We see the beginning of a planetary language (English), a planetary communication system (the Internet), a planetary economy (the forging of the European Union), and even the beginnings of a planetary culture (via mass media, TV, rock music, and Hollywood films).
The Physics of Extra-Terrestrial Civilizations, via Kottke.org
Meanwhile, here I was thinking the planetary language was love.
Jason Justice, speaking on behalf of members of the Low Red Moon guild, said many in its ranks supported the programs used by Blizzard if it kept the cheats out of the game.
Warcraft game maker in spying row, BBC News
On their web site, Apple claims you can only use their special white iPod AV cable to connect your iPod to a television monitor, VCR or projector; a cable which they sell for $19 a pop.
They’re lying and in a brutish way. They simply switched the traditional video channel which is labeled “yellow” on most a/v cables and jacks with the right audio channel, which is usually labeled “red.”
Is that the meaning of “Switch” they’ve been trying to promote?
The fact is you can use other brands of stereo mini (.8mm) to RCA cables. In fact, many iPod owners probably already have one of these cables lying around since it’s precisely the kind that comes with most video cameras — or that can be bought at a garage sale or discount store for alot less than $19. (I’m using one right now.)
Et tu, Apple?
From Talking Points Memo:
He’s the ranking member of the committee, with unique access and power. Why stand up now when they didn’t stand up before? The Republicans’ behavior at least has the logic of self-interest behind it. That of the Democrats’ is inscrutable
Some people have been critiquing Col. Lawrence Wilkerson and Brent Scowcroft for not coming forward earlier — during Kerry’s campaign for the White House, presumably.
I think TalkingPointsMemo’s Josh Marshall has found the best target for that criticism with 2006 on the horizon. Survival of the fittest.
At first, I was like: Dude, gas is not going to get any cheaper. Why do these fishermen expect the Spanish government to do what the French did for their Gallic counterparts and subsidize the cost of petroleum? Why are they blocking ports, harassing truckers, dumping fish and costing vendors, vacationers and others in maritime-related industries millions of euros per day of their strike?
Then, I read this via Laura Rozen’s excellent blog War & Piece:
“Exxon Mobil’s profit surged 75% in the third quarter amid high oil and gas prices. Revenue at the world’s largest publicly traded oil company jumped 32% to $100.72 billion.”
Profits jumped 75% between quarters? So their annual revenue is almost a half a trillion dollars. Which is, about the latest yearly budget of the Pentagon, more or less?