Weblog

Sunday, 12 July 2009

Friday, 10 July 2009

  • mr. peabody

    The new glam paperweight *cough*award, "Mr. Peabody," joins the other Peabody and another vaguely familiar fairly well-known-in-some-circles award *cough*Emmy*cough* in Steve's house tonight.



    Forgive the BlackBerry-quality image.
    The Peabody was awarded to Steve and his team for their Presidential campaign coverage, which (I'm sure you saw) was phenomenal. The award is basically the Pulitzer of the broadcast (radio and television) media world. I had nothing to do with it, but I'm proud.

Thursday, 02 July 2009

  • the importance of questioning

    An incident yesterday on a friend's Xanga site, regarding a post he meant to be funny, has reminded me of the importance of a practice most people don't take time to engage in anymore: question. things.

    The post was intended to add a little levity through lighthearted deception. He didn't expect anyone to take the post seriously, but most readers (some who had been reading him for years) took the entry at face value and believed it. It caused some problems and evoked apologies from said user. But there were clues all over the post that indicated it was a prank, a la April Fools' Day (albeit in July).

    If just a few people had taken just a few seconds (seriously -- less than a minute) to read carefully and compare with what they already KNEW of the user, they would have known what was up, and the astonishment would have subsided into laughter and all would have been well. But they didn't. I received a direct message from the blogger saying I had been the only one to notice anything suspicious about the post. My first thought was: Really?! Out of hundreds of readers? Oy gevalt.

    And that's when I decided it would be a good idea to hash out for myself (and anyone else who is interested) why critical thinking skills are important.

    Anyone who knows me even remotely well makes jokes about my chronic skepticism and my need to go to primary sources for my information. I don't take things at face value. Just today, a Twitter buddy said the idea of me as a nun (I'd implied that was my backup career option) was "hilarious," because "I can just see your reporter personality saying to the Church. Oh it's doctrine. Okay, I'll take your word for it."

    Hilarious, because I don't DO that. And neither should you. A lot of people will try to lead you astray with misinformation, because they know most readers/watchers/listeners never take the step of going directly to the primary sources for information. Everyone is guilty of spinning information their way, frequently. Especially those who have an uninterrupted platform for dispensing their own rhetoric, mixed with a few facts. Don't be angry at them; it is often not malicious. But it is irresponsible not to question and seek out biases to put information in context. To consider arguments on the OTHER sides (there are rarely just two), so you can weigh them and use a preponderance of evidence as your guide, instead of fancy or voluminous rhetoric.

    The better you get at seeking out meaning and purpose behind even the smallest things, the better you will become at communicating the reasons and evidence for your opinions and ideas. And the funnier life becomes. Trust me. Almost everything gets funnier, the more deeply you think about it.

    Just, be smart. Use those beautiful minds we've been given, and exercise them like you're training for the Brain Olympics.

    OK, that is all. Carry on. : )

Tuesday, 30 June 2009

SecretNeverTold

  • Visit SecretNeverTold's Xanga Site
    • Name: k. ellie
    • Country: United States
    • Gender: Female
    • Member Since: 10/13/2004
    • True

about me

  • "Tho' much is taken, much abides; and tho' We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are; One equal temper of heroic hearts, Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield." -Tennyson

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chatboard (12)

  • MichaelObringer
    Btw happy birthday. They should have privileges for like being 22 and so on so we have something to look forward to. Have a great day.
  • martin050987
    hey what"s up................................u r looking gorgeous in this pic.......................send me ur mobile no. so that we talk to each other
  • martin050987
    hey what"s up..............r u online
  • martin050987
    hey send ur mobile no.......................
  • martin050987
    thanks 4 adding me..............................
  • MichaelObringer
    I don't know what happened above but whatever. As i was saying what is a castanet? Ive never heard of it before. When did you get into music? I hardly believe you picked it randomly as a minor. If you miss it don't let it get away from you. Its never to late to start something new(or old). I love mu
  • MichaelObringer
    tually has a damper pedal that works haha. Drums are awesome and thats great that you play. Drums teach you rhythm and timings incredibly well. I used to play percussion while in high school. What is a <link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CGuest%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01
  • MichaelObringer
    Thanks, i really do know a lot about music because of what i listen to, from my music classes in high school, and just from playing. Im working on my forth piece and i cant wait to get them recorded and up on hear. I think you'll be quite impressed. Ive been composing for I'd say two years now. Ive
  • MichaelObringer
    im glad these comment boxes have a limit.
  • MichaelObringer
    That's great that you play a wide variety of music, im sure you develop new skills with each genre you explore. Classical is the root of every type of music so im sure it has the most diverse amount of skills needed to play. What kind of drums? Im assuming drum set. But assumptions are often wrong.
  • MichaelObringer
  • MichaelObringer
    :) Thanks so much. Yeah its just a blessing and you cant take it for granted you know. That's awesome that you know how to read music, that takes dedication and practice which tells me something about you. What type of music do you play?And what instrument? And im actually going to take lessons this