My friend Joyce gave me for my birthday a copy of the "Hip-hop U.S. History" study guide and music CD, which I have been enjoying for the past week or so. I was going to write about it, but thought it would be much clearer if I just prepared a short audio review that presented…
Diabetes-free! Someone get me a donut
This is what I had for breakfast today: the "supreme" pancakes with pork sausage from Tom’s Restaurant in Brooklyn. Delicious and decadent. I was splurging because I was half suspecting that I was going to get bad news from the doctor today about my health. I just got back home from my doctor who reviewed…
Using Second Life to prototype real world urban development in Boston
I previously blogged about the interesting work that Gene Koo and Eric Gordon are doing in Boston using Second Life to empower local community leaders. Next Tuesday, August 19, Gene and Eric will present the progress of their project, called "Hub2", an initiative that "gives local neighborhoods a more powerful voice in urban planning and…
Job Opening: Global Kids looking for an Online Leadership Program Assistant
If you have an interest in new media / new technologies, a non-profit background, and serious administrative skills, you might have what it takes to become a part of the team at the Global Kids Online Leadership Program. We are hiring immediately for our program assistant position. The person would get to work directly with…
Merging my passions: global politics + virtual worlds + electronic music
Yesterday, August 13, I got to organize a really fun event in Second Life that brought together several of my interests — global human rights, virtual worlds and electronic music. Mr. John Washburn, convenor of the American NGO Coalition for the ICC, spoke at the International Justice Center in Second Life to an attentive and…
REMINDER: Justice Jam Dance Party at the Second Life Justice Center tomorrow
Just a reminder that tomorrow, Wednesday, August 13, at 5PM PST, the Second Life International Justice Center (teleport link) will be hosting our first Global Justice Jam. Catch real world / virtual DJ Doubledown Tandino spinning an eclectic mix of global grooves for your dancing pleasure. During the dance, we’ll also be asking for donations…
Me and James Paul Gee on the RezEd podcast this week
On this week’s RezEd podcast, I helped out my colleague Amira with the news and events section about recent developments in virtual world education. I think it turned out really well. The featured guest on this week’s RezEd podcast is Dr. James Paul Gee, a brilliant researcher and big thinker on digital games and learning…
Holy German Import! Has Batman been kidnapped?
Atalanta, Booosh, Lilieblue and I were walking around lower Manhattan yesterday when we saw a ghastly sight on Lafayette Street. Apparently some super-villain (who drives a VW) has kidnapped the Caped Crusader and has him trapped in the trunk of his 4-door. No amount of shouting and pounding by Boosh was able to revive the…
Waterboard Thrill Ride at Coney Island: crass entertainment as political discourse
Today my friends Sara Jane, April and I checked out the "Waterboard Thrill Ride" created by artist Steve Powers at Coney Island. A heavy-handed piece of interactive political art, "Waterboard Thrill Ride" takes the tortuous act of "waterboarding" and makes it into a sideshow attraction using animatronics, flashing lights and music. For the price of…
Rick’s Picks Phat Beets
My friends Rubymae and Arfer got me this cool jar of pickled beets while they were in the Catskills. Gotta love a product named "Rick’s Picks Phat Beets"! No idea if they are any good, but how could they be bad?