You already know Pandora is cool, now learn why...

On first listen, some things grab you for their off-kilter novelty. Like the story of a company that has hired a bunch of “musicologists,” who sit at computers and listen to songs, one at a time, rating them element by element, separating out what sometimes comes to hundreds of data points for a three-minute tune. The company, an Internet radio service called Pandora, is convinced that by pouring this information through a computer into an algorithm, it can guide you, the listener, to music that you like. The premise is that your favorite songs can be stripped to parts and reverse-engineered.

via nytimes.com

I have a friend we call Pandora, but this isn't about her. It's a great NY Times story about the other Pandora. It's enjoyable on a couple of levels, including the way the Times writes when it's trying to explain newfangled geegaws to people. for example:

"The company, an Internet radio service called Pandora, is convinced that by pouring this information through a computer into an algorithm, it can guide you, the listener, to music that you like."

Do tell. Hearing that Tim Westergren comes off like the head of a fan club is also funny.

In any event, I'm glad that Pandora and other "Internet radio services" did not die a horrible death-by-copyright as was feared not long ago. Viva!

Tagged internet media pandora

Are the media out of control or is something else at work?

A lot of the screaming in the media has to to with the fact that many political and governmental figures have never been in a position where they've been criticized before. Those who have had careers in government haven't necessarily been exposed to the personal and systemic criticisms that are built in to careers in the business world and other arenas of human endeavor. In addition to this, the modern self-esteem movement has suppressed criticism - and even correction - in general. After all, "Everyone's a winner!" Finally, the rising tide of anti-Christian sentiment in the West has caused a strong societal bias against anything that sounds like "preaching."

Add it all up and you have created a society of people who are completely defensive, cannot debate issues and demonize all opponents.

Tagged media opinion politics

When elected officials don't understand what is even happening...

...we're in trouble.

Watch Congressman Pete Stark (language alert!) ripping up an interviewer who seems to be asking some valid questions about our debt.

"The more we owe, the wealthier we are."

This is news to me, but I guess some in Congress believe it!

 

Tagged economy media national debt stark taxes
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