Bye bye Ms. American Pie. Drove my chevy to the levy, but the levy was dry…

“One thing is clear: The Founding Fathers never intended a nation where citizens pay nearly half of everything they earn to the government.” - Ron Paul

As a political junkie, I was trying to restrain myself from posting this blog, but I have given in.

I would like to recommend to anyone who sees this blog post to research presidential primary candidate Ron Paul.

Ron Paul is loosley determined as a Republican/Libertarian. In actuality is he a Constitutionalist, who believes in limiting the government rather than the citizen.

I have met with Congressman Ron Paul twice, and have found him to be a truly honest and dedicated man.

So Do You Want to Know About a Presidential Candidate Who:
- Never voted to raise taxes
- Never voted for an unbalanced budget
- Never voted to raise congressional pay
- Voted against the Iraq war
- Voted against the Patriot Act
- Voted against every bill contrary to or prohibited by the U.S. Constitution
In addition:
- he has never taken a government paid junket
- he is not accepting a government pension
- he returns a portion of the office budget every year
- he is Washington’s leading advocate for civil rights, liberty & freedom
- he was voted Taxpayer’s Best Friend
- he is Pro-Life, Pro-Liberty, & Pro-Family
- in over 40 years as congressman, he has the most consistent voting record among all members of Congress
And most importantly, he is a proven, dependable conservative who is for a smaller federal government, less spending, less taxes, & more freedom and privacy for the individual.

Click here to see a short news clip on Ron Paul.

And remember: Regardless of political affiliation, select a president whose values and goals line up with yours…

 

I’m gonna fly like an eagle, into the future…

There has always been the age old question of whether art reflects reality or reality creates art.

In a recent project of mine, I explored various artists’ interpretations of future technology. I was curious to see if the future projected through the art was a byproduct of our pre-existing societal influence, or rather a prototype by which we may soon follow.

To do this, I searched the internet for images that claimed to present a future technology, and compared societal influences with them.

To see the images, as well as some of my notes, visit my Flickr account slide show, Art of Innovation.

If you have found similar photos, or have interpretations of your own, please comment. I would love to hear your feedback.

And remember: Just because an artist predicts something about the future, doesn’t necessarily mean its going to happen…

(a flashback to 1985’s flash forward to 2015)

 

Be kind to me, or treat me mean. I’ll make the most of it, I’m an Extraordinary Machine…

John Diffenderfer recently wrote a new post in is blog Technovation, discussing the effects of CGI on the film industry.

In his article, John writes:

Nearly every aspect of film production and distribution has been enhanced or altered through computer technology. Modern films, while appearing to bear many of the hallmarks of traditional cinematography, have become increasingly divorced from the craft of early filmmakers.

I agree that CGI has changed the face of film development, mostly in a positive way. Even though effects are now animated, the overall picture quality now presented is more real to life than in the past.

However, I do not believe in the fear that CGI will ruin the careers of Hollywood actors. It is true developers have the technology to create an entire cast from scratch, but it is not likely to happen.

This is due to the fact that most people grow attachments to certain actors and actresses, creating the driving force behind watching a movie.

In truth, acting is an art form that I do not believe artificial intelligence will ever be able to pull off realistically.

And remember: It is not probable for a computer simulation or a robot to accurately portray a true person’s personality…

well maybe one…

 

Hey, that’s mine…

Motivated by Innovation’s recently posted about Apple’s upcoming Son of Newton (read post here).

After reading about this advancing technology I couldn’t help but wonder exactly how a good ideas get transformed into reality.

I mean, this Son of Newton grand idea was something I was thinking up at age 12.

You know, how people complain that they are the original inventors of the clap light? Well its sort of the same thing.

Now I’m not saying I was some genius

12 year old. I assume many people at one time or another have thought, “It would be nice if we had…”

So what makes the dream turn into cash?

I’ve seen those sleazy ads on t.v. about patenting your idea, but that seems like a straight up scam.

But if that’s not how you go about it, what is? Can anyone really get paid for their ideas alone? Obviously some people must be.

This post is nothing I have the answer on…I am hoping you might?

And remember: You next idea could be worth millions to some lucky OTHER someone…

 

Environmetal action can be everyday…

Environmental action day spurred a surplus of blog posts about eco-friendly hobbies, activities, and products. All in all, the event was successful at highlighting the importance of an eco-revolution. Interestingly though, Apple happened to be one of the most frequently mentioned environmental products on the market.

Now that the hype is over and those bloggers who were not so truly concerned with the environment on a day to day basis return to their work as usual, I would like to point out a bit of their ignorance.

That is, Apple right now is in the midst of one of the greatest environmental controversies in the news.

Recently, Greenpeace has called out the company who so proudly claims its products as “green” for their latest hit, the iPhone.

Apparently they discovered it is filled with toxic chemicals. Imagine that.

Read about it here, or here, or here.

The proof is here:

Funny how Steve Jobs claims: “Apple is ahead of, or will soon be ahead of, most of its competitors” on environmental issues.

