Twitter Weekly Updates for 2011-08-08

Posted on August 8, 2011 by Shane
  • For something different from the usual geeky or political stuff I usually post http://sgp.cm/4bb8d4 #
  • Want more jaw-droppiness today? Then feast your eyes and brain on this hi-res picture of the asteroid Vesta released just today, including #
  • a full year. So expect to see a lot more dramatic images like this one. http://sgp.cm/8798c9 #
  • a very cool video of Vesta rotating!

    This rock is really intriguing. It's 500 km or so across, and the Dawn spacecraft will orbit it for #

  • http://sgp.cm/6e6cd7 #
  • every day…" http://sgp.cm/dde676 #
  • out was wondering how long it would take some of the more breathless media venues to start saying "Our odds of getting hit are increasing #
  • Cool scientific finding: giant impacts are not periodic.

    Still, I wonder if I've been at this too long. My first thought on finding this #

  • It's nice to see that our leaders in Washington have used the S&P downgrade as a moment to step back and take some time for personal reflect #
  • Watching "The Creation Question: A Curiosity Conversation" on TLC. +Sean Carroll is doing a nice job.  Not sure what I think about the host. #
  • For the record, the best Yankee lineup would not have Jeter batting second. http://sgp.cm/d55029 http://sgp.cm/f45f95 #
  • Derek Bartholomaus originally shared this post:

    Billy Meier UFO Case – Timeline Of Billy Meier Events

    TIMELINE OF BIL http://sgp.cm/8d6798 #

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2011-08-01

Posted on August 1, 2011 by Shane
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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2011-07-25

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Shane
  • Thanks #tam9 been a blast #
  • Anyone from #tam9 who wants/needs a google+ invite, lemme know! Skeptical Hangouts would be possible #
  • for #tam9 people, I'm still handing out g+ invites to anyone who wants one #
  • #tam9 Until this tag dies out, I'll be offering up google+ invites to anyone who wants em? Maybe #tam10 too? :) #
  • #tam9 I know this hashtag is fading, but I'm still giving out g+ invites if you need em #
  • RT @CDisillusion: I think we should just keep using the #TAM9 tag until the day TAM10 registration opens. #
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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2011-07-18

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Shane
  • Photo just shared via #Snapbucket http://pbckt.com/pe.URutV5 #
  • 20 mins or so to boarding my flight to #tam9 ! #
  • Landed for #tam9 #
  • Alas no skeptically drinking for me tonite at #tam9 more like skeptically sleeping #
  • Time for UFO'S #tam9 #
  • Monster time at #TAM9 ! #
  • Can't believe #tam9 has only just started officially in the last couple hours..we've already seen so much! #
  • Jennifer Michael Hecht's talk this year is even better than last year's #tam9 #
  • RT @Soymilk_Gun Had donuts with @DaveDandelion & @ShanePBrady , two awesome #vegan folk #TAM9 #VegTAM9 #
  • RT @DaveDandelion: @Soymilk_Gun & @ShanePBrady are cool cats. Had fun vegan-geeking out w/them. Hoping for alot moar of that. #VegTAM9 #TAM9 #
  • vegan donuts acquired #tam9 is a success no matter what now #
  • RT @Soymilk_Gun: #TAM9 The carnists had their fun past night, tonight is our night. Come to the #vegan & #vegetarian meetup #
  • I just accidentally elbowed Chuck Norris. True story #
  • The last day of #tam9 is going by too fast #
  • Just a little more #tam9 left.. #
  • #tam9 is done for me, the badge is off, so long everyone! #
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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2011-07-11

