Out of Sync
January 27, 2004 | People & Society
I'm on the road, staying in a hotel tonight, preparing for a seminar. I'm watching CNN (NH election returns) for the first time in perhaps five years. We don't have any cable or satellite TV at home (just DVD & VHS).
So I'm watching this interview with Vanessa Kerry (John's daughter) and the sound seems totally disconnected from the video. It lines up, sorta. Her lips and tongue seem to be ahead of the video. Very disturbing.
Is CNN or TV always like this? Is this a satellite propagation delay? Is it a hotel TV system delay? It's totally weird and feels like brainwashing.
I am reminded of an audio trick that Dan Healy used when mixing the Grateful Dead's live shows in the mid-1980's. He'd take the vocal track and run it through a stereo delay (not reverb). Channel one would be set to 15 - 50 ms. Channel two would be set to 45 - 70 ms. He'd pan one delay channel hard right and the other hard left, with the "dry" original vocal channel dead center (equally loud between both channels).
The net effect was that you'd hear each phoneme (syllable) first in the center, then in the left, then in the right. The timings were carefully chosen, because 50 ms is the binaural integration time of human hearing. To the casual listener, you didn't notice the effect, except maybe it sounded "thicker" or some other qualitative but unquantifiable manner. Of course, the Dead's audience was anything but casual listeners. If you are highly sensitive, you can hear the specifics. It added a trippy dimension to the vocals, a little trick to get your attention.
Are TV viewers so drugged on sugar and carbs and alcohol that they don't notice? Or just don't care? Or perhaps, that's "just the way it is" and it doesn't matter?
"Protesters"
January 23, 2004 | People & Society
I was at our Co-op today meeting with the General Manager about an upcoming board and management retreat. There I heard a voicemail message received this morning, and it's worth a comment.
The message was anonymous. The woman was perhaps not elderly, but sounded older, or retired. Here is my paraphrase, in full and to the best of my memory, of what she said:
I'm calling to see if you're the one who authorized those political protesters to use our property. I know you're a big-time liberal but I just don't think it's right that they should be allowed to do that. The Co-op shouldn't be supporting that. [hangup]
First of all, the property she's referring to is a small triangle of land across the street from our store, that happens to be owned by the town. In the summer it's a flower garden between two busy streets. In the winter it's nothing but a 10 foot spot of flat space. It could just easily be owned by the Ledyard Bank, whose branch sits on one end of the triangle - actually much closer than our store. Note: Being factually incorrect doesn't help build your case.
But more importantly, the "protesters" she's referring to were Dartmouth students and other folk holding signs and cheering for Edwards, Kerry, Clark and Dean as cars drove by. It's a busy intersection, and they get a lot of exposure there. Further, although there were three or four campaigns represented, everyone was in good spirits and cooperative - they were not antagonistic in any way.
Those people were holding signs for democratic candidates campaigning for a primary election held next Tuesday. That someone thinks they are "protesters" is pretty frightening. Is she saying that when there is a sitting President we should not challenge them? ("You're either with us or against us.") Does she actually want an eight-year term for Presidents? ("We voted him in already.") Even if she simply used the wrong word, she doesn't want people expressing themselves on the streets. ("Those trouble-making youth of today.")
Or, maybe if they were Bush supporters that would be ok?
Guest post: Sarah Berger
January 23, 2004 | People & Society
My friend Sarah Berger and I agree that Dean is still the guy. Here's her take on why. This note is circulating in our friendship circle, and I know a dozen or so people who have been on the fence and are now (back) behind Dean. Here's her post:
I just want to share some Sarah thoughts with any of you who are interested. I've been on the fence about the pres. candidates and Dean. BUT that has just changed for good. I just went to hear him speak and I am now truly 800% behind him. This is why.
I don't know if I can capture the feeling of optimisim and hope for our country I felt while listening to him, but I believe that in spite of any rhetoric to the contrary, Howard Dean actually provides the most optimistic view and the most empowered view of our democracy and the the future of our country than any of the other candidates.
He's the only candidate I can listen to and not get bored, or start rolling my eyes. This is because he is sincere. He is actually giving real information about why he thinks what he does, and what he'd actually do about it. John edwards talks a rousing talk, I've got to hand it to him...but while he speaks I am thinking.."yeah, but what would you actually do about that. What about that?" Edwards appears to put on a happy face when he is talking about optimisim. And a fighting face when he talks about the wealthy. A compassionate face when he talks about the poor.
Dean just says what he thinks and his face follows him. His smiles rise up naturally and his fighting looks arise when he is talking about something he feels passionate aboout.
He spoke with calm strength. He had a great sense of humor. He spoke intelligently about self-employed people, about the need for sustainable energy for both environmental and national security reasons, about the need for diversity in the media so we have real democratic access to communication...
He spoke realisitically. He noted that we cannot afford to say he can do everything and be all things to all people. He said he would be realistic with "the people" about what was possible and affordable.
He spoke for health care for all and acknowledged that we are the only industrialized nation that does not provide this. He said that literally, his first act as President would be to repeal just about all the executive orders made by Pres Bush about the environment.
The particulars were important, but more important was the attitude of respect, genuineness, honest and intelligence.
