Davison online
The life and times of the world’s
most self-deluded online superstar
News & Commentary
Zero chance that Kavanaugh should be confirmed
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/09/five-times-brett-kavanaugh-appears-to-have-lied-to-congress-while-under-oath/But should is the operative word.
The problem with Serena
The fundamental problem with the defense of Serena Williams' behavior in the US Open final is this: The argument hinges on the right of the player to abuse the game, the equipment, and the referee. Certainly one can argue that men commit these offenses in tennis and receive less punishment. (Though it's not like they receive none. John McEnroe was famously...
Forest on Fire
https://www.topic.com/forest-on-fireThirty minute show on the Eagle Creek Fire that burned near Cascade Locks. Eldest son of family friends was one of the 150 hikers trapped overnight by the fire. (His picture appears briefly in the film on a still shot.) Excellent.
Crucial politics
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/14/identity-politics-right-left-trump-racismTime to talk about what unites us.
Bombing forest fires
https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a22674251/air-force-bomb-forest-fires/Maybe not the craziest idea.
“A day which will live in stupidity”
https://www.newyorker.com/news-desk/swamp-chronicles/the-day-trump-told-us-there-was-attempted-collusion-with-russiaTrump tweets and confirms confirms collusion. Also throws Junior under the bus.
Why I’m leaving Facebook
https://qz.com/1342757/everything-bad-about-facebook-is-bad-for-the-same-reason/ ...Facebook didn't intend for any of this to happen. It just wanted to connect people. But there is a thread running from Perkins' death to religious violence in Myanmar and the company's half-assed attempts at combating fake news. Facebook really is evil. Not on purpose. In...
Trump makes a pick
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/08/trump-picks-science-adviser-kelvin-droegemeier/566543/This may be the first Trump decision I’ve agreed with, and I’m surprised at the pick. Makes me wonder how it happened.
Trump’s followers are unhinged
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2018/08/01/trumps-tampa-circus-proves-you-cant-reason-with-his-base/Absolutely, positively so much this.
The return of the Cold War
https://www.thedailybeast.com/putins-secret-police-prevent-2-million-from-leaving-russiaThere’s a chance that Putin might not be that swell of a guy.
Essays
The Matrix: Jesus Christ, It’s Keanu Reeves!
I'm sure I'll be accused of blasphemy, but I call 'em as I see 'em. Reeves, a horrible actor if there ever was one, achieved "passable" status in Chain Reaction and Speed. Does Reeves ascend to new heights in The Matrix? As his legion of fans (hullo, girls!) will attest, the answer is a definitive "yes." WARNING: This review may include spoilers! You've probably read the Book, so why not go see the science fiction version of the story? I dare say that the origins of The...
Phantom Menace: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Whatever you do, don't blink. This fourth Star Wars film is the easily the most quickly paced of the lot. Too bad that's not the only problem. Of course, I still think it's worth seeing several times. WARNING: This review may include spoilers! There is a lot to like about George Lucas' latest entry into the Star Wars canon, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. There's also quite a bit to dislike, and the result is an oddly mixed reaction that probably makes this the...
Copyright, Copywrong
A quick legal primer for those venturing into the world of online authoring. A public service announcement from yours truly, hereby fullfilling most of my court-ordered community service hours. Can you afford to pass it up? A potential $100,000 fine says, "no." Confusion Aplenty There seems to be widespread confusion on the Internet these days. No, I'm not talking about Clinton's Kosovo policy (though I certainly could have been, couldn't I?). I'm referring those wonderful...
Online Love, Online Hate
Don't hate me for trying to be the best friend I can be. Hate me for other, more substantive reasons like my failure to floss daily. Rules for email engagement. Ignore these at your peril. If I've told you to read this, there's a reason, and you're it. An Open Letter to Some of My Friends I like you. Okay, well, I'll admit it: I love you. Not in the same head-over-heels way I do my wife, the Pittsburgh Steelers or Macintosh computers (and not necessarily in that order!...