The Hole Story

Ideas span the range of the thinking mind. But I believe ideas are not founded equally. They span the shallow forefront of our minds to the deepest bodies of armchair thought. Fueling our ideas is emotion, logic, experience, knowledge, etc. Some are dangerous, exuberant, extreme, radical, others innocuous.

Blogs provide a format for us to transmit our ideas. But like car salesmen, "bloggers" may leave out things that may lead us astray, or away from buying into their ideas. It may be done inadvertently or it may be intentional. They may prey on emotions. Whatever the case, the reader is left to his or her own wits to see the "holes" in the argument. Don't be left believing the "hole story."

RSS Feeds

Trying RSS feeds for the first time is like the first time I tried rice--quite an unremarkable experience. Specifically, subscribing through Bloglines, with it's dull colors, partitioned windows squezzing out the text, is a mundane experience in itself. But I must admit, beyond it's dull aesthetic, Bloglines is useful.

The idea is quite simple. Cut down on your internet communte time and avoid virtual traffic by putting your regular destinations all at one location. It's like teleporting between work and errands. Okay, not really. But it's a great way to get your daily dose of information in a short amount of time.

I see how RSS could be useful for libraries. But beyond the idea of keeping librarians informed of what's going on with other libraries and information technology, etc., I think RSS has other pragmatic and useful purposes. For example, RSS feeds could notify a patron when new items come into circulation. And notify patrons when their reserved item is ready for pickup.

Technology

Technology is my best friend and my worst enemy.

Best friend:
Technology (Tech) sings my favorite songs with me. Tech takes me to work. Tech takes me home. Tech organizes my day. Tech plays games with me. Tech talks to my friends and family with me. Tech gives me money when I need it. Tech travels with me over oceans. Tech shines light for me. Tech gives me valuable information. Tech helps me network. Tech improves my daily life.

Worst Enemy:
Tech costs me money. Tech makes me forget how to do the simple things. Tech shortens my memory span. Tech breaks my concentration. Tech can consume my daily life. Tech can destroy life. Tech can destroy civilization.

Banksy Graffiti Spotted Inside Universidad Nacional

Close to Universidad Nacional , originally uploaded by acwcolumbus


(Click on the image to see additional pictures)

Painted on a cement wall bordering National University in Bogota, Colombia, the wall reads: "Welcome. To study, to defend the public university and construct the New Colombia! The Young Bolivarian Movement."

I took this photograph in 2007, while I was in Bogota, Colombia. I choose to "blog" this picture because it illustrates the long erupting domestic conflict in Colombia. Regardless of your political stance (and mine), the picture is an artifact of the rough zeitgeist in Colombia, embedded in the poor famished farm regions to the urban sprawl, consisting of makeshift homes. The graffiti is a product of a guerrilla faction. The message is a fundamental root of the guerrilla movement. It is revered by some and hated by some.

"Hello World"

Often like the first typed words of a newborn programmer: "Hello World", welcome to my first blog post. This is a monumental occasion for me--maybe not so much for you. Today is my birthday you see, January 1st, 2001, the first day of a new century, commemorating my "blogging" self. I hope that you enjoy reading this blog at least as much as I enjoy writing it.

To end my first post I must confess that this is a test and only a test. Again, this is a test of Andy's Blog system. Over and out.