Jan 18 Internet Blackout Displays Democratic Power Of A Web-Enabled Populace

Editorial, The Internets / ,

19 January 2012

 

I took part in a protest of sorts yesterday along with millions of other citizens against some legal measures that, if enacted, would likely severely limit what websites I have access to. This post is not to hash out the arguments for and against. Rather, its meant as a testament to the incredible Power (with a capital P) we may wield when joined together in a common cause.

The internet represents a completely new, non-physical realm. Much of what I do on a daily basis in my work life takes place on the internet in some way shape or form. As someone who builds things that run on the internet, it’s tremendously pleasing to me personally that I am part of an emerging population of individuals that can coalece around an objective and make something happen.

Some Preliminary Results:

Fight for the Future reports about 75,000 websites took part in the protest Wed. Wikipedia says 162 million people viewed the blackout landing page, 8 million U.S. visitors looked up Congressional representatives and 12,000 people posted comments on Wikimedia Foundation’s blog post announcing the blackout.

The Los Angeles Times says Google confirmed that 4.5 million people signed the company’s petition to protest SOPA and PIPA, while 350,000 emails were sent to representatives via SopaStrike.com and AmericanCensorship.org.

Twitter reported over 2.4 million SOPA-related tweets between 12 a.m. and 4 p.m. EST on Jan. 18, with the top five terms being SOPA, Stop SOPA, PIPA, Tell Congress and #factswithoutwikipedia.

According to the White House, a combined 103,785 signed a petition to kill the bill. About 24 U.S. Senators have now come out against the bills, including former co-sponsors Ben Cardin, Marco Rubio and Roy Blunt.

SRC: http://www.forbes.com/sites/shenegotiates/2012/01/19/in-praise-of-wikipedia/

This sort of action makes me wonder what might be possible if this same group of indivdiuals decided to move towards forcing political goals on a larger scale. Whereas our elected representatives often answer to business lobbies, what if we could force an answer to a progressive citizenry?

Or as Jeff Jarvis put it so well:

…we’re all lobbyists now, and that’s just as it should be. This movement didn’t need influence peddlers. It didn’t need political commercials. It didn’t need media. It needed only citizens who give a shit. Democracy.

Bravo Mr. Jarvis. Bravo Internet. Bravo Democracy!

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Koi To The World – Funny Holiday Video From Mad Genius

Me, The Internets / ,

21 December 2011

 

(I make my cameo at the end and get to show off my vocal chords.)

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Why Is Kenya Being Such an International Relations Badass Lately?

Editorial / , , , , ,

5 December 2011

 

Kenya has really been flexing their muscles lately! With more than tacit support from the U.S. and presumably the UK, Kenya launched a cross border invasion to expel Al-Shabab fighters from the lawlessness of southern Somalia. (I find it interesting that the U.S. sent some 150 U.S. Marine advisors to neighboring Uganda only a week or so before operation Linda Nchi began.) Within a couple weeks of the start of the action, Kenya met with the Israelis to discuss financial assistance and cooperation in the anti-Al-Shabab action. These are all significant actions on the part of a government with lots of its own problems.

Last week, I learn that the Kenyan High Court has taken the unusual step to issue an arrest warrant for Sudan’s Bashir. Now this is a generalization, but for much of the post-colonial era, African countries have by and large strayed from messing with the internal affairs of their neighbors.  African political elites tend to not want to cast stones as most have homes of glass. Kenya joining the ICC in issuing warrants for Bashir is a significant action.

The West, I believe, is most likely presenting lots of carrots to the Kenyans. The U.S. in particular is probably attempting to forge long-term ties with what it eyes as the most powerful (economic / military) nation in the region. After Pakistan and Yemen, the horn represents the best base of operations for Al-Queda and the like. Having a foothold / sympathetic partner in the area is important. Additionally, there is no way the U.S. can physically have boots on the ground in Somalia again. Backing the Kenyans and providing air support / drones is probably the best move the U.S. can muster.

