Rocking in Hakata

For those who choked on my last entry, have no fear, I don’t plan on making a habit of posting my personal brain aches. I may from time to time, but I don’t want to make a habit of it. I do, however, want to point out something that freaks me out a bit. I have a number of sources that I regularly hit on the web, for a variety of reasons. Some I consider news sources. Some I consider mindless entertainment. Most I consider somewhere in the middle, having newsworthy beeps and blips, but overall casual content of which it is healthy to be skeptical.

One of my favorite sites for mindless entertainment is Digg.com. At least, that’s true at the moment. YouTube.com is up there too, though. Anyway, I am becoming really freaked by the stuff that pops up on Digg all of the time. CNN and other news entities have done stories on how people pay up to $15,000 to “game” a link to the front page of Digg – it means a lot of revenue improvement. My point here is to say that I take EVERYTHING I find on Digg with a colossal grain of salt. (I mean, the size which requires a wheelbarrow for transport.) I don’t know what the average user age of Digg is, but I am pretty sure it is in the teens and twenties. (Unlike YouTube, which reportedly fetches more old people than young people. What’s up with that, anyway?)

Anyway, during one of oh-so-many flame wars on Digg in the comments section on a particular story, I read one comment and shuddered. As my Uncle Bob would say, it was a full body shudder. He was responding to a guy freaking out about the story. His response was “If you don’t like the site, you can go get your news somewhere else.”

Hold the phone. NEWS? NEWS?? Dear boy, tell me that Digg is not your window to the world. It made me reflect on the current state of infotainment. I love shows like the Daily Show and the Colbert Report. They crack me up. But are they news? According to a recent (and for me, at least, highly questionable) study, the Daily Show contains the same amount of factual information as the average news show, and sometimes more. Wow, what a sad state of things. Not that I am bashing either of those Comedy Central shows. I am a fan. But I’d hate to see the day that they become the news… In fact, they are funnier when you already know the news…

I dunno, guys. That doesn’t bode well. Maybe it only speaks to the state of the demographic to which sites like Digg cater. But it really makes me think – I am still in a funk about the Jamil Hussein / Qais al-Bashir / fauxtography / increasingly If-It-Bleeds-It-Leads, businesslike approach to the news as of late. But I digress. In short – DIGG IS NOT A NEWS SITE. By a long, long shot. It is, however, great for brain ticklers.

For entertaining brain food, however – still not the news variety – I turn to blogs and books. My recent reading list (not updated, unfortunately) is on the front page of this site. And, I have a few items from The Corner today that I’ll touch upon, but here is the gist. On Digg, I shot time by reading about how to survive being trapped in your car (inspired by the James Kim case), the biggest mistakes in web design over the last few years, at least 6 different Mac rumors, and about a new non-lethal ray device. Fun, but not particularly substantive. The brain stretchers I caught up with on The Corner included a discussion on Fukuyama’s “End of History,” Islam, Fonte on national sovereignty (a la Rabkin), Kant vs. Lenin vs. Marx, biotech and neuroscience vs. the future of global liberal democracy, the meaning of the (English) word diseuse, how dogs are better than cats, Wales’ lack of indigenous alcoholic beverage, doctors who write – for better or worse, the 9th circuit court’s support of Hawaiian racism (which horrifies me, to say the least), math fights with John Derbyshire, and an instructional lesson in how to write “the most pretentious piece of writing in all of recorded history” by NYT critic Manohla Dirgis.

Good times, and good edutainment.

Deas Customary Drivel

These are things that are on my brain today. This one is a tad on the heavy side. If you want something less serious and long, check any other entry.

1) The AP’s Recent Problems
If you aren’t an avid RSS freak like me, then some of this heavy reading will bore you. Fair warning. If you like to see things from all sides, these links may well be worth your time – especially if you value transparency in institutions which directly influence our lives. (That sounds all melodramatic, but on a mere conversational level, without being conspiratorial, I’m just saying that I would like to trust my government and the press. That’s all I mean.) Do I have issues with these things? Yeah. I do.

