“The Omnivore’s Dilema” by Michael Pollan
(LGT: Author’s website)
So far, so good, make that very good. It’s extremely interesting, and I’m only about a quarter or so of the way through it. Quite fascinating and enlightening, to see, for example, the promenance of corn within our society.
Now, back to this fascinating read.
So I went to the performance Waves of Mu at PS 122 last night.
Didn’t really know what to expect.
The fist part of the program, is a giant room (instalation) with artists conceptualizations of the different parts of the brains. This, though a bit abstract was definitely the highlight of the evening. (pictures here). I particularly liked the portrayal of the thalamus.
Then came the performance part which seemed very erratic and non-sensible. The program started with the small (~30 people) audience having to sign a “wiaver” which was more of a thinly vailed joke at an individual consent form, used in clinical research.. The program from there began to just start veering all over the place. A few clips of an interview with V.S. Ramachandran instersupurced with some wierd acting/behavior by the 3 person cast. It was literally all over the place. Amy was very talented, and it showed, but I just didn’t understand what the point was.
Now granted, as one with a background in neuroscience, maybe I was not the target audience for such a performance. In a similar vein, my appreciation for modern art isn’t great. Nor do I have much appreciation for modern theater either. (I’m better with the visual art). So with that in mind, my review is probably a bit biased in that way.
The other night I watched HBO’s documentary on the OSU-Michgan rivalry, aptly titled: “The Rivalry”
This was an excellently made film with lots of input from major figures from both sides.
It’s definitely a must see for college football fans and would be a good one for many sports aficionados to watch. It’s also a good thing to show anyone who doesn’t quite grasp why many Ohioans act the way they do during (College) Football season.
Definitely worth watching.
Just saw Tropic Thunder at the theater and loved it.
I haven’t had that good of a laugh in quite some time. It’s funny on the surface leve. However, as someone who has seen more than his fair share of both Vietnam and shlocky B-Movies, this movie was even funnier!
Now if only one were to see a theater where the audience talks back at the screen….that would really be great.
It was as good, no make that better, than all the critics made it out to be.
Survey: Users unhappy with PC Call centers Yeah, tech support calls can be rather painful, but the worst in my mind have to be insurance companies.
That being said, some companies are better than others. Some of them have really annoying IVR (interactive voice response) systems. Others, the CSRs are really just not helpful (to put it mildly).
But if the outsourcing of tech support is a problem–what about insurance companies that have outsourced their call centers? (No, names won’t be disclosed here)
Granted, my perspective comes from the standpoint of a provider rather than a member.
Input is welcome
Went to the Sister’s dance show last night, “Hard cOrchesis” at Columbia University.
Wow–just wow. The show was amazing!
It was hard to decide, which was more impressive, the footwork displayed by the dancers (just watching the feet) or the overall movement and costumes.
The best dance hands down was the African Dance number choreographed by The Sister. (A biased opinion? Okay, well perhaps). The movement of the dancers and the spirit it contained plus the impressive drummer–wow!
The Sister says that there is a video recording being made of the performance–so expect some clips to appear on You Tube sometime in the near future. (Links will naturally be forthcoming).
The Bomb in the Basement : How Israel Went Nuclear and What That Means for the World by Michael Karpin
Quick take: Very well researched and through account of the whole story behind Israel’s nuclear ambitions. Written by a veteran Israeli journalist, relying on primary sources and testimonies. it is a great historical accounting.
The Amazon reviews are also helpful in describing/reviewing the book.
I’m finding it difficult to find a review of the Da Vinci Code on it’s merits as a film, rather than one which decides to focus on all the controversy surrounding the film.
When I reda the book (about 2 ears ago), I was skeptical/confused about a lot of the sthings people are now complaining about. In all, I just saw the book as a work of fiction. Nothing more, nothing less. I enjoyed reading the book (though I really should re-read it).
So I’m curious to hear about the film itself. I’ve heard that it’s long (2.5h) but does the plot hold up? Is there the same excitement and sense of mystery in the film that there was in the book? Does it hold your attention?
I’ve not seen very many reviews which touch on these kinds of topics–but I’m anxious to hear what people thought of the film itself.
Just got back from a screening of Code Name Bayonet at the JCC here in Manhattan (hence my lack of posting this evening)
It’s a docuumentary on the events that followed the 1972 Munich massacre, with on site footage and interview with parties involved.
I highly recomment the film–which seems very similar to the book “Striking Back”
Just finished reading: Into the Red Zone by Steven Vincent (the book’s blog is here)
A great read to say the least. Vincent tells (told?) his story of first hand experiences from his trips in and around Iraq as a freelance journalist. As an individual who seems to be versed in Arab culture and society. He approaches the subject of life in Iraq with an understanding of some of the dynamics of Arab society–but through his experiences his knowledge grows and he imparts more and more of it to the reader.
Vincent’s book also discusses the pros and cons of Iraqi society at time. The mistaken expectations of both the Administration and the Iraqi people and the difference in societal norms between cultures that indicates the challenges that we faced and continue to face.
A very good read in my opinion
New James Bond movie: fewer gadgets, more grit
How the hell can this be a Bond movie then?
New James Bond movie: fewer gadgets, more grit
How the hell can this be a Bond movie then?
New James Bond movie: fewer gadgets, more grit
How the hell can this be a Bond movie then?
New James Bond movie: fewer gadgets, more grit
How the hell can this be a Bond movie then?
New James Bond movie: fewer gadgets, more grit
How the hell can this be a Bond movie then?
New James Bond movie: fewer gadgets, more grit
How the hell can this be a Bond movie then?
New James Bond movie: fewer gadgets, more grit
How the hell can this be a Bond movie then?
I’m currently reading “FDR’s Folly How Roosevelt and His New Deal Prolonged the Great Depression” by Jim Powell.
I’m about half-way through the book, and it seems like a rather damning accusation against FDR’s New Deal policies. However, there is the caveat that only one side of the argument is really being presented.
Back in high school, in AP US History class (in retrospect one of the best classes I ever had) I remember learning that it wasn’t as much the New Deal as it was WWII that brought the US out of the Depression. So I’ve had that in mind as I read the book.
Speaking as someone who isn’t well versed in economics (areas such as inflation/deflation, currency valiues), I often have to take the author’s word for things in terms of arguments, which in my eyes somewhat weakens them.
Another thing I’m waiting for (and perhaps it comes later in the book) are the authors suggestions of what he would have done were he in charge to pull the nation’s economy out of the depression. Simply saying that he’d do the opposite of FDR’s policies isn’t going to satisfy me. I’m looking for something a bit more substantial.
Just finished “Nothing’s Sacred” by Lewis Black
It was a very, very funny read, which I enjoyed throughly.
The only improvement I could think of on the book may be to hear Black deliver the dext himself–either as an audio book or as a collection of standup routines. As I read the short little “chapters” I tried to imagine Black’s voice delivering the text–which made it all the funnier.
The current book in progress: bbsb21/002-5260882-9951207?s=books
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