Interesting result for Googling “Griffey”…I’m the 5th hit! In a universe populated by at least two much more famous Griffey’s, I think that’s pretty cool.
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Author: griffey
Jason Griffey is the Director of Strategic Initiatives at NISO, where he works to identify new areas of the information ecosystem where standards expertise is useful and needed. Prior to joining NISO in 2019, Jason ran his own technology consulting company for libraries, has been both an Affiliate at metaLAB and a Fellow and Affiliate at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University, and was an academic librarian in roles ranging from reference and instruction to Head of IT at the University of TN at Chattanooga.
Jason has written extensively on technology and libraries, including multiple books and a series of full-periodical issues on technology topics, most recently AI & Machine Learning in Libraries and Library Spaces and Smart Buildings: Technology, Metrics, and Iterative Design from 2018. His newest book, co-authored with Jeffery Pomerantz, will be published by MIT Press in 2024.
He has spoken internationally on topics such as artificial intelligence & machine learning, the future of technology and libraries, decentralization and the Blockchain, privacy, copyright, and intellectual property. A full list of his publications and presentations can be found on his CV.
He is one of eight winners of the Knight Foundation News Challenge for Libraries for the Measure the Future project (http://measurethefuture.net), an open hardware project designed to provide actionable use metrics for library spaces. He is also the creator and director of The LibraryBox Project (http://librarybox.us), an open source portable digital file distribution system.
Jason can be stalked obsessively online, and spends his free time with his daughter Eliza, reading, obsessing over gadgets, and preparing for the inevitable zombie uprising.
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Star Spangled Tartan
I mentioned my searching for my geneology, and that I had bought a Utilikilt while at Gencon SoCal, but I just found this really excellent radio documentary on the kilt and Scottish heritage in the US:
Listen and learn, laddies and lasses.
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How did I miss this?
Somehow, I missed the fact that Ibiblio hosts The Libraries FAQ. Among the more interesting questions:
7.3 Can a werewolf be a librarian? Can she be happy?
You know…I’ve asked myself that before, and now I know the answer. Do you?
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OMFG
from Apple:
Live the digital life in stylish simplicity. Just 6.5 inches wide and 2 inches tall, Mac mini provides what you need to have more fun with your music, photos and movies — right out of the box. And it boasts a miniscule price to match: Mac mini starts at $499.
*drooooool*
EDIT: I was so absorbed in the Mini, that I nearly missed the Flash Based iPod!
Time to mix things up. Meet iPod shuffle, the unpredictable new iPod. What will it play next? Can it read your mind? Can it read your moods? Load it up. Put it on. See where it takes you. Choose from pocket-size 512MB or 1G models starting at $99 and surprise yourself.
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Perverting your childhood
Ah, the wonders of childhood. Especially when you discover things like a sexually themed children’s show from Britain, and audio outtakes of the Thundercats saying things you’d not really expect.
Rainbow, the children’s show from Britain above, is absolutely hilarious. The actual clip never aired, but was done as a joke by the actors/producers involved. Completely safe for work, but very funny. I’d recommend headphones, because the audio without the video might turn some heads.
Next thing you know there will be Disney porn. Oh, wait….
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My grandfather
My mother’s father was born in 1920, and served in the Civilian Conservation Corps in Yellowstone National Park, where he once had a bear walk through his tent. He worked for dozens of years at a garment factory in Olive Hill, KY, producing uniforms for the various armed services. At the funeral of my grandmother, some 15 or so years ago, he broke down over the casket and weeped until I thought he could have no tears left. Growing up, he was always a gentle, kind man. Just last year my Mother visited him to find him on the roof of his house, checking for leaks.
My Grandfather went into the hospital today for pneumonia…and at 84, even a common cold is a serious thing. So I’m a little preoccupied with worrying about him. The hospital assures us that he’s recovering, and that most of the danger has past. His fever has broken, and x-rays show the infection seems to be localized in a small part of his left lung. He is conscious, and coherent, and in good spirits.
But I’m still going to worry until he gets home.
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My current $1.000.000 idea
Ok…I’m pretty certain we’re all sick of the LiveStrong bracelet fad by now. Yes, I know it’s for a good cause. Yes, I know that Lance Armstrong is cool. Yes, I know everyone is doing it. But fucking Nike started it. It can’t be all good.
But when I see cheap rip-off bands in my local Shell station, I declare the fad over. Especially when shit like these are coming out…nothing is worse than knee jerk patriotism (do not get me started about the freaking yellow magnetic ribbons on everyone’s cars).
Anyway…there are already sites where you can order parody ribbons for your car…I think it’s time for parody bracelets. I’m thinking something like…make up a bunch of them with different labels for everyone:
Political: Liberal, Conservative, Left, Right, Green, Socialist, Communist (would have to be Red, I think)
Sexual: Top, Bottom, Queer, Gay, Straight, Trans, Bi
Religious: you can fill these in
Or how about just random messages:
I hate everyone.
Fuck the world.
Penguins rule the universe.
Whatever you wanted. I’m convinced that if I printed up a couple hundred black bands with something like “Metalheads for killing babies” I could sell them like hotcakes.
I’m telling you…I could make a *pinky finger near mouth* million dollars.
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Gold for Tsunami Victims
An enterprising Ultima Online player has set up a system where players, in game, can donate gold to charity for the victims of the recent tsunami. The gold is then converted via Ebay into American dollars, and donated.
Very pomo. Fake money being converted by fake people into real money to help real people.
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RIP Will Eisner
Will Eisner passed away on January 3rd, 2005 at the age of 87 following quadruple bypass heart surgery.
Will Eisner was truly one of the legends of comics…possible THE legend of comics. His name isn’t as well known as Bob Kane or Stan Lee or Jack Kirby in average circles, but he was as important a person to the history of comics as any three other people put together.
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A question for the InterWeb
For all my readers out there…this morning found me driving to work and searching my iPod for some early-90’s music to rock to during my hour drive. I had just gotten Soul Asylum’s first album (Grave Dancer’s Union) a couple of weeks ago, and had forgotten large portions of it, even though it was a staple of my ’91-’95 undergraduate career.
So I ask you: What are the essentially early to mid-90’s must have albums? Quirky stuff included…On my iPod I currently have:
Ned’s Atomic Dustbin
Soul Asylum
James
MotherLoveBone
and the requisite biggies like Pearl Jam and Nirvana.
What SHOULD I have that just screams NINETIES! A few that I’m thinking of adding to my collection include: Screaming Trees, Spin Doctors…help me out here, people.
EDIT: I know that many of you were like…6 during the 90’s (yes, I’m looking at you, Trish). Humor me.