If you’ve been following the stories being fired around between the AP, some major US newspapers, and bloggers all over the place, you’re probably slightly confounded by this whole Jamil Hussein deal. If you don’t know what I am talking about, you should probably read this first, to get an idea. The basic gist is this: the AP has published some stories recently regarding the military campaign going on in Iraq, and in a few of their stories they use a man named Jamil Hussein – who they refer to as a Captain. The problem is that Iraq claims he doesn’t exist, the US military claims he doesn’t exist, and he is the soul source for a number of stories. This is a problem.

The debate over the press and the anonymity of sources has been an ongoing feud in the states. I am personally unqualified to make a judgement call on the situation. However, I feel fully justified in demanding an explanation from the AP for using a source, named in print multiple times, whose existence is questioned by those who should know about it. That is a problem. Especially with a topic as incendiary as Iraq currently is. Regardless of where you stand politically on the whole thing, are you not miffed that the AP could possibly be creating sources and stories? The thing that really galls me is that they refuse to answer for it one way or the other. But it sure makes me value their input less. Luckily my RSS feeds branch out to other sources too. Still – this is really inexcusable if it is true.

Here is some really good reading material on the subject.
Flopping Aces – the blogger who thought he saw something. Read his writing and make your own judgement call. I found his coverage of “The Burning Six” interesting, but he has other stuff too. He obviously seriously distrusts the media.
Jules Crittenden writes for the Boston Herald – he encourages America’s newspapers to let the big news companies know that we demand an accurate product. I agree with that point.
HotAir’s Allahpundit – has a really sweet roundup of the issues so far. They are self proclaimed conservatives. I really like their coverage. Maybe a bit over the top at times, but I think the tone is to make a point. I like this site.
New York Times article by Tom Zeller – answers seemingly in defense of the AP and implies a blogger agenda. I agree with the agenda part, but please – if the facts stand above the politics, is it really ok to just write it off?

Weigh in if you feel like it. It’s just on my brain and won’t go away, so I thought I’d share it. (And the UFO picture and the main picture are from the X-files. Seemed appropriate, despite my concern that people think questioning the news media once in a while is a bit nutso. You know me. Am I nutso? Don’t answer that.) Seriously, though. What gives?

**Update**
The Democracy Project has a say on the necessity for media transparency as well as the “stringer” effect.
The National Journal has a piece on bogus photography (aka “fauxtography”) used in the media – something that caught the creative imaginations of the folks making the show CSI. Flopping Aces again chimes in with “Who is Qais al-Bashir?” Newsbusters also hits Qais al-Bashir’s article from The Guardian.
Patterico’s Pontifications posits that the fuzzy sources combine with bias (which, granted, he perceives – dunno if you do, that’s your call) to create anti-American press coverage that benefits those our country is fighting.
The Riehl World View also gets into the tangle by pointing out more AP stories that the US military insists didn’t happen. But there are others out there insisting that the AP check into the agendas their reporters might harbor. Gateway Pundit is also in the race to add to the avalanche of problems people have with recent stories.
**Ugh, I am tired of this.**

2) Politicizing an Already Demonized American South
Ah, the South. I am incredibly defensive of the South because I was born there, raised there, and basically love it there. I am always saddened by the stereotypes put forth that we are slow, backward, stupid, racist, homophobic, xenophobic, or just plain redneck hicks. That bothers me. I am not saying that all of those things are categorically untrue – I am just saying that the modern South is not nearly as bad off as the stereotype implies. In fact, I would wager that the same levels of all of the aforementioned negatives exist all over the country – I don’t think bad stuff is geographically confined. You know? Anyway, my problem is that there is an idea out there that it is ok to politicize this image.

Why? Because it works. My whole funk started when I read this post by Jonah Goldberg over at NRO’s The Corner – a favorite online haunt of mine, thanks to Mr. Ulmer. The thing with this idea, started by Rick Perlstein, is that it cuts both ways. Therefore, if you are reading these and thinking “wow, this is really partisan,” then remember – yes, it is. But it works both ways. I get furious with people on both sides for leveraging these ideas. It sickens me. Race relations in the US have problems, unfortunately, but politicizing them is such a step in the wrong direction.

