Saturday, July 15, 2006
Our New Home for the Glenn and Helen Show
Our podcast--The Glenn and Helen show--has now joined with Pajamas Media at their new site, politicscentral.com. Stop by and take a look.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Podcast with Senator John McCain
We were very pleased to have Senator John McCain of Arizona do his first podcast ever with us. Senator McCain takes time out of his busy schedule to speak with us about a number of important political issues including immigration, campaign finace reform, gun control, and pork spending. He has some good advice on anger management for those of us with blogs. In addition, we ask him about his run for the 2008 Presidential election--is Condi going to be his running mate? Tune in and find out.
You can listen to the podcast here or subscribe via iTunes. You can access our archives at the GlennandHelenShow.com. Those with dial-up can listen here. Please leave any comments or suggestions below.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Podcast with Chris Anderson, Editor in Chief of Wired
Today we interview Chris Anderson, the editor in chief of Wired,
about his new book, The Long Tail : Why the Future of Business Is Selling Less of More.
He has good news for all of us who have quirky or imaginative wares to sell (books, videos, etc., music)--we may not have a big hit on our hands but there is almost always a niche market for everyone's talents and products. And thanks to the new world of the Internet and technology, products are getting cheaper to make and market. For example, my DVD of Six cost me just $25,000 to produce and it found a home on the Internet as well as colleges and Universities. I never could have done this ten or fifteen years ago. Anderson coined the term "The Long Tail" to describe this phenomenon in which the combined value of modest sellers and quirky titles equals the sells of the top hits. If you want to know more about the future of business, take a listen to the discussion.
You can listen to the podcast here or by subscribing via iTunes. And for those stuck with dialup connections, there's a lo-fi version here. You can also see our podcast archives at GlennandHelenShow.com. Leave any comments and suggestions below.
about his new book, The Long Tail : Why the Future of Business Is Selling Less of More. He has good news for all of us who have quirky or imaginative wares to sell (books, videos, etc., music)--we may not have a big hit on our hands but there is almost always a niche market for everyone's talents and products. And thanks to the new world of the Internet and technology, products are getting cheaper to make and market. For example, my DVD of Six cost me just $25,000 to produce and it found a home on the Internet as well as colleges and Universities. I never could have done this ten or fifteen years ago. Anderson coined the term "The Long Tail" to describe this phenomenon in which the combined value of modest sellers and quirky titles equals the sells of the top hits. If you want to know more about the future of business, take a listen to the discussion.You can listen to the podcast here or by subscribing via iTunes. And for those stuck with dialup connections, there's a lo-fi version here. You can also see our podcast archives at GlennandHelenShow.com. Leave any comments and suggestions below.
Sunday, July 9, 2006
Women Behaving Badly on the Internet
Have you noticed how many women think they can use the internet to make threats against toddlers, flash their tits, and air their dirty laundry in public, all without repercussions? I have read that women are often afraid to comment on blogs because they do not want to stand up to criticism. However, it seems that there is also the opposite extreme: those women who think that they can say and do anything and no one is supposed to take notice or hold them accountable.
My guess is that these women feel so ineffectual that they do not believe anyone would take them seriously, kind of like when a woman slaps a man, it is seen as funny since she is so "powerless." On the other side, there is the possibility that these nutjobs have such a sense of entitlement (reinforced by society) that they can get away with saying and doing anything. Luckily, people are catching on to these nutcases and taking action-- for example, the professor who threatened Jeff Goldstein's toddler lost her job. (The whole sad story is here.)
Good for Goldstein for standing up for women's rights everywhere by holding this woman accountable and not letting her off the hook--maybe women will learn that their actions are not as ineffectual and powerless as they would have others believe. And for those who suffer from a sense of entitlement just because they are women? Maybe a dose of reality will help those women realize what men have always known--freedom and justice requires people to be responsible for their own actions, regardless of gender.
