Hillary Clinton Loses the Ohio Democratic Presidential Candidates' Debate

At 8:18 pm (CST) tonight, Hillary Clinton lost the Ohio Democratic Presidential candidates' Debate and effectively conceded the Democratic nomination to Barack Obama. It happened right here:

The displeasure of the highly restrained crowd (cautioned by MSNBC to show no favoritism nor to slow down the pace of the show by applauding) was palpable, with some audible booing and hissing.

For his part, Obama was pleased with his own performance.

I think that about wraps it up.

Poll: Bullshit Is Most Important Issue For 2008 Voters

Harry Frankfurt said it first. I've done my best to drive the point home. I've even dedicated part of a chapter in my new book to it. Now the Onion -- America's Finest New Source -- says its official: Americans are in love with BULLSHIT.

The Metaphysics of Media

Several months ago, Mike Wesch from the University of Kansas posted a video called A Vision of Students that has been watched nearly a million and a half times and has been quite influential in that part of academia that looks upon new technologies as the savior of America education.

In researching my next book, The Metaphysics of Media, over the last several years I came across a lot of information that calls into question the unspoken assumptions of A Vision of Students and others of Mike Wesch's videos. I wish you'd watch some of Wesch's videos and consider his ideas, because they are -- or are becoming -- the mainstream view about the new technologies we call "Web 2.0" and, frankly, I can't seem to find the same level of enthusiasm and support for that view as the rest of our culture has.



At any rate, I produced this response to Wesch's "Vision" based (loosely and very generally) on a couple of themes in my new book, The Metaphysics of Media (hopefully soon to be published). I would love to hear reactions to both sides of the debate.

McCain '08: Like Hope, Only Different

I am fully prepared to say that John McCain is the least objectionable of the Republican candidates. But when you look at his career and contrast his decisions and his statements against those of other people whose lives we have celebrated recently (here and here), you really get a sense of just how abysmal a candidate he really is, and how utterly without hope the Republican party is.

Anyway, this is pretty good stuff. It made me laugh and cry at the same time. You'll figure it out.

I'll be Back...

After (roughly) seven years, a couple hundred books read, 381 pages written, a twenty-something page bibliography, 500+ notes, and four hundred jars of TUMS, the manuscript for my second book, "The Metaphysics of Media," is finished. I'll be sending it out to a publisher who has asked for first crack at it (withholding the name for the moment to protect myself from possible humiliation) tomorrow.

Alleluia!!! The next round is on me! Just ask...