Tech Talk- Smart-tablet-phone connected thingies!

More changes more quickly every day. This morning Mashable posted about the new Asus PadFone  
 
(ok what is with the names- can't anyone pay someone to think of better names for these things??? PadFone? really?) 

I have been wondering what would be next, this is a pretty nice addition to the field. I like the idea of a tablet and phone that are easy to coordinate and sync, easy to work with depending on what you need. Now of course it depends on the how it works, what's the os like how is the speed and functionality. But I am slowly using my PC less and less and my ipad and iphone more and more. I don't think we are quite at the Post PC mark but we are getting there. 

I still need the robustness of a laptop or desktop for work. I am thinking about a Mac Air now that at friend can get me a family and friends discount. But more and more I agree that the future is not in the regular config of laptops and desk tops. We are fast moving to real portability of everyday computing power.

Be interesting to see what Apple does next if the android OS supports more and more connected phones and tablets. One-upsmanship and all that. In the meantime I am leaning toward the PC as ART at home. 

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Governement Rethinking Radiation Levels after Parents Protest

I am glad to see that the Japanese gov. has changed their minds about the insane idea to raise radiation safety levels for kids.

Parent anger plays role in Japan's reversal of raised radiation limits at school

from an outraged parent involved in a hearing on the matter

In the playground, in the sandbox, children put dirt into their mouths! They breathe in the dust! You should do the same! Lick the dirt!" she shouted to applause. "You wouldn't do this to your own kids!

It was incredibly crazy that the government raised the level by 20X in the first place. Glad to see they were bullied into changing their stance. I wonder if our government would be any better. I somehow doubt it.

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Japan Nuke Update- Increased Radiation in the Seabed off the Coast of Japan

NHK is reporting high readings off the coast of Japan in many areas near to the tsunami effected region north of Tokyo

Professor Takashi Ishimaru of the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology says plankton most probably absorbed the radioactive substances carried by the current near the sea surface, and then sank to the seabed

This is something for everyone to monitor closely. Long term effects of ocean contamination are going to be felt around the world I believe.

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I Was Wrong

In the early days of the crisis(es) in Japan I was pretty calm and tried to keep panic in myself and others to a minimum. I still believe that was the right course. Living in a city of 29 million people means that one of the biggest potential threats is always panic. When 29 million people panic and try to do anything entire systems fail and people get hurt. I stayed calm, and I did my best to keep those around me calm too.

But

There were things I was wrong about. I believed that TEPCO (Tokyo Electric and Power Co.) was releasing information in a timely fashion. I believed them when they said that the reactors had not yet melted down, and I believed that they were doing all they could for the people who lived around the Fukushima Nuclear Plant. I poo-poohed those that said otherwise. I was wrong.

In the last two weeks more and more distressing information has come out of the investigations into the accident and more and more troubling decsions are being made by the Japanese government.

This story in particular is tragic, frustrating and scary.
Angry Parents in Japan Confront Government Over Radiation Levels

The main thrust of the story and of the parents concern is this...

At issue are updated government guidelines that allow schoolchildren to be exposed to radiation doses that are more than 20 times the previously permissible levels. That dose is equal to the international standard for adult nuclear power plant workers.

I am not an expert at any of this and really even the scientists and nuclear engineers don't have many answers but it cannot be good to expose young kids to these kinds of levels and it is criminally negligent to say it is OK to do so.

My Friends at Safecast.org are focused on getting readings at schools for just this reason. Parents have a right to as much information as possible to make the best decisions they can for their families.

I should know better after being politically active during the Bush regime, but I did trust that in a crisis of this kind, TEPCO or at least the Japanese gov. were being honest. They were not and are not now. And from now on...Distrust, Verify and THEN trust.

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There is More to College than Career and More to Life than Money

photo from Bloomberg

It was with interest I read the economist update on the somewhat controversial Theil Foundation program that is awarding 20+ Under 20 applicants for a grants of 100,000 dollars to start a business rather than go to or finish college. While there are famous examples of drop out successes, like Bill Gates, and while what Mr Thiel says about the fact that they can always go back to school may be technically true- my gut instinct is to think this is not a good idea.

Thiel is a classic libertarian, so it is not surprising to me that his view is all business, private markets, and money success. But I think about what else you gain in college- access to new ideas, more exposure to people not like yourself, the chance to explore what you really enjoy and find a path that suits you. Most people claim to have changed a lot throughout their 20's - it is when you really solidify your own outlook on the world. And I can't help but think these "100,000 dollar drop outs" are missing more than just an education (also important by the way) by diving full into the high stress roller coaster ride of entrepreneurship.

As for going back to school if your Theil grant doesn't result in Gates-like success... adult ed is a wonderful thing, and grad school is too- but it is never the same as approaching the discussions, exploration and growth of college life in the company of your peers. Folks of a similar age, experiencing the same parts of life and the same developmental cycle as yourself. Plus as less than 50% of start ups survive- those grant winners may be paying more than the price of 2 years of their lives if things don't pan out.

