It's Cold Outside

I'm sitting at my kitchen table wrapped in a blanket. The furnace hasn't cut off for more than 5 minutes all morning (possibly all night.) When it is -35C out, the drawbacks to living in a 40 year old trailer become very apparent, even if it is affordable.

In a weird way it seems rather appropriate that this is the day that so many websites, in the US and beyond, are demonstrating against the US government's SOPA bill.
I won't rehash what others have said (and done a better job than I could) about the drawbacks of the bill. I will direct you to Michael Geist's blog and his Huff Post column for more information.
The world is extremely interconnected. What the US government is attempting with SOPA (and PIPA) is to strong arm the rest of the world into doing things THEIR way. Seems like a rather dictatorial move from a country that prides itself in it's democracy.

Good Reads

Boing Boing will go dark on January 18 to fight SOPA - great explanation of SOPA by Cory Doctorow
Also from Cory Doctorow is The Coming War on General Computation.
Ned Potter, over at thewikiman, has a great post about spoon feeding students. It isn't the standard argument.
Shawn Ram has a post, It shouldn't be about the NUMBER, on his blog Learning to Lead, Inspiring to Change, that should be mandatory reading for all parents.

The Reading List

Through out the week as I check my RSS feeds, Twitter and travel down various internet paths I build a reading list for Sunday (happens to be my "day off", you know other than the laundry, dishes, cleaning etc.) These links are for things I didn't get a chance to check out, things I want to read/see again, or things that link to other things I think might be of interest. I've noticed that this list is growing longer and longer as the weeks go by. So long in fact that I don't think I'll have time to go through all of this week's list.
Which makes me ask how can anyone possibly think using computers and the internet means you read less?

Writing

I started this blog as a place to practice my writing skills, and to keep track of my random thoughts. It also provides me with a place to practice some rusty tech skills, like imbedding pictures, adding feeds etc. The things I haven't had to do for a while with the library's website.
I find it hard to believe that I've been writing here for 4 months now. I couldn't keep a written journal past a week when I was a kid, so something has changed. ( I was going to say changed for the better but I'm still in the evaluating stage :-) )
Yesterday I realized I may have a problem with my writing style. Every since I started using Twitter I've begun doing so many edits to get my meaning across in the allotted 140 characters that it's influencing everything else I write. My hubby has had to ask what I meant when I used twitter-speak in a bbm to him. It has become apparent that not only do I have to put thought into what I write, but also thought into the form that writing will take.
There is no way anyone can say that we are not a society of writers. Everything from tagging, tweeting, IM, texting, blogging and so on all require us to know how to impart information with words. We also have to internalize the formats for each method and any specialized vocabulary that goes with it.
I can honestly say I am a novice in many of the writing styles that modern life seems to be developing. And given the mishmash I have been producing, lots and lots of practice will be needed.

What are you watching?

The new fall TV season is underway and I've had a rather startling revelation. We don't watch tv on the tv. It turns out our watching has gradually shifted to the computer. We do watch shows on the tv but it often happens because there are several of us watching the same thing, or it's a special. With hubby's erratic work schedule he is continuously trying to catch up with his shows on the internet. He does not like to miss an episode, because things can get confused. The kids don't even watch tv anymore, unless our reactions draw their attention. They spend time watching anime from out of country, or Youtube videos. All of us have also begun watching web only series. Even our news watching has transferred to the computer.
I can see this migration continuing, although it might be a while before hubby and I are watching things on our smart phones. Our eyes aren't getting any younger and those screens are not that big.

Second Life

I have been involved in Second Life for over 3 years. I've come and gone several times. I seen some amazing and downright odd things. I've experienced some fantastic events and met some fabulous people. It  has reconnected me to my geek within. :-) It has allowed me to discuss things with giants in the fields of libraries, education and science. And to talk  with everyday people like me, who are exploring the online world and formulating our own ideas on where the technology is taking us.

Things change fast is 3 years. SL has gone from the bleeding edge, to middle of the road. If it weren't for the need for demanding computer capabilities it might have seen broader use. But the 'idea' has spawned many imitators and all together, these virtual worlds have seen tremendous curiosity from a wide variety of people.

Humans are creators by nature. We are always looking for reasons and opportunities to create. Whether it's cookies, a script or a space ship, we create. SL and it's imitators allow more of us opportunities to 'play' with our creating, to try, to succeed and to fail. And to try again or move on to something else. Playing is not something we get to do too much of once we're adults, so it's nice to have a spot to play and rejuvenate our creative abilities.

Yesterday it was announced that the Teen Grid, the Second Life for ages 13 to 17, would be closing. The 16 and 17 year olds will be moved onto the adult grid. Other details, like when this will take place and what will happen to inventory  and the younger set are not finalized yet. 

Maybe it's because I work with this age group in real life that I'm not as worried about it, in fact I'm looking forward to it. Having had the privilege of meeting and working with recent teen transfers from the Teen Grid I know their desire to DO and CREATE is enormous.The ones that make the transfer and STAY will be bringing their enthusiasm and creativity with them.

And then we'll all benefit.