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The malling of America | page 1, 2
"The Year's Skin" by Steven Johnson Interface expert Steven Johnson explores the implications of computer interfaces designed to look like their real-world equivalents. Hence virtual CD players, alarm clocks, telephones. What fascinates Johnson, in particular, is that computer interfaces have advanced so rapidly while real-world systems -- your VCR, for example -- are still damn near unworkable. Do we really want to imitate these flawed devices on our computer screens? Johnson has the rare gift of explaining the technical in layman's terms and appreciation for the aesthetic functionality in commonplace objects. - - - - - - - - - - - - Tucson Weekly, Aug. 12-18 "Food Chain-Gang" by Kay Sather A whole cover story about seeds. Is it actually possible that there's nothing happening in Tucson that's more exciting than this? - - - - - - - - - - - - Washington City Paper, Aug. 6 - 12 There are no large statements here, just snapshots of kids in action -- at the arcade, the pool, the hospital, camp, eating pizza, working, fishing, playing. It's a unique concept, and a fine alternative to Newsweek-type doom and gloom pieces: Are your kids stupid? On drugs? Violent? Evil? I'm not sure who's having more fun here, the kids or the reporters, almost all of whom are clearly jealous of their subjects. - - - - - - - - - - - - New York Observer, Week of Aug. 16 "Who's Your Office Nemesis?" by Andrew Goldman This humorous little essay points out a great truth: Nothing is more inspiring to a career than an office enemy. And yet, when you consider that hate-filled employees are barging into office buildings armed with loaded weapons and taking out everyone in sight, it's not really that funny at all. - - - - - - - - - - - - Boston Phoenix, Aug. 11-17 "Why People Kill People" by Jason Gay This interesting interview with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Rhodes explores one possible explanation for recent outbursts of criminal violence. Rhodes' latest book, "Why They Kill: The Discoveries of a Maverick Criminologist," profiles the life and work of criminologist Lonnie Athens. Athens and Rhodes trace criminal violence back to childhood abuse, though Rhodes concedes that the widespread availability of guns facilitates mass killings, like those that just occurred in L.A. and Atlanta. - - - - - - - - - - - - Orlando Weekly
"Pot Crock" by Andrea Brunais Andrea Brunais reports on the latest weapon against marijuana, currently being proposed in Florida: a fast-growing, pot-killing fungus. Onward Christian soldiers! Fight killer weed with killer fungus now! Uh, the fungus also kills other plants, like tomatoes, and destroys natural habitats for furry bunnies and other cute stuff. But who needs tomatoes when there are people getting stoned and watching "South Park" marathons? A little more reporting could have improved this piece significantly. But the stupidity of the proposal comes across crystal clear.
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