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Shane
  • Been testing EVE Online the last few days..just not sure yet if I want to commit to playing it #
  • *sigh* no more hunting for Google+ invite, if I see one in my mbox great, otherwise, I'm just gonna wait #
  • A peacock came into our yard today, and then flew across our pond. Not something we see everyday here. #
  • RT @mathewi: New York Times editorial paraphrased: "We should investigate Google because it's really big and important" http://t.co/mwIQQ5X #
  • I'd love to have #GooglePlus for work, but I'll settle for having it for #tam9 #
  • I'm totally convinced that my libertarian podcast team are better bigfoot "hunters" than the #BFRO #
  • Finally in to GooglePlus. Soon, I'll go tell FB to suck it. #
  • my #googleplus profile: gplus.to/shanepbrady Circle me I guess… #
  • 1st impressions of google+: Circles are cool, instant upload is cool, the mobile app works well, and the interface is so nice and clean #
  • http://j.mp/nw2LOA Our "Goodbye to Ozzy" show. Really miss that little guy. #
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Google+ and Education

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Shane

After waiting almost a week, I was able to finally join the Google+ universe. I’m a big Google infrastructure guy. I use GMail, Google Reader, Android, and Google Apps for all my domains. I’ve had an Android phone since the first one, the G1. I even have an android tablet. I should have been in the field testing from day one, heh, but I’m in now and that’s all that matters.

The purpose of this post is to point out something really big that Google+ can do now. Some background.

“Bumping into friends while you’re out and about is one of the best parts of going out and about. With Hangouts, the unplanned meet-up comes to the web for the first time. Let buddies know you’re hanging out and see who drops by for a face-to-face-to-face chat. Until we perfect teleportation, it’s the next best thing.”

Google Hangout is a group video chat system that allows up to 10 people to..well, hangout together and talk. The software detects who’s talking and puts that person’s video up on the main screen. It works really well, it’s relatively easy to use, and I’ve been already using it for work. My team has started “Hanging Out” for team meetings. One feature I’ve only played a little with, but works well, is Youtube Video watching. Everyone in the hangout can watch the same Youtube video at the same time. You can pause, stop, rewind.

I first heard about the Khan Academy from the Colbert Report. In short, the Khan Academy is a collection of over 2400 5-10 minute instructional videos on all sorts of K-12 school topics. The videos are all hosted on YouTube, they’re highly regarded, and it seems like the results are pretty good. As far as I can tell, anyone can use the videos.

Now, combine Google Hangouts with Khan Academy, and what you get is a decentralized schooling system. Small, intimate groups, going step by step over lessons. This could have big implications of it catches on. There is almost no disagreement over the fact that our schools aren’t getting the job done. Instead, the disagreements come over what to do about it. Well, I’m not going to bring my political views into this, because I think it should be pretty non-controversial to suggest that free lessons combined with free video conferencing can only be good. I’m not saying this is a replacement for our current schools…yet, but this will enhance what we have now.

The world is slowly opening up, and the walled garden of our educational system isn’t going to last too much longer.

Sources:
http://www.google.com/intl/en/+/learnmore/
http://www.khanacademy.org/

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2011-07-04

Posted on July 4, 2011 by Shane
  • RT @mp3michael: Regulate marijuana like wine – and I've never even smoked pot. It's just the sensible thing to do. http://t.co/Cj396wf #
  • I got a tmobile #g1 a #cr 48, a #nexusone and an #android tablet, i should have a #googleplus invite by now :) #
  • Stimulus to Nowhere http://j.mp/kaj4Ts – As predicted by anyone who actually looked at the "stimulus" bill #
  • MSNBC contributor suspended over crass quip – CNN.com http://j.mp/iobxj6 Sounds like a pretty apt way to descrive George W. Obama #
  • Shocking I know: RT @geewhipped: RT @boingboing: DHS documents show agency isn't sure pornoscanners are safe http://goo.gl/UgU6O #
  • Wow, William Bennett has *no* clue: 2Why Barney Frank and Ron Paul are wrong on drug legalization – http://j.mp/kCW3hn #
  • RT @jref: Unfortunately folks, #TAM9 registration is now sold out. Please email TAM@randi.org if you want to be put on a waiting list. #
  • After reading that #tam9 was sold out, I had to double, triple check that my bro and I were registered. We are :) #
  • RT @miker: Never political before, but after this affiliate crap I wont vote Jerry Brown, support him, or brak… (cont) http://deck.ly/~rtywM #
  • RT @StephenAtHome: Congratulations to the lucky buyers of MySpace! Now, enjoy forgetting you have it for two years. #
  • *sigh*missed the google plus window again #
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TAM9 in 9 Days

