October 31, 2011
Masquerade
Halloween is a pretty quiet affair at my building. Not many kids live here, which is probably for the best. Some of the grumpier residents may not respond kindly to the knocks of children seeking a sugar high. And unlike previous years, I have not run into any fishnet-garbed nurses on their way to a party. Perhaps I need to remedy that next year by throwing a Halloween party where everyone is required to come dressed as a fishnet-garbed nurse.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 09:47 PM | Comments (0)
October 28, 2011
Scary Stuff
Enjoy the weekend, everyone. I'll be catching up on comics and having my own little Halloween-themed movie marathon. Let's see, should I start with Alien or The Thing?
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 08:06 PM | Comments (0)
October 27, 2011
Policy Has Consequences: Part 908
The Star Tribune reports on the rippling consequences of last summer's budget cuts to health care. A group of people with disabilities and their families are suing the state to block a wage cut to family members who work as personal care attendants. In another development, cuts to Medical Assistance for noncitizens may force some severely disabled individuals out of nursing homes. The article's headline characterizes these events as "unforeseen", but that's letting the Legislature off the hook much too easily. Anyone with a good grasp of these programs could have predicted the fallout of those cuts. Unfortunately, many legislators are either too new or too disinterested to possess that working knowledge. And let's not forget that the final budget was passed in a flurry to end a three-week state government shutdown, leaving little time for debate. The resulting bad policy mires the state in legal action that could diminish any planned savings those policies were designed to achieve.
The notion of citizen legislators who govern for a few months and then return to their other jobs is a fine and noble one, but perhaps the job of setting policy for a 21st-century state is becoming too complicated to be left to part-timers.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 05:16 PM | Comments (0)
October 26, 2011
Speed Reading
Once again, I put off finishing my book club selection until the night before we meet. I believe this is what is known as a first world problem. I'll do my best to be more interesting tomorrow.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 07:40 PM | Comments (0)
October 25, 2011
Jobs' Legacy
As a companion to its Steve Jobs retrospective, last Sunday's 60 Minutes aired a segment on the iPad and its usefulness to some people with autism. The segment profiles kids with autism who interact with the iPad with an enthusiasm that can't be matched by more low-tech stimuli. It also introduces us to a young man with autism who uses his iPad to effectively communicate despite being nonverbal. The piece does a good job of emphasizing that the iPad isn't going to suit the needs of every person with autism; an important point that can sometimes be neglected in gee-whiz human interest stories about technology. It also demonstrates that the consumerization of technology--particularly portable technology--is a real boon for people with disabilities.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 07:08 PM | Comments (0)
October 24, 2011
The Stars My Destination
The American space program may be in a moribund state right now, but smart people are still thinking big about the future. A recent conference examined various theories for achieving interstellar travel, such as solar sails and fusion drives. I'm skeptical that I'll even see a return to the moon in my lifetime and the logistical challenges of traveling to another star are colossal, but it's reassuring to know that people much brighter than me continue to dream and imagine the possibilities. And in a hundred years, Apple and Google may be in a position to jointly subsidize the first starship.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 08:22 PM | Comments (0)
October 21, 2011
The Games People Play
The next World of Warcraft expansion will feature...pandas? Pandas living a fantastical version of medieval China? I generally trust Blizzard on these matters, so I'm going to withhold judgment until I play it. Perhaps it will be charming and engrossing and the cuteness factor will be kept dialed comfortably below stomach-churning levels. Perhaps.
The trailer for the second Starcraft 2 chapter, on the other hand, has AWESOME written all over it. I'll definitely pick it up as soon as I get around to playing the first chapter.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 05:57 PM | Comments (0)
October 20, 2011
Getting The Word Out: Lives Worth Living
The disability rights movement has long gotten short shrift in history books, documentaries, and the like. Most Americans aren't even aware that such a movement has and continues to exist, despite its significant impact on our nation's laws, institutions, and citizens. That's why I'm excited to learn that PBS will be airing "Lives Worth Living" as part of its Independent Lens documentary series beginning on October 27th. "Lives Worth Living" looks at the disability rights movement from its inception to the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. Jeff Shannon's enthusiastic write-up for the film in the Chicago Sun-Times only adds to my excitement.
"Lives Worth Living" doesn't air in the Twin Cities until December, but I'm guessing it will be up on the PBS website well before that. I'll post my thoughts on it once I've had a chance to see it. It might be interesting to convene a group of disability bloggers and share our collective impressions. Email me if you'd like to participate.
