July 10, 2009
Science Friday: Explosive Chemistry
The science behind fireworks. If you can’t view the video below, watch it here.
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July 9, 2009
I’m Officially Out of It
This blog aside, when I saw this press release, I knew that my hip-to-the-latest-technology days were over before they even began (links added):
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), known as the “investigative arm of Congress,” has established a presence on YouTube and Twitter to help users of such sites stay informed about GAO’s work. “GAO is always exploring ways to use innovative practices and emerging technologies to carry out its mission,” said Gene L. Dodaro, Acting Comptroller General of the United States and head of the GAO. “While we’ve made extensive use of the Internet for some time, posting material on YouTube and Twitter offers new possibilities to inform people about our efforts to promote accountability and transparency in federal programs and operations.”
So, without a presence on Twitter nor a space on YouTube, Blog Alley is officially less connected than an agency hardly anyone knows exists and that writes reports few read. (Recent “titles” include “Preliminary Observations on the Effectiveness and Costs of Mercury Control Technologies at Coal-Fired Power Plants” and “DOD Needs to Update Savings Estimates and Continue to Address Challenges in Consolidating Supply-Related Functions at Depot Maintenance Locations.” Still awake?)
What’s even more sad is that I’m one of the few who does read these reports and finds them useful — and gets them delivered, all old-fashioned-like, via email. Should I laugh or cry?
July 8, 2009
Foundations & and the News Biz
Private foundations are becoming key players in the world of news and information by increasing their support for nonprofit journalism, according to a new report by the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication. The report, “Philanthropic Foundations: Growing Funders of the News,” points to an accelerating trend of foundations “getting into the business of supporting news-and-information nonprofits.” Funders, author David Westphal writes, are stepping in to fill a void created as for-profit media organizations struggle to stay afloat. And, he reports, the foundation-funded journalism of nonprofits like the Center on Public Integrity, ProPublica, and Center for Investigative Reporting – covering everything from the federal stimulus package to immigration, without regard for profit – is on a roll. (Tip of the Hat/PND.)
July 7, 2009
The Medium: Urban Dictionary
Virginia Heffernan’s recent Medium column breaks down the modern slang site, Urban Dictionary, a user-generated, user-patrolled destination for staying in the know. Subscribe to the Word of the Day from the home page.
July 6, 2009
Grants: America’s Media Makers
The National Endowment for the Humanities is inviting applications for its America’s Media Makers program, which supports the creation of humanities content and interactivity that engenders the “thoughtful reflection upon culture, identity, and history in creative and new ways,” officials say in a new announcement. Development and production grants for radio, television, and digital media projects are available under an Aug. 26 deadline (for initiatives starting in April 2010). Lead applicants are nonprofits and state and local government agencies, but independent producers can partner with one of these eligible entities on a submission.