My concerns about him being presidential enough, or able to deal with security issues completely disappeared.
He is the person who made this whole democratic primary process become exciting. The other candidates have ridden his wave and begun to use his rhetoric.
I believe Howard Dean IS the person who is going to bring the most energy and empowerment back to the democratic process. I did not feel at all patronized or pandered to.
His good sense of humor about himself (and his scream) also provided a glimpse into the Howard Dean that will be able to work with the House and Senate.
He's the only candidate who doesn't just say what will make him popular or liked. He is realistic, and honest. he is intelligent, does his research. He is passionate, AND he has a great smile and sense of humor. I know he's made gaffes...HE knows it too. When he makes a mistake he is actually willing to learn and evolve as a human being, while at the same time not aplogizing for what he truly believes.
I don't know if I conveyed this well, but look and listen in the next few days. I truly believe he is the best person (of those on the table) for the job and I for one, am going to throw my energy behind him.
I got to thinking alot about it all this week and realized that the bottom line was that the reason the campaign was so exciting was really due to Dean in the first place He was the one who energized the vision of reclaiming our democracy. Then all the candidates took on the message and are riding his wave.
When I saw him again in person, it just verified for me that I did in fact trust him as a potential leader at that level. it's interesting how the rhetoric about someone can start to really infiltrate our brains...I have a feeling many people who've leaned toward Dean started leaning away with similar doubts that were all amplified by media stuff. I really needed to go back to basics and see him for myself again. All doubt vanished in his actual presence.
I watched the debate last night and you know, Kerry came off as an angry guy. if he'd been the forerunner in the last several months he'd have been the one labeled as angry..or something else. In real life Dean strikes me as intense but mellow at the same time.
The Warrior, Child and Thief
January 11, 2004 | Arts & Culture
Tarragon tales and barley bales
Bread and puppet tears.
Toil to farm this misty soil
The yield and need
Both rots and feeds
The warrior, child and thief.
The stories told
Help sooth our souls
While we pursue our gold.
Our efforts green
The scorched red seed
And pound the stone to dust.
MJY - October 1992
Prayer To Continue
January 11, 2004 | Arts & Culture
Gather silk
And cotton leaves,
A feather bed
Beneath the trees
Will keep the bees
From stinging.
Go now off
And leave your home,
Keep your strength --
This undertow
Pulls many in,
And keeps the sin
Afloat.
Breath and paddle
Tread and stroke,
Mind your own
When others won't.
Keep the faith
Against all odds,
Raise your head
And fill your lungs,
The trees to see
The clouds to touch
The rain pours in --
Never enough.
MJY - October 1992
Co-op CCMA Conference
January 11, 2004 | Cooperatives
The 48th annual CCMA conference will be held June 10-12 in Minneapolis, MN. The Consumer Co-operative Management Association conference is a highlight of my annual business travel. More details as they arise. If you're interested in tuning in to a vibrant, progressive, open and enthusiastic group of business-people, this is a highly recommended event.
There isn't a good URL, but the event sponsor is The University of Wisconsin at Madison College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Free: 4-drawer file cabinet
January 5, 2004 | Life
Free to a good home: Heavy-duty steel grey 4-drawer file cabinet. FREE!
Built to 1950's era mil-spec quality. All drawers operate on full-length rails. A couple of vintage music-oriented bumper stickers grace the sides. This cabinet has a storied history, which, in a desperate act of 'first workday of the new year' procrastination I will briefly relate here:
Originally commissioned for a government sponsored research institute at Syracuse University, they ditched it on the sidewalk when they moved to new digs and we taxpayers bought them brand new 1980's era Steelcase furniture. I suppose I wasn't paying any taxes at the time, but I did have the budding indignation of a taxpayer. Me and Olvy and the janitor managed to get most of it into the official Sonic Research Tour Vehicle (a blue 1979 Datsun B210 hatchback). It was kind of pivoting out the back, so Olvy turned around in the front seat to hold onto it while we drove home. Seatbelts were not legally required at the time, so we weren't breaking any laws (thank god). Going up the big hill on Clarendon Avenue tested Olvy's strength and resolve, but we managed to get it safely back to headquarters. We sat on the porch taking a break 'relaxing' and guarding it until Kyle came home.
When Kyle came home the three of us manhandled it into the office (living room) and took another break. We didn't even need a file cabinet (this could be you!), it just seemed like a good idea at the time. Eventually it did become home to all manner of stuff and when we moved to Texas, we brought it with us, even though we had to upsize the U-Haul to fit it in. When Marla and I bailed out of Texas (thank god) it held all of my patent research and collected works. In the Upper Valley, the cabinet has spent time in Lebanon, Enfield, Hanover, Lyme, West Lebanon and Cornish. Most recently, Lynne, my aesthetic consultant, needed a second cabinet and we procured two stylish black Hon units from Staples (free home delivery, yea!).
You'll need a truck or van or SUV or perhaps a station wagon to move it. Although Lynne's New Beetle is a fine farm vehicle for hay, shavings and fencing, it's pretty unworkable for file cabinets.
Please help save this fine file cabinet from the mean heartless metal recyclers!
[UPDATE: Sold!]