Some of the dialogue on the subject moves to familiar ground. The idea of quota systems, of enforcing equality through programs and whatnot. My personal stance on programs (like Affirmative Action) is that they are the new form of racism. Rather than having someone be at a disadvantage because of some racial or physical attribute that they happen to have, they are being treated differently in a good way because of the same reasons. This does not help racism. It institutionalizes it. Anyway, one poster had a snarky post about the interpretation of some of the “racist proving” questions that I enjoyed. The American Scene takes a few cracks at this topic. First, analyzing the holes in the study results. Then, in response to Matt Yglesias, dealing again with the notion of “racial conservatism.” Alarm! has a post about the notion of using the concept of racial conservatism against the Republican party as a campaign strategy for the Democrats (which is also hit upon in other links above).

I think I find myself hovering closest to Matt Yglesias on this one. He gives a really thoughtful analysis to the whole idea and I think he filters out enough of the high energy static to make something positive out of it. Despite the inflammatory rhetoric in the study, he concludes that there is a bit of truth. I like his summary:

“The important takeaway point, I think, isn’t to call white southerners racists, but rather — as Perlstein was mainly arguing — simply that the press is weirdly blind to the fact that disagreements about race continue to be central to American politics. That disagreements about race are central should be no surprise — such disagreements have traditionally been the most important issue in American politics.”

I am telling you folks – visit Charleston, SC before you write all us Southerners off. You might be surprised at the quality folks you find. That is, of course, provided you can avoid the rednecks.

Deas Customary Drivel

I am disturbed by this ad campaign put together by BenQ China, for their new dog tag look-alike MP3 player called the “MusiQ.” (See? The big Q thing links the product and company names.) Someone has noted that the responsible company is actually Taiwanese, but I am really just kind of dumbstruck by this lack of sensitivity. Yes. That’s a 9/11 style animated version of the destroyed twin towers in New York. And a really ubercool young man wearing his MP3 player. I don’t read Chinese, but Gizmodo, MacDailyNews and HotAir have claimed that it reads “Even if the world is destroy[ed] to dust, I still believe in music.”

Shameful? Yes. Insensitive? A bit. Helpful for a country scheduled to host the 2008 Olympics in Beijing’s international press coverage? Assuredly not. Especially since many are already up in arms about their alleged human rights violations. What were you thinking, guys? Not a helpful ad, here. Bad move, BenQ. Bad move.

Deas Customary Drivel

Yes…that is definitely a bag of “Hotcake Flavored Biscuits.” The word biscuits, in this case, does not refer to the American concept of fluffy, soft, breakfast style substitute for a dinner roll. No, no, no. Far from it. This is the firm, almost crunchy, similar to a graham cracker type of biscuit. Why were they flavored like pancakes? I have no idea. Then again, I don’t comprehend much. What I do know is that for ¥150, they are a screaming good deal. Tons of them in the bag, and they are nice and mildly sweet. In the end, I must say, I plan on purchasing these things again. Not for a while, since I have some other weird food and snack ground to cover, but nonetheless, I will return to the pancake snaps.

Another thing that caught my eye was this package of “Coconut Milk Longer.” Um…what can I say? I have never tried the shorter…coconut milk…? Ha ha. Weird name. Basically, they are like snappy breadsticks. Made with milk and coconut milk. And they must be longer than the last version, or something. I dunno. Again, for ¥150, you get a lot of bulk, but not nearly as much taste as you get with the pancake biscuits across the aisle. I will not buy these again. In fact, shock and horror, I didn’t even finish them. Nope. The pancake biscuits? I ate the crumbs. Yeah. That’s the difference. But I found the whole thing amusing. Hopefully you did too.

Two more things. I added a link to my favorite little quasi-Mexican place in Imabari. Ok, so it’s the only quasi-Mexican place in Imabari…but still. If you’re looking for something that resembles Mexican (with a strong Japanese influence), then hit it up. They’re good, and treat you right there. Also, about the aforementioned “Big Russian” I was attempting to purchase and eat – it has since evaporated from store shelves. I think they buy in rotations here. Not really seasonally based, but just so that we get some variety. Therefore, when a weird item comes in, it’s gone for a long time. The Big Russian, for those who must know, was a ridiculously large sweet roll. It was a frosted bun the size of a loaf of french bread. I am not exaggerating. It was flipping huge. “Like an orange on a toothpick! Has it’s own weather system!” (Um…16.3 cool points for that reference. 25 if you continue the bit,starting from the beginning. Obviously, I let accuracy slide, though. Just the gist gets you the points.) Anyway, given the choice, which of these packages would YOU have picked up with an extra ¥150 in your pocket and a bit of a rumbly tumbly?