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Photo With University of Miami President, Donna Shalala

Me, Sport / , , , , ,

29 November 2011

 

Donna Shalala

The Rubinoffs had our photo taken with University of Miami President, Donna Shalala in front of the All Canes store in Coral Gables, FL.

Go Canes!

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Space Shuttle Cockpit Boggles The Mind

Found / ,

17 November 2011

 

space-shuttle-cockpit

I’ve done some flying in my day. I believe I started my flight career back on my Magnavox Odyssey game system back in the 70′s. As I moved to the 80′s, I can distinctly remember piloting hundreds if not thousands of missions in the Harrier Strike Mission [pic] game on my Mac 128. I continued flying virtually through the years on a variety of simulation programs – WWII bombers, P-51 Mustangs, Cessnas, Jumbo Jets, you name it – i’ve flown it. I’ve landed hundreds of times at MIA, JFK, ATL and other popular airports. And I know I’m probably a complete looser for saying this, but I happen to believe that should the crap hit the fan on a small plane, I’d have the flight savvy to land the thing – all stemming from years of playing flight simulators.

Today I came across a cool 360 virtual tour deal for the Space Shuttle and the number of screens, buttons, and gauges completely overwhelms me. Suffice to say, I’m pretty sure no matter how much training I did on the computer or in a real simulator I would never be able to fly the Space Shuttle.

Explore the Space Shuttle for yourself at http://360vr.com/2011/06/22-discovery-flight-deck-opf_6236/index.html

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Miami Marlins New Logo And Uniforms

Sport / , ,

12 November 2011

 

The newly branded Miami Marlins held a press event last eve to usher in a new era for the franchise. When Major League Baseball granted South Florida the expansion team in 1993, there was a need to have it represent more than the greater Miami area . Consequently, the Marlins became the Florida Marlins much to chagrin of Miami natives like myself (305 – Made in Dade). Now with the move to a new stadium located on the hallowed ground where the Orange Bowl once stood, the leadership felt it was time to give Miami some props and rebrand the team.

Over the years, the Teal, Black and Grey of the Marlins grew on me. Once we got rid of the teal hats and sleeveless teal pinstriped jerseys, I was completely on board. I’m sad in a way to see the logo and brand go away. It earned 2 world series wins after all!

The Logo

Miami Marlins Logo

The Miami Marlins logo retains only a graphical mention of the actual Marlin. Gone is its gaping mouth, scale-like dorsal area, and curled tail. The new keeps the piercing bill however – although now it moves upward and onward and connotes speed and striking ability. The M clearly pulls from South Beach art deco themes – chiseled edifices, architectural outlines. The word mark too screams Miami Beach art deco – which to be honest is really one of Miami’s only lasting cultural icons. A city filled with transients from the world over needs an iconic anchor and its possible that by preserving and indelibly marking Miami with a globally recognized style, the design team behind the new Miami Marlins identity may be on to something.

The Colors

miami-marlins-hex-colors

Gone is the Teal. In is a hot orange (Mandarin Red), yellow accents (Sundance), a deep Gulf Stream inspired blue (Diva Blue), steely grey, and deep deep grey (Licorice) that comes off as black to the eye.

The palette  SCREAMS Miami, Tropical, finesse, and excitement. It doesn’t scream; however, intimidation, power, or champion. I fear it may be too trendy and in time become synonymous with intransience should the franchise fail ultimately.

The Uniforms

miami-marlins-uniform

The Miami Marlins have done away with pinstripes. A clean, white uniform with orange piping will be worn for home games. A solid grey version for away games. An orange jersey, orange cap and white pants with black piping will be worn on special dates and I assume the black jersey with white piping, black hat and white pants with black piping will be predominantly saved for Sunday home games which is my clear favorite of the bunch.

