Tuesday, December 24, 2002

Decent piece on the year in music, or music in the year, or whatever. Music 2002: The year that squeaked Eminem bullied, Springsteen tried, sales sucked, but the mash-ups were pure populist art and Missy Elliott damn near reinvented hip hop. It's by Joey Sweeney, and it's in Salon, and it's Premium. (Y'know -- and that's twice in one day -- I don't usually link to the Premium selections. But you should be subscribing, shouldn't you? Go have a look at all the great stuff you get. Treat yourself.) And I totally agree about mashups. Totally. 4:44:19 PM    comment []

More on Joe Strummer: AP obit, by Ed Johnson. Billy Bragg, the British folk-rocker and political activist, noted that punk bands such as The Sex Pistols, The Stranglers and The Ramones weren't very political. It was The Clash that struck the strong political stance that really inspired a lot of people, and within The Clash he was the political engine of the band, Bragg said. The thing about Strummer was he walked it like he talked it. He didn't cop out. He didn't show one face to the public and have a different face in himself, Bragg said. The Clash was voted in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and is due to be inducted in a ceremony in New York City next March. Andrew (y'know, who dreams of China), is quoting "White Man In Hammersmith Palais" and waxing. I'm with him. 4:39:27 PM    comment []

TRENT LOTT, CALL HOME He's stepped down as majority leader, but does that mean he should stay in the Senate? Thulani Davis finds telling differences between black representation in Trent Lott's stomping ground and the Mississippi of yesteryear. [Village Voice] 12:51:10 PM    comment []

R.I.P., Joe Strummer. Another one that stunned me to hear of it. Still damned near The Only Band That Matters. NYT obit, Joe Strummer Is Dead at 50; Political Rebel of Punk Era, by Jon Pareles. 12:37:25 PM    comment []

NORAD tracks Santa Claus on his flight around the world. You can follow his journey. 12:30:33 PM    comment []

Phil Agre sends news of this precursor to the "total information awareness" program (.doc file) and suggests that we (look at the hidden revision log to find out who might have written it). 9:50:41 AM    comment []

Today is World Sousveillance Day", or "World Subjectrights Day". At noon on Tuesday, December 24, 2002, ordinary people all over the world will call into question the growing and dehumanizing effects of increased video surveillance, automated face recognition, and Covernment (Corporate+Government) tracking in public places, as well as private places. 12:48:27 AM    comment []