Sunday, January 31, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Gaza Blockade Threatens Students' Future
photo via: The Washington Post
Ayman Quader (no relation to picture) is one of the hundreds of Gaza graduates who received a scholarship to attend universities abroad. Unfortunately, the ongoing coastal enclave in Gaza is not allowing graduates such as Ayman to leave. The acts of Political disputes is resulting in the loss of not just hundreds of scholarships but also the progression of hundreds of young minds with bright futures.
Read the full article here: http://www.paltelegraph.com/diaries/featured-articles/3825-gaza-blockade-threatens-students-future
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Video: Mos Def - White Drapes
A track from Michael Sterling Eaton’s upcoming album, Mictape Vol. 1. I post a lot of Mos Def because he's really good at what he does and that is... making great music...to say the least.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Swizz Beats the Art Collector
Swizz is real serious about the arts and from what I hear has a genuine appreciation for it. Do you recognize anything?
Bubble Wrapped Mountain Freshness!
A campaign by Braunwald Tourism in all major cities of German-speaking Switzerland has used bubble wrapping to enclose the mountain air that surrounds the resort of Braunwald. The advertisement invites pedestrians to pop those ever so addictive bubbles for a burst of mountain freshness. Clever!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Color Mixing Building Blocks
Water Blocks is a clever idea that uses kids curiosities to learn the fundamentals of colors and shapes. Although I'm a strong believer in allowing kids to play with paint, this is good alternative to keep to house clean.
They're available here: http://www.thinkgeek.com/geek-kids/1-3-years/c07d/
Artist Futura w/ Spine TV
This is a great intro if your not familiar with the Legend that is Futura. His work has influenced many and continues to do so. Feed your mind.via: http://spinetv.net/video/futura#embed
Video after the jump.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
ANDREA Air Filter
Designer/scientist duo Mathieu Lehanneur and David Edwards has created the ANDREA air filter. The air filter uses household plants for natural air purification.
It's now available through amazon.com
Conan Speaks on Final Episode.
"Before we end this rodeo, a few things need to be said. There has been a lot of speculation in the press about what I legally can and can't say about NBC. To set the record straight, tonight I am allowed to say anything I want. And what I want to say is this: between my time at Saturday Night Live, The Late Night Show, and my brief run here on The Tonight Show, I have worked with NBC for over twenty years. Yes, we have our differences right now and yes, we're going to go our separate ways. But this company has been my home for most of my adult life. I am enormously proud of the work we have done together, and I want to thank NBC for making it all possible.Walking away from The Tonight Show is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Making this choice has been enormously difficult. This is the best job in the world, I absolutely love doing it, and I have the best staff and crew in the history of the medium. But despite this sense of loss, I really feel this should be a happy moment. Every comedian dreams of hosting The Tonight Show and, for seven months, I got to. I did it my way, with people I love, and I do not regret a second. I've had more good fortune than anyone I know and if our next gig is doing a show in a 7-11 parking lot, we'll find a way to make it fun.
And finally, I have to say something to our fans. The massive outpouring of support and passion from so many people has been overwhelming. The rallies, the signs, all the goofy, outrageous creativity on the Internet, and the fact that people have traveled long distances and camped out all night in the pouring rain to be in our audience, made a sad situation joyous and inspirational.
To all the people watching, I can never thank you enough for your kindness to me and I'll think about it for the rest of my life. All I ask of you is one thing: please don't be cynical. I hate cynicism -- it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere.
Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen."
-I have always been a huge fan of Conan O'Brien. I remember during school I would always try to stay up to catch Late Night after Leno. There is no mystery why he is always well respected by every visitor on his show. His Silliness always brings a positive light to a bad day. I'm not worried....any network is stupid not to pick him up.
