstration at an elementary school in 2004, after saying "I'm the only one in the room that I know of that's professional enough to carry a Glock .40."
Children detach from the natural world as they explore the virtual one
Outdoor activity for children is decreasing greatly. Some theories and possible explanations for this include:
- video games, television, internet, cell phones (6.5 hrs/day on electronic media for kids 8-18)
- more pressure on kids in this day and age academically - "5 times as much" homework as there was 30 years ago
- wilderness not taught in school (kids think of it as "a big open space with nothing to do")
The story reminds me of the many Calvin and Hobbes comics about playing outside and how that seemed to strike a chord with a lot of people from my generation. I'm also reminded of my coworker who told me that his parents allowed him and his siblings 1 hr of TV/video game time per day when he was growing up.
I'd want my kids to get out of the house and play... sports, exploring, parks, etc. It seems that with the growing tech-savviness of the current generations, that may get progressively harder and harder as youth communities become more and more found online.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Underdog story
The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. - Proverbs 15:4
You've got remarkable, world-class talent hidden inside. You've even paid your own way to take lessons from the world masters, and they thought you weren't bad. But years of people bullying you when you were younger, and an unfortunately timed accident a few years ago derailed your dreams of doing what you thought you were created to do... and now you're stuck selling cell phones while wrestling to muster up the confidence to give your dream one more shot.
Then you see an opportunity - an open audition for your country's popular televised talent show. You're scared witless... but something compels you to pay the registration fee and show up to your audition in front of 2000 people, a national audience, a worldwide internet audience, and 3 of the most well-known talent scouts in the world.
This is the story of Paul Potts.
As the winner of this year's "Britain's Got Talent" competition, I think this exemplifies the Biblical principle of how an encouraging word can give someone the confidence to proceed (the judge's feedback), contrasted against how discouraging words can crush (the bullying from earlier in life). Watching the first video, you can clearly tell that the judges have low expectations of Paul - I'm guessing Simon was having William Hung flashbacks. What I love though, is how over the course of the performance, you see their faces change from "critic mode" to stunned to just simply enjoying the moment. Moments like that in life are few and far between.
Makes me wonder... how many great talents have been squelched because of people who belittled them, such as parents or others? And who are the people in my life that I can help blossom through an encouraging word or two?
I'll admit, I think of myself as a crusty old fart, but this story made me well up... once. Watch it... it can put a little spring in your step for a while.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Links
Left-brained or right-brained?
This study has been making the rounds on the internets. For me, I've seen the girl go around clockwise exactly twice in the last two days; every other time has been counter-clockwise.
LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses logic
detail oriented
facts rule
words and language
present and past
math and science
can comprehend
knowing
acknowledges
order/pattern perception
knows object name
reality based
forms strategies
practical
safe
RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses feeling
"big picture" oriented
imagination rules
symbols and images
present and future
philosophy & religion
can "get it" (i.e. meaning)
believes
appreciates
spatial perception
knows object function
fantasy based
presents possibilities
impetuous
risk taking
Late-night comedy shows presume guilt rather than innocence
This interesting editorial is written by a former writer for Jay Leno, who basically had a crisis of conscience upon leaving the show, realizing the impact that the jokes he was writing was making - specifically, how every arrest, every crime that was made fun of, assumed guilt on the part of the suspected parties rather than innocence.
The writer makes a good point in that the way we intake media will often dictate what we believe... heck, I've gotten a lot of pop culture knowledge (plot points from the Godfather trilogy, or the Shining, for example) from "Simpsons" spoofs; I shudder to think what people will believe about more important things when it's being spouted by the supposed heroes of late night entertainment.
Churches making a real impact in the community
One of my favorite bloggers, Shaun Groves, has a real heart for seeing God work within the community, the poor, and for social justice. Here he describes a joint program by the churches in a city called St. Joseph's that paints a wonderful picture of one type of impact Jesus intended for the church:
Life-size X-wing
Oh my... there are greater Star Wars nerds out there than me. They built a 1/2-scale X-wing out of wood and attached rockets to it to determine whether it was aerodynamic. Witness the results here... and then one guy's take on what really happened here.
This study has been making the rounds on the internets. For me, I've seen the girl go around clockwise exactly twice in the last two days; every other time has been counter-clockwise.
LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses logic
detail oriented
facts rule
words and language
present and past
math and science
can comprehend
knowing
acknowledges
order/pattern perception
knows object name
reality based
forms strategies
practical
safe
RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses feeling
"big picture" oriented
imagination rules
symbols and images
present and future
philosophy & religion
can "get it" (i.e. meaning)
believes
appreciates
spatial perception
knows object function
fantasy based
presents possibilities
impetuous
risk taking
Late-night comedy shows presume guilt rather than innocence
This interesting editorial is written by a former writer for Jay Leno, who basically had a crisis of conscience upon leaving the show, realizing the impact that the jokes he was writing was making - specifically, how every arrest, every crime that was made fun of, assumed guilt on the part of the suspected parties rather than innocence.