Thanks to Roger Ebert's eminently readable Twitter feed for the tip.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 06:57 PM | Comments (0)
October 19, 2011
It's Not Just Hippies
Recent polls find that the Occupy Wall Street protests attract the sympathies of not just iPad-toting vegan hipsters, but also blue-collar white men. While this may seem a little surprising, it really shouldn't be. For all the Tea Party's success as a political movement, it has never been very good at recognizing ordinary people's legitimate grievances with corporate America and its role in laying the foundation for the Great Recession. The Tea Party wants to place the blame at the feet of government (more specifically, Democrats in government), but most people recognize that the private sector must be held accountable as well. The Occupy movement is an effort--a sometimes inarticulate effort--to bring attention to the yawning class divisions that the recession has laid bare. Why wouldn't working people be sympathetic with that?
The protests could still fizzle and be quickly forgotten, especially as winter approaches. It needs to start attracting a broader base that is both older and less white. It needs to figure out how to harness the energies of people who work and may not have the time for traditional protesting. But if its organizers can become a little savvier, it could become a true grass-roots movement with wide appeal.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 08:16 PM | Comments (0)
October 18, 2011
Blink To Activate
I think I've blogged previously about this wheelchair that can be controlled via facial muscles. The video accompanying the article shows a demonstration of the chair and it seems to work quite smoothly. The electrodes on the face are a bit unsightly, but the designers have plans for adapting the interface to a pair of goggles. The chair also has a proximity sensor that slows the chair down when an obstacle is near. I'm not sure this feature completely addresses my concern that a speck of dust in the eye could send the user careening into the street, but it's better than nothing. This interface might have promise for other environmental controls as well, like turning on a television or opening a door. Until true neural interfaces are ready for prime time, this could be the next best thing for people with the most severe physical disabilities.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 06:55 PM | Comments (0)
October 17, 2011
I'm A Sucker
Remember how I said that I was pretty happy with my iPhone 3GS and would likely hold off on upgrading? That didn't stop me from joining the four million other tools who purchased a 4S over the weekend. It all started with some innocent browsing on Craigslist to check the resale value of my 3GS, which turned out to be more than I thought. Then I realized that an Apple Store was only a few minutes drive from downtown. You can figure out the rest. It only took me a few hours to sell my old phone for a cool $160, so this iPhone purchase actually cost less than my 3GS.
And now my new phone is sitting on my desk, looking all sleek and polished. As I predicted, Siri can't make heads or tails of my speech, but that's okay. The screen is brilliant and I'm sure I'll get some good use out of the improved camera. This will do quite nicely until the 5S comes along in a couple years.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 09:00 PM | Comments (0)
October 14, 2011
Security Theater
I was returning home through the Minneapolis skyways earlier today, a path that usually takes me through the Wells Fargo building. But a security guard indicated that the building was locked down because of something to do with the OccupyMN protest that is currently occurring near the Government Center. I took an alternate route home and glanced down at the protesters as I passed over them. They certainly looked peaceful enough. But after I went through the Government Center, security guards began locking those skyways as well.
This rather modest protest seems to be making the-powers-that-be inordinately jittery. One wonders how they would react to a truly massive demonstration. Based on what I saw today, not well.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 07:22 PM | Comments (0)
October 13, 2011
Set Design
Have you ever watched porn and idly wondered whether the stuff written on that blackboard in the background is accurate? Well, the author of Blackboards in Porn has and he wants to share his findings with the world. The Internet is truly a glorious thing.
How did I find this site, you ask? How do you think I found it? Listen, I don't have to justify my...preferences...to you or anyone else.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 08:15 PM | Comments (0)
October 12, 2011
Holding Out
Reviews of the new iPhone 4S are popping up on the web. While it certainly looks shiny, I still may wait for the iPhone 5 and its telepathic interface. It has to have a telepathic interface, right? Because anything less would be disappointing.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 08:39 PM | Comments (0)
Offline
I have to run a few errands tonight. More later or tomorrow.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 06:57 PM | Comments (0)
October 11, 2011
Phantom Limb
A man with quadriplegia recently learned to control a robotic arm with his brain. Yes, yes, excellent. My plan to assemble an army of cybernetically enhanced cripples is proceeding on schedule. The world will tremble in fear as my forces overpower the armies of the mightiest nations! All hail me!