Urgent New Campaign for Puerto Rican Political Prisoner Carlos Alberto Torres
On January 19, 2010, Carlos Alberto Torres attended a video hearing presided over by a U.S. Parole Commission hearing examiner whose task was to consider the disciplinary charges stemming from last January, and to make a recommendation for what should happen with respect to his request to be released on parole. Carlos Alberto answered the questions posed, and his attorney Jan Susler asked that the Parole Commission release him on parole as previously recommended, regardless of the wrongful charges. She pointed out the vast, ongoing support for his release, and argued that there is absolutely no risk in releasing him, as evidenced by the impressive example of his compatriots who were released by presidential commutation in 1999. The hearing examiner then made a favorable recommendation. Download letter hereBio on Carlos Alberto Torres:
Carlos Alberto Torres was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico on September 19, 1952. His parents moved to New York, finally settling in Chicago. He studied in the University of Illinois in Carbondale and Chicago. Carlos was one of the founders of the Rafael Cancel Miranda Puerto Rican High School now known as the Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Puerto Rican High School and participated in the Committee to Free the 5 Nationalists (including Lolita Lebron, whose portrait he is holding in the photo at right). In 1976, Carlos was forced to go underground and was on the FBI's 10 most wanted list. He was captured along with other comrades and sentenced to 88 years on charges of seditious conspiracy, among other charges. Carlos Alberto is a regular writer for Libertad and his short stories have been published in Cuentos Sara la Libertad.
Although the Clinton Administration offered clemency to 12 Puerto Rican political prisoners in the fall of 1999, no leniency was granted to Carlos Torres, whom prosecutors described as a leader of the Fuerzas Armadas de Liberación Nacional (FALN), an underground organization which fought for Puerto Rico's independence in the 1970s and '80s. (See the PARC/National Committee page on Amnesty for the Puerto Rican Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War).
Although the Clinton Administration offered clemency to 12 Puerto Rican political prisoners in the fall of 1999, no leniency was granted to Carlos Torres, whom prosecutors described as a leader of the Fuerzas Armadas de Liberación Nacional (FALN), an underground organization which fought for Puerto Rico's independence in the 1970s and '80s. (See the PARC/National Committee page on Amnesty for the Puerto Rican Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War).
Friday, January 22, 2010
Damian Marley & Nasir Jones – Strong Will Continue
Rumored to be the first single from Nas and Damian Marley’s upcoming collaborative album Distant Relatives.
PBS Documentary- Copyright Criminals
For program guide please visit: http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/copyright-criminals/index.html
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Thinking of the Past or Future Causes us to Sway backward or Forward
University of Aberdeen psychological scientists Lynden Miles, Louise Nind and Neil Macrae conducted a study to measure this in the lab. They fitted participants with a motion sensor while they imagined either future or past events. The researchers found that thinking about past or future events can literally move us: Engaging in mental time travel (a.k.a. chronesthesia) resulted in physical movements corresponding to the metaphorical direction of time. Those who thought of the past swayed backward while those who thought of the future moved forward.via: http://www.psychologicalscience.org/media/releases/2010/miles.cfm
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Diagnosing Schizophrenia by Blood Test.
Chemical & Engineering News Senior Editor Celia Henry Arnaud writes that schizophrenia does not just involve the brain, but also abnormal levels of certain proteins that appear in other parts of the body.The article focused on a group of scientists in the United Kingdom indicating that 40 percent of the chemical changes in the brains of schizophrenia patients also occur in other body parts. The U.K. scientists are studying these biomarkers in the skin, immune cells, and blood of patients to provide a real-time picture of the disease. Results of the most previous studies were done rather with brain tissue taken from patients after death. The scientists have already identified several schizophrenia biomarkers in the blood and are working with a company that plans to launch a blood test for diagnosing schizophrenia in 2010. The blood test has potential for earlier diagnosis in schizophrenic patients and quicker treatment.Side Note: Some of the greatest minds in the arts and sciences where Schizophrenic/bipolar
For more info please visit: http://pubs.acs.org/cen/science/88/8803sci1.html
Video: Stand-Up of Aziz Ansari’s Night Out With Kanye West and Kanye West vs. Darwish
This guy is hilarious!! One of my favorite comedians right now. Catch Aziz as "Tom Haverford" on the NBC comedy series Parks and Recreation.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Visual Artisit Dzine Interview on “The Run Up”
I relate heavily to this man. His mentality, ideologies of the arts, love for simple forms and his orgullo (pride) in being Puerto Rican, has given me a new reassurance. As a kid in Puerto Rico Carlos "Dzine" Rolon was able to see Style Wars on PBS at the time when it was released. Like many kids, Rolon was instantly hooked on the culture of graffiti. Rolon soon after moved to Chicago, where he became a prominent cultural figure for graffiti. In time, He took that experience and intertwined it with his interest in fine arts. Today he's known for his juxtaposition of shapes and colors that he compares to the flowing of musical sounds.
