Welcome, Jordan Smith
I’m proud to announce the newest addition to the Intercept staff, award-winning investigative journalist, Jordan Smith Good news in Fifth Estate arena travels fast
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
St Jozef Day: Buzz ... that boy who pretended to play Parliamentary Library Attendant circa 1982
~ Jozef Imrich
There have been plenty of Annie Leibovitz books over the years, but this one might top them all. So big it comes with its own stand, Annie Leibovitz covers the span of her career, from her gritty work atRolling Stone to the polished portraits for Vogue and Vanity Fair. Embedded in its pages is a history of pop culture, from Queen Elizabeth II to Lady Gaga, from Richard Nixon to Tony Soprano.
ANNIE LEIBOVITZ
Steve Martin, Graydon Carter, Hans Ulrich Obrist, Paul Roth
TASCHEN Books
Price: $2,500
Steve Martin, Graydon Carter, Hans Ulrich Obrist, Paul Roth
TASCHEN Books
Price: $2,500
Intel behind Media Dragons
"'Blogging and the New Public Intellectual' -- a Conversation with Tom Goldstein": Tom Goldstein of "SCOTUSblog" spoke earlier this month as part of a series titled "Blogging and the New Public Intellectual" hosted by The Hannah Arendt Center for Politics and Humanities at Bard College.
You can view a video of the event by clicking here. There's even a "How Appealing" shout-out at the one-hour-and-28-minute mark of the video.
You can view a video of the event by clicking here. There's even a "How Appealing" shout-out at the one-hour-and-28-minute mark of the video.
Hypocrisy adds insult to injuries
Hypocrisy adds insult to injuries
March 19, 2014
By former Media Watcher Richard Ackland (PS: Deb Richard was his produceer)
Even on a good night, watching the ABC's Q&A can do your head in: the scripted questions, the inane set-piece responses from politicians, the suffocating level of political debate and ideas.
So it required extra doses of fortifying Prozac to sit through the whole show to get to an apology to Melbourne's professional provocateur, Andrew Bolt.
For journalists to be demanding apologies and suing for defamation is undignified and embarrassing. The licence to dish it out has the associated responsibility of being able to take it. If it's good enough for racial minorities to cop a bit of abuse in the media, there should be a rule under the journalists' code of ethics that reptiles, who can defend themselves in print, the internet or on air, should not sue for defamation or insist that people apologise to them. News Corp wants to be rid of the offend, insult and humiliate provisions in the Racial Discrimination Act - at the very least. They haven't extended their campaign to amending or repealing the Defamation Act and monetary awards for damage to reputation and hurt to feelings.
What should you do when someone suddenly stops responding to your emails?
Hot on the heels of "phubbing", when people play with their smartphones and ignore those around them, there's a new passive-aggressive cyber phenomenon called "e-snubbing".
To summarise the results of their study, Automated Social Hierarchy Detection through Email Network Analysis, the more important you are, the quicker your emails get answered.
E-snubbing occurs when one party unilaterally and without explanation decides to pull the plug on a business relationship that is conducted mainly or exclusively online. It seems to have reached epidemic proportions, raising the question of how to avoid experiencing it in the first place and how to best respond when it does happen. At least Enron Collapse was good for study
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Myth Making
As science advances, myth and folklore aren’t banished but reinvented. At the limits of knowledge, scientists draw subconsciously on the old stories... Myth Making
Shanghai Media Group – 29 TV channels, 11 radio stations, 10 newspapers and magazines, 10,000 employees – is how China spins a story of itself to itself... Spin Making
Before the French Revolution was one of fact, of declarations and executions, it was arevolution of ideas. Indeed, it was three revolutions... Method of Operation
John Banville Talks About The Agony Of Being A Writer
“Doing what you do well is death. Your duty is to keep trying to do things that you don’t do well, in the hope of learning.”
