Except that homelessness is very much apparent and people often just ignore them. Also, I think this system vastly underestimates the underground network of the homeless. Wonder how there can be overweight homeless people? First, their diet consists of dollar menu items from fast food chains. Second, because this food is cheap, they buy a lot with their busker wages and share with others in the network. 

I commend these designers for thinking of the homeless, but a little more research needs to be done. 

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“…so long as we have a monetization model of information that prioritizes the wrong stakeholders — advertisers over readers — we will always cater to the business interests of the former, not the intellectual interests of the latter.”

I’ve been feeling the sort of cognitive dissonance lately when I think back on some of the class discussions I had in grad school. There was a minor debate on where advertising goes and how it should correspond with the article being read in an effort to be more useful to the user. At the time I thought that this made practical sense. Maybe I’m becoming a romantic in my old age, but this has become a jarring echo.

When I met up with a local publisher, I asked her about the tenor of the journalism industrial complex of D.C. and some of her thoughts on the whole “journalism is dead” thing. She explained to me about how advertising and reporting are becoming more and more muddled in newsrooms so the onus is on journalists to churn out articles that get those precious hits and unique views.

Indeed, the current experiment over at Gawker is an example of this – half the staff is tasked with putting up salacious stories while the other half do something…else. I don’t know what because Gawker isn’t exactly a bastion of journalism. They break stories all right but rarely are they earth-shattering and more often scandalous.

Popova laments the state of journalism repeating stories and beating a fresh story into a dead carcass while will continue to be beaten,

“The homogenization of curiosity is something that keeps me up at night, as does the thickening of the filter bubble, from mainstream churnalism to smaller and niche publications’ propensity for regurgitating MetaFilter or Reddit headlines — our modern-day newswires.”

This piques my interest because as my conversation with my friend revealed (and some experiments with hyper-local news adventures), people don’t care that much about local news. And this is really where a lot of original content will come from. They become grander when other news outlets pick up on it and notice a pattern. [This may someday become easier with the implementation of the semantic web and the Open Government movement, explained here by another friend, Kristen Milholin.]

So if people aren’t actually curious about things that are closest to them and are driven by the scandals of tabloids and visual candy of slideshows – then what are we, as serious journalists, supposed to do about that?

Popova has one idea:

“Until we, as an information culture in general and as media producers in particular, figure out a way to reinstate the editor as the visionary and the reader as the stakeholder, the Internet will remain a dismal landscape for intelligent, compelling media.”

I take issue with the whole “dismal landscape” gibe. I find all kinds of wonderful things on the outer reaches of the Internet. So I don’t think editors have any power over what readers do; readers are stakeholders no matter model you come up with. It’s just that they don’t behave in ways we want them to.

There are two ways to look at this problem:

1. The problem is us. We as a culture need to value the importance of our role in local and national society. Instead of putting our interests first, we need to think outside of ourselves and pay attention to what’s happening to our neighbors.

I know, that sounds all kinds of preachy. But what will anyone care about an environmental spill in the Gulf of Mexico if we don’t feel we can do anything about it and if we don’t see how something matters even if it doesn’t affect us directly and immediately? Harder still, if we don’t think we can do anything about anything, who cares about the next bill to come through city council – good or bad?

There are no business models that will change journalism and the market. The market needs to get over itself and its endless search for entertainment. I won’t get all Zen Buddhist on you, but one of the steps in the eight fold path is to do what needs to be done right now.

2. The problem is the Internet. On the internet, information is free and some bloggers, out of the goodness of their heart, report on events that some local journalists won’t or can’t. They are flooding the market with free information. And there isn’t anything to be done about that. There is great stuff out there…there is also horrible stuff.

As media outlets lose control and information becomes decentralized, there’s no way any editor – even at CNN – can change the digital landscape. If any good could come out of a SOPA negotiation, it would be putting power back into the news industry’s hands, in the magical power of Popova’s editor who only seeks to illustrate the important and diminish the irrelevant.