Deas Customary Drivel

So…basically I waited too long to go get my reentry permit. What does this mean? Well, it means that I cannot go to Hong Kong, Singapore, or Thailand with my buddies. I really wanted to go. On the other hand, I managed to not be a total moron – I have plans with a buddy named Luke in the works. He’s a cool dude, I have mentioned him before, I believe. He’s Australian, and we bump into one another every time I go to Iwagi Branch. He is in the same boat, lacking the legal ability to leave and come back to this country despite his valid visa. So, we are thinking of trying to hit Lake Biwa on Honshu. It’s the biggest lake in Japan. I hear it’s pretty, it’s got some great castles, and it’s reasonably close. And – the best part is – I can come back to work legally afterwards! Ha ha. Just for those who are annoyed at me – please know that I intend to change my procrastination. I am going to attempt to put together a trip to (iffy at this point) the Sapporo Yukimatsuri in Hokkaido during February, and maybe the Ogasawara Islands for a Whale Watching adventure in March or so. So don’t give up on me yet. Ha ha.

Deas Customary Drivel

To continue my quirky foods extended tangent that I seem to be on, and will likely continually return to throughout my stay in Japan, over the next 2 entries I will cover cell phone spam from family restaurants, my buddy the yakisoba lady, the mexican cafe blog, pancake snaps, and exotic milk sticks. Are you ready for this? I don’t think so. Don’t even front. Please.

Let’s begin with the picture above. It is a spam ad that was sent to my cell phone via a type of J-SMS called F Mail. (This gets royally confusing depending on your contract and whether you are with Docomo, Vodaphone, au by KDDI, Softbank, or some other company.) This is Docomo’s name for it. Anyhoo, I have to wonder if people are really enticed by the Hot Pepper Pockets in the photo, the promises of saving money, and the localization of the product. The restaurant, you see, is not only in the same prefecture as me, but the same city. Technically. On my island there are no chain restaurants. So this means jack to me. Well, actually, it means one more thing to delete. That is about all. Interesting side note – I am positive that cell addresses are compiled into lists and bought, sold, traded, and posted on the net for all to see as a matter of everyday business here. Why else do they give me the ability to change my phone’s address up to THREE TIMES A DAY? For the love of Pete, even to evade spam, that seems absurd. If I was really creative, though, I could have racked up a total of…363 different addresses. Whoa. Unreal.

Anyway, the point is – this would be akin to getting an SMS from a lower end of the spectrum family restaurant in the states. Say, a picture of the green beans special at Shoney’s. Um…yeah. ‘Nuff said. Needless to say, I like my life Hot Pepper Pockets free.

Next topic: my buddy the yakisoba lady. Yakisoba, for those who don’t know, is a great food. Marvelous, in fact. It is basically noodles and bits of cabbage that have been seasoned with some herbs, a savory sauce (whether or not it is a variation on Worcestershire Sauce is up for debate), and dried bonito flakes. Pure awesomeness on a plate. I really wish Alton Brown would teach me how to make it at home. Anyway, I hit the supermarket – the Hakata Shopping Center, and realized that lunch was going to be no picnic today. The parking lot was full. The parking lot is never full. In fact, no parking lot on the entire island has been full until today. I am sure of it. Crazy. So, I walked in, took a look at the bento section (bento = boxed lunch) and the lines at the registers, and thought…no thank you. I sauntered outside and ordered the yakisoba from the yakisoba lady.

Normally I avoid that stand, because they are always hawking for it, and try to guilt you into buying stuff. That may not be an issue anymore, because the lady remembers me. She always takes her prices down about 25% for me too, since I am a teacher. Cool. She struck up a conversation about how it is getting cold (weather is the number one topic of small talk – ask anyone in Japan), and it progressed into my ski resort options. Ha ha. I heard about places in Ehime, Hiroshima, Niigata (cause I went skiing there once), Hokkaido (where the yakisoba lady is from), etc. All in all, great conversation. And I love using Japanese to talk to people without the stigma of the awkward new guy. She just chats me up like an old friend. I like that. So now I have an older grandma-ish yakisoba lady. I hope that’s still cooler than being friends with the lunch ladies in the cafeterias in the states. Although, I admit, I probably did that too. Ha ha.

Deas Customary Drivel