In this Land of Nomads, memories freeze while life goes on
We all know the drill with car tires: the brand new fresh ones go up front and the worn front ones now go to the back. The best of the back becomes the spare and the two leftovers go to the dump or become a ids' swing or decorative (and recycled!) garden ornament.
We rotate our circle of friends in much the same way, if only in a slightly longer cycle of every 3 years or so.
Our high school buds transform into the new college bunch, with the old hometowners moving to the rear axle. The process repeats with a whole new cast taking over the front & center at each and every succeeding academic stop. Then comes the real world, with job and city-hopping rolling in with different characters hitting the scene, and the rubber keeps on rotating. Front to back, back to trunk, trunk to dump.
Once in awhile there's a hiccup: you hit a place and time where the socialization process breaks down and doesn't kick in the way it always had before. You're alone, a stranger in a strange town and maybe even scared to death at times. Sometimes the reaction is to run back to the prior pit stop, other times it is to just run, period. If neither option is taken as action, a certain darkness of the soul can be uncovered -- and the view isn't pretty.
All along the way, at each transition point, the older circle of friends shrivels in terms of its participation and influence in your current reality. How many school pals are we in touch with fives years after; then ten; then twenty; or longer?
You love them all dearly, though, and beat yourself up for losing touch, for having designated them as the worn tires no longer part of the new running machine. But when you traded the old car in for a new model, it came with its own tires. You accept it.
But, in moments of nostalgia, you seek them out with a third party inquiry or a Facebook search or the successful hunt of an old email address. Sometimes you connect: there they are!
The joy always seems mutual from the other side; it's obvious they've harbored the same thoughts during the gap. You yuk it up and make plans to meet up in real life. But more often than not, it never happens. Even if it does, it's usually a one-shot deal. Then, it's back in the trunk for that old tire.
The real sadness kicks in, of course, when the reach results in the ultimate flat: news of that person no long being available for the brief recollection of the good old days. "Ah, geez, you didn't hear? She died about ten years ago. Willy told me he heard it from Suzie"
Not too long ago, you would have found out about such news in a matter of minutes, because that person that you went to grade school with still lived a few blocks over, and their kids grew up playing with yours. Just like your parents all played together, on the same fields and in the same streets, backyard pools and porches. The neighborhood reeked of ghosts and you knew them all by name.
But that isn't how the game gets played anymore. No more 3rd-gen Little League squads, no more widowed old ladies living out their last days in the 100 year old family homes in town, no more walking into a bar and finding your softball league teamies piling in after the usual Tuesday night matchup with your younger brother's contemporaries from the same side of town.
And no more foosball games at school, surrounded by your dorm pals and the extended crew of beloved misfits, with you and your usual playing partner taking on any and all challengers in that smellly old saloon and acting like life would never be any more complicated than it was right then and there at that very moment in time.
Instead, you go for ten or twenty years without having played a game of foos, because's there no one around to play with or even a table in sight or anyone that even knows what the hell you're talking about. Then you find out that your sidekick all those nights so long ago had been gone from this earth for a decade and you didn't event hear peep about it until last night --- from somebody else that you hadn't talked to since the day you walked out of that upstate gym with a framed piece of paper and a funny looking hat.
No chance to say goodbye, no funeral to get to, no family member to share a though with and no reconvening of the old bunch to give a collective and loving goodbye to her with ... together as one. Hell, not even any details on how her life had been and how and why it ended so early. Now, whatever happened to those ties that were supposed to bind?
Jenny: definitely the sweetest of our crew, probably the sanest and the one we all leaned on, in a variety of shapes and forms. I hope she somehow was rewarded for being all that.
And the running thought I now have? How I'd love to have a game of foosball with any kids (and grandkids) she might have had....
Apr 25, 2011
Apr 11, 2011
Ramblin' Monday --- Random Bytes
Q: Who was responsible for the comeback of Pabst Blue Ribbon? What was once a cheap workingman's beer disappeared for decades. Now you can't walk into a live-music joint (or any joint in Brooklyn, for that matter) and not see the young crowd slugging it down. Find that person and put him/her in charge of everything. Now that's what I call a corporate turnaround! I smell a book coming.Recall a few years back where the buzz was about out now being in an "experience economy?" The gist: we now seek to do things as opposed to collect things with our disposable income. A Disney World vacation? Yes. A pool table in the basement? No. But now, I'm not so sure we are even in an experience economy anymore. Yes, people show up, but once there they don't really experience anything. They just seek to take a picture of what's supposedly going on. On the oustide looking in, but on the scene!
"History has a long leash" (RM)
A random promotional idea for the fading sport of thoroughbred horse racing: a national contest to pick the complete (first to last) order of finish in the Kentucky Derby. Winner gets $10 million. Do the math: it's do-able (and insureable).
"Rand's particular genius has always been her ability to turn upside down traditional hierarchies and recast the wealthy, the talented, and the powerful as the oppressed" (Mother Jones on conservative icon Ayn Rand. Get ready for next week's release of the Atlas Shrugged movie. This will be ugly. Count on it)Attention Red Sox fans. Relax. The Ole Town team is just taking a lesson from Zenyatta. This race is a marathon, not a sprint.