Mr Thiel admits to thinking that ..."higher-education system tempts many people who would be better off going straight into business and creating significant wealth." and that says a lot to me. Do we need more of a push to strive for significant wealth in america? What about public service? What about personal growth, deeper thinking, enjoying family and friends. A higher standard of living can be measured in many ways, not just by tallying up your bank account totals at the end of each quarter.

I also note that of his first 24 grants, only 2 went to women. Really? There are only 2 women out there smart enough for Thiel's cash? hmmm. But as with most classic libertarians his view is quite male-centered. This during a time when huge numbers of women are starting and leading their own companies.

The stories of the grant winners are quite interesting and for many this may be an ideal path.  But I think the philosophy behind it may be inherently flawed. For those passionate enough- like Gates- the path of going straight to your own company is not dependent on instant cash from VC's and Big cash grants. In fact, finding the money to make your dream and path a reality is a big part of the learning curve needed for long term business success. The Theil plan is at best a cushy short cut in what should be a life-lesson tough path.

In the movie The Social Network, a few things were clear, facebook founder Mark Z. is brilliant, and had a good idea. What is also clear is that he lacked emotional and social maturity that would have saved him from some huge law suits and generally being viewed (by the globe now) as a jerk. Would college have taught him more about social interaction? perhaps, perhaps not. But dropping out and rushing out to Silicon valley certainly didn't seem to impart that lesson.

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In honor of the Little Rapture that Couldn't - The Apocamix

Eclectic Method - The Apocamix from Eclectic Method on Vimeo.

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Relief 2.0 interesting people interesting realizations

The Earthquake, Tsunami, Aftershocks and Nuclear Issues were not in Tokyo proper, but still this is the closest experience I have had being in a disaster area. Tokyo was effected but certainly not in the same way as the areas that were in the path of the Tsunami. During these past months TokyoHackerspace, a group I am a founder of- hosted some amazing people and has been working on relief projects from solar lanterns to helping  the safecast.org group with their distributed radiation data.

Relief 2.0 via Carlos is one org that has really made me reflect and learn more about disaster response. Relief 2.0 seeks to help when big government and ngo agencies are too bogged down in red tape and slow processes to see to immediate needs. It is collaborative- not taking the place of these groups but helping in a more nimble and flexible way. Their catch copy is "running the last mile to provide efficient disaster response with dignity, inclusion, generation and distribution of wealth" 


I guess I am just posting this as an update and to say I am pondering the changes in disaster relief due to social media, DIY access to before out of reach technologies and the good parts of the global economy. It is interesting to note how much has been changing even since Katrina. More thoughts on this down the line in the coming weeks and months I am sure.

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Newt pissed someone off pretty good...

I have been noticing that before an So-called gaffs, before the anticlimactic twittter announcement and the pre annoucement about the twitter annoucement, people in dc and the media were already bashing newt. Someone somewhere (or someones) wants to doom this campaign before it even gets the boat out of the dock and into the water. I have no idea why, but the Beltway Bobs and Bettys do not like this guy. At.All. Maybe it was that ill fated meeting with the aliens back when he was speaker of the house?

Here's just a few of today's Newt-bashing headlines

Can Newt Gingrich save his campaign? Christian Science Monitor

Newt Gingrich, 'Dancing Queen' Los Angeles Times

Everything Newt Is Old Again Huffington Post

Extra Credit: Newt's as subtle as a tutu-wearing hippo Online Athens

Gingrich campaign off to bad start, looks forward CBS News

and these are just a few. 

Now don't get me wrong. I do not like Newt, one little bit. BUT I am curious why so many repubs and their bought and paid for media folks have declared "You Shall Not Pass" to old Newt? Skeletons? Embarrassment? Do they really think Mitch Daniels will be a viable candidate? Considering some of the more amazing idiocies of Bachmann and others why all this scrutiny over the old fart anyway? 

Inquiring minds want to know. (inquiring minds are also taking bets on date and time for his "I have decided not to run and instead spend more time with my wives")

Your thoughts? 

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Mental Health Moments

Ok, can we get serious here? What the hell are we so afraid that we won't call it like we see it?

here's the thing...

The emperor and all his tea party-birther-bachman-palin-beck followers have no freaking clothes. They are running around intellectually buck naked. And more than that, they think they are clothed in the finest silk and linen. Our leadership is afraid to say what we all know to be true.

Now the thing is, it isn't a debate, we can't discuss with them. We don't have to answer their charges and show our long form birth certificates. In fact we have to STOP doing things like that- because- you know what?- THEY ARE CRAZY. Seriously. Bats in the Belfry Crazy.

We can't reason with them. And with the exception of maybe DocBopper if he is still hanging around here somewhere- we are NOT qualified to try to intervene and to deal with their mental health issues. Nor can we just look the other way- That is cruel.

Letting someone hurt themselves and others in their craziness is just not right. But stop trying to explain to them why what they are saying makes no sense. It makes no sense because there is something wrong with these people. They are ill.

I recommend that we all gather a list of mental health professionals, or web links of where we can send our crazy relatives or coworkers who suddenly start quoting Orly Taitz. Or on the left- the guy who sends you videos about "controlled demolitions."

These folks need help. They need it now. When you hear them start- when they send you an email... You should respond simply by saying "you are crazy and you need help."