According to some recent studies, many Americans between 18 and 29 get some of their information about presidential elections from late-night shows. So isn't it a fair assumption that the shows can also influence the hearts and minds of Americans in other matters?
...
Much like a hangman, a "Tonight Show" writer must recognize that as a well-paid jury-pool-tainter, your charge is to not question guilt. You're paid for performing a task, period. The job description doesn't allow asking if the targets deserve the ribbing. Not until I left the payroll did I begin to feel otherwise.
There were a few exceptions, the most notable of which involved Jewell, the former security guard who recently died. Early on, I suspected that he hadn't planted any bomb at a concert at the park during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Officials released a recorded phone threat from the person they believed culpable, and it didn't sound like Jewell. In TV interviews before being linked to the bombing, in which one person was killed and more than 100 injured, Jewell came across as an earnest man enjoying the attention.
I told Leno of my concerns, but the jokes about "Doofus Dick" Jewell continued unabated. It was an unprecedented nightly bashing of a non-public figure, and it was unfair and excessive. The FBI eventually cleared Jewell and praised him as a hero for quickly evacuating people near the bomb.
The writer makes a good point in that the way we intake media will often dictate what we believe... heck, I've gotten a lot of pop culture knowledge (plot points from the Godfather trilogy, or the Shining, for example) from "Simpsons" spoofs; I shudder to think what people will believe about more important things when it's being spouted by the supposed heroes of late night entertainment.
Churches making a real impact in the community
One of my favorite bloggers, Shaun Groves, has a real heart for seeing God work within the community, the poor, and for social justice. Here he describes a joint program by the churches in a city called St. Joseph's that paints a wonderful picture of one type of impact Jesus intended for the church:
The more than twenty churches involved, worked together, canceled their church services this past weekend and met across the city to worship God by serving their neighbors. They painted, fed, swept, organized, built and much more - worshiping with their work.
Then also took up an offering and gave it to organizations in their community that are doing God’s will on earth as it’s done in heaven - organizations like a crisis pregnancy center. The large check the center received will go toward training staff to use a sonogram machine, because 90% of mothers who see her their child on that little screen will not abort them. That’s doing something about abortion, not just voting against it.
I’m hopeful that St.Joseph woke up this morning, the weekend behind them, and kept the service going in their neighborhood, schools and offices. I’m hopeful that T.V.s will be turned off and neighbors will be met, empty church space will be converted into clinics and food pantries and job training facilities, and every boss and employee will see opportunities to repair what’s broken around them everyday.
This should give every critic of the American Church hope. This kind of thing happens. It’s rare but it happens. And when it does it’s inspiring.
Life-size X-wing
Oh my... there are greater Star Wars nerds out there than me. They built a 1/2-scale X-wing out of wood and attached rockets to it to determine whether it was aerodynamic. Witness the results here... and then one guy's take on what really happened here.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Common People-ization of Video Games
My generation was one of the first to grow up with video games as part of day-to-day life. For the most part it was the domain of guys, who seemed more likely to pick up on the hand-eye coordination required to shoot, punch, kick, jump, and combinations thereof, on hand-held controllers with a directional pad and a few buttons. However, games like Mario, Tetris, etc. were still simple and fun enough for girls and non-gamer guys to pick up and have fun with.
As time passed, consoles got more powerful and the gaming trend became more and more complex. The original 8-bit Nintendo had 2 buttons and a directional pad - today's XBox360 or PS3 controller has 10 buttons and 2 joysticks. Many games have so much research put into them that they can effectively mimic real life - witness the vast amounts of football playbook knowledge that most Madden players now are able to apply to watching games in real life. Heck, several younger NFL players have said that they were able to get the hang of their own teams' and other teams' defenses through the video game - it's that accurate.
Now there seems to be a parallel trend developing for "common people" games - aimed at casual gamers. This hit me this past Saturday as a bunch of friends came over to celebrate Hanlin's birthday. In one room, people jammed to Guitar Hero 2, while the other had an intense atmosphere as everyone shouted instructions to people holding Wii controllers and pointing at various objects in a Brain Age game. I've had the Guitar Hero music for "Carry On Wayward Son" by Kansas stuck in my head the last two days.
While puzzle games have always been a staple in social video gaming, seems like the success of DDR helped break a wall to wean people off of the thinking that video games could only be played on complex controllers with high learning curves.