This woman at the podium (another self-professed 'social media guru') just said "Twitter is my primary news source." What she is really telling us is that she has minimal interest in the outside world and that even her own vacuum is only worth the random touches that she happens upon now and then. Now, why do I attend these events ?
When was the Capital Region anointed as the Cult Capital of America? I missed that memo. Scheduled for May at the Empire State Convention center is the meeting of the Twelve Visions Party, aka The Neothink Society. This group, now making its way onto various cult watchdog radar screens, spews the standard secret code salvation message, but mixed with a far right wing political agenda with some perpetual life mumbo-jumbo tossed in. Plus the usual MLM business model, of course. It's a very weird cocktail, for sure, and makes NXIVM and the John Birch Society both look mainstream. But it's not nearly as weird as the group's guru, one Mark Hamilton, who can best be described as looking like a Vegas used car salesman -- on acid. Look him up, just for a good chuckle. The problem is that not everyone is chuckling.It's sad to hear the status and fate of the Parker Inn boutique hotel in downtown Schenectady. When built in the prior decade, it was heralded as the first building block of State Street's revival in that desolate city. Fast forward to the present, and we learn of its bankruptcy filing and a future where it will be turned into private residences and apartments. Local economic development officials are distancing themselves from their organization's financing of the orignal project, blaming it on predecessors. It's tough to make a go of it when you only have 23 rooms to rent. The comparable 74 State Hotel in downtown Albany is feeling similar pain.
We read of a new Broadway retailer about to open shop in pricey Saratoga Springs. Their product line? Olive oil. Yes, I said olive oil. No, the press release did not come out on April Fool's Day. The betting windows are now open...
Mar 29, 2011
Joe Louis Walker in Saratoga
Just announced: a new show for Saratoga Springs, NY.Joe Louis Walker, recognized as one of the premier blues artists in the land, will make a local nightclub appearance at The Parting Glass Pub in the Spa City on Thursday, May 26.
The timing is interesting, given that the show will commence three weeks after the Blues Music Associations's 2010 Awards ceremony. At that time, we will know how many of the coveted trophies Mr Lous has won -- he's nominated in five different categories.
An early showtime of 8PM. Catch this big time talent in a small cozy room.
Tickets: $20 at the Door ... or ... $14 Advance (with no service fees) RIGHT HERE.
Mar 5, 2011
On teacher certification, innovation and compensation
Teacher Certification serves little useful purpose and needs to be done away with. I, myself, could not walk into a HS and teach Business / Entrepreneurship 101 because of the fact that I don't have that tag. Neither could Steve Jobs or Bill Gates or Warren Buffett, for that matter.
All that teacher certification does is to declare that someone is deemed as being capable of following a formula that was established by someone else.
The modern day Elem/MS/HS teacher -- thru no fault of his or her own -- is allowed very little room for creativity and innovation. The subject matter, curriculum, schedule, and techniques are all mostly defined by others. We are paying them, therefore, to perform a rote exercise.
Such a process, mind you, is most likely the best means of achieving what is currently defined as the ultimate goal or outcome of the system: to show positive results on standardized tests and other similar easily-observed events such as graduation rates. And there lies the even-bigger shortcoming to the whole thing.
The desired outcome SHOULD be the successful integration of the client (aka student) into both the social community and the workforce.
Once we start with that as our alternative and new given, we can then work backwards and create strategies to achieve said vision. I personally believe the the current system -- with the aforementioned rote teaching, standardized testing, etc-- would NOT survive such a critical analysis.
Until we adopt such an operating philosophy, I think we're spinning our wheels in debating the compensation value of a modern day teacher. Formulaic teaching is not worthy of the current pay scale that is observed in most school districts, in my view.
Instead, I say we give them a better environment: turn them loose to unleash their creativity and innovation, and then reward them for just that, and at that time. Again: it is not necessarily their fault that their chosen profession has been relegated to a follow the leader type of order, but that IS the reality.
After all, we do define ourselves as being in an Innovation Economy, right? With Talent Development being Need #1 to compete globally, why are we not giving the front line soldiers (aka teachers) the freedom to innovate? We should. But until/unless that happens, we (as taxpayers and community citizens) are not getting our proper value-return from our investment in them.
All that teacher certification does is to declare that someone is deemed as being capable of following a formula that was established by someone else.
The modern day Elem/MS/HS teacher -- thru no fault of his or her own -- is allowed very little room for creativity and innovation. The subject matter, curriculum, schedule, and techniques are all mostly defined by others. We are paying them, therefore, to perform a rote exercise.
Such a process, mind you, is most likely the best means of achieving what is currently defined as the ultimate goal or outcome of the system: to show positive results on standardized tests and other similar easily-observed events such as graduation rates. And there lies the even-bigger shortcoming to the whole thing.
The desired outcome SHOULD be the successful integration of the client (aka student) into both the social community and the workforce.
