I'm a biomedical and electrical engineer with interests in information theory, complexity, evolution, genetics, signal processing, IndieWeb, theoretical mathematics, and big history.
I'm also a talent manager-producer-publisher in the entertainment industry with expertise in representation, distribution, finance, production, content delivery, and new media.
There have been a growing number of reports [1][2][3][4] this week of creating lists of Americans and immigrants. I’m worried about the long term repercussions these acts will have on not only America’s future but that of the world at large. Though some of these reports contained slightly softer verbiage than Donald Trump’s original campaign statements almost a year to the day last year[5], I can’t help but think that his original statements were closer to his real intent.
Many have likely forgotten about the horrific black eye America already has as a result of the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. Why would we be contemplating thinking about going down this road a second time? Almost a year ago I wrote a short homage to my friend and WWII veteran Millard Kaufman, who I know would be vehemently against this idea. If you haven’t seen his Academy Award nominated film Bad Day at Black Rock, I recommend you pick it up soon–it’s held up incredibly well since 1955 and is still more than culturally relevant today.
A crippled character played by Spence Tracy shows us by example how not to cave in to menacing bullies in the John Sturges’ 1955 MGM classic Bad Day at Black Rock written by Millard Kaufman.
Even Comedy Central’s The Daily Show ran a snippet of the news with their thoughts:
For those who don’t think that senior leadership in America might bend the rules a tad, I also recommend reading my friend Henry James Korn’s reflection of the incident in which Eisenhower expelled him from Johns Hopkins University for a criticism of LBJ during the late 60’s: “Yes, Eisenhower Expelled Me from Johns Hopkins University.”
In his article, Henry also includes a ten-minute War Relocation Agency propaganda film which is eerily similar to some of what is being proposed now.
Needless to say, much of this type of behavior is on the same incredibly slippery slope that Nazi Germany began on when they began registering Jews in the early part of the last century. When will be learn from the horrific mistakes of the past to do better in the future?
The mayor of Clay, West Virginia, has resigned and another county official is out following their exchange over a racist Facebook post that compared first lady Michelle Obama to an "ape in heels."
The county employee, Pamela Taylor, worked as director of the Clay County Development Corporation and wrote on Facebook: "It will be so refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified First Lady back in the White House. I'm tired of seeing a (sic) Ape in heels," according to a screengrab obtained by CNN affiliate WSAZ.
During the election, many people fell prey to fake news stories on social media -- even the president-elect ended up retweeting fake statistics. A professor of communication has created a list of unreliable news sites to help people do better.
My friend (and brilliant writer) Kevin Smokler will be appearing tonight and tomorrow here in Los Angeles as part of the tour for his new book Brat Pack America: A Love Letter to 80s Teen Movies published by Rare Bird Books, based right here, downtown, around the corner from the Last Book Store.
Special guest Daniel Waters, screenwriter of Heathers
Kevin will be appearing at Stories Books & Cafe with special guest Daniel Waters. 80s trivia, games and fruit roll ups included.
(1716 W. Sunset just east of Glendale Blvd in Echo Park)
Event #2 Culver City, Thursday, November 17th, 7:30-9:30 pm
Kevin will be part of an event called “Romantic Comedy” at The Ripped Bodice Bookstore at 3806 Main Street (Corner of Main and Venice Blvd) in downtown Culver City. “Romantic Comedy” is great comedians riffing on romance novels. He’s on the bill with Laurie Kilmartin, who is a writer for Conan O’Brien.
Here’s how they lay it out…
Funny people. Sexy books. Free wine.
This month we’re grateful for 80s movies, instagram superstars, and the return of one of our all-time faves, Laurie Kilmartin!
All at the best venue imaginable: the Ripped Bodice, America’s first romance-only bookstore, in Culver City.
Festivities begin when seating opens at 7:30. Come early, drink up, and get 10% off everything in the store. Comedy starts at 8pm, but come early to reserve your spot!!!
This month’s guests:
Laurie Kilmartin
Gaby Dunn
Toby Muresianu
Alison Lieby
+ Kevin Smokler, author of Brat Pack America
The social network was criticized for removing the image of a naked girl fleeing napalm, renewing questions about the company’s role in what can be published online.
I hadn’t noticed until now because of a head cold that’s taken me out of commission this weekend, but because of the passing of Leonard Cohen at the end of last week and possibly the cold open of Saturday Night Live, a growing number of people are following/using a Spotify Playlist I had made earlier this year in January.
If you need almost five hours of all the extant Hallelujah covers on Spotify to soothe your soul (for any reason), please feel free to save yourself the time of building it and enjoy my playlist. If you’re aware of any missing covers (that exist on Spotify), please let me know and I’m happy to add them to the collection.
Keep your chin up!
Now I’ve heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don’t really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
One big reason is the ability to compose your entries while offline. WordPress does not (yet) allow for the web interface to be used offline. Also, if you po...
Donald Trump's catastrophic victory on Tuesday night poses the single greatest threat in generations to what we Americans quaintly call our way of life ...
Gina Trapani (Track Changes)
