Thought Chasm

a random selection of events, observations, ideas or happenings

Archive for the ‘media’ Category

always buy version two »

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011

iPad 2 with CaseThere’s a general rule of thumb among the iFolk.  Only fanboys buy the first version; wait until version two.

The less bleeding edge among them laugh. A friend recently noted: “They do it on purpose, you can bet that 2nd generation is already designed by the time the 1st one is released.”

I’m not here to defend those who preorder, wait in line, or order the newest release on the day of release (co—DC—ugh) but they exist for a reason. Fanboys’ consumptive irrationality maintains Apple’s follow-up sales and ridiculous margins.

The slower iFolk should thank them. (more…)

Wisconsin’s a symptom »

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011

The protests and the uproar are nonsense. That’s sad, right? I mean, DEMOCRACY!! and the PEOPLE and whatever?

Early last November, a highly conservative, mostly elderly crowd, made their way to vote across the nation. There was no uproar, no shipping of pizzas from all over the world for volunteers and no schools closed.

On that day, the events of the past weeks were set. A mass of uninformed ideologues took to the streets, single file. In an orderly fashion, the battle was won without signs, chants or sleeping bags. (more…)

2011 Oscar Predictions »

Sunday, February 20th, 2011

So, the posts are thin here at the Chasm but I couldn’t let next week’s show go by without putting in my few cents (one less than last year). Below are my picks, the likely winners and a few comments. You can look back at my predictions over the last four years here. Nominees are here. There should be a follow-up eventually. (more…)

some dude’s transit plan »

Thursday, February 3rd, 2011

High LineI should have no influence in whom you vote for. In fact, most of you aren’t even in Chicago, so it won’t matter, right? Anyway, Rahm Emanuel recently released his transportation plans and it’s notable for a couple reasons.

First, because it’s amazing that anyone is putting any attention toward alternative forms of transportation. The Republicans are complete idiots on this. With the recent bailouts, cars are now patriotic—trains (or, shudder, bikes) are not.

It’s a bold move but the second reason is even broader. The parts specific to biking are sort of awesome. (more…)

Skins is MTV’s death rattle but it’s still an icon! »

Friday, January 21st, 2011

Skins Title“At one point, MTV wasn’t terrible. It was a cultural icon, in fact,” I will tell my grandchildren. When did it first become the rotting pile of teenage flesh that made your childhood weep, they will inquire (they are smart, attractive)?

Most of you would reply with “Jersey Shore.” (Of those, ninety percent are probably avid viewers.) Reasonable.

Others point to when the “music” ratio dropped below .05 hours of music videos for every two of reality shame. That’s hard to pinpoint. (more…)

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