David Rothkopf on Wealth Distribution.

Twitter, Textspeak & the English Language →

Humans are highly sophisticated beings, the product of years of evolution. We are capable of astonishing acts of intelligence, and yet, in the 21st century, we’ve decided to regress, to embrace a stunted form of communication that banishes grammar, context, considered evaluation, subtle innuendo… and adjectives.

[…]

At dinner parties, in the theatre, around the meal table at home, on trains and in the street, people are losing their God-given ability to enjoy the present, what’s actually happening around them. 

The sound of bird song, the warmth of the sun on our faces, the smell of pine needles, the spray of waves on a beach: all are ignored as we bury our heads in our mobiles. 

We are totally engrossed, tweeting, texting or emailing our cyber-pals, sharing online ‘experiences’. Instead of absorbing and enjoying primary experiences, we are swapping reactions.

Something to think about.

Unexceptionalism: A Primer by E. L. Doctorow →

To achieve unexceptionalism, the political ideal that would render the United States indistinguishable from the impoverished, traditionally undemocratic, brutal or catatonic countries of the world, do the following…

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‎”If Americans want to live the American dream they should go to Denmark!”

Richard Wilkinson: How economic inequality harms societies

What Goes Up Must Go Down: The Sorry State of Recycling in the Airline Industry →

In 2010, we issued a report — What Goes Up Must Go Down: The Sorry State of Recycling in the Airline Industry — and found that airline passengers generate over 881 million lbs. of waste each year — 9,000 tons of plastic, enough aluminum cans to build 58 Boeing 747 jets, and enough newspaper and magazines to cover a football field 230 meters deep.
That’s a ton of waste!  What’s even worse: 75 percent of this waste is recyclable, but only 20 percent is recycled.

Idiots in Berkeley.

Last week an incident occurred that was contrary to the Principles of Community we espouse as a campus <http://www.berkeley.edu/about/principles.shtml>. The Berkeley College Republicans (an ASUC sponsored organization) publicized an “Increase Diversity Bake Sale” that prices baked goods according to a person’s ethnicity, race, or gender. This event has moved the campus community into dialogue, because it was hurtful or offensive to many of its members.

Illustrating the breadth of the offense taken, last night the ASUC Senate unanimously passed a resolution condemning the methodology used by BCR and urging respectful conduct by all student organizations.  The administration firmly endorses those sentiments.  It is our sincere hope that the strong reactions generated by the proposed bake sale provide a vivid lesson that issues of race, ethnicity, and gender are far from resolved, and very much a part of lived experience here and now.

The Principles of Community are not about political positions.  They require a consciousness of the potential effect of words or deeds on others: a positive intent not to hurt, offend, or denigrate others while expressing a reasoned position.  Regardless what policies or practices one advocates, careful consideration is needed on how to express those opinions.  The issue is not whether one thinks an action is satirical or inoffensive, the issue is whether community members will be intentionally - or unintentionally - hurt or demeaned by that action.  The same applies to the way we interact with each other, whether academically, professionally, or socially.

If we, as a community, do not live with these expectations, then our Principles of Community (which the community authored) are just words on a page.  The administration can urge, but not mandate, a person to behave with civility.  We can express our disappointment or condemnation when respectfulness is abused.  It is the community who must hold each other accountable for behaviors that do not reflect our communal values.

Forbearance and consciousness of how one’s actions may affect others should always be a strong consideration.  We celebrate the exchange of ideas through the freedoms we share as a nation, but intelligent debate is based on mutual respect. Freedom of speech is not properly exercised without taking responsibility for its impact. Taking that responsibility does not negate the freedom, it brings an enhanced humanity to it.

Sincerely,


Robert Birgeneau, Chancellor
Gibor Basri, Vice Chancellor - Equity & Inclusion
Harry LeGrande, Vice Chancellor - Student Affairs

Idiotic conservatives never fail to challenge the limits of human stupidity.

How many slaves work for you? →

There’s a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious—makes you so sick at heart—that you can’t take part. You can’t even passively take part. And you’ve got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels, upon the levers, upon all the apparatus, and you’ve got to make it stop. And you’ve got to indicate to the people who run it, to the people who own it, that unless you’re free, the machine will be prevented from working at all.

Mario Savio, December 2, 1964, Sproul Hall steps.

Why is Prince William balding?

So I google searched “Why is Prince William balding?” - just for fun while watching the Royal Wedding ceremony. This came up and it nearly killed me:

How can William disguise his the genetic tragedy of his follicles? Metro has some ideas:

Shave his head: Bald men have been doing this for centuries! But it seems a little “common”; we’re thinking the Royal Family might frown upon this look.

Wear a yarmulke: The Jewish religious cap would certainly cover up Will’s bald spot. But unless he converted to Judaism, this would probably be incredibly offensive! And if did, then he wouldn’t be allowed to lead the Church of England, meaning he’d have to give up his claim to the throne. Too high a price?

Get hair plugs: We call this “Pulling a Biden.” But won’t it be obvious at best and look horrible at worst?

Wear a hat: This is the AP’s solution, advising William to emulate his famous grandmother. But how boring! Instead, we suggest…

This last one killed me:

Wear a crown (all the time!): OK, so as the grandson of the Queen, William doesn’t have an official title that comes with a crown. Who cares? Make one anyway! This is the dignity of the Royal Family we’re talking about. Plus, walking around wearing a crown all the time would be pretty badass.

I’d like to see that. I demand to see that. I think if the Royal Wedding cost the British economy 5 billion dollars, I have a right to demand Prince William wear a crown at all time.