Once we start with that as our alternative and new given, we can then work backwards and create strategies to achieve said vision. I personally believe the the current system -- with the aforementioned rote teaching, standardized testing, etc-- would NOT survive such a critical analysis.
Until we adopt such an operating philosophy, I think we're spinning our wheels in debating the compensation value of a modern day teacher. Formulaic teaching is not worthy of the current pay scale that is observed in most school districts, in my view.
Instead, I say we give them a better environment: turn them loose to unleash their creativity and innovation, and then reward them for just that, and at that time. Again: it is not necessarily their fault that their chosen profession has been relegated to a follow the leader type of order, but that IS the reality.
After all, we do define ourselves as being in an Innovation Economy, right? With Talent Development being Need #1 to compete globally, why are we not giving the front line soldiers (aka teachers) the freedom to innovate? We should. But until/unless that happens, we (as taxpayers and community citizens) are not getting our proper value-return from our investment in them.
Feb 28, 2011
The case against grid gas
From the EarthTalk files...
Dear EarthTalk: I heard someone say that the environmental benefits of natural gas for electricity generation were overstated and that it is not as green-friendly as the industry would have us believe. What is your take on this?
In our increasingly carbon-constrained world, natural gas (also known as methane) does keep coming up as a potentially cleaner fuel source for electricity generation than coal, currently the nation’s primary source of electrical power. Natural gas advocates argue that it generates 50 percent fewer greenhouse gases than coal when burned. And since natural gas is more widely available than ever, thanks to newer more efficient—though in some cases environmentally damaging—extraction techniques, some think it should be playing a larger role in a transition away from coal, the dirtiest of all fossil fuels. Today over 50 percent of electricity generated in the U.S. comes from coal; natural gas accounts for less than 20 percent.
But scientists aren’t so sure natural gas should play any part in solving the climate crisis. A 2007 lifecycle analysis of natural gas production, distribution and consumption found that when one factors in the total emissions associated with not only the end use of natural gas but also its extraction and distribution—much of it can leak when it is pulled out of the ground and then piped to power plants and other customers—it doesn’t seem so much cleaner than coal after all.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that loose pipe fittings and intentional venting for safety purposes on natural gas lines cause annual greenhouse gas emissions rivaling that produced by 35 million cars each year. The World Bank estimates that emissions from natural gas extraction operations alone account for over a fifth of the atmosphere’s total load of climate-changing methane.
“When scientists evaluate the greenhouse gas emissions of energy sources over their full lifecycle and incorporate the methane emitted during production, the advantage of natural gas holds true only when it is burned in more modern and efficient plants,” reports Abrahm Lustgarten on the investigative news website, ProPublica. “But roughly half of the 1,600 gas-fired power plants in the United States operate at the lowest end of the efficiency spectrum.”
He adds that, while the median U.S. gas-fired power plant emits 40 percent fewer greenhouse gases than a typical coal plant, some 800 inefficient plants offer only a 25 percent improvement. The fact that methane is an extremely potent greenhouse gas—the EPA says methane is 20 times more effective trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide (CO2) —makes it even less appealing as a replacement for coal.
“The problem is you build a gas plant for 40 years,” James Rogers, CEO of Duke Energy, one of the largest power companies in the U.S., told ProPublica. “That’s a long bridge. What if, with revelations around methane emissions, it turns out to be only a 10 or 20 percent reduction of carbon from coal? If that’s true, gas is not the panacea.” Rogers himself is an advocate for limiting greenhouse gas emissions.
But with the Obama administration still keen on mining domestic natural gas reserves versus upping our reliance on foreign oil, natural gas will likely continue to play a role in the energy mix for some time yet.
(EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E - The Environmental Magazine (www.emagazine.com). Send questions to: earthtalk@emagazine.com. Subscribe: www.emagazine.com/subscribe; Free Trial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial.)
Photo courtesy David R. Tribble, Wikipedia
Dear EarthTalk: I heard someone say that the environmental benefits of natural gas for electricity generation were overstated and that it is not as green-friendly as the industry would have us believe. What is your take on this?
In our increasingly carbon-constrained world, natural gas (also known as methane) does keep coming up as a potentially cleaner fuel source for electricity generation than coal, currently the nation’s primary source of electrical power. Natural gas advocates argue that it generates 50 percent fewer greenhouse gases than coal when burned. And since natural gas is more widely available than ever, thanks to newer more efficient—though in some cases environmentally damaging—extraction techniques, some think it should be playing a larger role in a transition away from coal, the dirtiest of all fossil fuels. Today over 50 percent of electricity generated in the U.S. comes from coal; natural gas accounts for less than 20 percent.But scientists aren’t so sure natural gas should play any part in solving the climate crisis. A 2007 lifecycle analysis of natural gas production, distribution and consumption found that when one factors in the total emissions associated with not only the end use of natural gas but also its extraction and distribution—much of it can leak when it is pulled out of the ground and then piped to power plants and other customers—it doesn’t seem so much cleaner than coal after all.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that loose pipe fittings and intentional venting for safety purposes on natural gas lines cause annual greenhouse gas emissions rivaling that produced by 35 million cars each year. The World Bank estimates that emissions from natural gas extraction operations alone account for over a fifth of the atmosphere’s total load of climate-changing methane.
