Research & Rescue

In Defence of Science Fiction

Take heart, my nerdy, geeky compatriots! According to David Mann of The Mark (a wonderful Canadian publication, if you haven't heard of it), science fiction is actually the richest form of popular culture...

Science fiction is good for us. Politically, morally, aesthetically, even cognitively. In plain language, it makes us think more critically about our world, to appreciate beauty in new ways, and to be better people. In that sense, science fiction is by far the best genre of pop culture, as it’s the only genre that consistently entertains and enlightens us at the same time.

“Quite the claim,” you might be thinking. Perhaps it comes from someone who has spent too much time dressing up like a Klingon and attending conventions full of fellow nerds? Sorry to disappoint: I’m not that type of SF fan. I come to the courtroom of public debate with a reasoned argument and lots of evidence. I’ll concentrate on SF television to keep things simple. Engage.

via www.themarknews.com

Netflix on Nintendo Wii is Now Available

Just how cool is this? And I thought I could only use the thing for boxing...

Do you have a Nintendo Wii and a Netflix account? If so, you can now stream Netflix Watch Instantly’s entire library of TV and film content to your TV using your console’s Wi-Fi connection. You’ll need to order a disc from Netflix to do it, but that disc is shipping to anyone who wants it now; previously it was available to only a select few.

Get the rest of the details at mashable.com

Reel Injun Opens in Montreal on Thursday, the 25th

From Reelinjun:

This is it! Reel Injun debuts in Montreal this Thursday, March 25th as part of FIFA then opens at Cinema du Parc on Friday, April 2nd!

We've been getting a ton of great press across Canada and in the U.S., but we need you (our Reel Injun groupies) to spread the word and make this a success. Check us out at http://www.reelinjunthemovie.com

We look forward to seeing you here in Montreal, and wherever we end up.

Werner Herzog Reads Curious George

Mary McCormack Disses Albuquerque - and Apologizes

UPDATE 5: For a more recent, more complimentary interview, check out ABQCityLife's Facebook page, where they've posted Mary McCormack's interview with Jay Leno. Great snowman, Mary. You know, there's more snow up in the Sandias :-)

UPDATE 4: READ THIS PART: Mary McCormack apologized numerous times. We all make mistakes (myself included, as I have indicated below with strike-out font). Read her apology here: Mary McCormack's Apology after ABQ Comments

UPDATE 3: If you'd like to avoid these sorts of PR blunders, take a look at this blog entry by the fine folks at Crosscut Communications.

UPDATE 2: If you want to listen to Jackie, Tony, and Donnie go here and scroll down to hear the segment where McCormack calls in and apologizes. BTW, I don't get to listen often but they are really cool people, so if you can, tune in every so often.

UPDATE: Ms. McCormack has apologized for her comments on Twitter and, apparently on morning radio. If you'd like to follow her on Twitter, her username is @marycmccormack (Oops, sorry about missing the middle initial in the username)

I actually like the show and her character but wow - this woman is like a Housewife of New Jersey on steroids. <-- (Too mean) If she's here for numerous months throughout the year, perhaps she should get out into the mountains and enjoy the clean air or meet some of the fantastic people here. Clearly, the smog of NJ has rattled her brain and she needs some therapy. <--(Also too mean)

via youtube.com

Posted via web from thinking aloud

Appeals Court Upholds Prison Ban on Dungeons and Dragons

I admit it. I have always suspected some sort of pathology associated with D&D players (though I married one). Apparently, the 7th Circuit Federal Appeals Court think it's worse. According to the New York Times, a lifer in Wisconsin brought suit saying that his rights were violated when Waupun Correctional Facility banned Dungeons & Dragons and confiscated the prisoner's game and a lengthy handwritten manuscript that he had composed.

The prisoner, who was incarcerated for bludgeoning and stabbing his sister's boyfriend to death, claimed that he had been D&D enthusiast since childhood and that the confiscation violated his 1st and 14th Amendment rights. Gang specialists suggested to prison officials that the materials could lead to gang activity and escape fantasies.

While the court did not specifically ties D&D to escape fantasies, it did rule against the prisoner.

Me thinks this particular person had worse issues to deal with than his gaming....

Full NYT story here

Our Town Premiered Today in 1938

It was on this day in 1938 that Thornton Wilder's play Our Town was premiered at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey. Our Town is about the fictional town of Grover's Corners, New Hampshire. In the first act, Emily Webb and George Gibbs are children together; in the second act, they marry; in the third, Emily has died in childbirth, and is looking back from beyond the grave with other dead citizens of Grover's Corners, and she decides to revisit the happiest day of her life, her 12th birthday.

via writersalmanac.publicradio.org

Detroit Area: Roeper Haitian Relief Choral Concert

Received via e-mail:

The Roeper Community Chorus along with the Rochester Children’s Choir and the Rochester Christian Chorus will present an impromptu concert. The concert will be at 3:00pm in the Upper School Gym on the Birmingham Campus. There will be a suggested $5 donation and 100% of the proceeds will go to the American Red Cross towards to the relief efforts in Haiti! We got this wonderful connection by our accompanist Dana Gress who also directs the groups joining us. We hope to make a small difference in the needs for Haiti!

 

Again, Sunday January 24^th @ 3:00pm. Birmingham Campus Gym. Suggested $5 donation.

Google Map for The Roeper School Birmingham Campus: 

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Netflix Coming to Nintendo Wii

via mashable.com

This is very cool. I've never done NetFlix because I hate the idea of having to get the DVD in the mail and send it back. If they can be streamed instead, there's incentive to rent.

http://mashable.com/2010/01/13/confirmed-netflix-is-coming-to-nintendo-wii/