Where will gaming go from here? I wouldn't be surprised to see more games and companies go away from traditional controllers for their games, a la the Wii. There's a lot of money to be had in making peripherals - the Guitar Hero guitars are $50 each. The upcoming Rock Band game, with two guitars, drum set, and microphone will cost upwards of $200 including the game. For that matter, I think there's some utility in using video games to teach - plugging in a real guitar into the game to learn how to play, for example. The electronic medium appeals to the younger generation, might as well leverage it (a la DDR showing up in PE programs around the nation to help combat childhood obesity).
There's still something to be said for the well-made, challenging, button-combo-heavy game though. Recently Chris and I have been making our way through Rainbow Six Vegas... highly recommended for anyone (mostly guys) who grew up romanticizing Special Forces soldiers.
As time passed, consoles got more powerful and the gaming trend became more and more complex. The original 8-bit Nintendo had 2 buttons and a directional pad - today's XBox360 or PS3 controller has 10 buttons and 2 joysticks. Many games have so much research put into them that they can effectively mimic real life - witness the vast amounts of football playbook knowledge that most Madden players now are able to apply to watching games in real life. Heck, several younger NFL players have said that they were able to get the hang of their own teams' and other teams' defenses through the video game - it's that accurate.
Now there seems to be a parallel trend developing for "common people" games - aimed at casual gamers. This hit me this past Saturday as a bunch of friends came over to celebrate Hanlin's birthday. In one room, people jammed to Guitar Hero 2, while the other had an intense atmosphere as everyone shouted instructions to people holding Wii controllers and pointing at various objects in a Brain Age game. I've had the Guitar Hero music for "Carry On Wayward Son" by Kansas stuck in my head the last two days.
While puzzle games have always been a staple in social video gaming, seems like the success of DDR helped break a wall to wean people off of the thinking that video games could only be played on complex controllers with high learning curves.
Where will gaming go from here? I wouldn't be surprised to see more games and companies go away from traditional controllers for their games, a la the Wii. There's a lot of money to be had in making peripherals - the Guitar Hero guitars are $50 each. The upcoming Rock Band game, with two guitars, drum set, and microphone will cost upwards of $200 including the game. For that matter, I think there's some utility in using video games to teach - plugging in a real guitar into the game to learn how to play, for example. The electronic medium appeals to the younger generation, might as well leverage it (a la DDR showing up in PE programs around the nation to help combat childhood obesity).
There's still something to be said for the well-made, challenging, button-combo-heavy game though. Recently Chris and I have been making our way through Rainbow Six Vegas... highly recommended for anyone (mostly guys) who grew up romanticizing Special Forces soldiers.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Ever wanted to have blood coming out of your ears and eyes?
Watch this video.
It's one of those that gets better with every viewing.
It's one of those that gets better with every viewing.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Friday, October 05, 2007
New digs
My first job had the most unusual working environment - being a small, 30 person company, the engineers inhabited a big wide open space without cubes. We just had tables arrayed in a square around the edges of the room, with the assorted video, ethernet, and power cables clumped in a haphazard manner in the middle. This was a fun environment that facilitated a lot of teamwork, since we could just yell questions across the room. Two of my coworkers set up a projector in the corner that would continually play movies or music videos throughout the day.
My next few jobs had more conventional cube setups. In addition, I guess getting older has made me more inclined towards privacy at the workplace, being able to be focused without getting interrupted every few minutes.
This past week, we moved into a newly renovated building as the guinea pigs for a new furniture and cube supplier for the company. The work environment is quite nice - the furniture being designed with the focus of mobility and flexibility (read: wheels on everything so you can move chairs and tables into whatever configuration you want). The bathrooms are sparkling clean, with waterless urinals and motion-sensor faucets and soap foam dispensers. The cubes can be smaller now that heavy-duty tables are no longer needed, as big, heavy cathode-ray tube monitors aren't really in favor anymore. The trays and shelves are modular and can be hooked up to where I want them to be. But perhaps the most interesting aspect of the cube is - we have a door! There's a sliding door that we can slide shut to get some privacy in order to focus, and open up when we want to have the regular interaction with the outside world. It's like a mini-office, with the exception that you can still hear what's going on with your neighbors.
Check out some pics:
Inside of the cube - notice the rolling file cabinet with a padded top that doubles as an extra chair
From the inside of the cube looking at the closed door
My cube's next to the window with this nice hangout area
My next few jobs had more conventional cube setups. In addition, I guess getting older has made me more inclined towards privacy at the workplace, being able to be focused without getting interrupted every few minutes.
