+ all of the above

The obscenity investigation into Bill Henson’s work has been abandoned completely.

MIT is suing Frank Gehry over the Stata Center Design. The suit is over the lack of thought Gehry allegedly gave to the basics such as plumbing and cracking masonry among other things. Gehry is not exactly exactly know for creating functional buildings (iconic, most definitely), MIT wanted a Gehry building and they got one, but there are huge logistical problems with the building so where does the sympathy lie?

This will be an interesting court decision, and something that may affect the super-architects that currently roam the earth trying to out phallicize eachother.

I disagree with some of what Thomas Barnett has to say in this TED talk (especially with the part about ends justifying means) but I’m excited that there is evidence of intelligent dialogue happening on this subject. This is the type of thing that the news channels should be covering. The publicly expressed opinions and conversations that take place among the people in positions of responsibility and influence, a critical appraisal of the current situation and future plans and implications without fear of it going over the head of the average person. Don’t dumb it down, I watch news because I want to learn not because I want to be entertained.

Although having said that, Dr Barnett is most certainly watchable and entertaining. He has an odd type of charisma and a penchant for theatrics which plays well against the serious nature of the topic. His sense of timing is about the same as a stand up comedian, watch how after he makes a joke prior to making a serious statement he waits (standing perfectly still) while the audience quietens down.

And while I’m critiquing his speaking style, what is with the 90′s Powerpoint and the CSI sound effect?

The Sydney Morning Herald has an excellent summation of the events that have lead to the current situation. Quote of the article is:

Asked a few days before the opening if a new media frenzy was boiling up about the sexualisation of children, Henson told the Herald “there is always something being boiled up. George Steiner once said that the media’s only job is to create and maintain a state of emergency. About what,” he added, laughing, “it doesn’t matter.”

This is fantastic, especially after reading about how Prince invoked a copyright break so as to pull the videos from youtube, and Radiohead asked the fans to put it back (so they could watch it too).

The PM is apparently unimpressed

SMH weighs in. And again.

(Frankly, they should all calm down).

The Australian
The Age
Sydney Morning Herald
News.com.au

PEHDTSCKJMBA

Watch the Vid, visit his website and read the Pitchfork article.

Do I dare to dream that I might get to see Portishead and Tom Waits all in the one year? So this is what it’s like living in the northern hemisphere…

06-17 Phoenix, AZ – Orpheum
06-18 Phoenix, AZ – Orpheum
06-20 El Paso, TX – Plaza Theatre
06-22 Houston, TX – Jones Hall
06-23 Dallas, TX – Palladium
06-25 Tulsa, OK – Brady Theatre
06-26 St. Louis, MO – Fox Theatre
06-28 Columbus, OH – Ohio Theatre
06-29 Knoxville, TN – Civic Theatre
07-01 Jacksonville, FL – Moran Theatre
07-02 Mobile, AL – Saenger Theatre
07-03 Birmingham, AL – Alabama Theatre
07-05 Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre

Muxtape is freakin awesome. Listen to other people’s mix tapes or log in and make your own. I really dig the simplicity of their interface. Plus I’ve already discovered/rediscovered about 10 songs that rock my world. And free music, who doesn’t like that?

Recently I was asked jokingly how much it would cost to change my beliefs from atheism back to my parent’s religion. I didn’t really have an answer because no matter how much money I had, I could never really make myself believe anything other than what I believe to be true. But now I have an answer, an answered prayer if you will. Scarlett Johansson is releasing an album in May (my birthday no less) called “Anywhere I Lay My Head” that is made up of Tom Waits covers. I’m just going to emphasize that last bit there.

Scarlett Johansson is releasing an album made up of Tom Waits covers.

Now, just fulfill the final part of the prayer God and I’ll be there every Sunday. Miss Scarlett in the Bedroom with the Benjamin.

Coke Australia has reportedly paid for the refueling costs of the Sea Shepard, an anti whaling group which is currently on a campaign to keep the Japanese whaling fleet out of Australian waters. Read it all here

Is it wrong to be turned on by this

In other news Britney Paris bleh, whatevs. True story.

Now I never have to do it again. Wired News.