“When scientists evaluate the greenhouse gas emissions of energy sources over their full lifecycle and incorporate the methane emitted during production, the advantage of natural gas holds true only when it is burned in more modern and efficient plants,” reports Abrahm Lustgarten on the investigative news website, ProPublica. “But roughly half of the 1,600 gas-fired power plants in the United States operate at the lowest end of the efficiency spectrum.”
He adds that, while the median U.S. gas-fired power plant emits 40 percent fewer greenhouse gases than a typical coal plant, some 800 inefficient plants offer only a 25 percent improvement. The fact that methane is an extremely potent greenhouse gas—the EPA says methane is 20 times more effective trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide (CO2) —makes it even less appealing as a replacement for coal.
“The problem is you build a gas plant for 40 years,” James Rogers, CEO of Duke Energy, one of the largest power companies in the U.S., told ProPublica. “That’s a long bridge. What if, with revelations around methane emissions, it turns out to be only a 10 or 20 percent reduction of carbon from coal? If that’s true, gas is not the panacea.” Rogers himself is an advocate for limiting greenhouse gas emissions.
But with the Obama administration still keen on mining domestic natural gas reserves versus upping our reliance on foreign oil, natural gas will likely continue to play a role in the energy mix for some time yet.
(EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E - The Environmental Magazine (www.emagazine.com). Send questions to: earthtalk@emagazine.com. Subscribe: www.emagazine.com/subscribe; Free Trial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial.)
Photo courtesy David R. Tribble, Wikipedia
Feb 25, 2011
Local blogger takes up media slack
John Tighe leads charge against NXIVM forces
Alleged cult's worst nightmare: a guy with nothing to lose
You sure haven't read any of this in The Saratogian, have you?
Support real journalism: pay for it
Saratoga Springs --- The most interesting Capital Region media story of the past year has been the ongoing battle royal between Saratoga native John Tighe and NXIVM, the controversial group that offers 'ethical humanitarian' personal coaching and seminars through its related Executive Success Programs. A number of critics (and former members) allege that the Saratoga county-based organization's practices qualify as cult-like.
Tighe, through his local affairs blog Saratoga In Decline, waded into these waters in pursuit of an alleged connection between NXIVM and the Democrats for Change political insurgency mob in his hometown. While that direct link remains at least partially unresolved, the eye opening, sordid history of the NXIVM gang became too much for Tighe to ignore, and he has since devoted the majority of his investigative reporting efforts to leading the ever-increasing worldwide media scrutiny against the group.
Each day promises a new round of "you can't make this stuff up" allegations on his site, with full doses of intrigue, including salacious allegations of fraud, sexual deviancy, child kidnapping, murder, brainwashing, harassment, dirty tricks, extortion, duped heiresses, courtroom battles, betrayal, money laundering, tax evasion, the Dalai Lama, hired goons .... hell, this stuff makes one's head spin. Mr Tighe is more than happy to do that spinning.
But churning out regular bites of this Made for Hollywood plot is not cheap, as Tighe incurs considerable expenses for everything from travel costs to court reporting subscriptions to phone bills for talking with his sources to more.
Those interested in supporting this type of attack dog journalism -- which is rapidly disappearing form the playbook of traditional media -- should SERIOUSLY consider making a small donation to his efforts. You can do so by tossing a few bucks at him through the proper button on his site. I did, and I am not scared to admit it!
Front and center to this story is the group's philosophical guru, one Keith Raniere , known within the loyal tribe as the Vanguard. A mysterious fellow --- with a supposed propensity for midnight volleyball games, brunette sex partners, making outrageous personal accomplishment claims and investing other people's fortunes in failed commodities & real estate schemes -- the man behind a past multi-level marketing enterprise that was shut down by agreement with various state authorities provides an interesting counterpoint figure to our local blogmaster.
So, in the spirit of properly framing this Mano A Mano face off, I present the Tale of the Tape between contestants Keith Raniere and John Tighe:
Alleged cult's worst nightmare: a guy with nothing to lose
You sure haven't read any of this in The Saratogian, have you?
Support real journalism: pay for it
Saratoga Springs --- The most interesting Capital Region media story of the past year has been the ongoing battle royal between Saratoga native John Tighe and NXIVM, the controversial group that offers 'ethical humanitarian' personal coaching and seminars through its related Executive Success Programs. A number of critics (and former members) allege that the Saratoga county-based organization's practices qualify as cult-like.
Tighe, through his local affairs blog Saratoga In Decline, waded into these waters in pursuit of an alleged connection between NXIVM and the Democrats for Change political insurgency mob in his hometown. While that direct link remains at least partially unresolved, the eye opening, sordid history of the NXIVM gang became too much for Tighe to ignore, and he has since devoted the majority of his investigative reporting efforts to leading the ever-increasing worldwide media scrutiny against the group.
