Sunday, October 5, 2008
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
economy for dummies
Here's a link to the This American Life broadcast about the economy I mentioned in class:
The Giant Pool of Money
It's being updated this week-end, so check back. JG
The Giant Pool of Money
It's being updated this week-end, so check back. JG
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Political Machine Express
To bring a bit of Ed Halter flavor...
I found it amusing that if you go to politicalmachine.com, you'll find a computer game loosely based on simulating the election. Granted, the main page is full of political discussion threads (and updates on the game itself), but I think it's interesting that one of the ways people interface with a real-world political situation is through a form of play. Maybe it appeals to the backseat campaigner. Maybe it gives gamers insight into the election beyond the talking points and punditry. Maybe McCain and Palin look better as bobbleheads.
Wired article:
http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/09/stardock-offers.html
Main website:
http://www.politicalmachine.com/
Link to free version of the game:
http://www.politicalmachine.com/express/
I found it amusing that if you go to politicalmachine.com, you'll find a computer game loosely based on simulating the election. Granted, the main page is full of political discussion threads (and updates on the game itself), but I think it's interesting that one of the ways people interface with a real-world political situation is through a form of play. Maybe it appeals to the backseat campaigner. Maybe it gives gamers insight into the election beyond the talking points and punditry. Maybe McCain and Palin look better as bobbleheads.
Wired article:
http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/09/stardock-offers.html
Main website:
http://www.politicalmachine.com/
Link to free version of the game:
http://www.politicalmachine.com/express/
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
loop de loop
Two quick comments:
1. Didion's description of the newspapers recycled as posters that are then given out to the reporters of those newspapers conjured up thoughts of recycling and the eternal return of players, themes, and visual tropes from convention to convention. Do these ever change? Is there a way to write about (or document in any fashion) these events without this sense of seen-it-already? What do Thompson, Didon, and Mencken DO as writers to freshen up this tedium?
2. It occurred to me while reading these essays that each writer, though unstated, works with the big spectres of previous conventions and presidencies. For Didion, it's the Reagan Years; Thompson has '68 and its ghosts; and Mencken's reporting comes after the four terms of FDR.
How do these events shape their interests and writing styles?
1. Didion's description of the newspapers recycled as posters that are then given out to the reporters of those newspapers conjured up thoughts of recycling and the eternal return of players, themes, and visual tropes from convention to convention. Do these ever change? Is there a way to write about (or document in any fashion) these events without this sense of seen-it-already? What do Thompson, Didon, and Mencken DO as writers to freshen up this tedium?
2. It occurred to me while reading these essays that each writer, though unstated, works with the big spectres of previous conventions and presidencies. For Didion, it's the Reagan Years; Thompson has '68 and its ghosts; and Mencken's reporting comes after the four terms of FDR.
How do these events shape their interests and writing styles?
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