“For the past decade, much of the Internet has been animated by the ‘wisdom of crowds,’ the notion that the tremendous masses drawn to the Web can together provide collective knowledge that outperforms even that of experts. By marshaling the knowledge and tastes of millions of people, the Web has fundamentally changed the way people can gain knowledge about their world.”
Tag: 10.19.06
Will Humans Evolve Into Two Species?
An evolutionary theorist predicts the human race will peak in 3000, and that we will split into two races. “The descendants of the genetic upper class would be tall, slim, healthy, attractive, intelligent, and creative and a far cry from the ‘underclass’ humans who would have evolved into dim-witted, ugly, squat goblin-like creatures.”
Six Owners, 90 Percent Of Media
“If last month’s Federal Communications Commission public hearings on media consolidation were any indication, Americans have had enough of distant corporate bodies controlling their access to information and entertainment. As it stands, six companies own 90 percent of the media holdings in the United States.”
Maori Protests Plans For Texas “Maori-Themed” Apartment Project
“In June, after California-based Legacy Partners announced plans to build a residential complex featuring Maori themes and folk art in suburban Plano, the company received dozens of emails charging the company with cultural theft.”
U Of Minnesota Acquires Bly Archive
Robert Bly has sold his archives to the University of Minnesota Libraries for $775,000. “While other organizations, including the Library of Congress, expressed interest in the collection, fundraisers said it was Bly’s wish to house his life’s work in his home state.”
Steve Reich – In From The Cold
Finally – as Steve Reich turns 70, “the classical establishment, which still hasn’t figured out how to award Reich a Pulitzer Prize, has finally embraced a composer, and a movement, that it had relegated to the margins.”
Pop Critic Robert Christgau Joins NPR
“The self-described ‘Dean of American Rock Critics,’ Christgau has been writing about rock and roll and popular culture since his first column was published by Esquire in 1967. Earlier this year he ended more than three decades with the Village Voice, where he served as a senior editor as well as the weekly paper’s chief music critic.”
Zaha Hadid On Being A Woman Architect
“Architecture is particularly difficult for women; there’s no reason for it to be. I don’t want to blame men or society, but I think it was for a long time, the clients were men, the building industry is all male.”
Acropolis Museum Ready To Open
Greece is close to completing its new Acropolis museum. “After more than 30 years of preparation, procrastination and acrimonious debate, the building, which once seemed like a far-fetched dream, a last resort of the romantically inclined, is finally nearing completion.”
Black Culture Center Underway In Pittsburgh
Ten years after planning began, Pittsburgh has broken ground on the August Wilson Center for African American Culture in the city’s downtown district. “Actual construction begins next month and the center is supposed to open in early 2008… The center will contain a cafe, 500-seat theater, 4,000-square-foot exhibition space and additional education spaces.”