Each day promises a new round of "you can't make this stuff up" allegations on his site, with full doses of intrigue, including salacious allegations of fraud, sexual deviancy, child kidnapping, murder, brainwashing, harassment, dirty tricks, extortion, duped heiresses, courtroom battles, betrayal, money laundering, tax evasion, the Dalai Lama, hired goons .... hell, this stuff makes one's head spin. Mr Tighe is more than happy to do that spinning.
But churning out regular bites of this Made for Hollywood plot is not cheap, as Tighe incurs considerable expenses for everything from travel costs to court reporting subscriptions to phone bills for talking with his sources to more.
Those interested in supporting this type of attack dog journalism -- which is rapidly disappearing form the playbook of traditional media -- should SERIOUSLY consider making a small donation to his efforts. You can do so by tossing a few bucks at him through the proper button on his site. I did, and I am not scared to admit it!
Front and center to this story is the group's philosophical guru, one Keith Raniere , known within the loyal tribe as the Vanguard. A mysterious fellow --- with a supposed propensity for midnight volleyball games, brunette sex partners, making outrageous personal accomplishment claims and investing other people's fortunes in failed commodities & real estate schemes -- the man behind a past multi-level marketing enterprise that was shut down by agreement with various state authorities provides an interesting counterpoint figure to our local blogmaster.
So, in the spirit of properly framing this Mano A Mano face off, I present the Tale of the Tape between contestants Keith Raniere and John Tighe:
Feb 24, 2011
Putnam Den steps up to Capital Region's live music forefront
April 20 Rusted Root show signals expanded bookings
Saratoga Springs --- Opportunity presents itself in a number of manners.
The unfulfilled demand for a specific product is one of the key examples of such; and the ability to recognize that opening and then execute a strategy to fill its void will reward those few that can do both. There lies the formula for successful business enterprise building.
Saratogians Jonathan and Tiffany Albert, owners of the Putnam Den entertainment venue in the downtown district, are nearly two years into such an initiative. Their reading of that city's live music landscape --- dominated by cover bands but lacking a year-round stage for original artists, both touring and local --- resulted in the couple's major remodeling investment of the former Backstreet Billiards and the creation of the Spa City's most-buzzed gathering spot.
The void was filled, and the party flows with constant and consistent foot traffic.
Now, with that early momentum and success under the belt, the Alberts have elected to up-the-ante on April 20th, where they will host the first of many planned high-profile and popular national acts with the appearance of the multi-platinum world music-meets-jam band act Rusted Root hitting the stage for a 9PM performance. Tickets available here.
The Pittsburgh based band has been playing since 1992, building a loyal following based on its high energy live shows. Its radio friendly hit Send Me On My Way put the band into the stratosphere , making them one of the major acts in the nation, circa Y2K. Although a few years past that peak, Rusted Root remains a very popular summer festival attraction; the Putnam Den show will serve as one of their rare and final 2011 indoor gigs before that open air season kicks in.
With the show, the Alberts are, in essence, announcing that their 500+ capacity venue is now the premier mid-sized music room in the Capital Region, picking up the considerable slack left by the closing of the beloved Revolution Hall in Troy. There lies another void needing a fill-in.
Here's to that vision. Now let's all support this valuable community resource by attending these types of shows, or even placing the occasional orgnaizational / social mixer into the facility as a means of giving the business community a taste of creative art -- and creative entrepreneurship.
RMillis
(Disclaimer: the author assisted in the booking/contractual aspect of the Rusted Root event referenced in this article. He has no financial interest in the business. )
Saratoga Springs --- Opportunity presents itself in a number of manners.
The unfulfilled demand for a specific product is one of the key examples of such; and the ability to recognize that opening and then execute a strategy to fill its void will reward those few that can do both. There lies the formula for successful business enterprise building.
Saratogians Jonathan and Tiffany Albert, owners of the Putnam Den entertainment venue in the downtown district, are nearly two years into such an initiative. Their reading of that city's live music landscape --- dominated by cover bands but lacking a year-round stage for original artists, both touring and local --- resulted in the couple's major remodeling investment of the former Backstreet Billiards and the creation of the Spa City's most-buzzed gathering spot. The void was filled, and the party flows with constant and consistent foot traffic.
Now, with that early momentum and success under the belt, the Alberts have elected to up-the-ante on April 20th, where they will host the first of many planned high-profile and popular national acts with the appearance of the multi-platinum world music-meets-jam band act Rusted Root hitting the stage for a 9PM performance. Tickets available here.
The Pittsburgh based band has been playing since 1992, building a loyal following based on its high energy live shows. Its radio friendly hit Send Me On My Way put the band into the stratosphere , making them one of the major acts in the nation, circa Y2K. Although a few years past that peak, Rusted Root remains a very popular summer festival attraction; the Putnam Den show will serve as one of their rare and final 2011 indoor gigs before that open air season kicks in.
With the show, the Alberts are, in essence, announcing that their 500+ capacity venue is now the premier mid-sized music room in the Capital Region, picking up the considerable slack left by the closing of the beloved Revolution Hall in Troy. There lies another void needing a fill-in.
