A daily series, Connect! Unite! Act! seeks to create face-to-face networks in each congressional district. Groups regularly socialize but also get out the vote, support candidates and engage in other local political actions that help our progressive movement grow and exert influence on the powers-that-be. Visit us every morning at 7:30 A.M. Pacific Time to see how you can get involved. The comment thread is fun and light-hearted, but we're serious about moving the progressive political agenda forward.
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Will You Buy a Google Glass ?
I clipped the article below from my local fishwrap and filed it away. It's an AP story from June 8, 1998. I saved it as an example of the Gushing, Over-the-Top, Techno-Utopian Cyber-Hooey that we've all been subjected to over the last quarter-century or so.
The story is about a group of grad students at MIT who were researching "wearables." They've got battery packs strapped to their backs and hard drives in pouches on their belts. You can see that the display on their glasses is pretty cumbersome. Here's some of the text:
The researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology envision a digital paradise: Instant translation among the world's tongues, the ability to monitor or even affect events anywhere in the world, a constant connection to global conversations in cyberspace.
But by transcending the limits that nature imposed on our all-too-human flesh, researchers at MIT and elsewhere find themselves poking at the edge of fundamental questions. The answers my change forever what it means to be human.
Did people really believe this stuff ? I remember when Popular Science used to have articles about how In The Future everybody would have their own personal helicopters. Can you imagine what that would be like, the chaos above your town that would result from hundreds of thousands of personal helicopters ? Here's more:
The wearable software can remind them of appointments, and let them take notes and surf the Internet.
But the potential is much greater. While hand-held electric organizers of today can help schedule your life, those of the future may help you live it.
Soon, says 'borg Brad Rhodes, the wearables will be able to recognize speech and faces. And software he is developing, called a "remembrance agent," will watch over you 24 hours a day, every day, supplying you with the information you need in any given situation.
Now this is downright creepy. Watching over me 24 hours a day, every day ? This is a good thing ? And just
who is supplying
who with information ? We all know now, or should, how search engines make their money. They collect our personal information and sell it. They sell it to the NSA and they sell it to other corporations. The Future is here and it turns out that Google will be the ones selling these things. I am not one of those who believes that "teh Google is your friend," in fact, there is no longer any doubt in my mind that
Google IS Evil.
Here's one last quote from the article, this from Hans Morevec, director of the Mobile Robot Laboratory at Carnegie Mellon University in his 1988 book Mind Children:
I have faith in these computers. You're going to be more intelligent, you'll be able to do much more, understand much more, go more places, not die—all those things
Yes my friends you read that right, "not die." At last, thanks to computer technology, Immortality is within our grasp. No wonder Bill Gates is worshiped like a god. And if everlasting life has not yet been achieved, the Google Glass is already here. Since last spring select early adopters, called Explorers by the company, have been able to buy and experience the magic of Google Glass. As with any new technology there have been some teething troubles. In California a motorist has been ticketed for Driving While Glassing. It seems to me, as it did to the officer who issued the citation, that using the device would be a major distraction for the operator of a motor vehicle. The charges were dismissed. The devices have cameras as well as screens and some non-believers object to the possibility that they might be photographed without their knowledge in public places. This concern led to the following incident: Seattle Asshole Demands Employee Firing Over Bar's Google Glass Policy. Logically enough, a new term has entered the lexicon. Explorers behaving badly are known as Glassholes. In another case a moviegoer in Columbus, Ohio was detained for wearing the Glass while watching a film. Apparently some film companies fear that Google Glass will make it easier to pirate movies. Other entertainment companies believe that the Glass will help their business. According to the Los Angeles Daily News Google Glass may be the future of the porn industry. You can see where this is going. That guy sitting next to you on the bus wearing the Google Glass and a raincoat ? He's not .. Oh My God, HE IS!
These are some of the obstacles mankind will have to overcome on the road to Techno-Utopia. I'm sure there are technological solutions. Other, longer, pieces on Google Glass may be found here ☛ Esquire and here ☛ The Interactivist. That's all I have for this Tuesday morning. Whadya' say CUA ...
Will you buy a Google Glass ?
Latest Updates on Kossack Regional Meet-Up News Can Be Found Below the Orange Group Hug.
Let's Build Communities!
Our team is here to provide support and guidance to new and existing volunteer leaders of each regional and state group, helping them with recruiting, organizing and executing social and action events.
We invite you to join in this effort to build our community. There are many ways to pitch in.
If there isn't a group to join near you, please start one.
Instructions on HOW TO FORM A NEW DAILY KOS GROUP
List of All Existing Meatspace Groups
THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY
by Dave in Northridge ♥ for Los Angeles Kossacks
The LAKossacks welcome shanikka to their fair city. Many people attend. Here are few photos:
L-R: moore musings and shanikka
New Attendees:
L-R: Former Chicagoan Now Angeleno and bruinkid
Please visit Dave in Northridge's diary for many MORE photos plus Food Pr0n! Enjoy! You can join Los Angeles Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to Dave in Northridge.
by mimi ♥ for Virginia Kos
The DC and Maryland Kossacks welcomed Chaucounne on her visit to attend a conference in DC. It was a last minute meet-up pulled of by mimi.
Here's one photo:
L-R: mimi, kim (wife of olliegarkey), olliegarkey, webgenie and Chacounne
Please visit mimi's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy!
