Uninhabited Spaces

The cult of celbrity is a mighty powerful thing. Where once the death of an actor would have been regulated to Entertainment Tonight. MuchMusic, and the like, in our fame-obsessed culture Heath Ledger's passing was the lead on every major television news station and top-of-list of every global news websites. The same day Heath's death was announced in the media, a major report was released with the nearly incomprehensible news that since 1998, 5.4 million people have been killed in Congo in its onging civil war. Unfortunately, you didn't hear about the fact that 45,000 people continue to die each month in Congo because all of your news sources were competing with TMZ and Perez Hilton to cover an actor's death. I am a news junkie and I can attest that I only found out about the Congo horrors because I stumbled across the report. In other words, that 5-million people have died (equivalent to the entire city of Bangalore being wiped out) in Congo was not being screamed fr...

Sleep...Sleep tonight...And may your dreams be realized U2, MLK 1929-1968

I've been a fan of Daniel Lanois ever since his stunning debut album "Acadie" was released in 1989. Lanois is mostly famous and renowned for his singular production work on albums that have defined our times, with artists such as U2, Peter Gabriel, Bob Dylan, and Emmylou Harris. Amidst all the work to create and produce landmark recordings with these musicians and others, he has managed to release his own albums, featuring his distinctive sound. His newest release, "Here is What Is" is the accompanying soundtrack to his soon-to-be-released documentary film of the same name. I can't stop listening, and losing yourself in Lanois' soundscapes is a rare pleasure. You can sample and download the album here .

It's hard not to be pulled into the frenzy that is the 2008 Presidential primary. These are indeed fascinating times, with historic candidates in Senators Clinton and Obama. The much-noted "comeback" of McCain is worthy of a made-for-TV movie, although it's not clear which came first, the comeback or the media hype about the comeback. Still, in a previous post I had written McCain off altogether, so I stand corrected. I note that Clinton has moved 12 points over Obama, and I suspect that this lead will maintain itself nationally unless Obama's team can mobilize segments which do not typically participate in the federal election process. My sense is that America is, at heart, a conservative lot that will vote with caution rather than hyperbole. What one tells a pollster over the phone is often different that what one does standing in the booth, for there is nothing at stake in the former. "Undecided" typically means status quo, and few folks will be p...

As 2008 dawns, may we resolve the following: 1) That banks will no longer offer sub-prime mortgages to those who can least afford them 2) That car companies cease to run television advertisements that show their products on windy mountain roads, that tell us to "hurry in", and whose illegible terms flash for a mere ten seconds 3) That news media organizations stop confusing celebrity gossip with relevant happenings 4) That "big box" chain stores adequately train their staff on customer service and product knowledge 5) That hope replaces fear, and knowledge replaces ignorance in the White House