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Archive for February, 2008

Gaiman’s American Gods: Free for One Month

From Neil Gaiman’s blog:

Feel free to spread the link as widely as possible around the web. If it works, and people read it, then a) we may be able to put up another book and b) sooner or later they’ll simply let us give away the book in electronic form….

In my estimaton, American Gods is Gaiman at his best. Check out the book, and if you like what you see, buy it.

To Whom It May Concern

Much fun on the flash fiction front1 from 365 Tomorrows:

Dear Fontilibus Corporation rescue crew, space explorers, other would be rescuers, or whom it may concern,

How are you?

Good, I hope. Whether or not you’ve found my remains,it should be clear to you that I’ve been better. If I were alive, we would be talking right now and you wouldn’t be reading this. I hope you do read this. It’s just a small little card. It shouldn’t take more than five minutes to read.

365 tomorrows » To Whom It May Concern




  1. Witness the alliteration, so early in the morning. I am mighty.[back]

The Street as a Data Processing Platform

Once you start playing in the world of data, it’s hard to turn off the part of your brain that examines how various independent streams of data can be mixed, matched, sliced and diced to glean meaning. The world is rife with data to be mined, and our magnificent brains handle it with such speed and efficiency that we barely notice we’re doing it. But, slow yourself for a moment. Take a look around you…witness everything you are learning from what is going on in your vicinity at that very moment. We cue on the subtlest of things…almost totally subconsciously.

The following article takes a look at how a city street is a treasure trove of data and data processing. Watch as the author breaks down just what is happening from an objective point of view. Very interesting read.

We can’t see how the street is immersed in a twitching, pulsing cloud of data. This is over and above the well-established electromagnetic radiation, crackles of static, radio waves conveying radio and television broadcasts in digital and analogue forms, police voice traffic. This is a new kind of data, collective and individual, aggregated and discrete, open and closed, constantly logging impossibly detailed patterns of behaviour. The behaviour of the street.

cityofsound: The street as platform via Dave Mead via WIlliam Gibson

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An Open Letter to George Hrab

Dear George,

Ever since I discovered you on Skepticality, I’ve been impressed with your music. I bought the four albums that were available. I’ve introduced many of my friends to your music, and they, too, have been impressed.

I’ve been listening to the Geologic Podcast for a long time, and I’ve enjoyed both your original work and your interpretations of other artist’s work. Your flair for interpretation is what prompts this letter.

I know you’re in the process of putting together a new album. I know you’re still gathering material. I have a suggestion…nay…a request, if you are taking requests.

I would love to hear what you would do with Jerry Reed’s Amos Moses.

As you probably already know, it’s a distinctive song. I’ve long wondered what someone with your chops could do with it, given the chance. Given the originality of your remake of Psychokiller1 on Vitriol, I can only imagine it would be something to remember.

So I ask, Geo…any interest?

All the best,

Chris Miller




  1. By the Talking Heads[back]

Cleveland Rocks?

After spending 10 days in Santa Monica, the following info makes perfect sense to me.

Bizjournals.com looked at 50 U.S. cities to determine the most stressful metropolitan areas. Cleveland is No. 2 on the list; only Detroit is a more stressful place to live, based on factors ranging from finances and unemployment to traffic, crime and pollution….Of the 50 cities, Cleveland ranks 40th or worst in categories including percentage of possible sunshine; robberies per 100,000 residents; unemployment rate; rate of per capita income growth; and circulatory deaths per 100,000.
from Crain’s Cleveland Business: Take a deep breath

On this last trip, Cathy was able to make the trip to L.A. with me. 75 degrees and sunny. People out walking around and enjoying themselves. Places nearby that are open later than 10pm. I’d be lying if I said we were looking forward to coming home to Cleveland.

I’m trying. I’m really trying to love our grey city. Really I am.

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