Monday, March 17, 2014
St Patrick and critics such as Wolcott Gibbs
No matter how good a run you had--and I had a better one than I ever dared to hope--the party always ends....
Congratulations, your novel has been hailed as “chillingly brilliant.” You’ve been compared to Kafka. You have a book contract. You’re facing poverty... No more Imrich ...
The novelist Arundhati Roy’s political turn marked her as a dilettante and brought stone-throwing mobs to her home. She wouldn’t have it any other way Tough As Nails
The novelist Arundhati Roy’s political turn marked her as a dilettante and brought stone-throwing mobs to her home. She wouldn’t have it any other way Tough As Nails
When word got around in the theater last summer that the most acid of all play critics, The New Yorker's Wolcott Gibbs, was having a play of his own produced, a lot of vengeful actors and playwrights prayed that Gibbs would fall on his face. Last week when Gibbs' play, Season in the Sun, finally opened, a highly expectant swarm of first-nighters, whiffing blood like spectators at a Roman circus, were on hand to watch Gibbs come to grief or glory.Double Edge Swords
Power of Trojka
"It is only by risking our persons from one hour to another that we live at all. And often enough our faith beforehand in an uncertified result is the only thing that makes the result come true."
~ William James, "Is Life Worth Living?"
Matthew McConaughey gave us three pointers in his acceptance speech for Best Male Actor at the Academy Awards. In life, he said, there are three people who matter each day:
• Someone to look up to
• Someone to look forward tot
• Someone to chase
A nice matrix and more evidence of the “power of three.
You can read the full acceptance speech here."
Cheerfulness, it would appear, is a matter which depends fully as much on the state of things within, as on the state of things without and around us.” - Charlotte Brontë
Despite the happiness ogres, we underestimate the importance of being cheerful. It seems to have gone out of style as fashion seems to favor a more sullen look on life. “Look at the state of the world,” some of you may say. “There is little to be cheerful about”. But as Charlotte Brontë wrote, cheerfulness is as much a state of mind as it is related to our environment. If you look at cheerfulness, there are more upsides than just feeling good about things. You’re healthier, live longer, and your optimism and attitude of thankfulness with generally cast a brighter light on those around you.
To improve your cheerfulness factor:
1. Exercise – Even adding a brisk 40 minute walk to your schedule three times a week could see the corners of your mouth turn up.
2. Get into nature – Go to the great outdoors, city parks or waterfronts. Getting amongst nature helps you to relax, improves mood and can even spark creativity.
3. Sing – Singing releases endorphins, alleviates feelings of depression and loneliness, helps you sleep better, improves your health.
4. Dance – It’s the movement that makes you happy, it also helps to improve your self-esteem.
5. Laugh – Laughing improves your mood. You can do it with a good show, or even just practice Laughter Yoga.
6. Get older – Yes. The older you get, the more inclined we are to see the good things we already have in life. And there’s no stopping that one!
Cheerfulness, it would appear, is a matter which depends fully as much on the state of things within, as on the state of things without and around us.” - Charlotte Brontë
Despite the happiness ogres, we underestimate the importance of being cheerful. It seems to have gone out of style as fashion seems to favor a more sullen look on life. “Look at the state of the world,” some of you may say. “There is little to be cheerful about”. But as Charlotte Brontë wrote, cheerfulness is as much a state of mind as it is related to our environment. If you look at cheerfulness, there are more upsides than just feeling good about things. You’re healthier, live longer, and your optimism and attitude of thankfulness with generally cast a brighter light on those around you.
To improve your cheerfulness factor:
1. Exercise – Even adding a brisk 40 minute walk to your schedule three times a week could see the corners of your mouth turn up.
2. Get into nature – Go to the great outdoors, city parks or waterfronts. Getting amongst nature helps you to relax, improves mood and can even spark creativity.
3. Sing – Singing releases endorphins, alleviates feelings of depression and loneliness, helps you sleep better, improves your health.
