Salons
Sitting in a post-boho coffee shop only a couple miles away from UCLA, I am struck at how coffee shops have always been a hotbed of underground thought.
Now, this is not to say that every word spoken at one of these places is pure genius. Quite the opposite. The thoughts and words spoken hear tend to be undisciplined, boosted by the youth who neither have the wisdom nor knowledge to lend real impact to their words.
However, as the world becomes more connected I see chain smoking digerati (how I loathe that word, but it's the best word that springs to mind right now) sitting, chatting, conversing with others in meatspace and on their phones, connecting with others chainsmoking across the country.
Coffeeshops and other drug infused gatherings of young people have always been a place where culture has been formed. Often it is framed as counter-culture, but all that is is a word for culture that seeks to overthrow or evolve the culture that it springs from. Whether the drug be caffeine, alchohol, hashish or opium, the result is the same.
Cryptonomicon
Reading Cryptonomicon right now, and it's really very very good. I know I'm a little late on the Neal Stephenson train, but I've been going through his oevre lately.
How would I put it? William Gibson, but not as much obsession with mind altering drugs. Everything Cory Doctorow wants to be, without the quasi-fantasy leanings.
Of course, maybe I'm just biased towards authors that include perl code and scientific papers on the value of erections in their work.
Freaking awesome! As you probably know, the Kepler Mission has recently found a huge number of exoplanets, bringing the current total to 1,235 exoplanet candidates. This is simply an amazing feat, and proof that we are living in amazing times. Fifty-four exoplanet candidates are in the habitable zone (the area around a star at which you can have liquid water), and five of those are near-Earth size (less than double the size).
The truly excellent Jer Thorp created this visualization for boing boing. It's a visualization of the Kepler data, and it is really beautiful. The way the data forms the structure of the graph really grabs attention. Bump it up to HD and enjoy:
Kepler Exoplanet Candidates from blprnt on Vimeo.
The great thing about Kepler is that the data is so huge that scientists need help sorting through it. So Zooniverse has a project Planet Hunters where you can help.
IBM
IBM just released a great documentary for their 100th birthday, directed by Errol Morris and scored by Philip Glass. It is really amazing, with some very touching stories from IBMers about how they changed the world. It is truly remarkable that the company gave so many a chance to make a real difference in the world. Check it out for yourself:
Python in the news
You may be aware that my current pet project is learning Python. Python is such an easy language to learn that its really great to teach high school students or even younger children. Here's a great story about getting such an educational news story into a newspaper. More people need to take matters into their own hands like this when promoting themselves. Such a proactive approach really shows people that you are interested in the project, which in turns means that they should be too! http://learnpython.wordpress.com/2010/12/12/python-in-the-news/
Easy A
Emma Stone steals the show in 'Easy A'
Alright, I admit it. I'm actually a huge sucker for cheesy teen movies. So at my friend Nora's suggestion I'm watching Easy A. It's not the greatest teen movie ever (that honor goes to Ten Things I Hate About You), but it definitely has its charm. Nora is definitely right, it is a very smart movie. There's not too many movies that really honestly show female social interaction in a way that's believable and funny. Additionally, Emma Stone is a really wonderful actress. She's funny, warm, and completely believable in a role that would tax many other actresses. The only disappointing thing about the movie is that it feels a little limp. The movie even references classic John Hughes movies but doesn't quite get there. The movie is rife with B plots that never get resolved, and interesting characters who either fade into the background or are so weakly developed that they feel out of place. Lisa Kudrow's character in particular seems like she has an interesting story to her, but the movie pays her so little attention that by the end all she feels like is a gimmick to give Emma Stone's character a plot point.
However, I did really enjoy watching this movie. Its not going down in my hall of fame, but it receives my highest rating: I'm glad I watched it.
Actually, more of a fizzle
Work Night
Ahh what a great night of work. Web ads for SMBC Theater while Lord of the Rings plays in the background. Fat Tire made an appearance too! The perfect way to work. A little tired and buzzed while epic battles occur before your eyes. Can't wait to get some more work done tomorrow. I finished a leaderboard and a wide skyscraper, but there's still plenty more to do!
Upgrading to WP 3.0.2
I'm happy to say that my uncommon server configuration upgraded to 3.0.2 without any problem. I encourage everyone to do it, there's a pretty big bug in 3.0.1. http://wordpress.org/news/2010/11/wordpress-3-0-2/
Yes, Yes, The Site Will Be Pink Soon
Celebrated "Friendsgiving" with the SMBC Theater crew tonight. It was pretty awesome, and there was much merriment had by all! Zach and Kelly brought 10 pies, and Zach kindly purchased a Thanksgiving spread from a nearby restaurant, Upstairs2. Also, Kyle and Angel brought Star Wars and we watched all three originals.
I always forget how good they are. Not in a writing or plot sense - I'm sorry, but the writing is absolutely dreadful in some places. The visuals of the Empire ships are absolutely beautiful, with such a unified and oppressive architecture. They have this thematic sense that can also be found in Soviet architecture, where the aesthetics reflect so well the culture of the state. The story of Star Wars is so epic in a way that most movies just can't reach. It feels less like a story, and more like a myth.
Enough rambling about Star Wars!