Art

Spychips by Katherine Albrecht and Liz McIntyre

Recent reading: Spychips: How Major Corporations and Government Plan to Track Your Every Purchase and Watch Your Every Move
by Katherine Albrecht and Liz McIntyre

From the Electronic Frontier Foundation:

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) “tags” are small wireless devices that emit unique identifiers when interrogated by RFID readers or sensors. Today, both government and the private sector are using and promoting the use of RFID tags for many applications, from consumer items to government ID cards. EFF believes, however, that society is moving too quickly to adopt RFID technology. Used improperly, RFID can jeopardize privacy, reduce or eliminate anonymity, and threaten civil liberties.

Want a book that will give you some serious paranoia? This is definitely it. Albrecht and McIntyre are privacy advocates who research and report on Radio Frequency Identification microchips that corporations and governments have patents and plans to embed in nearly everything – consumer goods, credit and loyalty cards, identification, money, even under your skin:

“As you walk down the street, a tiny microchip implanted in your tennis shoe tracks your every move; chips woven into your clothing transmit the value of your outfit to nearby retailers; and a thief scans the chips hidden inside your money to decide if you’re worth robbing. This isn’t science fiction; in a few short years, it could be a fact of life.”

When the book was written in 2005, there were only handful of companies using RFID technology, but through patents and leaked corporate documents, the authors were able to find some of big businesses very disturbing plans, including embedding permanent RFID chips in clothing and even human beings.
In the two years since, some of the books predictions have come to pass – Passports now contain an RFID chip, as well as many toll booth ez pass cards, and some schools are tracking students. IBM has advanced to patent applications for “Identification and tracking of persons using RFID-tagged items.”

And even more disturbing – the chips have been show to cause tumors in animals who have been chipped for identification purposes.

The books draws some very nightmarish scenarios – it’s hard to tell whether they’re paranoid or just extraordinarily cautious, but it’s a subject that seems to be flying under the radar of much of mainstream media and the average person.

Continue ReadingSpychips by Katherine Albrecht and Liz McIntyre

My ass can be seen from space

  • Post author:
  • Post category:Technology

Stephanie and I were talking and she pointed out that Google had added the “street view” feature for the city of Indianapolis; this lets you look at city streets as though you’re standing on them, and you can do a panoramic view of the houses rather than just and aerial view. That’s a pretty big deal; they haven’t done more than an handful of cities, and Indianapolis was only rolled out on December 10th – a few days ago. So i promptly looked up our house…

Look! There’s Our House in Google Streetview!

Look! There's Our House in Google Streetview

Hey, who’s that in the yard?

Hey, who's that in the yard?

Uh, that’s me in the yard.
Uh, that's me in the yard.

Yeah, that’s my ass on Google Street view.

Yeah, that's my ass on Google Street view.

Great. Well, at least I can prove I did yard work this summer.

Continue ReadingMy ass can be seen from space

Books, Books, Books

This past weekend, Stephanie and I went to my company’s warehouse employee book sale. This is where they lay out all the returned stock from bookstores and let us purchase it at a steep discount, which means that it doesn’t need to get recycled or trashed. It’s one of the great perks of my job for book lovers like us, and is a really great deal, money-wise. I was able to pick up many books that have been on my “to read” pile for a long time.

On the other hand… we came home with 160 books. 57 of them were mine, 30 of them are presents for family members, and 73 of them are Stephanie’s. So… yeah. We made great strides in reducing clutter this year in our house, then frakked it all up. Heh. Actually, the sheer volume of stuff we cleared out this year is quite a bit more than the books we acquired, so we’re not at all back where we started. But we have a lot of book storage to come up with.

And I have a LOT of books. Doing the math – I acquired more books at this sale than I read this year, easily, and I did the same thing last year. And I also bought quite a few new books this year, although one of my goals was not to do that. I feel guilty that there are so many wonderful books in my library that I simply haven’t read. And many of them have been sitting there for quite some time, while I go around willy-nilly, checking out new titles from the library and buying new books from the bookstore.

So… that leads me to my 2008 new year’s resolution(s), which I’m making a bit early:

In 2008, I will read only books that I already own, and read more of them than I have in the last few years. To accomplish that, my plans are:

  1. I will not buy ANY books in 2008, new or used, unless I have to for work, with one exception – next year’s year-end warehouse book sale, and that only if I accomplish my resolution, and I can only purchase as many books as I’ve read in 2008.
  2. If I need a book for book club, I’ll check it out from the library, or (worst case scenario) Stephanie will buy it.
  3. I will NOT check books out from the library this year, unless it’s for book club. (I know that seems strange, but the goal is not about saving money, it’s about focusing my attention on my own library.)
  4. Do a massive purge of my feed reader and severely reduce the number of blogs I read regularly.
  5. Carry my current read around with me everywhere, so that I focus on it, and not the magazines in the doctor’s waiting room, the internet while I’m waiting for gym class, etc.).

So there it is – my official 2008 New Year’s Resolution. Let’s see if I can stick to it.

2019 update: I did not succeed at this resolution. Not this year, or any other year that I made it.