4. Dance – It’s the movement that makes you happy, it also helps to improve your self-esteem.
5. Laugh – Laughing improves your mood. You can do it with a good show, or even just practice Laughter Yoga.
6. Get older – Yes. The older you get, the more inclined we are to see the good things we already have in life. And there’s no stopping that one!
Sunday, March 16, 2014
A year in Province of Matra
French might have started a great school at Maroubra, however, the country is also now giving us Veolia a company that tells us that "toxic sludge is good for you" check out their latest proposal for Matraville residents. There will be be lots of rubbish generated once government approves 20 story units to keep garbage trucks busy in Matraville ( see Veolia letter ) and the sacred land where First Fleet Landed...
Orica Toxic Site Exposed to extra abuse
16 – 20 Beauchamp Road
Matraville NSW 2036
16 – 20 Beauchamp Road
Matraville NSW 2036
The Veolia corporation was founded in 1853 in France as Compagnie Generale des Eaux (CGE). By the time the Vivendi corporation acquired the company in 1998, CGEwas one of the two largest water companies in the world. In 2002, after Vivendi sold its share in CGE, the company was renamed Veolia.
UK story Veolia fined over toxic fumes
Saturday, March 15, 2014
What Matters Most to You, and Why
How many more mysteries within are brains are still to be understood…
It’s a simple question with a complex answer. “What Matters Most to You, and Why?” Stanford Business School has asked this question of aspirants to its MBA program for years as part of its admissions process. Then they follow up with a second essay question: “What do you want to do – REALLY – and why?” What Matters to US while we are in the waiting room for God
Inside The Pixar Braintrust<http://www.fastcompany.com/3027135/inside-the-pixar-braintrust>
Fast Company, 12/3/14. A hallmark of a healthy creative culture is that its people feel free to share ideas, opinions, and criticisms. Our decision making is better when we draw on the collective knowledge and unvarnished opinions of the group. Candor is the key to collaborating effectively. Creative juices
It’s a simple question with a complex answer. “What Matters Most to You, and Why?” Stanford Business School has asked this question of aspirants to its MBA program for years as part of its admissions process. Then they follow up with a second essay question: “What do you want to do – REALLY – and why?” What Matters to US while we are in the waiting room for God
Inside The Pixar Braintrust<http://www.fastcompany.com/3027135/inside-the-pixar-braintrust>
Fast Company, 12/3/14. A hallmark of a healthy creative culture is that its people feel free to share ideas, opinions, and criticisms. Our decision making is better when we draw on the collective knowledge and unvarnished opinions of the group. Candor is the key to collaborating effectively. Creative juices
| Love Through the Musical Ages |
It seems that as much as people want to fill the world with love songs there are plenty of people who want to hear them. Digital artist Nickolay Lamm has tracked the popularity of certain words (i.e. ‘money’, ‘baby’, ‘lonely’) from every song on Billboard’s Year-End Hot 100 list from 1960 to 2013 and made an Infographic with the results.
Speaking of songs czech out Sarsha Simone with Kitten Jam www.kittenjam.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flKqKIT1Was |
Cautionary Tale - Card Skimming in Sydney - NSW police's Strike Force Bournemouth
How the hell does this allow to even happen ... Once your identity has been stolen, there is no telling how many other criminals will get their hands on your information. Skimming means more than just cutting fat off steak; it’s also when a thief obtains data from that magnetic strip on the back of your credit card (or debit or ATM card). The thief records and copies this data with a counterfeit card reader onto a blank card’s strip, and then makes purchases or cash withdrawals with this fraudulent card—in the account holder’s name. Skimming takes place at ATMs, taxis, gas stations, restaurants, retail stores ..Cautionary Tales
Police investigating a card skimming gang targeting automatic teller machines (ATMs) in Sydney and are seeking assistance from the public.
It appears that the devices copy bank card details, while a tiny video camera records the victim entering their personal identification number.