Here's to that vision. Now let's all support this valuable community resource by attending these types of shows, or even placing the occasional orgnaizational / social mixer into the facility as a means of giving the business community a taste of creative art -- and creative entrepreneurship.
RMillis
(Disclaimer: the author assisted in the booking/contractual aspect of the Rusted Root event referenced in this article. He has no financial interest in the business. )
Feb 23, 2011
Big Media strikes (out) again
IVI.TV ruling shuts down cable's new thorn
Blinders? Yes. But monopoly protection, too
I'm not what you call a big TV Guy: 90% of the offerings across the digital cable universe are pure cultural garbage, in my humble opinion. In fact, that 90% might even be a tad conservative a figure. Just give me an occasional PBS hit, with a ball game now and then along with my regular bites of Family Guy and the Simpsons – and I am pretty much good to go.
My good friends at Time Warner Cable (in New York) and Comcast (in Massachusetts) will satisfy my entertainment desires for a cost of .... well, I don't know how much! Both companies have a real tough time laying-out pricing figures to interested parties: I just spent ten minutes on each one's site and still do not understand what it would cost me. But I do at least know that it's quite a bit of dough for each location ($67+ taxes?); times two, given my dual residence status.
But I found a nice little workaround, so to speak, several months back. It is an online (of course) service called IVI.TV. In summary, here's how it works:
Over the air television broadcasts from four major metro areas (NYC, LA, Seattle and Chicago) are piped, in real time, right into my PC and then relayed to that big monitor sitting right over there in my comfy living room(s).
So, I am now able to view the national prime time broadcasts of ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS and CW, plus local programming (news, syndicated re-runs) from those four markets listed. Neither of my two local markets (Boston and Albany) are yet in the mix, but I really don't care: none offer any value as far as delivering local news that I cannot get from other, superior sources.
My needs are met. My cost? A grand total of $4.95 per month; times one. I even get a few bonus channels, such as Bloomberg Financial and Retro TV, just for kicks. Hallelujah.
But that party just ended yesterday. A Federal court shut down the service, based on legal whining from the old school broadcast/cable cabal. Their argument is basically this: “IVI.TV is profiting from our efforts, and we don't like it one bit.”
A few points are needed to put this in perspective:
1)All of the channels involved are available FREE of charge to the consumer in the markets in which they are broadcast, when consumed in the traditional thru-the-air format
2)IVI.TV is not adding, deleting or changing any aspect of the content. In particular: it is not selling and placing its own advertising into the programming.
3)IVI.TV makes a monthly royalty payment to the US Copyright office.
IVI/TV's argument has been that its service fell under the compulsory license aspect (must carry) of the Copyright Act as applied to cable systems. The federal judge rejected that claim, declaring that IVI is not a cable system, hence such logic does not apply. Appeals are already in play.
None of this would be necessary, of course, if not for the fact that Big Media is perturbed about the whole concept. If we lived in a logical world, such a reaction would certainly be a head scratcher. After all, the long-established broadcast model is based on a rather simple formula: maximize eyeballs as a means of maximizing advertising revenue. Enter this new kid on the block, which is not only lending some muscle to that mission, but not even charging for its effort. Heck, it's even trying to pay for the privilege!
So, why isn't Big Media reacting in a logical manner, and not happily greeting its fresh new, energetic, free and proven business partner into the family? Is it just general stupidity? Well yes, but it's also a bit more of a mess than that. Welcome to the corrupt world of Old Media, and the ugly consequences of industry deregulation and its logical consequence of consolidation.
As if the dominant laissez-faire conservative approach to the Gov't/Industry dynamic hasn't done enough damage to American mass-entertainment (think: ClearChannel; Ticketmaster, program syndication, etc) by employing the classic vertical monopoly playbook, it now kicks more dirt into our face with the recent approval that allows one of the nation's dominant cable carriers (Comcast) ownership rights of one of the nation's dominant content producers (NBC Universal).
It's not the first time: the other dominant cable company, Time Warner, also owns content: TBS, HBO, Warner Brothers, CNN, etc. There's your “get out of the way of business” for you; so who cares about free, fair and equal markets? Let it be damned!
So there lies the 'illogical' response on the part of the broadcast networks, which were party to this suit along with their cable brethren. Even though the extra eyeballs being provided by IVI.TV directly benefits them, it harms the carriers. Why? Because people like me (and you) have one more reason to walk away from cable and take that $60-$200 per month with me (us). They're all under the same roof and watching the same stock ticker, after all. Brothers in arms.
Because it's all one big clusterfuck, it's really not so illogical after all, is it?
Robert Millis is principal of the Millis Group (Albany & Boston), a strategic advisory firm specializing in the media, internet, energy and entertainment fields. Email him at RMillis (at) the site named: TechValleyTimes.com
Blinders? Yes. But monopoly protection, too
I'm not what you call a big TV Guy: 90% of the offerings across the digital cable universe are pure cultural garbage, in my humble opinion. In fact, that 90% might even be a tad conservative a figure. Just give me an occasional PBS hit, with a ball game now and then along with my regular bites of Family Guy and the Simpsons – and I am pretty much good to go.