Otherwise, no one is going to pay for something they can get for free and agrees with their sentimentalities.

What’s the answer? Beats me, dude. But I will continue to write about stories that I find important, entertaining, fun and serious. I hope Popova does the same.

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I know, it’s the writer’s fault for creating such an unlikable star. Katherine McPhee plays Karen Cartwright, a struggling actress trying to make it on Broadway. The show follows the beginning production of a new musical about Marilyn Monroe, who is dead, has been dead for awhile now, and will never be resurrected. But that does not deter our composers, Julia Houston (Messing) or Tom Levitt (Borle) from writing up a demo and going viral on YouTube (ha, like a Marilyn video would go viral on YouTube).

What else? Davenport plays a really skeezy director, Derek Wills. And Anjelica Houston plays a producer going through a terrible divorce,  Eileen Rand. Megan Hilty, who played Glinda in Wicked, is the actual Broadway actress trying to get a damn leg up, Ivy Lynn. Those are the basics…here are my running thoughts as document on Facebook with more exposition.

“Watching new SMASH TV show – and of course, the lead actress is complaining of being TOO SKINNY to her HOT INDIAN BRITISH BOYFRIEND. Fuck you, McPhee.”

Remember what I said about being unlikable? Boo-hoo, really. The rest of America mourns for your bourgeois problems. Except, she’s not even supposed to be bourgeois. She’s supposed to be a struggling actress who’s day job includes pouring coffee and forgetting customers. A single woman who moves to NYC from Middle America manages to capture the heart of a really good-looking British professional who works at the Mayor’s office?

Where’s my piece of this pie?

Oh and the directors didn’t think she was too skinny, as she previously thought in fact…

“Oh Dear God. She confuses “resume light” (i.e. not enough experience) with being too skinny. How self-obsessed can you be???”

With all the Sturm & Drang going on behind her little subplot, these little forays into her idiocy could be completely cut from the show and it will have improved at least 100%. At least.

Why? Because I just don’t buy this girl as the next Marilyn, or Christina or Britney or even Rebecca Black. Sorry, McPhee, but you have no chops. You can sing, but you can’t act your way out of a plastic bag. And the writer’s have written a character so wholly unbelievable. It’s not your fault, so sorry for the haterade.

But some points:

1. Breathe from your goddamn diaphragm not your chest.

2. When you audition, address the directors and composers by introducing yourself and the piece you’ll be singing. Don’t just look at the poor accompanist like…ha, this song needs no introduction! It does. Especially if it’s an Xtina song…at a Broadway audition.

3. Don’t ever sing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” ever again. Thank you.

It’s a shame because Ivy is the clear dead-ringer for Marilyn – she’s voluptuous, she oozes sex, and she has a voice that could flatten you. This “innocence” thing Derek keeps yammering on about is just inaccurate. Marilyn was calculating, don’t get it twisted.

Anyhow, all the McPhee idiocy aside, it would be a fun show to watch not least because of the NEW SONGS!!! Take that, Glee!

Will I watch? Probably not. Unless there’s nothing else on Hulu.

My Take: Watch a real Broadway musical instead. 

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Watch the 30 minute presentation.

His words resonated with me mostly because of his observation that humans are meant to pulse. When you think about it, it’s true. We’re not digital machines that run fast and hard over long periods of time. No, we pulse.

Our heart beats. Our eyes blink. Our lungs expand and contract. Our brain waves light up and go dark.

His practical applications involve working 90 minutes at a time on one focused task then rest. He doesn’t go into how much rest you need – I guess we have to figure that out on our own.

But it’s no wonder why we’re treated like machines since we’re constantly competing with them. We can never be as efficient or productive. But technology needs us to be creative and inspirational.

So put aside your keyboard and mouse. Stare outside the window for awhile.

Related posts:

1. Creative Workplaces Part 1: I Am Not A Hard Worker

Coincidentally, I did have an existential crisis of more epic proportions. It had a little to do with the Buddhist idea of “no self.” But rather than being debilitatingly scary, it really released me from my own preconceived notions about myself as well as those of others.

