Everything Is a Remix, part 4: System Failure

The fourth and final installment in the Everything Is a Remix series looks at how patent and copyright law, in the U.S. and elsewhere, has grown beyond its original useful intent, and now stifled the very creativity and progress it was intended to foster. For more on patent trolls, check out an episode of This …

That’s some catch, that Catch-22

Woman’s Last Stand: Dodge Charger Commercial Spoof (via mackenziefegan, which I learned of via ScareHouseScott) The sad thing is that the more we keep talking about the original ad, the more effective it will have been. But not talking about how unoriginal and hackneyed its theme is comes across as accepting it as correct. There …

There’s nothing Nietzsche couldn’t teach ‘ya ’bout the raising of the wrist

I had dinner last night with a friend visiting from out-of-town, and eventually the conversation turned, as it will, to philosophy. Which philosopher’s view is closest to yours? my friend asked. I said I can’t remember any more which philosopher said what, but that I probably agreed with the thinking of one of the guys …

Kooky Christmas #12: “All I Want for Christmas” by Timbuk 3

Our next Kooky Christmas Countdown entry finds the atomic cloud inside the holiday’s silver lining. #12: “All I Want for Christmas” by Timbuk 3 As much as this is an anti-war and anti-consumerism song, it’s also something of a fun flashback for anyone who grew up in the 1980s and had these toys. “Transformers? I …

Kooky Christmas #13: “Must Be Santa” by Bob Dylan

Today on Kooky Christmas, we learn that we must be careful what we wish for. #13: “Must Be Santa” by Bob Dylan Just yesterday, I was thinking that I didn’t know any new Christmas album released this year by artists that I like. More of my favorite bands should make holiday albums, I thought. And …