Day: October 13, 2018

👓 Cindy R. Lobel, Who Studied New York’s History Through Food, Dies at 48 | New York Times

Read Cindy R. Lobel, Who Traced New York History Through Food, Dies at 48 by Katherine Rosman (nytimes.com)
Professor Lobel was among the first historians to explore the economic and social elements of city life in the 19th century through the lens of eating.
I’m glad the NYT caught this and gave her an obituary. I suspect it’s in part because she’s more local to NYC in addition to her husband and his outlet’s influence as well as their recent push to cover the work of women better–a year ago, even more sadly, there likely would have been no mention of her passing.

I’ll have to bookmark her book to check out. With any luck, friends and colleagues will finish the book she’s currently working on.

👓 Tech suffers from lack of humanities, says Mozilla head | The Guardian

Read Tech suffers from lack of humanities, says Mozilla head by Alex Hern (the Guardian)
Mitchell Baker says firms should hire philosophy and psychology graduates to tackle misinformation
Is it just me or am I seeing a major uptick in articles defending the humanities over the past several years? I find it interesting given the political climate (at least in the United States) where it seems the sciences are under attack–at least culturally. Perhaps both are under attack, but from very different perspectives and levels.

👓 Free Speech in the Age of Algorithmic Megaphones | Wired

Read Free Speech in the Age of Algorithmic Megaphones (WIRED)
Researchers have long known that local actors—as well as Russia—use manipulative tactics to spread information online. With Facebook suspending a slew of domestic accounts, a difficult reckoning is upon us.
We need something in the digtial world that helps to put the brakes on gossip and falsehoods much the same way real life social networks tend to slow these things down. Online social networks that gamify and monopolize based on clicks using black box algorithms are destroying some of the fabric of our society.

Lies were able to go across the world before the truth had a chance to put on it’s breeches in the past, but it’s ability to do so now is even worse. We need to be able to figure out a way to flip the script.

📺 “The West Wing” A Good Day | Netflix

Watched "The West Wing" A Good Day from Netflix
Directed by Richard Schiff. With Stockard Channing, Dulé Hill, Allison Janney, Joshua Malina. The Speaker of the House deliberately calls a vote on stem cell research when he knows that Democrats will be away from Washington; Donna, Cliff, Matt, and Josh must put aside their differences to foil the plan. Kate is shocked when a minor hunting mishap on the Canadian border threatens to become a major international incident. A Japanese economist who has been President Bartlet's arch-rival ...

📺 “The West Wing” La Palabra | Netflix

Watched "The West Wing" La Palabra from Netflix
Directed by Jason Ensler. With Stockard Channing, Dulé Hill, Allison Janney, Joshua Malina. Hoynes and Russell are campaigning in New York, confident of their prospects in the California primary. Santos needs to do unexpectedly well in California in order to stay financially afloat; another third place finish will see his donors shift their money elsewhere, finishing his campaign. Santos's message of education and health care is overshadowed when California passes a law prohibiting ...

📺 “The West Wing” In God We Trust | Netflix

Watched "The West Wing" In God We Trust from Netflix
Directed by Christopher Misiano. With Alan Alda, Stockard Channing, Dulé Hill, Allison Janney. Senator Arnold Vinick easily wins the Republican nomination on the night of the New Jersey primary, but has difficulty picking a running mate. Choosing Reverend Don Butler would virtually guarantee him the presidency, but their differing views on abortion and religion would make it a political union rather than one based on shared ideology. The Democratic nomination is a toss-up between Santos ...
Reposted Planned Parenthood Hosts Fall Benefit by Outlook Photos (Outlook Newspapers)

Sheri Bonner, Sally De Witt, and event co-chairs Stephanie Dencik and Stephanie McLemore

Planned Parenthood Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley hosted its annual Fall Benefit at the Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena on Saturday.

Hundreds of donors, advocates, and community and business leaders turned out for the event, which marks the organization’s 85th anniversary serving 24 communities. Stephanie Dencik and Stephanie McLemore served as the event’s co-chairs; Sheri Bonner is the local organization’s CEO.

Emcee Cristela Alonso shared her stories of finding care as a Latina and local high school students Amanda Estevez and Nick Sanchez brought the audience to their feet with their transformative experiences as Peer Advocates, serving as resources for sexual and reproductive health information in their schools and communities.

Other speakers included Dave Quast, PP Advocates board member and long-time advocate, and Dr. Leah Torres, a Utah-based OB/GYN whose health advocacy had helped bridge divides across conservative and progressive communities, states and countries.

see additional photos.

📺 “The West Wing” Ninety Miles Away | Netflix

Watched "The West Wing" Ninety Miles Away from Netflix
Directed by Rod Holcomb. With Stockard Channing, Dulé Hill, Allison Janney, Joshua Malina. Rumors circulate in Washington yet again about the state of Fidel Castro's health. As C.J. begins to look into the issue she uncovers some dark secrets regarding the United States' relationship with Cuba which appear to involve Leo, the President, and Kate Harper. Despite how closely guarded and potentially explosive this information is, a startlingly large number of government agencies and ...

👓 Riding the Locals’ Favorite: El Prieto, Altadena, California | Singletracks Mountain Bike News

Read Riding the Locals’ Favorite: El Prieto, Altadena, California by Greg Heil (Singletracks.com)
El Prieto has been hailed by many as one of the best singletrack rides in the Los Angeles area. After hearing such accolades, I just had to check it out! And let me tell you: the reputation is not unfounded. To start the ride, park at the lot and head past the upper yellow gate on the paved road. Af...
It’s been a few years since I’ve ridden this trail, and I remember the trail itself being excellent, but don’t remember the ride up being as nice as described here–at least not in the open fire roads during the high heat of the day.