Earlier this year, I shared 5 sites I’ve got bookmarked that I thought might surprise some folks. But maybe not, I’m a nerd, and some sites I’ve got bookmarked might be predictable. To be honest, I’m a sucker for those that do factchecking well and those that humor me.
On that note, here are 4 websites that impress me:
- Thrilling Adventure Hour – one of my very favorite podcasts, endlessly smart and entertaining.
- feedly – how I get my news feeds (really, it’s all the sites that matter to you, in one place – so it’s kinda the keeper of my news).
- Columbia Journalism Review – news regarding the evolution of news (disclaimer: I’m on their Board of Overseers).
- Zatz Not Funny! – I love TV, and TV tech, and great site for the latter.
Honestly, I could keep going, and the list could keep growing, but I’ll save more for later… Hey, what are some sites that you’ve got bookmarked?
Craig Connects 
Hi Craig
I was pleased to see an article in the Columbia Journalism Review that pointed out how the film-The Interview- has unwittingly reinforced negative/false perceptions of American journalists, and in my mind has further provided an effective/potent anti-American propaganda tool for those who wish to use it.
Not everyone is laughing at what is so obviously absurd to some.
In my humble opinion, extreme mean-spirited inflammatory/provocative (hate?) speech/satire in print/cartoon or film, however witty, is dangerous/reckless in that it is counterproductive to a goal of global tolerance that can maintain peace.
How would anyone–much less this unstable world leader with nuclear capability feel/respond to a trashy film about themselves being assassinated–no good can really come of this. Even Chaplin’s MASTERPIECE The Dictator was banned for awhile in UK for fear of (or was it prudent? to try to avoid) provoking/goading a meglomaniacal Hitler into some unfavorable reaction.
While free speech is precious, you are still not permitted to yell “FIRE” in a crowded theater so you can test (and maybe later satirize?) the efficacy/adequacy of the exit protocol. Common sense & some decency is required to avoid tragedies that could otherwise have been prevented. I would encourage you to read the recent article where an American Catholic Association dared to criticize the repeated crass provocations–to the point of disgusting/pornographic extremes — of much of Charlie Hebdo satire and to suggest that Muslims had a right to be angry. This was immediately perceived as blaming the victims, despite a repeated unequivocal condemnation of the tragic attack by the author. Tony Barber, an editor for European The Financial Times was similarly trashed for his similar observations. I am sorry I do not have these cites at my fingertips to provide you, but will return with them.
Free speech must be ethical/responsible, & not life-destructive in effect, if it is to truly serve the global public interest in these troubled times?
Sincerely & with Best Regards
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I’m a big fan of Feedly as well, and the CJR – which I supplement with Nieman Journalism Lab. Guardian for news. Danah Boyd (http://www.zephoria.org/thoughts/) for new/social media issues and the like. Sci Fi writer Charlie Stross’ blog (http://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/). Whimsley (http://tomslee.net/) on technology and politics. Not Exactly Rocket Science (http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/blog/not-exactly-rocket-science/ ) for science fun. Smitten Kitchen, Orangette, Chocolate & Zucchini and David Lebovitz for food/recipes. Root Simple (http://www.rootsimple.com/) for low tech urban living and general home stuff. BldgBlog (http://bldgblog.blogspot.com/) on architecture and urban futures.
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