For more info please visit: www.dzinestudio.com
Nike SB “This is Qatar” Full Video
The documentary-style skateboarding video was produced by Ivan Jimenez and filmed by Enrique Mayor, featuring Nike SB’s Spanish team: Dani Lopez, Dani Rubio, Dani Lebron, Juan Algora and Adrian Del Campo.
Qatar is an Arab emirate in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the larger Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south; otherwise the Persian Gulf surrounds the state. A strait of the Persian Gulf separates Qatar from the relatively-nearby island nation of Bahrain.
Promo Video for the Film/Music Project The Dogon Society: Jay Electronica- Exhibit A
The film/muisc project The Dogon Society is directed by Jason Goldwatch. The footage in this video was filmed in Nepal and Dubai.
Jay Electronica- Exhibit A
Monday, January 18, 2010
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
-A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom.
If we don't even listen to Dr. Martin Luther King, when will we learn?
-Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
Dr. Martin Luther King's words will live forever in complete relevance....
Jets Fan Arrested For Cheering on His Team????
The video is a little unclear to what exactly happened prior but, based on the surrounding people's reactions the cops over did it....once again.
A man shouts, coming from the cameras direction, "You're a waist of my tax payers dollars!"
I don't know and maybe I'm wrong but, last time I checked your supposed to cheer your team on. Yes it may be annoying to the opposing team fans but, that's part of the beauty that comes with paying for a ticket. THIS ALL WAS COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY.
Video: Scheme – Respect the Art
Scheme is a real dope artist out of Chicago. If his future is anything like this track and video, expect to see more from this Chi-Town native.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
One of my Favorite Videos on Youtube (I'm a Percussion Guy)
?uestlove and Travis Barker in The Roots 5th Annual Jam Session going in on some raw instrumentation. Around 2:58 into the video starts my favorite part.
The Roots 6th Annual Jam Session will be in Los Angeles on January 30th, 2010. The historic jam session is set-up to provide an alternative to all the other narrow-minded Grammy-related industry events. They have a logo design contest going on right know so check it out at: http://www.okayplayer.com/rootsjamsession/
Modified Nokia "Green Phone" Runs on Any Liquid Sugar Base
Daizi Zheng, a Chinese developer has modified a Nokia cell phone to run on any sugary solution. Zheng says the phone can last four times longer then a lithium ion battery. Also no worries when tossing out your phone because Zheng's Nokia is 100 percent biodegradable. For more info please visit: www.daizizheng.com
Scientist Predict Tsunami-Generating Quake Possible off Indonesia
A giant wave-generating quake comparable to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami could strike off the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The city of Padang is in direct range, said the group led by a prominent scientist who predicted a 2005 Sumatran quake with uncanny accuracy. They issued a warning in a letter to the journal Nature Geoscience.
The danger is coming from a pressure build up over the past two centuries on a section of the Sunda Trench. The Sunda Trench which runs parallel to the western Sumatra coast is one of the world's most well known earthquake zones.
The authors of the letter are led by John McCloskey, a professor of the Environmental Sciences Research Institute at the University of Ulster, Northern Ireland.
Even though predictions for seismic activity are extremely rare, John McCloskey was proven right within two weeks of his last prediction.On March 28 2005, a quake measuring 8.6 erupted at Simeulue island, generating a three-metre (10-feet) tsunami.