The Cap

miami-marlins-black-cap

I think the new Miami Marlins black cap will have a lot of buyers across the U.S. Not only Marlins fans – the bold M and piercing  bill along with hot colors will make this a top seller.

Conclusion

I consider myself a conservative when it comes to my taste in uniforms. Conservative from a standpoint that I like what I grew up with, not that uniforms only belong in red, royal blue, and green. For instance, I much prefer the old cartoon like Miami Dolphins logo over the mean one used today; I prefer the old Patriots and certainly Tampa Bay’s buccaneer over the modern iterations. And certainly I will miss the Florida Marlins Teal and Black. Despite my prediliction towards old-school team logos, I do like this new and exciting identity for the Miami Marlins.

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Why go on? What’s the point? Does my life have worth? And other questions that arise when I watch videos like this

Me, The Internets /

10 November 2011

 

There are times when I feel industrious and have an urge to add a new skill. I’ll download an Android SDK or some sort of intro Ruby On Rails tutorial with the hopes of getting on board with what seems like countless other people in my industry. Most of the time what happens is within minutes I’m stumped. I see a command like and I throw spaz hands in the air like a little girl at a haunted house.

Then I see kids like the one above. Developing iPhone apps and killing it in the App store. The App Store!

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Cormac McCarthy’s Yelp Reviews

Culture, The Internets / , , ,

9 November 2011

 

I totally love Cormac McCarthy’s books. His abrupt, rich and pithy writing style is a favorite of mine. I was so excited today to learn that he has a collection of Yelp reviews nicely gathered via a tumblr blog.

From his entry for a McDonalds in Reno, NV we’re presented with:

He pulled another cold french fry from the greasestained Happy Meal box. He ate it slowly. The sun rising behind him over the limestone bluffs. The barren valley and the road winding through it still in morning’s blue shadow. He wiped his hand on his jacket and checked the breech of the big Weatherby. Bullet as long as man’s finger sitting there. He lay down on the blanket, the rifle’s barrel resting on the saddlebag, and glassed downcountry with the telescopic sight. The dusty road was empty. He waited.

http://yelpingwithcormac.tumblr.com/

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Beautiful, Intricately Woven Wire Jewelry By Sarah

Arts / ,

28 October 2011

 

My coworker at Mad Genius, Sarah Link, was recently granted membership into the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi. As you’ll note from the examples below, she does wonderful work. All of her pieces are available for purchase via her online store. (www.linksjewelry.etsy.com)

Tri-color European Chainmaille Bracelet
There are over 1200 individual tiny rings woven together one by one to create the weave for this pattern.

Tri-color European Chainmaille Weave Bracelett

Copper Chainmaille Bracelet
A simple yet pretty pattern based on Persian chainmaille designs

Copper Chainmaille Bracelet

Sterling Silver Viking Knit
An ancient metal knitting technique based on Nordic history.

Sterling Silver Viking Knit

Crocheted Silver with Malachite, Garnet and Turquoise.
The wire was crocheted and the resulting fabric sewed to the wire bracelet frame

Crocheted Silver with Malachite, Garnet and Turquoise

German Silver Helm weave necklace with a trapped pendant

German Silver Helm weave necklace with a trapped pendant

Lavender and Copper earrings with a Jasper bead

Lavender and Copper earrings with a Jasper bead

Sterling-Silver Fill earrings using a full Persian rope chainmaille weave

Sterling-Silver Fill earrings using a full Persian rope chainmaille weave

So if you’re in the shopping mood and are looking for a special, hand-crafted gift from a true artist, then head on over to Sarah’s online store and view her whole catalog.

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Site Launch – St. Anthony Catholic School

Me, The Internets / , ,

22 October 2011

 

My team at Mad Genius launched a new website for St. Anthony Catholic School. I think its a great site and I’m proud of all the work, attention to detail, and effort that went into the strategy, IA, content development, design and WordPress development. Here’s the URL: http://stanthonyeagles.org

St. Anthony Homepage

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