Check out how to join the movement to make Apples greener.

And remember: Looks like Greenpeace is on its game, but that’s not always the case…

 

Bad Boys, Bad Boys… poke on Facebook

Social networks… a criminals worst enemy?

Reports released today say that Facebook, the popular college social site, has helped to identify a attacker in a recent hate crime.

A student of Georgetown, the victim was able to search Facebook’s Georgetown database until he saw a recognizable face.

The police then created a photo line-up or similar faces, however the victim still pinpointed the original discovery.

The attacker has been taken into custody.

Read the story here.

And Remember: Just think of the Facebook possibilities in the future…

 

An Apple a day keeps the doctor away…

Want an iPhone but hate Cingular service?

DVDtoiPhone.net claims it can make iPhone available to the masses!

Try it out here.
or iUnlock’s version here.

Also Wired’s How To Wiki has a guide on Jailbreaking the ringtone and wallpaper features.

In another note, if you have unlocked it and want to re-lock it, view this guide.

Other useful tips for troubleshooting after 1.1.1 upgrade are here.

And Remember: Screw Cingular before they screw you…

 

An excuse for that new Widescreen Plasma HDTV

Television has become an entity to the lives of most Americans. Not simply for entertainment, TV is used for business, sports and provides an important news source.

It is true that television has proven to be a dependable communication source, and recent legislation has taken measures to better present our media. Last February a bill was passed through Congress, which will make television technology of the past obsolete.

Digital Television Transition will eliminate the use of all analog televisions, to incorporate digital broadcasting, beginning February 17, 2009. Digital Television (DTV) technology, more flexible and efficient than analog, will become the new source for television broadcasting. This impending switch to DTV will provide a sharp, high definition picture quality, and will enable multicasting, which provides several program streams simultaneously.

Additionally, DTV offers a better signal reception and many new features that will come free for those who are affected in the conversion. Probably one of the most valuable things DTV will do is open valuable broadcasting frequency, as analog television will be removed from the airways. This newly freed space will greatly advance other important services to our communities. Police, fire and other emergency rescue services, in consequence, will receive additional airspace for their emergency broadcasts and frequency communication, enabling more efficient and direct communication to assist those in need sooner. It will also grant additional access to wireless equipment.

Although this improvement will provide many benefits, it may cause trouble to those who own analog televisions. Most people have television sets connected to cable, satellite, or other pay television service, or own televisions with a digital tuner. These televisions will fair well in the exchange.

However, if a television has “rabbit ears” or requires another type of antenna, and has been purchased more than five years ago, it may need a digital converter. A digital-to-analog converter can plug into any analog television, and allow it to continue functioning with the new technology. Although the new legislation will not be enforced until 2009 to provide people adequate time to update their televisions, a government program, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, has been established to assist those who are financially unable to afford the converter. Beginning January 1, 2008, this program will be supplying $40-off coupons to applicants for the basic converters. Up to two converters may be requested per household. Requests for coupons will not be taken before January, and will expire after 90 days.

Coupons will not be valid for the purchase of the more advanced converters, which have additional features, such as a DVD player. Video game systems, DVD players, VCRs, camcorders and other devices that connect to a television will not be affected by the DTV transition. More information about DTV, including and FAQ, is provided at www.dtv.gov. Questions can be sent via e-mail to DTVinfo@fcc.gov.

And Remember: TV does not always equal quality family time…

 

Celebrity Death Match

“…as I am slowly becoming more of an Apple convert.”

My Innovations and New Technology professor spoke these casual, seemingly innocent words in a near recent class.

However it, as well as a post from aman500, has brought to my attention a certain idea…

Apple as a religion?

As I thought about it I realized I couldn’t possibly be the only one with this idea, so I did a little background research.

Call it unethical, but I decided on a compare and contrast blog:

Jim Jones vs. Steve Jobs

• Both instigated revolution in people and have been referred to as “cults”.

• Both men have held meetings or lessons to spread their teachings.

• Both have gathered mass crowds, screaming and pushing in lines to learn and collect the innovator’s newest ideas.

• Both men have spread out to foreign countries to further their religions.

Not really for this reason, but for others, I have been wary of becoming a true Apple convert.It is true I have an iPod and enjoy it, but I am not about to cast away my hopes in promising companies such as Microsoft.I will remain impartial and simply side with the overall advancement of necessary technology.

So are you a convert? Impartial? or a worshiper of another techno-religion?

Send me your comments.

And Remember: Don’t drink the Kool-Aide

 

Large Scale Legos

A recent article from Wired magazine features a totally customizable way of contract building for the future.

Made completely from reinforced steel beams, the sky-rise provides a simple frame. Consumers are able to purchase property by block room, dictating the size of their future apartment. Next they can choose where walls and outlets will be placed.

After growing tired of the original set-up, a tenant can rearrange the walls in their house, and even expand by purchasing a vacant, adjacent block.

Finally a building to accommodate our ever changing society.

Read it here.

And Remember: That changing society?