Update: I have nothing against boob flashers myself and frankly, think it's fine. What I object to and should have made more clear in my post is that the boob flasher in this case is Diane York Blaine, a professor, who is upset with conservatives, saying they are out to get her etc. as she dares to expose herself and her tits. However, the reality seems to be that she discriminates against men and is in the classroom preaching that all men are pigs and complicit in rape and when others call her on this--she then seems not to be able to deal with it and obviously thinks her "cute" antics with her boobs make her free. In other words, she thinks that because she is a woman, she can get away with this outrageous behavior. Imagine the reverse--a male professor says all women are sluts in class--than shows his penis on his website and thinks no one should hold him accountable. What do you think, could a male professor get away with this behavior? If so, have him email me so I can write up a case study.
My guess is that these women feel so ineffectual that they do not believe anyone would take them seriously, kind of like when a woman slaps a man, it is seen as funny since she is so "powerless." On the other side, there is the possibility that these nutjobs have such a sense of entitlement (reinforced by society) that they can get away with saying and doing anything. Luckily, people are catching on to these nutcases and taking action-- for example, the professor who threatened Jeff Goldstein's toddler lost her job. (The whole sad story is here.)
Good for Goldstein for standing up for women's rights everywhere by holding this woman accountable and not letting her off the hook--maybe women will learn that their actions are not as ineffectual and powerless as they would have others believe. And for those who suffer from a sense of entitlement just because they are women? Maybe a dose of reality will help those women realize what men have always known--freedom and justice requires people to be responsible for their own actions, regardless of gender.
Update: I have nothing against boob flashers myself and frankly, think it's fine. What I object to and should have made more clear in my post is that the boob flasher in this case is Diane York Blaine, a professor, who is upset with conservatives, saying they are out to get her etc. as she dares to expose herself and her tits. However, the reality seems to be that she discriminates against men and is in the classroom preaching that all men are pigs and complicit in rape and when others call her on this--she then seems not to be able to deal with it and obviously thinks her "cute" antics with her boobs make her free. In other words, she thinks that because she is a woman, she can get away with this outrageous behavior. Imagine the reverse--a male professor says all women are sluts in class--than shows his penis on his website and thinks no one should hold him accountable. What do you think, could a male professor get away with this behavior? If so, have him email me so I can write up a case study.
Dr. Melissa has thoughts on blogger personality types. What do you think--do bloggers have personality types or are they a diverse group of "strange" individuals who just happen to like the internet?
Friday, July 7, 2006
Podcast on North Korea and Missiles
Today, we are discussing the missile tantrum in North Korea with Austin Bay of the Austin Bay Blog and Jim Dunnigan of Strategy Page. They discuss the psychological and political problems with the North Koreans as well as the Japanese and Chinese reaction to the North Koreans having nuclear weapons. We also touch on the foiled plot to blow up the Holland Tunnel in New York and what's happening in Iraq and Afghanistan.
You can listen to the podcast by clicking here or subscribe via iTunes here. There's a low-fi version for dialup users here. You can also see our complete podcast archives here. Please leave any comments or suggestions below.
You can listen to the podcast by clicking here or subscribe via iTunes here. There's a low-fi version for dialup users here. You can also see our complete podcast archives here. Please leave any comments or suggestions below.
Carnival of Homeschooling
The 27th Carnival of Homeschooling is up at Tami's blog. The 28th Carnival of Homeschooling is requesting submissions at the Why Homeschool Blog. If you would like to send in an entry, you can do so here.
Tuesday, July 4, 2006
Obesity, Buffets and Political Correctness
Dr. Wes, who is of normal weight, notes that at a recent hotel buffet, he was one of the skinniest guys in the room:
Dr. Wes also notes that doctors are now being told not to tell kids that they are fat. According to this USA Today article, the CDC has decided that to refer to kids as obese or fat could mislabel or "traumatize" them.
Are our kids such hot house flowers that the truth about their condition is enough to send them over the edge? If so, their obesity, at risk of being overweight, fat or lard etc. is the least of our problems.