In the meantime, I need to get my hands on one of these robotic arms so that I can get in armwrestling matches at bars and impress girls.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 06:43 PM | Comments (0)
October 10, 2011
Falling Apart
I wrote last week about the news that Minnesota is likely to face another deficit in the near future. It's a frustrating situation, but one of the great things about the Internet is how it assists in keeping one's perspective. Take California, for example. Writer Michael Lewis paints a vivid and depressing picture of the complete clusterfuck that is California's public finances in a fascinating Vanity Fair article. He describes how state legislators of both parties are incapable of putting the long-term interests of the state before their own political interests. That may not be surprising in itself, but the consequences of such behavior are now trickling down to the local level with dire consequences. The city of Vallejo, for instance, is bankrupt and the city government has been reduced to a skeletal staff. The local fire department can barely cope with the number of emergencies that are called in each day. It's a city struggling to preserve the most basic elements of the the social contract with its citizenry.
No community in Minnesota is approaching Vallejo-levels of dysfunction, but I worry. Our elected officials have shown little appetite for finding a sustainable solution to our own structural deficit and our cities and towns have been forced to make deep cuts in services. I want to believe that our sense of civic responsibility would keep our worst impulses in check, but perhaps the residents of Vallejo thought the same thing.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 06:55 PM | Comments (1)
October 07, 2011
Been Here Before
Remember that whole state budget deficit thing that resulted in me being unemployed for three weeks? It looks like Minnesota may have to confront yet another deficit when the Legislature reconvenes early next year. It turns out that state forecasters were a tad bit too optimistic in their assumptions about the pace of economic recovery and revenues will be lower than projected last spring. This news isn't entirely unexpected, but we seem to be caught in an endless, nasty cycle of anticipating deficits, developing half-assed solutions to those deficits, and then confronting another deficit.
I look forward to hearing the Republicans' moderate and balanced proposals for addressing this latest shortfall.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 07:01 PM | Comments (0)
October 06, 2011
Voices Of Courage
I'm not looking forward to the politicking next year regarding the marriage amendment to the state constitution. Hurtful and mean-spirited things will be said. Otherwise good-hearted people will reveal themselves as bigots. But it's encouraging to see at least a few Republicans coming out in opposition to the ballot measure. The vast majority of elected Republicans will either vigorously campaign in favor of it or stay mum to avoid crossing the homophobic base of the party, so the willingness of these few to break with dogma should be commended. Perhaps a few more prominent Republicans will be inspired to make a stand for equality.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 09:49 PM | Comments (0)
October 05, 2011
Steve Jobs Made My Life Better
Steve Jobs' passing got me thinking about the Apple computers I had as a kid. As my disability progressed and it became impossible for me to use a standard keyboard, it became necessary to find some kind of assistive device that would still let me use a computer. Fortunately, we found a scanning device that worked with our Apple IIGS. And then I discovered the HeadMaster (the device I use now), which I first used on a Mac Plus.
Apple wasn't directly responsible for those devices, but it was the only platform for which any kind of assistive technology was available. If not for Apple, I would have spent a lot more time in front of the television. Thank you, Steve.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 07:47 PM | Comments (0)
October 04, 2011
Mittens In 2012
A year, I would have predicted that Mitt Romney would be the GOP presidential nominee in 2012. A year later, that prediction still seems safe. The conservative base has been flailing about to the point of exhaustion in efforts to find someone who can embody the far right's most demented aspirations, but such a candidate simply doesn't exist. At least, not in an electable package. I'm still hoping Rick Perry can stage a comeback as he would make a ripe target for Obama, but he's already imploding. The Tea Partiers will either have to grudgingly accept Romney or find the courage (and resources) to organize a third party movement. Romney's strained relationship with the Tea Party will probably be one of the more interesting political dynamics to observe next year.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 08:35 PM | Comments (0)
October 03, 2011
To Boldly Go In HD
I wasn't one of those people who was clamoring for a high-definition of the original Star Trek series. But there's no denying that the remastered episodes look quite sharp. Most Trekkies would probably agree with me, so Paramount's announcement that all The Next Generation episodes will be gradually released on Blu-Ray isn't too surprising. The fact that the studio is giving makeovers to all 187 episodes--rather than just the fan favorites--is impressive. Of course, all the remastering in the world won't take the suck out of terrible episodes like "Encounter at Farpoint", but it will at least make them shinier. I may skip the first couple seasons, but I'll probably open my wallet for the rest.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 08:45 PM | Comments (0)