Here's a handy template, feel free to cut and paste

Dear (nutty family member or annoying co-worker), Thanks for your mail but quite honestly I am worried about you. Your ideas are pretty insane and if you really believe this stuff I recommend you go here http://store.samhsa.gov/mhlocator just type in your zipcode and go see someone. I say this because I really hope you can sort things out and later join us in the reality based community. Until then, please, I am not interested in (insert here any of these-- 9/11 truther info, Birthed BS, Libertarian Nonsense, Why I should buy gold, your ideas that the market will regulate itself, etc. etc.) If you want to write me about the weather, or sports, fine. Otherwise- thanks but no thanks. 
Sincerelymr/ ms. x

In any case- call it like you see it. It makes no sense, it is never going to make sense and you cannot change their minds. So just step away from them, slowly. Don't run though- it makes them chase you.

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Mr. Trump- buh-bye, to you AND your hair

I am quite thrilled that Trump is out (again) though I am not surprised. at.all. I never thought he was serious about running. I did think he would stay in longer to torture us. So I AM happy that we can finish watching this idiot. Better for my blood pressure. Though I am still waiting for signs of karmic retribution.

This best explains my hatred- better spoken by my friend and FutureOf hero...


More GRITtv

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Talking About How We Talk

For the entire recent history of political debate- at least since 2001 I have been aware of, learning about, frustrated by and disgusted about messaging as a skill that Dems and Progressives don't seem to have. Post upon post, book after book, seminar after seminar tell us we are getting killed in the war of public opinion because of our poor skills at messaging.

So, what is to be done? Our endless discussions about how we speak are getting us almost literally no where. We have had a few exceptions- Howard Dean did a great job with the "Culture of Corruption" theme, and we have had a little bit of recent traction painting the Bachman's of the world as extremist. But genereally we spend most of our time talking about how we don't know how to speak. Isn't that the point. We love to hear ourselves discuss points, pride ourselves on our smarts, elloquence, and ideas- we understand that there are grey areas, that the world is complex, and hard to put into a sound bite. But that gets us all of nowhere.

So what I want to see is this...

Before any progressive or liberal dem writes another post or book about messaging and how we suck at it- how about just telling us what we can do- right now- action it. Make a demand! "hey you, progressive- go out there and talk about x in these terms." Say THIS or THAT, and DON'T say THIS. K.I.S.S.

and for all of us foot soldiers- don't wax philosophical. Don't try to impress other progressives. Be hard hitting in your discussions, be fast in your response. Be strong and make it simple- easy to understand. Overly-so. And do it now from your very next response to the insanity out there.

Time to stop talking about talking and just do it.

Think about the headline that will come from your point. Is it a good one-will people remember and repeat it- can we steer the discussion to sane waters- and how fast can we get there and anchor the discussion there. We need to stop reacting and take control. As always, we need to do this from the grassroots up.

Get off our high horses and muck out the stall. If they can shovel shit better than we can, they win.

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The Earth Has Stopped Moving (mostly)

Well, GNB'ers it has been a long strange trip for us over here on the other side of the planet in the land of the rising sun. I have missed writing here and missed you all. I am still out there, still thinking and writing and struggling and growing. But life got in the way on the blogging front. And then this year there was the QUAKE and all that stuff.

It was a life changer- and things two months later are finally settling into what we are calling the new normal.

I live in Tokyo, not up north, so the issues I am dealing with are of course so much less horrible than the folks in the Tohoku area who lost everything and more than 10,000 of those people are no longer with us. So the ones that remain on this earth will be dealing with loss, pain and hardship for a long, long time.

The world has moved on, Syria, Libya, tornadoes, and the mighty Missisippi have captured the attention of the world and just like those who continue to rebuild and regroup in Lousiana the Japanese (and those of us who are outsiders but call Japan are home) are working through issues that have a much longer life space than the Corp. Media's coverage would have you believe.

Things at the plant in Fukushima still are horrible and unresolved. I am helping out some friends at Safecast.org via our group at TokyoHackerSpace to build and distribute radiation dectection monitors and information. We still get the occasional aftershock, even down here in Tokyo. And businesses are still effected by the change in resources and perspective that follow an Event of this - forgive the pun- magnitude.

I myself and still processing, I still get nervous when the rumbling starts and I still worry about the long term effects of the radiation across Japan- but that is all part of the new normal.

If you want to help out, AND experience the quake through the eyes of folks that were deeply effect, I humbly recommend 2:46QuakeBook.

#quakebook featuring Scala & Kolacny Brothers and Kings of Leon from Quakebook on Vimeo.

I hope to come see you all here more often as I get back to the business of life going on.

be well. love each other.

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OBL is Dead

President Obama announced last night...

Osama bin Laden is dead.

Killed in Pakistan along with two men and one woman during a raid to capture him.

Unconfirmed reports say he has been buried at sea (so as not to give any followers a place to gather.)

Crowds of primarily Millennials were cheering and waving American Flags outside The White House Sunday evening, as President Obama spoke to the Nation.

Mission finally accomplished.

Now -- let's bring our troops home.

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