Does Osama Bin Laden have a Hari Seldon complex? This article examines the (possible) links between Al Qaeda and Isaac Asimov‘s Foundation series. (Via Julian’s Jabberings.)
Larger than life.
Also in TNR (it seems the links are coming in pairs today), Nicholas Lemann critiques Robert Caro and Master of the Senate, the third volume in his LBJ series.
Broadband and Narrow Minds
John Judis blames Michael Powell’s deregulatory fixation for telecom’s collapse. “Powell has proven a disaster…Like Harvey Pitt, the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Powell would be ripe for replacement–if his feckless, ideological approach didn’t so perfectly reflect the president he serves.” To be fair, telecom was starting to look a bit peaked before Powell was Chairman (although that’s also partly because Powell was something of an obstructionist on the commission before his ascent.) And, while I’m sure it’s risen lately, demand for broadband services was egregiously low back in 2000. Like campaign finance reform, it’s one of those things you’d expect people to be all over, but for some reason it just isn’t reflected in the numbers. Without a true “killer app” for broadband (Napster/Kazaa comes close, but it’s not it), low demand will continue to be one of the reasons why the big boys aren’t building out. That all being said, I agree with the fundamentals of Judis’s piece.
Star Power.
NASA finally goes ga-ga over Lance Bass. “What’s exciting about this is getting a creative person up there,” said Duane Carey, a space shuttle pilot and father of two teens. “Maybe some songs or some poetry or some type of inspiration can come out of it.” Um, I think it’s great that Bass is getting a chance to pursue his dream, but let’s not get ridiculous here. We’re not sending W.H. Auden or Bob Dylan into space…heck, we’re not even sending John Tesh. Expecting anything more than “Girl, you knock me outta this world!” from Bass is just wishful thinking.
Stalled Straight Talk Express.
Also from Slate, has John McCain removed himself from contention in 2004?
Their 25 Cents Worth
Slate dogs the State Quarters. I dunno…this is all a bit snarky and unnecessary. In related news, I finally found both an Ohio and a Louisiana on the same day…booyah.
Doc Ock a Lock?
In the Spiderman sequel camp, word’s leaking out that Stellan Skarsgard will play Otto Octavius, (better known as Doctor Octopus.) I thought they might go Philip Seymour Hoffman, but I like this casting.
One Last Binge?
Despite the recent economic travails and the passage of McCain-Feingold (which takes effect after this election cycle), both the GOP and the Dems are awash in campaign cash for 2002. I’m curious to see what kind of dent McCain-Feingold puts in this sort of behavior, if only for a while.
Back to School.
Hey y’all. As I suspected, I’ve been quite busy over here in the end-of-summer, back-to-school crunch. As it is, I’ve completed most of the Luce work, and now need to begin preparing for the upcoming semester – particularly as I’ll be overseeing two (US Hist to Civil War) sections this fall. Right now, it looks like my class schedule will also include a Civil War and Reconstruction colloquium with Eric Foner and a 20th century Intellectual History seminar with Casey Blake…but that may still be subject to change. Also met the new arrivals at a get-to-know-you happy hour and they all seem like a pleasant, well-adjusted bunch. Still haven’t picked out a new Trapper Keeper and lunch box yet…should I go N’Sync, Spongebob, or Lisa Frank?
Yao’s Trial By Fire.
#1 pick Yao Ming looks decent in yesterday’s US-China matchup, going for 13 and 11 in a 30 point loss. More to the point, he didn’t let Antonio Davis dunk on him, which should bolster his ego a bit coming into his first NBA season.