In three months I’ll have another “awakening” with new goals and a new hair do, but I’m more prepared now to smack myself if that new attitude is really just my ego trying to build itself up.

However, my recent crisis did produce some other, more practical, insights. My goals everyday are:

- Do what needs to be done right now. Don’t focus on your feelings but on the actions that need to be done.

- Don’t get wrapped up in what I think I should be but on what I want to do.

- Eat a megaton of leafy greens.

- Write every morning. Research the rest of the day.

By the way, I’m not announcing this because I think you’ll keep my accountable. What a burden that is on you! Unless you like being a pushy jerk who laughs at everyone’s flaws…

I’m writing this down in case any of you have the same ideas or needed to be reminded of what your own goals are. But look forward to a “fall off the wagon” post in the near future. It’s inevitable.

I hope all your existential crises are as fruitful…Happy New Year!

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It’s not as rosy as Fast Company’s recent infographic, This Bike Could Save Your Life. In fact, this bike will likely either kill or maim you.

Your success at turning to cycling as your primary mode of transportation is dependent on a lot of factors.

1. Urban planning and rent. Yeah, bike all you want if you are blessed enough to have income that let’s you bike around with a block of gruyere and bottle of Malbec in your woven little basket on your one speeder. Even better if you live in an area that doesn’t have a lot of hills, large bike lanes, and roads that give priority to pedestrians and bikers. Otherwise, if you are in the financial situation that forces you to take public transit, you probably live in the suburbs and it would be easier to just take the bus instead of showing up to work smelling like a wad of sweaty socks.

2. Your anxiety levels. You’re a tiny little speck in the big wide world of SUVs. Want to make a left turn? I think I just had a panic attack. Not mention if you have to bike across freeway entrances. Those are fun. Biking requires you to pay MORE attention than driving does and to be even MORE defensive. Any little thing could cause you die. Which brings us to…

3. You don’t crash. Sure, you lose 13 lbs in a year. Sure you get more muscley. If you don’t crash and break every bone in your body. This goes back to urban planning. I don’t think I’ve met a single cyclist that hasn’t crashed into an open car door or some other thing that can just come rolling out of the sidewalks. I’ve done a forward flip my bike twice just from trying to jump a curb and not seeing a medium sized rock while biking at night. Biking is dangerous. You have to be trained to do it. Unlike walking or riding the bus, it takes expertise to be able to make left turns, avoid crashing into pedestrians and cars alike, ride up hills, ride down hills, etc.

If I were you, I’d just take the bus and walk to work or school. It’s safer, more efficient, and you won’t reek of corn chips and wet dog.

Also – get off the fracking sidewalk cyclists! I’m walking here!

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In one chapter, Mindy talks about a potential TV show she pitched to TDI based on her and her roommate’s life pre-The Office fame. It got totally watered down and ruined by the typical Hollywood machine that can only conceive of skinny modelesque women as potentially interesting in a TV show.

And I found the pilot. Yep. It sucks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI24LHQlJFo

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Thank you, Ruby!

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It’s almost like the writer/producer/whoever-in-charge is validating these characters’ “faults” for being ambitious and super-focused on their careers. “It’s ok! She may be single-minded in her pursuit for [justice/saving the world/acquisition of firearms], but she’s SO SEXY! See – she still keeps her ‘femininity’ by wearing impossible high heels!” My Achilles tendon just snapped in two at you.

I live in DC where the women wear running shoes walking up and down K street in the am and pm. Sometimes my lowered gaze catches the wobble of an unsteady ankle in a high heel. For the most part, they wear sensible shoes. But they do hold themselves up do ridiculous high hair-standards. These women did not blow dry their hair themselves, lemmetellyouwhat.

