fall of the media lab

So, if you know me, you probably know that i was pretty much miserable at the Media Lab, for a *lot* of reasons. In fact, my experience in Boston made me a bitter and angry person and brought out some of the worst characteristics in my personality. I would love to just erase those two years from my history, but i’m still struggling with the consequences from the mistakes and anger induced.

While i made my own mistakes there, i have to say that it makes me with glee when many of my woes are validated. I hate to see others in misery, but i do love to remember that i wasn’t the only one who was disturbed by the culture there. Even better, i love when the media reminds me that that place was pretty messed up.

Wired: The Lab That Fell To Earth
Boston Globe: Reinventing the Media Lab

These reminders let me take a deep breath of San Franciscan air and remember why the world is just so much better with sun.

economically challenged

I am constantly amazed at how much i’ve been able to do with very little money. I’ve travelled so much, i attended two obnoxiously expensive universities (with the help of Uncle Sam), i live in San Francisco, i live a pretty swell life. When i want to get into a conference, i usually find a way to be a bit of a gofer and sneak my way in. When i want to travel, plotting often works to make things a reality. It’s been a sweet life – so much privilege.

Now… knock on wood… i need to figure out how to successfully plot my way into Eve’s weekend of Women and Power (asking her is so not the answer…). ::brain scratches::

Anita Borg, visionary computer scientist, dies at 54

Anita Borg was always a woman who inspired me. She was an intense computer scientist who was really interested in making technology more accessible to women. I am sad to learn that she died of brain cancer. May she rest in peace.

sometimes, you need to reset

letter from Eve to Bush

I have to admit that it makes me really really happy that V-Day is providing a voice on the war issue. Certainly, i see the relationship between ending violence against women and girls but i’m regularly amazed at how many members of our audience do not. Given the negative feedback we got on the first time, i was *very* happily pleased when Eve decided to open letter to the President.

berkeley

::bounce::bounce::bounce::

I’m going back to school! Peter Lyman says that i can come play at Berkeley’s SIMS. YIPPEEE!!!!!!

death in iraq

When the US invaded Iraq, officials seemed to think that they would be welcomed with open arms. Needless to say, they haven’t been. This has outraged many and turned our goal of freeing the Iraqis to one of destroying them. People in Iraq are fighting back in the limited ways that they can. Fair? All is fair in war. And besides, we invaded.

To appreciate the intensity of the situation, here’s an article depicting the atrocities of war and how hatred mounts. This only furthers my deep belief that our troops need to come home.

pro-troops != pro-war

Today, i received my first FAIR Media Action Item, asking me to write to the AP and express my anger over their conflation of pro-troops and pro-war issues. I have to say that i’m excited to write these letters, mostly because i feel like i’m back in school writing me 3 paragraph reflection on something that i’ve recently read. I get to try to be articulate and succinct and voice my opinion. And just like in school, no one will ever read anything that i’ve written.

Anyhow, after the whole freeping situation with the Dixie Chicks, i’m glad to be doing my part to voice my opinion against our dictator and the media that supports him. I also think that move-on’s media initiative is *fabulous* and everyone should sign up.

Oh, and if you’re really bored, i’ve included my never to be read email inside.

Continue reading →

email social networks

Apparently, folks at HP are doing work on trying to uncover the distinct social groups within larger social networks by analzying email. They are doing so through simple network visualizations.

[nature article, more focus on communities of practice]

anti-war imagery

While my intellectual curiousity drives me to read quantities of text about issues surrounding the war, i also recognize the power of visual imagery as an effective tool for reflection. Images appeal to my heart more than my mind, but that effect is so necessary in order to stay grounded. For that reason, i really appreciated this simple flash animation (anti-war propaganda).

danah boyd | apophenia

making connections where none previously existed