You can join Maryland Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to JamieG from Md.
You can join DC Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to NinthElegy.
by sidnora ♥ for New York City
Thank you, sidnora, for the great photo diary recap. So many terrific photos of our NYC Kossacks and all their food pr0n. It looks like everyone had a really good time. There's still time to rec her diary.
Here's only two photos of the many that belinda ridgewood, joanbrooker and Denise Oliver Velez provided:
L-R: the camera-shy Yasuragi (yes, she weally showed up!), belinda ridgewood, kathny, malloy, Miscweant, No Exit, Son of Broccoli, jfdunphy, mightymouse, plf515, sidnora, Mets102
L-R: Ian Reifowitz, plf515, sidnora, Denise Oliver Velez, Mets102
Please visit sidnora's diary for many MORE photos! Plus massive food pr0n. Enjoy! You can join New York City by sending a Kosmail to sidnora.
Four Kossack regional groups descend on the California State Capitol
to demand that Governor Jerry Brown ban
the oil and gas production process known as fracking
by navajo ♥ for Connect! Unite! Act!
Representing Northern California, the SFKossacks, Central Valley Kossacks, Paradise & Chico Kossacks and the Silicon Valley Kossacks gathered on the mall of our state capitol in Sacramento on Saturday, March 15th to protest fracking. Governor Brown has the ability to ban the environmentally destructive, water-intensive oil extraction practice known as hydraulic fracturing in California. The state is in a severe drought and the last place our water should go is into fracking. It is estimated the protesters numbered around 4000. We endured the hot sun which sent the temperatures into the 80s as we gathered midday to make a lot of noise and get the attention of the Governor.
Please note red arrow pointing to our Daily Kos banner to gather all us Kossacks together!
Please visit paradise50's diary for his terrific photos!
You can join SFKossacks by sending a Kosmail to navajo.
You can join Central Valley Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to tgypsy.
You can join Paradise & Chico Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to smileycreek.
You can join Silicon Valley Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to Glen The Plumber.
Event Organizers! Please contact wink from Netrootsradio.com by KosMail to schedule airtime with them to live broadcast your Event. Wink & Justice will then promote it on The After Show radio program!
Tuesday, April 1st
Motor City Kossacks Join Demonstration to Object to Bankruptcy Plan for the City of Detroit
TIME: 10:00 AM
LOCATION: Federal Courthouse
231 W. Lafayette St. • Metro Detroit
ORGANIZER: Send peregrine kate a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. peregrine kate
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Action Diary: Protest on Tues 4/1, 10 AM, Federal Courthouse in Detroit
Saturday, April 5th
Baja Arizona Kossacks 4th Annual Picnic
TIME: 4:00 PM
LOCATION: Home of Mr. & Mrs. sneakers563
Address by Kosmail to RSVPers • Tucson
ORGANIZER: Send Azazello a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Azazello
2. sneakers563
3. rasbobbo
4. DaNang65
5. ItsaMathJoke
6. Itzadryheat
7. pwoodford
8. ramara
9. Desert Rose
10. chloris creator
11. drnatrl
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Maybees:
cosmic debris
LandruBek
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Latest diary: Baja Arizona Kossacks Open Thread
Saturday, April 5th
Seattle & Puget Sound Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: Noon - 3:00 PM
LOCATION: Pyramid Alehouse, Brewery & Restaurant
1201 First Avenue South • Seattle
ORGANIZER: Send EagleOfFreedom a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. EagleOfFreedom
2. Reetz
3. John Crapper
4. John Crapper's S.O.
5. WisePiper
6. bleeding blue
7. mlharges
8. Caligrrl
9. Regina in a Sears Kit House
10. Regina in a Sears Kit House's DH
11. Ojibwa
12. Notrouble
13. Bleeding Blue's spouse |
Maybees:
otto
Kitsap River
Charles CurtisStanley
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Latest diary: Seattle & Puget Sound Kossacks April Meeting
DAY TBD, April TBD
Potential Boston Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: TBD
LOCATION: TBD
[Address] • [City]
ORGANIZER: Send GreyHawk a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. GreyHawk
2. Hawk Wife
3. Knockbally
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: BosKos Meetup: Mindscapes
Saturday, May 3rd
DKos Asheville Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: The Bywater
796 Riverside Dr. • Asheville
ORGANIZER: Send randallt a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. randallt
2. davehouck
3. Joieau
4. Gordon20024
5. SteelerGrrl
6. SteelerGuy
7. GulfGal 98
8. Otteray Scribe
9. flwrightman
10. people power granny
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Maybees:
Audri
Mr Audri
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Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
Tuesday, May 13th
SFKossacks Roll Out the Red Carpet for LeftOfYou & Expat Okie
TIME: 11:00 AM, Early lunch!
LOCATION: Yank Sing
Rincon Center, 101 Spear St. • San Francisco
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. navajo
2. LeftOfYou
3. Expat Okie
4. side pocket
5. Justice Putnam
6. dharmasyd
7. Lorikeet
8. jpmassar
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Maybees:
annieli
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navajo maintains the above event list. Kosmail her if you have any diaries
about your event or if you have changes or additions.
EVERYONE is welcome, tell us what you're working on,
share your show and tell, vent, whatever you want.
This is an open thread. Nothing is off topic.