Get down to the old

Get down to the old school jam. Possibly the greatest "techno" band of all time. Not only were they "first" but they are also the best. KRAFTWERK is a true joy for the ears. They are a lesson in simplicity. Learn more about this innovative, yet obscure band.

My analysis: Kraftwerk achieves for two reasons.

1. They had no "scene" in which to influence their style much as today's techno/trance/hip-hop/house scenes effectively cause much repetition and very little innovation as a result of the artists listening to each other and allowing that "scene" to color individual styles. While this isn't always a bad thing it can lead to some pretty boring music. Kraftwerk had no such influencing scene. Sure, they had influences but, nothing on the scale that is evident today. This led to freshness and a sense of discovery in their music that still exists today.

2. They took the music and due to both style and physical/technological limitations they stripped it down to mere essentials. This left each tune to rely completely on it's own specific crafting and not on some slick studio production that is able to "candy-coat" a mediocre collaboration.

Listening to Kraftwerk is a new experience each and every time. Go buy this cd if you can find it. They are all good. Enjoy.

posted by Eric J | 02:46 PM

I've taken up Wardriving. It's

I've taken up Wardriving.
It's quite fun. I basically sit my PowerBook G4 with an Airport antenna on the
passenger seat and run my MacStumbler software while I take the "long"
way to work. I've found a few open networks but nothing substantial. Anyone in
Memphis that would like to start documenting some of these just drop me an e-mail
Next I want to do some Warchalking.
God I love this sub-culture crap.

posted by Eric J | 04:36 PM

"Journey to Ernie" is possibly

"Journey to Ernie" is possibly the dumbest segment on Sesame Street if not all of television.

I have a 2-year-old son. We watch Sesame Street together nearly every morning. I have grown to understand and appreciate Elmo's appeal to the younger children. I even enjoy the Mr. Noodle parts of the segment.

The Baby Bear character is also fun and even the monsters segment is tolerable.

What I can't tolerate is "Journey to Ernie." This segment features Big Bird in one of those Elmo styled CGI outdoor parks. He then "travels" to other worlds, dimensions, imaginary places, etc. much like Blue Skadoos. The purpose of his travels is to find Ernie who has hidden himself inside of a striped box.

Each time Big Bird finds a box he must clap, dance or something in order to open it. If you haven't seen it, trust me, it's dumb.

So please join me and my son in my boycott of the "Journey to Ernie" segment. Here's how you can participate:

1. Watch Sesame Street

2. When "Journey to Ernie" comes on...turn the channel

3. Repeat

posted by Eric J | 08:07 AM

It can happen even in

It can happen even in your own family.

My sister believes that burning music onto a cd is wrong.
Ethically. Morally. Spiritually wrong.

I have an idea how she came to believe such nonsense but the very notion that someone in my family could become so indoctrinated with false information sends chills up my cd-burning spine. She has succumbed to the propaganda churned out by the RIAA, MPAA and others that paints any form of fair use as an evil, illegal act.

The two biggest challenges facing the WWW today are privacy and copyright protection. However, it seems that while the issue of online privacy has regulators and lawmakers vowing to protect Joe consumer from the evil doers quite the opposite seems to be occurring in the realm of copyright protection.

The consumer is not even an after thought. The consumer (aka the little guy) is getting no thought at all. Regulators, lawmakers and consumer advocates seem to give almost no attention to this issue. However, I feel that it is even more important than online privacy.

An article in the Washington Post ( http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6168-2002Jun18.html ) discusses some of the complexities of the issue but not nearly enough is being done. My sister is testament to that fact.

People like Lawrence Lessig ( www.lessig.org ) are championing the cause of copyright protection but more needs to be done. One day we may learn that every time we sing a song, hum a tune, discuss a movie, draw a picture or quote a famous movie line we must pay someone a royalty.

posted by Eric J | 09:51 PM