The new letter states, "The threat from such an event is clear and the need for urgent mitigating action remains extremely high." Also saying, "It is imperative that the Indonesian authorities, with the assistance of the international community and non-governmental organisations, ensure that they complete the relief effort and earthquake-resistant reconstruction following this earthquake, and work with the people in Padang to help prepare them for the next one."
The danger is coming from a pressure build up over the past two centuries on a section of the Sunda Trench. The Sunda Trench which runs parallel to the western Sumatra coast is one of the world's most well known earthquake zones.
The authors of the letter are led by John McCloskey, a professor of the Environmental Sciences Research Institute at the University of Ulster, Northern Ireland.
Even though predictions for seismic activity are extremely rare, John McCloskey was proven right within two weeks of his last prediction.On March 28 2005, a quake measuring 8.6 erupted at Simeulue island, generating a three-metre (10-feet) tsunami.
The new letter states, "The threat from such an event is clear and the need for urgent mitigating action remains extremely high." Also saying, "It is imperative that the Indonesian authorities, with the assistance of the international community and non-governmental organisations, ensure that they complete the relief effort and earthquake-resistant reconstruction following this earthquake, and work with the people in Padang to help prepare them for the next one."
The red line shows the Sumatran fault and the city of Padang lies just about in the middle of the map.
The more we educate ourselves today the safer we are in the future. Spread the knowledge. Where is the nearest fault line to where you live?
Austin City Limits Premieres its First all Hip-Hop Show: Mos Def & K'Naan
Austin City Limits is the longest American musical driven television show. ACL has been on the air for 35 years.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
The Enriquillo fault line (Haiti) as shown by NASA in 2000
The data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission that flew aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour in February 2000, shows the Enriquillo fault that research shows responsible for the Jan. 12 magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Port-au-Prince. The fault is almost directly in the center of the image (faint red circle on map). The fault runs a diagonal line down the base of the mountain and Port-au-Prince is immediately to the left or our north at the mountain base and shoreline. Click on picture for larger image.
This Is Incredible Work (John Nolan Films)
John Nolan is know for creating amazing animatronics. His work was last seen in the movie Where the Wild Things Are and was the senior animatronic designer for the upcoming motion picture Clash of the Titans. True talent still exist outside of the green screen.
Friday, January 15, 2010
New device To Halt Hemorrhaging
Maynard Ramsey, the chief executive officer and chief scientist at CardioCommand, a Tampa, FL-based medical device company,demonstrates a new device to halt hemorrhaging. It is a balloon-based device, 12.25 inches long and .5 inches in diameter prior to deployment, that is inserted into a wound and inflated in less than 90 seconds.
The inflatable device plays a major role on the battlefield. Eighty percent of deaths in the military is due to uncontrolled bleeding of otherwise preventable deaths. The device is typically used for stab or gunshot wounds.
Link to video demo: http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid42529855001?bctid=61636328001
For more info please visit: www.cardiocommand.com
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
David Banner & 9th Wonder - Death Of A Pop Star Album Photoshoot
"I wanted this shot because you know usually in urban music people don't look at the artists as being intellects. Me and 9th are both pretty well learned. I'm a semester and thesis away from my masters degree. 9th Wonder is actually a professor...hes a professor at Duke now." Says David Banner, as he explains the meaning of the photoshoot.
9th Wonder is helping teach an African-American Studies course at Duke University alongside Professor Mark Anthony Neal.
Tesla Motors x Panasonic
Tesla Motors, known for their high performance electric vehicles, is working with Panasonic, to develop its next generation of batteries. The partnership is intended to help Tesla lower the cost of its batteries and increase the range of its vehicles.Panasonic already has developed two high-energy batteries for electric vehicles. These new batteries store as much as 30 percent more energy than its previous lithium-ion batteries, and this increased storage could, in theory, increase a vehicle's range by 30 percent.
