Friday Song: “You Got It” Famous multiple times, this incredible singer left us one last hit thanks to help from some friends.
The Revival of Physical Media Maybe holding, touching, and playing with information and cultural artifacts is important for humans.
Friday Song: “Battleship Chains” Sometimes the best songs are the simplest, and evoke a feeling of familiar fun
Frontiers Slashes Its Workforce The publisher lays off 1/3 of its workers and reorganizes in the wake of problems with bulk publishing. Touting AI is another bad move.
Are Music’s Failures Now Ours? Consolidation, producer-centrism, monoculture, and a lack of focus on the consumer all killed rock music — sound familiar?
OA Is Part of a Larger Problem The denigration of theory, human intelligence, and individuality through the lens of quantity-based success narratives
Sophistry, Not Analysis A recent essay shows once again how sophistry isn't knowledge, logic, or fact
Song: “Tiptoe Through the Tulips” A 1929 hit re-released in 1968 as a novelty song hit again for an artist with a cult following.
Review: “Music: A Subversive History” A nicely framed history of music is readable, interesting, and enlightening
Review: “Athena Unbound” A pro-OA book seeks to rebrand the movement as troubled but unassailable, while the author avoids digging in to obvious issues
The Deceptions Made for OA The whiff of desperation is inescapable as OA advocates resort to outright lies to regain some momentum
Song: “Hazy Shade of Winter” The Bangles covered a Paul Simon song, and ended up besting the original.
Some Key Events of 2023 Some of the top stories of the year reveal a few key — and encouraging — themes.
Song: “Christmas All Over Again” With another Top 10 hit in hand, this Petty holiday song seems to be gaining in popularity as well, and may be destined to be a classic.
A Note of Thanks I don't do this alone, so here's some gratitude at the end of 2023 to everyone who helps make this possible and good.
Is FOIA Broken? Constraints, redactions, and response times have all increased, making this tool far less effective
Song: “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” With lyrics by Woodie Guthrie, this 2:20 gem does the city of Boston proud.
Look In the Mirror, Higher Ed Higher education has no standing to lecture others on waste, lack of accountability, or exploitation and greed
LLMs’ Surprising Ripple Effects Nobody is sitting on the sidelines as LLMs roll out, marking a major shift from a quarter-century ago.
Song: “Love Is a Long Road” A hidden gem provides the score to a long-awaited video game release trailer.
Is OA Making Us Dumb? The more involved with OA we become, the less sensitive to others, the more corrupt, and the dumber we seem.