Dorelvis » pop culture

You re-arrange me ’till I’m sane

dorelvis — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 19:10:56 +0000

Steven Pinker has an OP-Ed contribution over at the New York Times that basically refutes the common belief that modern technology is making us stupid. I’m a firm believer in technology changing how we do things, and also confess to more of an attention-span problem than I used to have, but I’m right with Steven – my computers/phone/dvr – all my devices have only helped me.

“Yes, the constant arrival of information packets can be distracting or addictive, especially to people with attention deficit disorder. But distraction is not a new phenomenon. The solution is not to bemoan technology but to develop strategies of self-control, as we do with every other temptation in life. Turn off e-mail or Twitter when you work, put away your Blackberry at dinner time, ask your spouse to call you to bed at a designated hour…

…The new media have caught on for a reason. Knowledge is increasing exponentially; human brainpower and waking hours are not. Fortunately, the Internet and information technologies are helping us manage, search and retrieve our collective intellectual output at different scales, from Twitter and previews to e-books and online encyclopedias. Far from making us stupid, these technologies are the only things that will keep us smart.”

I just don’t know what to do with myself

dorelvis — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 01:26:35 +0000

I’ve been watching a new series on AMC called Mad Men, about advertising folks in 1960, and I’m really struck by the titles. I think they are definitely an homage to Saul Bass, who created some of the most memorable work ever. See a gallery of examples, particularly “the Man with the Golden Arm”, “North by Northwest” and “The Seven Year Itch.”

I am actually a little bit obsessed with film titles. Some of my favorites:

Bullitt

A Fistfull of Dollars

Homicide: Life on the Street

Se7en

Stuck inside these four walls

dorelvis — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 01:21:14 +0000

Over at the Washington Post there’s an article about the length of your fingers, and what they might say about you. I’m a high 2D:4D, which is seemingly a more masculine trait. Perhaps a good thing? I could stand to be a bit less sensitive…

And from the Fug archives, this photo reminds me of the outfit I wore to my 8th grade end of year dance. Exact same outfit — except mine was red.

Finally, gossip about Project Runway’s winner, Jeffrey Sebelia. I actually thought his collection was awesome, even though I liked Uli’s better. But here’s the thing. If he’d made my mother cry he wouldn’t be living now, because I would have beat the crap out of him. And I know I could take him. Those tats are all about looking mean, not being mean.