Now I'm just waiting for the flying car.

I was shocked and horrified to learn that the Pentagon has unveiled a new "non lethal" weapon for crowd control called ADS or Active Denial System. It is a heat-ray gun. Beam my f'n ass up Scottie. We have a heat-ray. Brought to you by the same folks who made the microwave oven, Raytheon.

Mounted from a Humvee this gun sends a silent beam that reportedly penetrates 0.4 millimeters into your skin to give you an awful burning sensation as if you might catch on fire. Beautiful.

Some light reading.

Democracy Now interview with Marc Garlasco, non-lethal weapons expert at Human Rights Watch and Gary Anderson, retired Marine Colonel and defense consultant.

Link referred by Raytheon

Proof that I still get out and Dystopian road trips

Things have calmed down a bit and it has afforded me the opportunity to do things like drop by Headquarters Studio to see the gallery show, "I'm Celebrating My Love for You With a Pint of Beer & a New Tattoo". It was a collection of collages by Matt Maust, bassist for the Cold War Kids. Some real lovely typography.
To be honest I missed the bandwagon and never heard their music but my friend, Lucy, enlightened me. You can read more about the show here and here (not very informative, but sports my likeness).

I also finally got around to seeing Children of Men and it lived up to my hyped expectations. Alfonso Cuarón is now on my awesome list. The cinematographer ain't to shabby either – the much talked about single take action sequences were absolutely stunning. It was also quite refreshing to sparesly see any gadgetry that will inevitably read as dated 10 years from now. If there is a 10 years from now :) Plus, it's the only movie I've contemplated seeing twice in the theater this year. My wife wasn't as thrilled, however.

Urban Sprawl

As I was driving back to Brooklyn from TN after the holidays I started thinking about the immediate geography.

Here is a collection of links I have made in honor of urban sprawl. Enjoy.

The paintings of Josh Keyes who was selected for the juried exhibition in print, New American Paintings.


The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs

100 Largest U.S. Urbanized Areas ranked by square miles of sprawl.


Flickr photoset for the documentary, Subdivided.

David Maisel's series, Oblivion.

Urban Sprawl and Public Health by Howard Frumkin and Lawrence Frank


Maps

Google Maps at Night

Sprol's Google Map Mash-up

Head (Cold) in the (dave) Cloud(s)

I've started the new year with a hearty strain of the common cold. It's bittersweet because I feel like hell, but I finally get a chance to slow down. The holiday from the holidays if you will.

And now our narrative will be tainted by NyQuil.

My friends Brian and Elizabeth came up from Nashville to see the Tropicália exhibit at the Bronx Museum and were staying with us for the weekend. Somehow, over a glass of wine, our conversation turned to Dave Cloud and the Gospel of Power who Brian was once a member of. I asked about finding some of their recordings under the assumption Dave's heyday was over. Yet, the opposite was true and I was directed to their new UK label, Fire Records, and a compilation cd called that was released in 06'. Plus, they are touring in Europe!


This video however was the Christmas miracle I have been waiting for.