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When I was a kid our school textbooks and the general societal belief (what we would now call a “meme”) led us to believe in a future where machines would do the heavy manufacturing and agricultural tasks, which meant humans would be freed to do fulfilling tasks instead of drudgery. We were all going to work 20 hours a week and spend the rest of our time choreographing ballets or writing poetry or something, and  lots of serious think-papers were written about how we’d use our growing leisure time.

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Americans, for the most part, are not happy with Obama caving in to the richies who own and operate the Republican Party. But the teapartarians where I live, who have an especially virulent case of hatred for America, are mad as hell about the debt ceiling deal. Here is their cry of anguish about it, full-length and unedited, for your reading pleasure:

Your Urgent Action is Needed on the Latest “Debt Deal”

Does this remind you a little of the healthcare bill where there was debate and debate and debate, and then all of a sudden a deal emerges and a vote is taken before anyone even understands what’s in the bill.  Like Musical Chairs, round and round we go until the music stops, and then it’ all over in a few seconds.  That’s why this email is so important.  We only have a short time to be heard.  When you read the highlights of this bill, I hope you will think being heard is important for you. Continue reading →

Please read this article: To Reach Simple Life of Summer Camp, Lining Up for Private Jets and this seemingly unrelated one about Africa: When Wealth Breeds Rage.
Libertarians will quote von Mises, Hayek, and Alisa Rosenbaum to you. (God bless their hard, cold little hearts.)

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I just read this article: A pound of flesh: how Cisco’s “unmitigated gall” derailed one man’s life. Scary stuff.

Just in case, I’d like to say:  Cisco, I love you. Love, love, love. I will never say anything bad about you or your products, and just to make sure I don’t accidentally “service” any Cisco products against your will, I won’t buy any. But remember, you corporate a**holes, I don’t hate or even dislike your lying selves, nor will I ever say anything against the corrupt way you ba**ards operate, because I love love love you.

On June 27, the IT Ladder headline was, Tired of IT? Become a Private Investigator. Today we’ll look at a few other responses to my “panel of experts” question, which was, “What new fields should IT professionals consider?”

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You know how richies keep saying American workers need to compete with workers in China and elsewhere? Read this New York Times article. Note especially these two paragraph on the second page: Continue reading →

I love Vonage’s automated voice transcriptions. This one is of a robocall from Florida’s Satan-worshipping, American-hating governor:

“This is governor Rick Scott calling again. Last week I was excited to tell you the news about Florida unemployment claim for the history of this week. I’ve been totally exciting news for every home owner’s sat with rising property taxes. I recently signed into law’s legislation to cut property taxes, more than $210 million extra, holding each other face water, May the district accountable. You’ll savings and able to deliver these property tax cut school this cut maybe you, your water district. Property taxes will be reduced by 36% and well the water district taxes, certainly aren’t the largest party property taxes. I’m sure Annie probably tax relief is welcome every day. I’m working to make for the government, less expensive for you at more attractive for new business sweetie. Afford it back to work. Thanks for taking time to listen. Sponsored by the Republican Party of Florida”

I know a guy, Lee Drake, who has an IT business in Rochester, New York, called OS-Cubed. He’s also part of a chamber of commerce-type group that touts Rochester as a great place to start and run a high-tech business. Why Rochester? Why not? And why not look at a lot of places besides Silicon Valley if you want to be involved with exciting, cutting edge technology? Read the rest…

Face it: NewEgg and other online retailers are where you go nowadays for your serious computer and electronics shopping needs unless you have a CompUSA, Frys or Tiger store within a reasonable drive. BestBuy is the electronics equivalent of 7-11, and their Geek Squad is a stupid joke. They can get as upset as they want at others making fun of them, but that won’t make BestBuy any better. Read more: http://www.itproportal.com/2011/06/20/best-buy-flexes-legal-muscles-over-geek-word/#ixzz1PrSQj3KP

Sramana Mitra, an entrepreneur and strategy consultant in Silicon Valley, says one of the best ways you can improve yourself as a programmer is to spend less time programming and more time learning about the arts and interacting with other people. Read the rest.