I had a post on web politics all fired up and ready to go (ahem), but I’d be remiss if I didn’t use this space, today, to direct your attention elsewhere.
I hope you have sunshine on Earth Day 2008…I’m stuck in rain and fog, but I’m counting on Spring arriving soon. Happy Earth Day.
UPDATE: Is anyone else a little disappointed in the Google Earth Day logo [no longer the logo, but will be posted here soon]? Doesn’t seem as cool as their past efforts.
Image used under a Creative Commons license courtesy of Flickr user inel.
I haven’t spent a significant amount of time on Second Life. It’s a cool idea and I think will be more interesting and important down the road, but right now… well, just a little too funky. I wrote before about U.S. intelligence agencies increasing their presence in virtual worlds like Second Life. So too, it appears, are political campaigns (though for the moment, unofficially).
Indeed, an interesting article in Friday’s Wall Street Journal described how grassroots-organized campaign events in Second Life for the two remaining Democratic contenders are being sabotaged by virtual operatives from rival camps.
It’s not particularly surprising, especially in the largely consequence-free virtual universe, that speeches and marches put on by volunteers would be disrupted by protests. There’s no fear of public embarassment or legal action: Second Life is, after all, more or less a game. Protestors can carry signs, wear custom t-shirts and hats, and even break into unofficial campaign headquarters in order to litter them with opposition propaganda. But I would never have guessed that speakers at virtual grassroots campaign rallies would also draw, well… sniper fire?
Another week closer to Spring…or so we hope. This week’s links are very heavy on environmental stories. I apologize for the one-dimensionality, but Jarred has some Web 2.0 stuff planned for this week to even things out a bit. Links:
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. offers three major environmental policies for the next president: a carbon cap-and-trade system (wisely endorsed by Senators Obama, Clinton, and McCain); smart grids and modernizing energy delivery infrastructure; and drastic improvements in energy efficiency for buildings and machines. Sounds like a start [Hat Tip: Grist].
Treehugger features stories on space debris (click through to see the image…pretty unbelievable) and the “Pacific trash vortex“–an area twice the size of Texas in the middle of the Pacific Ocean that’s entirely covered in garbage (more here). Further proof of the attitude that out of sight is out of mind…until our children grow up, anyway.
The latest version of Google Earth includes a feature that shows users when a satellite image was taken; this is enormously important for conservation efforts aimed at tracking land and water conditions over time. Also helpful for spies.
If I managed to freak you out with my post on the need to specialize in your career, Monica (of Twenty Set) follows her original post with helpful tips to take inventory of your current job in terms of skill focus. One sign that your current job is too unfocused:
You could train a recent college graduate to do your job well in a few days or less – This demonstrates you do not need any experience or knowledge learned over time to complete your tasks, which implies busy work or menial duties.
The New Yorker featured a really fascinating article on something I rarely give a second thought: elevators. The story includes an account of the horrific experience of a guy trapped in an elevator for 41 hours. The time-lapse video of his ordeal makes me think I’ll be taking the stairs for a few weeks.
I keep procrastinating on a green architecture post; in the meantime, this is one of the coolest green building concepts I’ve seen recently: urban skyscraper farming, courtesy of the Dwell Magazine blog. Check out this design, and follow the link for details:
I’m giving Jarred this raw meat themed iPod case for his birthday, just to send Ashish (and Steve Jobs, for that matter) over the edge. Fortunately for you, Ashish, it’s way too expensive for a gag gift.
Though doubtless a post or three will be based on articles from it, I wanted to mention that this week’s New York Times Magazine is “The Green Issue,” featuring seven ways you can live a greener life. Looks to be good stuff, check it out. – J
This survey–from a British marketing firm–determines your “internet age.” Surmising that the web is roughly 16 years old, it’s a 0-16 scale. According to the survey, I’m 11 in internet years. I’m happy to report that internet 5th grade is awesome, though only slightly less awkward than the real thing.
But the survey is largely a waste of time, and will tell you what you already know: you use the web for many things, and you’ve done so for at least a few years. You are, after all, reading a blog (congrats and thank you). So, instead, let me try a different set of questions. If you want (and you ask nicely) I will arbitrarily assign an “internet age” to each of you based on your comments. It’ll be much more fun this way, trust me.
Have you ever used a search engine, social networking site, or other online resource to find information about someone you have not met, only to draw conclusions (based on the information you encounter) that proved to be wildly off-base
Have you changed your online behavior in the past year in order to protect your real world reputation? How?
Search for your name on Google or another search engine (if your name is…I don’t know, Eric Smith or something…this might not be fruitful):
What’s the funniest entry that appears; one that has nothing to do with you?
What’s the most embarrassing item from your past that appears?
Of the links to your name, is there anything you’re particularly proud of?
So, let’s hear your answers. My answers after the break…
I had a post on web politics all fired up and ready to go (ahem), but I’d be remiss if I didn’t use this space, today, to direct your attention elsewhere.
This survey
Subscribe by feed
Subscribe by email
Follow on Facebook