One of the new battery cells contains silicon electrodes which in theory can hold much more energy than the carbon electrodes they replace, but silicon electrodes tend to swell and break apart. As a result, there is still some kinks but I'm sure problems will be resolved quickly because the demand is so large for more efficient battery life.
www.teslamotors.com
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
My Prayers Go Out To Haiti
For donations please visit:
Unicef
http://www.yele.org/ (Wyclef Jean's Haiti website )
American Red Cross
Americares
Unicef
http://www.yele.org/ (Wyclef Jean's Haiti website )
American Red Cross
Americares
The Apple Juice Kid x Battalion Armour - Beautiful Warriors 2: Louis Armstrong Remixed
Picking right up where he left off with his Miles Remixed project, The Apple Juice Kid tackles another legend with Beautiful Warriors 2: Louis Armstrong Remixed. The project is a collaboration between AJK and Battalion Armour. Battalion Armour put together a series of six holiday videos featuring six women from six ethnic backgrounds posing to Louis Armstrong, remixed by Apple Juice Kid. The vids are semi-nude and a little racy (check them here).I'm leaning towards Kirby and Destiny (I'm just saying).
Download
via: http://www.okayplayer.com/index.php
The Light Touch projector at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas
The Light Touch interactive projector is a portable base that runs Windows CE and uses a proprietary holographic laser projection (HLP) system to project an image that allows for touch activation onto any flat surface. The image remains in focus even at long distances.
For more info please visit: http://lightblueoptics.com/products/light-touch/
Monday, January 11, 2010
Corinne Bailey Rae on The Cover of Billboard
Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae's sophomore album releases in stores on January 26
Saturday, January 9, 2010
FYI: Afghan War Killing At Least 3 Children Per Day
Afghan War Killing At Least 3 Children Per Day In Afghanistan, new figures show children account for the most deaths in the over eight-year US-led war. The Afghanistan Rights Monitor says over 1,050 people under the age of eighteen were killed in Afghanistan, an average of at least three every day.via: www.democracynow.org
Friday, January 8, 2010
Mixtape: Late Night With The Roots
The Roots in a bundle of dopeness rocking as the house band for Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. Enjoy the greatness! The legendary Roots Crew!!!!
Late Night With The Roots (Mixtape)
Study Shows The Frontal Lobes Response To Humility And Arrogance
"In healthy people, the more you activate a portion of your frontal lobes, the more accurate your view of yourself is," says Jennifer Beer, an assistant professor of psychology, who conducted the research with graduate student Brent L. Hughes. "And the more you view yourself as desirable or better than your peers, the less you use those lobes."As part of the study, 20 subjects answered questions about how they compared to their peers on such positive traits as tact, modesty, likability and maturity and such negative traits as materialism, messiness, unreliability and narrow-mindedness. As the subjects answered those questions, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine scanned their brains.
The subjects who viewed themselves in a very positive light across those disparate areas used their orbitofrontal cortex less than the other subjects. This region of the frontal lobe is generally associated with reasoning, planning, decision-making and problem-solving
Some subjects who had accurate views of themselves showed four times more frontal lobe activation than the most extreme "rose-colored glasses" wearer in the study.
To read the full article please visit: http://www.utexas.edu/news/2010/01/06/brain_self_perception/
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Lupe Fiasco talks with Allhiphop.com & The Summit on the Summit Starts!
Singer Kenna has organized an expedition to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro called Summit On The Summit to raise awareness of the billion people worldwide who lack access to clean drinking water. Lupe is one of the celebrities who will commit to the climb. The climb started yesterday 01/06/2010. To learn more go to: www.summitonthesummit.com
Pedestrian.TV interviews The Sartorialist
Pedestrian TV interviews acclaimed fashion photographer Scott Schuman aka The Sartorialist. Schuman is known for his street photography of everyday people. He picks and chooses who he finds carries a sense of fashion through individuality. Schuman then posts his photos and descriptions on his blog. Schuman is known for pioneering fashion photography in blog form.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Egyptian Police Brutality with Gaza Freedom Marchers
In Tahrir Square in Cairo there was a massive demonstration as Gaza Freedom Marchers tried to March to Gaza from Cairo, more in a symbolic fashion than anything.