Posted on July 4, 2011 by Shane

In nine days I will be packed up and ready to go to my seventh TAM (The Amazing Meeting). My brother is going again after missing the last two due to circumstances out of his control. This one looks to be the best TAM yet for so many reasons. Josh and I are even coming in a bit early so we can make all the workshops the next day. My brother seemed especially psyched to be at the Monster Hunting workshop. The panels look great, I like the fact they they really expanded the pool of presenters, and I think despite some high profile “kerfuffles” in the Skeptic movement over the last 12 months, what were are in fact seeing are the growth pains of a movement that has reached critical mass and is starting to really mature.

TAM is an event that I almost plan my whole year around. I have that much fun at it. The first TAM back in 2003 was pretty awesome, and everyone I’ve attended since has been super cool. I don’t always like every presentation, but there are always pleasant surprises. Last year I really enjoyed Jennifer Michael Hecht’s presentation, after being wary since she was a poet and I’m not all that into poetry. However, at the end of talk, I found myself disappointed it was over. Things like that always happen at TAM. It’s not perfect, but it’s always earnest in trying to expand the reach of skepticism and critical thinking. This year’s TAM at the time of this blog post has already sold out, so I can’t really encourage you to sign up, however, they always make DVDs you can buy later.

More information here:

http://www.amazingmeeting.com
http://www.randi.org

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On Writing My Ozzy Post

Posted on July 4, 2011 by Shane

I’ve been struggling to sit down an write a post about the recent passing of my beloved cat, Ozzy. This isn’t it, it’s still a work in progress. I just wanted to say, though, it’s a lot harder than I thought it would be, between the sadness and the hard task of organizing every thought I have about Ozzy and his passing. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of him and all the little things he would do. I’m doing well, though. Last week was a time to catch up, this week things are getting back to feeling normal, aside from Ozzy not being around. I’m not avoiding remembering Ozzy. His picture has been the background of my tablet for a couple months, I work most of the time in the office where he layed around, and I still have Lemmy, the newer cat, to remind of all the things I did taking care of Ozzy. No, I haven’t avoided the subject at all, and maybe that’s helped the process.

It’s also strengthened my veganism in a way, because for some weird reason, every time I’m making the choice to not eat or use animal products, I honor the memory of Ozzy, my friend always. In two weeks or so when I go to The Amazing Meeting, I plan to attend a small vegan meetup, to celebrate skeptical veganism. Ozzy will be in the front of my mind the whole time.

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2011-06-27

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Shane
  • Ozzy doesn't have a tumor or disc problem it looks like, but suffered a massive stroke. Sleeping on it before making any decisions #
  • http://yfrog.com/khtcvbj Ozzy sleeping peacefully I hope #
  • In a pure coincidence, Gaddafi impeded U.S. oil interests before the war – Glenn Greenwald – Salon.c… http://j.mp/llvJH4 #
  • FDA reveals bigger, graphic warning labels for cigarette packages – http://j.mp/lPq0NI At Last, people will learn smoking is bad for you #
  • My Life As an Undocumented Immigrant – NYTimes.com http://j.mp/kg7Yej – Pretty interesting article #
  • Picture of Ozzy from the past (My home office) just shared via #Snapbucket http://pbckt.com/pe.NPkeOj #
  • http://yfrog.com/kh21567112j Could be all in my head, but I think Lemmy is wondering where Ozzy is #
  • http://j.mp/5lxmtA Those with blue eyes have trouble seeing during the day. This is why I wasn't an MLB ball player apparently #
  • RT @barteldarcy RT @GGunnelsPCT @dmataconis You Can Thank a Few Rich #Libertarians for Gay Marriage http://bi… (cont) http://deck.ly/~xy5Hc #
  • Ozzy was cremated this morning, less than 1 week since I first noticed his limp. We ended up a long way from a limp, & I'll miss him always #
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