Want a Solution to Bad Traffic? Turn Off the Traffic Signals
A town in the UK abandons traffic lights, to surprising effect.
It’s Going Too Fast — Can Embargoes Manage the Real-time Web?
Previous experience with information traveling so fast it goes out of control suggests that part of filtering includes managing release points.
It’s the End of the Book As We Know It — and I Feel Fine
As bookstores and books in general meet the fate of physical media everywhere, maybe we should celebrate.
Badminton, the Rant — “They’re Dropping Off Their Kids, They’re Leaving Skid Marks!”
In this clip, a mother (and sportscaster) recounts the devastating game of badminton and its effects on her life.
The Mismeasurement of Public Libraries — via FedEx, Netflix, Starbucks, and VISA
A recent infographic from OCLC shifts the value considerations for libraries into a potentially risky realm, a mismeasure of value that’s just not necessary.
OCLC: Indispensable Database Collaborative or Social Media Prelude?
Despite OCLC’s legal woes, and no matter how the court of law decides, the court of user opinion may be the determining factor in OCLC’s future.
Left-handed Cancer, Box Springs, Scientific American, Branding, and Credibility
When brands, credibility, and trust all stumble, what is an increasingly weary public supposed to think?
The Old Spice Guy Celebrates Libraries and the Words They Contain
The over-preening Old Spice Guy likes libraries, and celebrates them in a short, funny video. Too bad a parody from BYU is even better.
“The Reinvention of Journalism” — Just Code for “Reinvention of the Status Quo”?
The US Federal Trade Commission and Google spar openly over the future of journalism. Guess which one comes out looking more modern?
Delusions, Illusions, and the True Costs of Digital Publishing
The models we use to describe the publishing business need to change, and we can learn from software companies and digital distributors.
“Cognitive Surplus” — Look What Can Happen When We Turn Off the Television
Clay Shirky’s new book is smart, snappy, and insightful. You should read it if you want to understand why people are adding social media to their lives.
Is Print an Elite Medium? Or a Medium for Elitists?
College journalists are more motivated about getting into print, editors are missing huge opportunities, and Harry Potter’s owners are in no hurry to go digital. What gives?
Conan Doyle Creates Holmes for Science, Then Descends Into Pseudoscience
The creator of the detective of the scientific age seems to have abandoned science as he aged.
E-book Sales Beat Hardcover Sales at Amazon: Tipping Point or Fluke?
Amazon’s Kindle and e-book sales take off, and the overall trend is for a huge shake-up in the retail book space.
Clay Shirky on Generosity, Erotic Novels, Civics, Lolcats, and Scholarly Journals
The cognitive surplus of our age is being unleashed. This video discusses some of the side-effects and trends that will shape our futures.