Posts tagged as Who Knew?
Umberto Eco: Libyan War is "Stupid"
Oh, so there is evidence of a long-running intellectual tradition that is against the war-thing in Libya: "This war is stupid and dangerous for all," writes Umberto Eco in a letter to the IHT, what must be his shortest and most-straightforward declaration of all time. (And also an attack on Bernard-Henri Lévy.)
Weird Mystery of the Day
Serious question: Why are there so many pictures of Janet Jackson on Marion Barry's facebook page? http://on.fb.me/g1wX6y
AlanSuderman
AlanSuderman
The Strangest Things Inspire Great Passions: David Archuleta's Wikipedia Battle
"David Archuleta, American Idol runner-up in 2008, has become in 2010 the subject of a Wikipedia free-for-all, where the facts of his personal history and his career are up for grabs. On the 'most edited pages' list for Wikipedia articles, his article sits at #91-very high for an artist who's been on the scene for two years, especially as Michael Jackson is #115, Barack Obama is #110, and Lady Gaga falls outside the top 5,000."
Apparently There's Only One "How-To" Comedy Book You Should Ever Buy
"99% of comedy how-to books are a scam. The other 1% is Truth In Comedy, a book whose cover is specifically designed to make you think it's not something you should exchange money for."
42-Year-Old 'New York' Magazine To Be Profitable "Next Year"
The confusing end of this bit by New York Times blogger Jeremy Peters seems to indicate that New York magazine loses money: "So has all that attention translated into being profitable? [Publisher Lawrence] Burstein pauses. [Editor Adam] Moss interjects, 'We're not,' he said. 'We do expect to be profitable next year.'" Pictured: The March 10, 1975 ad for New York inside New York.
The Vast Mystery of Cratons Is Solved!
The earth is always a-moving. "But certain parts of the continents called cratons-places in, for instance, Canada, South Africa, Australia-don't recycle. They just sit there while their plates move around them, they're a couple hundred kilometers deep, they're like stable keels, and how they manage the stability has been a mystery. The answer turns out to be not terrifically sexy."
The New York State Fair Is Happening! And Under Investigation!
We have a winner for press release of the day! "ATTORNEY GENERAL CUOMO LAUNCHES WIDE-RANGING INVESTIGATION INTO PATRONAGE, CRONYISM AND WASTE OF TAXPAYER MONEY AT THE NEW YORK STATE FAIR." Oh really? "The State Fair has long been plagued by allegations that it has become a patronage playground for friends, relatives and cronies of the Fair's directors and managers. The Attorney General's investigation will assess the integrity of ticketing, contracting, hiring, and other management and financial practices involving the Fair." (Subpoenas went out to, among other parties, Clear Channel Radio, which, hmm!) Anyway, this undoubtedly put a pall on this morning's "Pettis Pools' Extreme Canines stunt dog show" at the Adventure Zone by the New York State Fair Grandstand and the "MaxMan Reptile Rescue demonstration" in the Hall of Veterinary Health. For yes, the New York State Fair is going on right now, at the Empire Expo Center, "immediately adjacent to Route 690 just west of Syracuse." I hope no one is trying to build a mosque by it. (via)
How the Internet Works: Advertiser-Provided Editorial Infographics!
Sometimes you learn little things about how the Internet works and it's like, ohhhhhh! Of course! Here is a solicitation we received, which explains how an advertiser places editorial content on blogs. So that the content links to ("is sponsored by") what are basically spam farms. It's fascinating as a business model! It's very smart! READ MORE
How the Internet Art Department Works (Search, Cut, Paste!)
Now you know how the art department works: take a local trivia host who's fond of a tacky jacket-Noah Tarnow of the Big Quiz Thing-and paste Steven Slater's head onto his body and ta da, TMZ graphic. Let's hear it for transformative use... I guess!