My good friends at Time Warner Cable (in New York) and Comcast (in Massachusetts) will satisfy my entertainment desires for a cost of .... well, I don't know how much! Both companies have a real tough time laying-out pricing figures to interested parties: I just spent ten minutes on each one's site and still do not understand what it would cost me. But I do at least know that it's quite a bit of dough for each location ($67+ taxes?); times two, given my dual residence status. But I found a nice little workaround, so to speak, several months back. It is an online (of course) service called IVI.TV. In summary, here's how it works:
Over the air television broadcasts from four major metro areas (NYC, LA, Seattle and Chicago) are piped, in real time, right into my PC and then relayed to that big monitor sitting right over there in my comfy living room(s).
So, I am now able to view the national prime time broadcasts of ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS and CW, plus local programming (news, syndicated re-runs) from those four markets listed. Neither of my two local markets (Boston and Albany) are yet in the mix, but I really don't care: none offer any value as far as delivering local news that I cannot get from other, superior sources.
My needs are met. My cost? A grand total of $4.95 per month; times one. I even get a few bonus channels, such as Bloomberg Financial and Retro TV, just for kicks. Hallelujah. But that party just ended yesterday. A Federal court shut down the service, based on legal whining from the old school broadcast/cable cabal. Their argument is basically this: “IVI.TV is profiting from our efforts, and we don't like it one bit.”
A few points are needed to put this in perspective:
1)All of the channels involved are available FREE of charge to the consumer in the markets in which they are broadcast, when consumed in the traditional thru-the-air format
2)IVI.TV is not adding, deleting or changing any aspect of the content. In particular: it is not selling and placing its own advertising into the programming.
3)IVI.TV makes a monthly royalty payment to the US Copyright office.
IVI/TV's argument has been that its service fell under the compulsory license aspect (must carry) of the Copyright Act as applied to cable systems. The federal judge rejected that claim, declaring that IVI is not a cable system, hence such logic does not apply. Appeals are already in play.
None of this would be necessary, of course, if not for the fact that Big Media is perturbed about the whole concept. If we lived in a logical world, such a reaction would certainly be a head scratcher. After all, the long-established broadcast model is based on a rather simple formula: maximize eyeballs as a means of maximizing advertising revenue. Enter this new kid on the block, which is not only lending some muscle to that mission, but not even charging for its effort. Heck, it's even trying to pay for the privilege!
So, why isn't Big Media reacting in a logical manner, and not happily greeting its fresh new, energetic, free and proven business partner into the family? Is it just general stupidity? Well yes, but it's also a bit more of a mess than that. Welcome to the corrupt world of Old Media, and the ugly consequences of industry deregulation and its logical consequence of consolidation.As if the dominant laissez-faire conservative approach to the Gov't/Industry dynamic hasn't done enough damage to American mass-entertainment (think: ClearChannel; Ticketmaster, program syndication, etc) by employing the classic vertical monopoly playbook, it now kicks more dirt into our face with the recent approval that allows one of the nation's dominant cable carriers (Comcast) ownership rights of one of the nation's dominant content producers (NBC Universal).
It's not the first time: the other dominant cable company, Time Warner, also owns content: TBS, HBO, Warner Brothers, CNN, etc. There's your “get out of the way of business” for you; so who cares about free, fair and equal markets? Let it be damned!
So there lies the 'illogical' response on the part of the broadcast networks, which were party to this suit along with their cable brethren. Even though the extra eyeballs being provided by IVI.TV directly benefits them, it harms the carriers. Why? Because people like me (and you) have one more reason to walk away from cable and take that $60-$200 per month with me (us). They're all under the same roof and watching the same stock ticker, after all. Brothers in arms.
Because it's all one big clusterfuck, it's really not so illogical after all, is it?