This past week, we moved into a newly renovated building as the guinea pigs for a new furniture and cube supplier for the company. The work environment is quite nice - the furniture being designed with the focus of mobility and flexibility (read: wheels on everything so you can move chairs and tables into whatever configuration you want). The bathrooms are sparkling clean, with waterless urinals and motion-sensor faucets and soap foam dispensers. The cubes can be smaller now that heavy-duty tables are no longer needed, as big, heavy cathode-ray tube monitors aren't really in favor anymore. The trays and shelves are modular and can be hooked up to where I want them to be. But perhaps the most interesting aspect of the cube is - we have a door! There's a sliding door that we can slide shut to get some privacy in order to focus, and open up when we want to have the regular interaction with the outside world. It's like a mini-office, with the exception that you can still hear what's going on with your neighbors.
Check out some pics:
Inside of the cube - notice the rolling file cabinet with a padded top that doubles as an extra chair
From the inside of the cube looking at the closed door
My cube's next to the window with this nice hangout area
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Rhythm and basketball
I'm a big fan of layered drum beats and rhythms. I'm also a basketball diehard. So just for fun, here's a couple of videos that combine the two:
Nike's groundbreaking TV commercial that had everyone talking
An extended version of the commercial above
"Stomp Out Loud"
The layered mix of rhythm, with different people "playing" different beats, reminds me of this innovative Beck video from SNL:
Nike's groundbreaking TV commercial that had everyone talking
An extended version of the commercial above
"Stomp Out Loud"
The layered mix of rhythm, with different people "playing" different beats, reminds me of this innovative Beck video from SNL:
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
The end of summer
The weather is getting cooler, the sun is setting earlier, the NFL is in week 4, and NBA training camps have begun. That can mean only one thing... the long lazy days of summer are drawing to a close, giving way to the brisk activity of fall.
Since 24 and Lost aren't coming back until February (late winter/early spring), that means that my entertainment time is mostly being taken up with fantasy football, getting ready for the beginning of the NBA season, and occasional episodes of Top Chef (Bravo, which is finishing up this week) and Human Weapon (History Channel). Tivo also enables us to record old Simpsons episodes again... the "24 Minutes" spoof of "24" was a hoot.
Also, having inherited Guitar Hero 2 last week from my bro, Shally and I have gotten into trading off riffs. Talking to a friend from work, it sounds like the better technique to develop is to use the index for both the green and red buttons (first 2) in order to prepare for the fingering on hard. I'm now working on the first few songs on hard mode. Once the second guitar I ordered comes in this week (thanks to Hanlin for the gift certificate to purchase it) we'll be able to do bass and guitar parts.
On to fantasy sports... after a thrilling, personal best 170-158 win in week 3 against the league favorite, my team bombed this week with only 55 points and 0 from Westbrook. McNabb is killing me. On the hoops front, after doing fantasy basketball for several years, I'll be taking a break this year... since I follow it so closely anyway, might as well free up some of the mental energy needed for the two leagues I'm usually commissioner for.
On the Warriors... it's weird having an overall sense of enthusiasm about the upcoming season. A year ago, the hopelessness of having Dunleavy and Murphy still overshadowed Nellie's return. Now, just about every bad contract has been shed from the roster (JRich, while a fan favorite, was never one of mine due to a lack of well-roundedness) and there's a good mix of veterans and young talent. Sure, injuries and lack of size are still a concern, but how great is it that everyone on the time actually likes each other?
Since 24 and Lost aren't coming back until February (late winter/early spring), that means that my entertainment time is mostly being taken up with fantasy football, getting ready for the beginning of the NBA season, and occasional episodes of Top Chef (Bravo, which is finishing up this week) and Human Weapon (History Channel). Tivo also enables us to record old Simpsons episodes again... the "24 Minutes" spoof of "24" was a hoot.
Also, having inherited Guitar Hero 2 last week from my bro, Shally and I have gotten into trading off riffs. Talking to a friend from work, it sounds like the better technique to develop is to use the index for both the green and red buttons (first 2) in order to prepare for the fingering on hard. I'm now working on the first few songs on hard mode. Once the second guitar I ordered comes in this week (thanks to Hanlin for the gift certificate to purchase it) we'll be able to do bass and guitar parts.
On to fantasy sports... after a thrilling, personal best 170-158 win in week 3 against the league favorite, my team bombed this week with only 55 points and 0 from Westbrook. McNabb is killing me. On the hoops front, after doing fantasy basketball for several years, I'll be taking a break this year... since I follow it so closely anyway, might as well free up some of the mental energy needed for the two leagues I'm usually commissioner for.
On the Warriors... it's weird having an overall sense of enthusiasm about the upcoming season. A year ago, the hopelessness of having Dunleavy and Murphy still overshadowed Nellie's return. Now, just about every bad contract has been shed from the roster (JRich, while a fan favorite, was never one of mine due to a lack of well-roundedness) and there's a good mix of veterans and young talent. Sure, injuries and lack of size are still a concern, but how great is it that everyone on the time actually likes each other?
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