Update: Eden at Justonebite has some more thoughts on the expense of healthy food as well as the time needed to prepare healthier foods. Just this morning, Glenn and I were discussing using minute rice for dinner instead of the slow cooked brown rice which is supposedly better for you. The reason for the minute rice? Neither one of us wants to take the time to cook the real stuff for 45 minutes. To tell you the truth, I am absent-minded (i.e. surfing the internet lost in blogland) and usually end up burning the rice and/or starting a fire. Then the meal is ruined and I feel really stupid whereas with the minute rice, I just pop it in the microwave and push one button and feel like a chef.
Update II: It seems that the comments about those who are overweight are reflective of the dichotomy in our society between those who are prejudiced against the overweight and those who think people should be treated as human beings regardless of their size. I have witnessed people who are so fearful and prejudiced against the overweight that they cease to see them as human and think that they should lose weight before presenting themselves to the world. This is hogwash.
Is being overweight a health issue? Maybe, but so what? Is that any reason to make cruel remarks to people's face about their condition or pay someone less because they are overweight? People are so concerned with appearance that their manners and humanity have gone out the window--maybe we should get some of it back. Perhaps a little less emphasis on looks and a little more on treating others with some decency is more warranted than accusing others of being an eyesore. That cruel behavior, in my opinion, is worse than weighing 500 pounds. Does this mean that doctors and professionals should not bring up weight issues if it is for health reasons? Of course they should. However, that is a different issue then accusing others of being morally bankrupt, lazy or just plain slothful just for weighing too much. One could say the same about those who treat others like trash, just because they can't regulate their cruel behavior.
So the next morning we came downstairs for breakfast. It was remarkable how many people there were obese. Not just a little overweight. I mean obese. It was striking. And the place was packed to capacity. Tons of people (I mean that literally) having their breakfasts of biscuits and gravy, sweet rolls, cereal, french toast, orange juice, coffee, eggs and sausage, before heading out for the day. I wondered if others noticed the same phenomenon. Now I'm no anorexic, but for me to be one of the skinniest guys there was striking - the average body mass index there seemed to exceed the national deficit.
Dr. Wes also notes that doctors are now being told not to tell kids that they are fat. According to this USA Today article, the CDC has decided that to refer to kids as obese or fat could mislabel or "traumatize" them.
Are our kids such hot house flowers that the truth about their condition is enough to send them over the edge? If so, their obesity, at risk of being overweight, fat or lard etc. is the least of our problems.
Update: Eden at Justonebite has some more thoughts on the expense of healthy food as well as the time needed to prepare healthier foods. Just this morning, Glenn and I were discussing using minute rice for dinner instead of the slow cooked brown rice which is supposedly better for you. The reason for the minute rice? Neither one of us wants to take the time to cook the real stuff for 45 minutes. To tell you the truth, I am absent-minded (i.e. surfing the internet lost in blogland) and usually end up burning the rice and/or starting a fire. Then the meal is ruined and I feel really stupid whereas with the minute rice, I just pop it in the microwave and push one button and feel like a chef.
Update II: It seems that the comments about those who are overweight are reflective of the dichotomy in our society between those who are prejudiced against the overweight and those who think people should be treated as human beings regardless of their size. I have witnessed people who are so fearful and prejudiced against the overweight that they cease to see them as human and think that they should lose weight before presenting themselves to the world. This is hogwash.
Is being overweight a health issue? Maybe, but so what? Is that any reason to make cruel remarks to people's face about their condition or pay someone less because they are overweight? People are so concerned with appearance that their manners and humanity have gone out the window--maybe we should get some of it back. Perhaps a little less emphasis on looks and a little more on treating others with some decency is more warranted than accusing others of being an eyesore. That cruel behavior, in my opinion, is worse than weighing 500 pounds. Does this mean that doctors and professionals should not bring up weight issues if it is for health reasons? Of course they should. However, that is a different issue then accusing others of being morally bankrupt, lazy or just plain slothful just for weighing too much. One could say the same about those who treat others like trash, just because they can't regulate their cruel behavior.
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