Robert Millis is principal of the Millis Group (Albany & Boston), a strategic advisory firm specializing in the media, internet, energy and entertainment fields. Email him at RMillis (at) the site named: TechValleyTimes.com
Feb 19, 2011
Live & in-person music (partial list)
Today's mega time waster
Qualifiers:
a) I actually remember it! (obviously)
b) Touring acts of at least minimal renown
c) Does not include local, cover, bar bands, etc
d) Does not include the one semi-famous band for whom I very briefly played
I know I am forgetting a few, but here we go, alphabetically:
805
Aerosmith
Albert Cummings
Allman Bros
Ambrosia
Amy Lavere
Antibalas
Argent
Arlo Guthrie
B B King
Band
Big Head Todd & Monsters
Black Crowes
Blind Melon
Blotto
Bruce Springsteen & E Street
Byrds
Carbon Leaf
Carrie Rodriguez
Charlie Daniels
Charlie Hunter
Chicago
Commander Cody LPA
Count Basie
Cranberries
Crosby & Nash
Crooked Still
Dap Kings
David Bowie
David Bromberg
David Johannsen
David Sanborn
David Sancious & Tone
Deep Purple
Dire Straits
Dixie Dregs
Donna the Buffalo
Doobie Bros
Doors
Drive by Truckers
Eagles
Earth Opera
Eddie Money
Ellen Mcilwayne
Elton John
Elvin Bishop
Emerson Lake and Palmer
Eric Clapton
Everybodyfields
Fear of Strangers
Fixx
Fleetwood Mac
Frank Zappa
Genesis
George Benson
George Harrsion
Grace Potter & Nocturnals
Grass Roots
Grateful Dead
Grinderswitch
Herb Alpert & Tijuana Brass
Humble Pie
James Cotton
J Geils Band
James Gang
Jean Luc Ponty
Jeff Beck
Jefferson Starship
Jewel
Joe Jackson
John Hiatt
John Mayall
Jonathan Edwards
Jorma Kaukonen
Lee Boys
Lee Ritenour
Leo Kottke
Levon Helm
Little Feat
Loggins & Messina
Lonnie Mack
Los Lobos
Los Straitjackets
Lovin Spoonful
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Mahavishnu Orchestra
Marshall Tucker
Max Creek
Medeski Martin & Wood
Melvin Sparks
Missing Persons
Mott the Hoople
Neil Young
New Riders of the Purple Sage
New York Dolls
North Miss All Stars
NRBQ
Ominous Seapods
Outlaws
Pat Metheny
Peter Frampton
Peter Gabriel
Pink Floyd
Poco
Police
Pousette Dart
Pretenders
Project Percolator
Pure Prairie League
Quicksilver Messenger Service
Return to Forever
Robert Hazard & the Heroes
Robinella
Roger McGuinn
Rolling Stones
Romeo Void
Roy Buchanan
Sam Bush
Samples
Santana
Sarah Borges & Broken Singles
Sea Level
Seven Nations
Simple Minds
Stephen Stills
Stevie Ray Vaughn
Susan Tedeschi - Derek Trucks
Tallest Man on Earth
Three Dog Night
U2
Who
Wynton Marsallis
Yes
Zebra
Zox
Qualifiers:
a) I actually remember it! (obviously)
b) Touring acts of at least minimal renown
c) Does not include local, cover, bar bands, etc
d) Does not include the one semi-famous band for whom I very briefly played
I know I am forgetting a few, but here we go, alphabetically:
805
Aerosmith
Albert Cummings
Allman Bros
Ambrosia
Amy Lavere
Antibalas
Argent
Arlo Guthrie
B B King
Band
Big Head Todd & Monsters
Black Crowes
Blind Melon
Blotto
Bruce Springsteen & E Street
Byrds
Carbon Leaf
Carrie Rodriguez
Charlie Daniels
Charlie Hunter
Chicago
Commander Cody LPA
Count Basie
Cranberries
Crosby & Nash
Crooked Still
Dap Kings
David Bowie
David Bromberg
David Johannsen
David Sanborn
David Sancious & Tone
Deep Purple
Dire Straits
Dixie Dregs
Donna the Buffalo
Doobie Bros
Doors
Drive by Truckers
Eagles
Earth Opera
Eddie Money
Ellen Mcilwayne
Elton John
Elvin Bishop
Emerson Lake and Palmer
Eric Clapton
Everybodyfields
Fear of Strangers
Fixx
Fleetwood Mac
Frank Zappa
Genesis
George Benson
George Harrsion
Grace Potter & Nocturnals
Grass Roots
Grateful Dead
Grinderswitch
Herb Alpert & Tijuana Brass
Humble Pie
James Cotton
J Geils Band
James Gang
Jean Luc Ponty
Jeff Beck
Jefferson Starship
Jewel
Joe Jackson
John Hiatt
John Mayall
Jonathan Edwards
Jorma Kaukonen
Lee Boys
Lee Ritenour
Leo Kottke
Levon Helm
Little Feat
Loggins & Messina
Lonnie Mack
Los Lobos
Los Straitjackets
Lovin Spoonful
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Mahavishnu Orchestra
Marshall Tucker
Max Creek
Medeski Martin & Wood
Melvin Sparks
Missing Persons
Mott the Hoople
Neil Young
New Riders of the Purple Sage
New York Dolls
North Miss All Stars
NRBQ
Ominous Seapods
Outlaws
Pat Metheny
Peter Frampton
Peter Gabriel
Pink Floyd
Poco
Police
Pousette Dart
Pretenders
Project Percolator
Pure Prairie League
Quicksilver Messenger Service
Return to Forever
Robert Hazard & the Heroes
Robinella
Roger McGuinn
Rolling Stones
Romeo Void
Roy Buchanan
Sam Bush
Samples
Santana
Sarah Borges & Broken Singles
Sea Level
Seven Nations
Simple Minds
Stephen Stills
Stevie Ray Vaughn
Susan Tedeschi - Derek Trucks
Tallest Man on Earth
Three Dog Night
U2
Who
Wynton Marsallis
Yes
Zebra
Zox
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