Too Much, Too Many People...

It's been a rough ride lately... too much going on at work, too little time to relax and think creatively (or really think at all). So here's a little something until this particular $#@!&-storm passes...

• Yet another inane trademark fight, this time courtesy of everyone's favorite folksy curmudgeon and radio dramatist. Three quick notes, since I've spoken on trademarks and parody before on this site (one part of my Minor Threat vs. Nike essay -- easily the most-read article I've done): 1. I was highly amused by the vaunted "Minnesota Nice" approach to many of the comments. 2. The general public really needs to learn the difference between copyright and trademark one of these days. 3. Keillor's attorney needs a more observant assistant so he doesn't embarass himself again with the wrong form letter. Thanks to Eric for the pointer.

• The Monkeysphere, an inane (but eerily logical) way of trying to make sense of the world around us. Sadly, I think that Hurricane Katrina proves the point -- without a tragic, notable event, the vast majority of U.S. citizens wouldn't have given a second thought or a spare dime to help those who wound up in the emergency shelters without the means to evacuate. I'd like to think that we'll refocus as a society on poverty -- but not every poverty-stricken city will have a natural disaster of these proportions.

• Engadget -- even though I'm not a gamer or gadget freak, this site is worth a daily visit (along with Wikipedia).
  

Next up (i think) -- a special "Coursing Through The Wires" dedicated to people I may never see again...