The group seems to use the latest in miniature skimming technology, meaning suspect devices are particularly difficult to detect.
Citizens who might have seen potential gang members using ATMs before business or after business hours around Liverpool - and specifically there was unauthorised transaction detected at CBA's ATM located at POLDING ST Wetherill Park, NSW, 2164 around 7:30 AM on Friday 14 March 2014 should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. An increase in card skimming activities led to the establishing of NSW police's Strike Force Bournemouth in June 2013. Strike Force detectives work with banks to detect the skimmers and any unauthorised transactions on accounts.
These two men were unable to stay ahead of the law. Even the smartest criminal makes a mistake now and then. Real and virtual world seems to be peppered with crooks ... Two men charged over alleged attempted ATM break-in - CBD Friday, 14 March 2014 09:31:22 AM
Police investigating a card skimming gang targeting automatic teller machines (ATMs) in Sydney and are seeking assistance from the public.
‘Card skimming’ is the illegal copying of information from the magnetic strip of a credit or ATM card. It is a more direct version of a phishing scam.
The scammers try to steal your details so they can access your accounts. Once scammers have skimmed your card, they can create a fake or ‘cloned’ card with your details on it. The scammer is then able to run up charges on your account.
Card skimming is also a way for scammers to steal your identity (your personal details) and use it to commit identity fraud. By stealing your personal details and account numbers the scammer may be able to borrow money or take out loans in your name. ACCC on Card Skimming in Sydney ; In UK Police hunt Romanian ATM thieves
In the US The FTC announced its top 10 consumer complaints for 2013 today. Of the more than 2 million consumer complaints received…
NSW Police might be able to obtain images of ATM card skimmers who are defrauding bank customers across Sydney.
- Identity theft leads the field, with 14 percent of total complaints filed. Thirty percent of those were tax- or wage-related, which continues to be the largest category within identity theft complaints.
In October 2013, KrebsOnSecurity published an exclusive story detailing how a Vietnamese man running an online identity theft service bought personal and financial records on Americans directly from a company owned by Experian, one of the three major U.S. credit bureaus. Today’s story looks deeper at the damage wrought in this colossal misstep by one of the nation’s largest data brokers.
NSW Police might be able to obtain images of ATM card skimmers who are defrauding bank customers across Sydney.
During February 2014, card-skimmers installed sophisticated devices on to ATMs in the Sydney metropolitan area. Allegedly on 19 February this device took details of CBD customers who used NAB's ATM on the corner of Castlereagh St and Liverpool St.
Friday, March 14, 2014
Google & Tricks
Be a Google Ninja: Tips and Tricks for Online Research
Reformed broker, 17/2/14. A nice infographic with tips on getting the most out of a Google search.
http://www.thereformedbroker.com/2014/02/17/be-a-google-ninja-tips-and-tricks-for-online-research/
Reformed broker, 17/2/14. A nice infographic with tips on getting the most out of a Google search.
http://www.thereformedbroker.com/2014/02/17/be-a-google-ninja-tips-and-tricks-for-online-research/
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Crowd-funding brings creative Pozibilities for Cold River
Crowd-funding brings creative Pozibilities A YEAR and a half ago, a trio of Melbourne filmmakers faced a watershed moment.
They had secured the participation of Academy Award winning actor Geoffrey Rush as a narrator for their short film, but simultaneously run out of money for post-production. Creative pozibilities
Five detainees at Guantanamo Bay have drawn up a lengthy business plan for an agricultural venture in Yemen as part as an instructional exercise. The document was approved for release last month by military officials. Judicial Watch rightly observes that the level of detail in the plan shows that the detainees “had access to many research tools, likely on the internet.” Although the business proposal appears to be only a classroom activity and not an actual, shovel-ready project, the language in the document indicates that terrorists would be comfortable with crowdfunding as a sharia-compliant platform to raise money. Good ideas lead to bad
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