MiT7 podcasts
MiT7 was a great conference – intimate, warm, stimulating, interdisciplinary, and cutting-edge. There were some brilliant minds at work. I plan to post a few comments on the conference later. … Read more MiT7 podcasts
Category: Public Sphere
MiT 7
Media in Transition 7 (MiT 7), a small conference at MIT, is starting Friday and running ’till Sunday. I will be there; if you will be there too please say … Read more MiT 7
Say it isn’t so, NPR
The attack on NPR during the present budget scare has been symbolic, but for more reasons than one. It’s been observed that the attack is symbolic because the proposed cuts … Read more Say it isn’t so, NPR
Very good article on the Israeli newspaper, Ha’aretz
There is an very good article by David Remnick in the February 28th issue of the New Yorker about Ha’aretz, the Israeli newspaper that has set the standard for accuracy … Read more Very good article on the Israeli newspaper, Ha’aretz
New book: The Culture of the Internet and the Internet as Cult: Social Fears and Religious Fantasies
The Culture of the Internet and the Internet as Cult: Social Fears and Religious Fantasies Author: Philippe Breton Translator: David Bade Price: $22.00 Published: March 2011 ISBN: 978-1-936117-41-3 Printed on … Read more New book: The Culture of the Internet and the Internet as Cult: Social Fears and Religious Fantasies
Smart commentary on Judge Chin’s decision
I am not personally diving into the discussion of Judge Chin’s decision on the Google Settlement, because I am too war-weary of fighting it out with other librarians on issues … Read more Smart commentary on Judge Chin’s decision
A whole other basket of FOIA exceptions – statutes
Susan Maret sent an interesting link to the PLG listserv to an article about statutes that create new exemptions to FOIA. If you’re interested in access to government information, this … Read more A whole other basket of FOIA exceptions – statutes
Nadia Plesner free speech case
Librarians interested in intellectual freedom should take note of a case of censorship by copyright lawsuit. Danish artist Nadia Plesner has used an image of a Louis Vuitton handbag in … Read more Nadia Plesner free speech case
Selection from Philippe Breton, relating to Wikileaks
Litwin Books will soon be publishing an English translation of Philippe Breton’s 2000 book, Le culte de l’Internet: Une menace pour le lien social?, under the English title: The Culture … Read more Selection from Philippe Breton, relating to Wikileaks
Progressive Librarian in full text
Folks at the Progressive Librarians Guild have put the full text of back issues of their journal, Progressive Librarian, online. Coverage goes back to issue number one, from 1990. I … Read more Progressive Librarian in full text
Introduction to Beyond Article 19
We have posted the introduction to Beyond Article 19: Libraries and Social and Cultural Rights to our website. Julie Edwards’ introduction is a good read in itself regarding the United … Read more Introduction to Beyond Article 19
Petition to support NARA’s investigation into CIA destruction of records pertaining to torture sites
Recently, the Department of Justice (DOJ) decided to not bring criminal charges against the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for the destruction of federal records: videotapes of the torture of detainees … Read more Petition to support NARA’s investigation into CIA destruction of records pertaining to torture sites
Americans largely mistaken about Obama’s record… librarians included?
I don’t read a lot of blogs so I don’t know, but I would guess this story is being blogged like crazy: Yesterday the Washington Post reported a Bloomberg National … Read more Americans largely mistaken about Obama’s record… librarians included?
Institutions are switching to Gmail, but are they discussing the fine print?
Many large institutions, such as universities, are beginning to contract their email services out to Google. At the university where I work, we are in the process of switching our … Read more Institutions are switching to Gmail, but are they discussing the fine print?
Beyond Article 19: Libraries and Social and Cultural Rights
Beyond Article 19: Libraries and Social and Cultural Rights Editors: Julie Biando Edwards and Stephan P. Edwards Price: $28.00 Published: October 2010 ISBN: 978-1-936117-19-2 Printed on acid-free paper Beyond Article … Read more Beyond Article 19: Libraries and Social and Cultural Rights
Christine O’Donnell is just what I’ve been talking about
Recently I have rubbed some people the wrong way by speaking frankly about the problem of ignorance in civic life and people’s lack of concern and lack of shame regarding … Read more Christine O’Donnell is just what I’ve been talking about
Library, Inc. (Chronicle Review)
“Library, Inc., by David Goldstein, in the new Chronicle Review, begins: From industry-backed research to CEO-style executive salaries and perquisites, the influence of corporate America on universities has been the … Read more Library, Inc. (Chronicle Review)
Undergraduates and the crisis of cognitive authority
I just read and enjoyed this paper by MaryBeth Meszaros, “Who’s In Charge Here? Authority, Authoritativeness, and the Undergraduate Researcher,” in Communications in Information Literacy, vol 4, no. 1 (2010). … Read more Undergraduates and the crisis of cognitive authority
J-Schools in question – a familiar story
Michael Bugeja wrote in Inside Higher Ed (a month ago – sorry for not blogging it sooner) about the proposed discontinuation and reorganization of the journalism school at the University … Read more J-Schools in question – a familiar story
Get out the books, not the vote
I am very serious in the view that we should not be trying to increase voter turnout, in this or any election. Let me explain why. Most of us have … Read more Get out the books, not the vote