It's been a while. This is one of a few tracks that have been lying on my HD, getting attention only occasionally, for something like a year. I'll try and find the energy and time to finish some more. I've been playing "The World Ends With You" on the train, so this track is named after, Dogenzaka, a district in Shibuya, Japan.

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Download: [ogg|mp3]

# posted by James @ 2:30 PM 0 comments links to this post

I saw an interesting comment on slashdot where the author argues that the behaviour of entities like the RIAA, who manage to have the law bent around them, is leaning towards fascism.

It reminded me of an article I read a while ago (and now can't find - anyone?) that talked about names and labels and how they can be used to sway people's opinion of things. Un-american, communist, flip-flop, and so on. Names that, once they stick, are lethal.

When I saw the fascism post, my first thought was that it would be great to have this stick. Now I'm just wondering if wrapping up everything within the label, no matter how useful, is still just a dirty trick. Shouldn't we argue about specifics instead? Or do we need to simplify? I'd like to think that everyone can listen to the argument and make an informed decision, but is that just wishful thinking? I can't count the amount of times I've been stumped in arguments about the ID card issue because someone just spouts "if you've got nothing to hide, you've got nothing to fear". Not because I can't point out that this just isn't true, but because I don't have anything pithy enough or slogan-like to trump it with.

So, it comes down to a choice between assuming people are stupid or getting nowhere because nobody wants to know the details.

# posted by James @ 9:32 PM 1 comments links to this post

Here's another robot that you can't kick to the ground. This is not looking good. Sci-fi has lead me to believe we would always have robots with a major flaw that could be exploited should they rise up against us. This one looks pretty hard to stop already.

I'm going to start having dreams like those I had as a kid and Tripods was on the telly - running and hiding from malevolent machines, never being safe.

# posted by James @ 4:36 PM 1 comments links to this post

The people on 313CR, 348CS and M04CR know about my love of razor adverts.

http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/2008/03/the-bessies-awards.html

# posted by James @ 11:51 PM 1 comments links to this post

There was an earthquake last night. I was able to report it, see a map and watch other reports come in straight away here.

Labels: earthquake

# posted by James @ 7:53 AM 0 comments links to this post

I'm batch-posting blog posts today because I'm avoiding doing the work I really should be doing.

Plus, I really wanted to post the next lyric. It's from Push The Button, by the Sugababes, a track that will not die and leave room on the radio for something more deserving. My favourite lyric is just two lines:

My sexy ass has got him in a new dimension

I'm ready to do something to relieve this mission

Attached: an artist's impression of the ass in question, as seen in the middle of a jump between dimensions.

# posted by James @ 11:53 AM 0 comments links to this post

There are lots of song lyrics I really like for all the wrong reasons. I'm going to post them as I remember/hear them. Partly because I think more people should appreciate them and partly so I don't forget how hilariously bad some of the pop music lyrics are before they disappear into our embarrassing musical history.

My first lyrical post is quite new to the radio: When the Sun Goes Down by the Arctic Monkeys. The Arctic Monkeys are one of those bands that annoy me. I really wanted them to be good because I liked the way the buzz built up and I did like the first track into the charts (possibly because I like dancing to electro-pop, like a robot from 1984), but after listening to a whole album of the same track, I'm just not getting it. I feel like they owe me. So does Amy Winehouse. I won't start on Amy Winehouse and how she ruins some pretty nice tracks by opening her trap, or how she really ought to be better at the artist half of "tortured artist".

But back to the lyric:

Look, here comes a Ford Mondeo

Isn't he Mr. Inconspicuous

And he doesn't even have to say owt

She's in the stance ready to get picked up

Why do I like it so much? Rhyming "mondeo" with "say nothing". Amazing.

# posted by James @ 11:42 AM 0 comments links to this post

If, like me, you've been put off having laser eye surgery because you just aren't sure that the laser might not be powerful enough, a new laser built by UMI might be enough to tempt you.

The image, and the great AdSense item, are snipped from this Physorg article.

Please note that at no point in this post have I used the word "frickin'".

Labels: ad michigan, laser

# posted by James @ 11:31 AM 0 comments links to this post

This:

Is better than this:

Even if it hasn't got so many tributes, like these.

# posted by James @ 8:25 AM 1 comments links to this post