culture

Orwell the blogger

The diaries of George Orwell are now being published in blog format by The Orwell Prize. The diaries begin in August 1938 and cover the period up until October 1942. They're being timed to appear...

Biofuel Backlash

One cannot predict what part these oils will play in the Colonies in the future. In any case, they make it certain that motor-power can still be produced from the heat of the sun, which is always...

By maetl, 13th July 2008 In: environment industry sustainability energy europe nz oil biofuel agriculture corruption

Bringing out the worst in people...

From Summon Monsters? Open The Door? Heal? Or Die?, which discusses the declining value of blog comments and social news sites: A funny thing about these sites is that they know about this problem....

By maetl, 23rd May 2008 In: communication interaction usability internet culture twitter

One size doesn't fit all

As languages change, so do typefaces. These changes are not radical; they are subtle evolutions that address culture and technology. Modern typography requires modern typefaces, designed by the...

By maetl, 23rd January 2008 In: typography printing design culture communication

Coding Diversity

I fear that I'm beginning to sound like a stuck record by now, but I can't help attempting to push back against that particular form of inertia that has infected our discipline. First I saw this,...

By maetl, 15th November 2007 In: programming ruby communication culture gender diversity

The Tragedy of Hip

"You solipsistic bastard", she said As if what she really wanted was a justification For why the earth was simply circling Her own sun, that vainglorious obsession, A swelling black hole closet Hoarding...

By maetl, 15th November 2007 In: poetry culture

Where are the women in open source?

It gets tiresome when every time someone publishes an article about this issue, a stream of misogynistic trolls start babbling and complaining. You fucking assholes are just proving the point...

By maetl, 9th October 2007 In: gender women software computing design culture sociology communication usability

Culture of Segregation

The many "copycat" and "self-starter" groups that have been "inspired" by al-Qaeda and that have sprung up in England, Spain, Indonesia, and elsewhere will continue to pose the threat of attacks....

By maetl, 17th August 2006 In: politics culture religion terrorism war europe america

New Zealand in Ten Movies or Less

I'm not usually one to jump onboard the blog meme wagon, but after seeing the recent proliferation of America in Ten Movies or Less, I started wondering which ten films would best sum up the New...

By maetl, 19th January 2006 In: nz film history culture reviews

Contradictions, Conspiracies, and Cultural Logic

Frederic Jameson, author of Postmodernism or, The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism gave a lecture at Vic yesterday about Representations of Globalisation. Jameson's project can perhaps be summed...

By maetl, 16th December 2005 In: sociology economics culture philosophy capitalism aesthetics

Youth Gangs and Assumptions About Culture

Opinions have been flowing in local media, regarding the intersect between exploding urban situations in France and some of the serious problems in South Auckland at the moment. One thing I'm noticing...

By maetl, 10th November 2005 In: culture hiphop history philosophy politics society youth

The Politics of Personal Destruction

If you are a young, idealistic person, don’t get involved in organised politics. Contribute to your community, your neighbourhood, your immediate circle of trust and support. This is the best...

By maetl, 4th October 2005 In: politics culture power