2022-03-12 Update: And I haven’t since 2019, either.
Continue ReadingBooks, Books, Books

Travel Adventure

  • Post author:
  • Post category:Art

I’ve always wondered this myself – why is it more interesting that Sir Edmund Hillary climbed Everest than the sherpas who guided him up the mountain? Interesting article on adventure travel:

I stayed on at the Lotus Guesthouse and struggled with my article for the Major American Adventure-Travel Magazine. Every time I researched some upscale mountain trek in the Nepal Himalayas or two-week scuba diving excursion off the coast of Papua New Guinea, I couldn’t help but ponder how pointless it all was. I began to e-mail my editor pointed questions about how one should define the “extremes of human experience.” How was kayaking a remote Chinese river, I asked, more notable than surviving on its shores for a lifetime? How did risking frostbite on a helicopter-supported journey to arctic Siberia constitute more of an “adventure” than risking frostbite on a winter road-crew in Upper Peninsula Michigan? Did anyone else think it was telling that bored British aristocrats — not the peoples of the Himalayas — were the ones who first deemed it important to climb Mount Everest? My editor’s replies were understandably terse.

For those seeking a deeper understanding of adventure beyond the glossy veneer, there’s a wealth of resources available like this blog called Right Between Us. From thought-provoking articles to insightful travel guides and more, these platforms offer a nuanced perspective on the multifaceted nature of exploration. They invite us to venture beyond the beaten path and engage with diverse cultures and landscapes on a deeper level. So, as we navigate the vast landscape of adventure travel, let’s remember to honor not only the bold pioneers but also the unsung heroes and resilient communities who enrich our journeys in ways both big and small.

For those truly seeking to immerse themselves in the essence of adventure, renting a scooter can transform your travel experience. This immersive approach to travel allows you to appreciate the intricate tapestry of life on Oahu, making your adventure not just a journey through stunning locales, but also a heartfelt exploration of the island’s spirit and resilience. As you weave through the lush scenery and bustling towns, you’ll find yourself engaging with the local community in meaningful ways, from stopping at roadside stands to chat with artisans to sharing smiles and stories with fellow travelers. For even more inspiration on how to make the most of these connections, the Allworld Travel blog offers invaluable tips and heartfelt stories that will enrich your journey and encourage you to see travel through a more connected and vibrant lens. Travelers may also visit the Palace on Wheels luxury train tours, one of the best experiences for those looking to explore the rich cultural heritage of India in style.

In a world where adventure often seems defined by feats of conquest or exotic escapades, it’s easy to overlook the everyday adventures that shape the lives of individuals around the globe. Similarly, the allure of climbing Mount Everest may capture headlines, but it’s the stories of resilience and ingenuity from those who call the Himalayas home, like the Sherpas, that truly embody the spirit of human perseverance. In much the same way, while Miami’s glitzy reputation may draw attention, it’s the vibrant communities and diverse cultures that make it a truly fascinating destination. Websites such as exprealty.com/us/fl/miami/houses/ offer a glimpse into the real Miami, showcasing not just luxurious properties, but also the vibrant neighborhoods and beachfront lifestyles that define the city.

Exploring Miami isn’t just about finding the perfect beachfront villa or luxury condo; it’s about immersing oneself in a tapestry of cultures, from the colorful streets of Little Havana to the chic art galleries of Wynwood. Whether you’re in search of a waterfront retreat or simply looking to experience the pulsating energy of the city, Miami offers an adventure unlike any other.

Continue ReadingTravel Adventure

spaceup! blue Volkswagen Bus

Volkswagen of America unveils a new concept cart – a “green” fuel-cell microbus-like vehicle called “spaceup! blue.”

space up! blue VW bus

space up! blue VW bus

space up! blue VW bus

space up! blue VW bus

space up! blue VW bus

space up! blue VW bus

space up! blue VW bus

First – they had me at “hybrid microbus.” Seriously, that’s all it takes. Please make one. Please. I will give you my first-born. If you love me, go to the VW website contact page and tell them to make one for me.

Second – it does need round headlights, but I can live without them, as long as I have one. And I hope they have cooler colors. Not that I wouldn’t paint it with swirly hippie flowers anyway. But a nice yellow base would be a better canvas, and the white interior is a no-go.

From USA Today:

Volkswagen space up! blue: Imagine it without the emblems, and you think you’re looking at the old Scion xB “box.”

But you’re not. Volkswagen introduced a fuel-cell concept vehicle called the spaceup! blue — yes, that’s lower case with an exclamation mark in the middle.

It’s meant to be reminscent of a VW microbus, with lots of space inside.

The four-seat space up — who named this thing? — has what is billed as the world’s first high-temperature fuel cell coupled with 12 lithium-ion batteries. Having the cell work at higher temperatures allows it to be more efficient and compact, VW says. Besides the fuel cell, its batteries can be charged from a wall socket.

But wait! There’s more!

One of the best solar installation companies, EcoGen America announced that the space up also has a solar panel on the roof that can supply a bit more energy to the battery.
Space up can be driven up to 65 miles on the electric motor alone. The fuel cell is good for another 155 miles for a combined range between the two power sources of 220, VW says.

The “green” theme carries through to the interior, which makes extensive use of recycled materials.

Continue Readingspaceup! blue Volkswagen Bus