The website Server Fault rocks. It’s a social-esque Q&A site for system administrators and IT folks. Just today, I had some questions about SQL Server (e.g. backups, anti-virus, maintenance). I got quick, high quality answers.
Posted Jun 22, 2009 12:51pm - Add your comment
Politicians are notoriously risk adverse. Now I kind of understand why. There really is no reward for initiative, firm beliefs, reform agendas, etc. Do anything, you’ll offend someone. Or worse, ruffle feathers and have others work against you just on principle.
From a game theory viewpoint, it makes sense.
Posted Jun 17, 2009 1:05pm - Add your comment
Successful politicians don’t play to win. They play to not lose.
It’s a little bit like Survivor. Live through this round and you get another bite at the apple. Eventually, if you stay in the game long enough, your number may come up.
Every know and then, someone will break away from the pack to try to grab the brass ring. The risks and costs are huge. There really isn’t much reward for doing so.
If you chance it and fail, your career is likely over. You certainly won’t get another chance, which might be why people eventually feel compelled to try. I heard the phrase “up or out” more than once, referring to an elected seeking a higher office.
Posted Jun 17, 2009 1:02pm - Add your comment
John Stewart mocks everyone blaming everyone else for inciting wackos. For instance, Bill O’Reilly and Joan Walsh blaming each other for the murder of Dr. Tiller.
Stewart makes a false equivalence. The right wing agitators have a profitable business model based on the industry of hate speech. Sure, there’s plenty of venom from the left. But we’re not calling for the outright slaughter of our political opponents.
More to the point, Roger Ebert criticizes Bill O’Reilly for degrading our political discourse. He makes many good points: O’Reilly is a bully that uses classic propaganda techniques. The point about name calling sticks with me. Here’s his examples:
- I say Liberal. You say Far Left.
- I say Far Right. You say Conservative.
- I say Biased. You say Fair and Balanced.
- I say Democratic party. You say Lunatic Lefties.
- I say Right-Wing Wingnuts. You say Republicans.
- I say Creationism. You say Intelligent Design.
- I say Environmentalists. You say Tree-Huggers.
Posted Jun 17, 2009 11:38am - Add your comment
Keith Olbermann encourages us to politely boycott Fox News. As a customer at a bank, restaurant, where ever, Keith’s says to ask the staff to turn off Fox News, or to take our business elsewhere.
I wholely support voting with our dollars and feet.
You may recall geek toys like the TV Zapper, a univeral remote for turning off TVs.
My iPhone has an infrared port, and can work as a univeral TV remote.
I’ll definitely be trying this out. Maybe even make my own iApp. (Testing may be tough, since I don’t own a TV.)
Posted Jun 7, 2009 8:09am - Add your comment