People were kicked, shoved, and punched by the Egyptian police as they sat when force was applied.
via: www.thepeoplesvoice.org
People were kicked, shoved, and punched by the Egyptian police as they sat when force was applied.
via: www.thepeoplesvoice.org
Monday, January 4, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
A Day In the Life With DJ Neil Armstrong
Member of the 5th Platoon crew, Jay-z's tour DJ, and just a dope ass DJ
Ransom Holding Co. : http://ransomholdingco.com/
5th Platoon: http://www.5thplatoon.com/
New Study Shows bacterial Protein may Help Against Cocaine Addiction
A recent study shows that the bacterial protein cocaine esterase may help cocaine addicts break the habit. Cocaine esterase (CocE) is a naturally-occurring bacterial enzyme that breaks down cocaine, thereby reducing its addictive properties.Faculty of 1000 Medicine's Friedbert Weiss says, "These therapeutic approaches may therefore not be "fail-safe" for reducing cocaine intake by determined users" but "long-acting forms of CocE represent potentially valuable treatment approaches not only for the prevention of cocaine-induced toxicity but also for ongoing cocaine abuse in humans."
Read full article here: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-01/fo1b-ana122309.php
Are Americans Healthier Since Last Decade?
10 years ago a government effort by the name Healthy People, set some health goals for the nation to reach by 2010. Since last decade the obesity rate has increased. About 41 percent of the 1990 measurable goals were achieved. For the 2000 goals, it was just 24 percent. As for the 2010 goals, data is still being collected, and a final report is not due out until 2011. But it looks like the results will be in the neighborhood of 20 percent, according to a preliminary analysis by the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics.Experts are saying that The Healthy People effort could be better if it included more information about how to reach the goals, and how much it would cost, said David Holtgrave, a health policy expert at Johns Hopkins University.
The program lays out the goals, but looks to others - and the public - to find ways to achieve them. Healthy People does not provide funding to meet the goals, either."It's all carrot and no stick," said Dr. Richard Riegelman, founding dean of the George Washington University School of Public Health, who has been part of the Healthy People planning.
As a result, there pushing for Healthy People 2020 to be an online interaction that supplies advice to people for a healthier lifestyle
Healthy People: http://www.healthypeople.gov/
Fast food is investing more every year into promotions and at the same time making it cheaper and convenient to consume. The high consumption of fast foods are forcing organics, local farms and other healthier options to raise prices while centralizing there distributions. On the other hand the streets are flooded with the option of your "favorite fast food chain" within a mile radius in any given metropolis.
For more info please visit: http://www.physorg.com/news181552453.html
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010
2010
2010 marks the end of a prosperous decade and the beginning of a journey into the rapid advancement of our times to come. I believe there will be windows of opportunity for those who dedicate their lives to a positive approach on life. Whether or not you choose to embrace the opportunity will determine the fate of our future. For those who embellish their dark side, as you continue to adorn, the light will continue fade. Media will continue misinform and deteriorate our youth as they find new ways to stay relevant in the internet era. Technology will grow but people will always remain constant in control till for ever long. People will rely on computers but computers rely on people. The human brain is constantly reformatting and will never be duplicated. Creativity will continue to diminish as money remains our main source for satisfaction. The growth of our future’s technology is built on the concept of pervious ideas. In other words, technology will be an addition to what has already become. Ideas will become more primitive as technology will hit its peak of innovation. The sun to power our homes (solar panels), animals as fuel (methane), rain catch as water, local farming as food (farmer’s markets/organics) and our hands as tools. New ways to save our eco-system will become “cool” as the money flows. Live and love your life and thank God for true friends and family because those that you can truly trust are not many. Living simple and appreciating what I have keeps me happy. Happy New Year!Peace,
Sergio Concepción de Gracia
Sergio Concepción de Gracia
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