Who has time for mani-pedis, blowouts, facials and shopping? I fucking don’t. I love fashion. But sometimes, I just wear jeans, an “office appropriate” blouse to work and a ponytail. Why? Because I spent the whole night [doing case studies/reading/blogging/watching crime dramas].

Let’s look at some examples.

On the new show, Fairly Legal, Kate Reed is a compassionate moderator (I love compassion, but why is it always juxtaposed against the male character’s black-and-white POV? Men can’t be compassionate too?) who runs around San Francisco in black stilettos. At one point she drags a bench she’s chained to down a hallway. I would not be able to wear such high heels for longer than two hours much less heave a piece of furniture around. It was a hilarious scene. Would have been funnier were she barefoot. She probably would’ve gotten farther along. I digress…

Kate is also redonkuslously beautiful. I know lawyers are way image conscious, but come on. They aren’t all models. Nancy Grace, I love you, but Ralph Lauren isn’t going to cast her anytime soon. And for good reason – she’d probably eat him alive. But  she’s also just like you and me. Average looking but a fighter. Why don’t we reward characters like that?

How about Kate Beckett on Castle? Would you seriously be able to run after scumbags in Manolos? No, you wouldn’t. Not in New York City especially where there are fucking grates everywhere. Raise your hand if your heel has ever been caught in a grate or in cement cracks? Thought so. Imagine doing that at high speed. Can we say face plant?

There are others like whatsherface on whatsthatshow on USA who’s a CIA spy. Fi on Burn Notice unrealistically slings some serious artillery on her 90lb frame.

I love me a kick-ass woman, but how about some not-drop-dead-gorgeous heroines for once? Who maybe aren’t as pitiful as Liz Lemon, although there are some strong parallels between us. I probably identify most with Leslie Knope though – that’s a woman I can get behind!

So hear my call Hollywood – more Leslie Knopes!

Also check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB7AOdVe3wU

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Photo taken by Noble Monrose

Before I get the wrath of Lady Gaga’s little monsters, let me preface my post by saying that I have nothing against Gaga herself. I have no problem with the outfits she wears or her bisexuality. As a musician, I feel it’s my right to not like her music. With that said, please read the following Gaga quote in HuffPo about her upcoming video for “Alejandro”:

“I’ve been unable to find that with a straight man in my life. It’s a celebration and an admiration of gay love – it confesses my envy of the courage and bravery they require to be together. In the video I’m pining for the love of my gay friends – but they just don’t want me.”

My main issue with this quote is that it screams of cultural exocitism. Meaning, it attributes some unique or “exotic” characteristic to a group of people and fetishizes it (middle-class suburban teens flashing gang signs and wearing baggy pants; Americans trying to emulate anime characters). This exotic characteristic is a little more subtle – bravery and courage of having a relationship.

Often when you praise a group for something it’s at the expense of others. While being gay in many parts of this country and this world is extremely difficult, that doesn’t mean that hetero couples are any less courageous. There are so many examples of couples, gay or straight, being brave in order to stay together: bi-racial, interfaith, and long distance relationships all require some fearlessness.

Claiming that straight men can’t fulfill – what? a sense of danger or audacity in going out together? – is panning hetero relationships. I faced a lot of discrimination from an ex’s family because they were Mormon and I live my life completely outside those lines. Honey, if you want that, go for it.

This fetish with gay love makes me feel icky, and I’m not even gay. I’m not going to speak for the LGBT community, but I can speak from experience. I am Asian and I have my fair share of creepy stories about guys with an Asian thing. It’s weird. It makes me uncomfortable and upset. Don’t pine after me because of some ridiculous idea about my culture. I don’t think Gaga’s ideas here are any different.

Also, Gaga. If you want to tell a story about lesbian prison sex and misadventure or fetishizing gay love, write a song about it. “Telephone” and “Alejandro” are fun songs to dance to, but those of us who don’t watch MTV or fanatically search for you on YouTube won’t get the message. I for one would love to hear a song about something much more strange than dancing in the club while your boyfriend or girlfriend blows up your phone.

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