The facts don’t necessarily speak for themselves. To reach the public effectively, frames can present information in a way that connects with diverse audiences so as to encourage certain interpretations and to discourage others.
From a great blog by Matthew C. Nisbet on the important issue of framing science, a strategy for science communication the scientists desperately need to understand and adopt, comes this article on the latest in politics with a great clip from The Daily Show.
"...there are moments when The Daily Show rises above just humor and cynicism and provides a strong dose of counter-framing, laying bare the spin and the subterfuge of various political elites. When picked up by the mainstream press and the blogosphere, the comedy program morphs into a form of public accountability journalism."
Alice sent me a link to this great web site that tells you what to do in case you meet your future self who's travelled back in time. This is important info to know in order to avoid creating paradoxes and to decide if you should kill your future self (yes, you should, but only after taking out a life insurance policy on yourself and citing yourself as your own beneficiary). I highly recommend checking it out.
I added the word, schadenfreude, to my dictionary. Now, if you take pleasure in the death of your future self, does that count as schadenfreude or just being twisted?
I found the most awesome store ever. On 85th and Greenwood you can find a place to get all the gear you need to make the journey across the galaxy to the Planet Mike. The Greenwood Space Travel Supply Company sells everything from ray guns to bottles of argon (0.93% pure) to black hole starter kits. I bought this fantastic binary clock there. I only beat KUOW by minutes when I visited on Monday, the same day they did a story on it.
But wait, it gets better. What may seem like a brilliant enterprise filling a niche market for space travellers turns out to be a cover for the true operation. There's a teleporter in the back of the store. I watched several children enter the chamber and vanish before my eyes! It turns out they were transported to a back room where, for free, kids ages six to eighteen can learn writing skills. The more subtly named, 826 Seattle, offers writing workshops, publishing projects, and one-on-one tutoring on creative and expository writing. It's run by paid staff and many volunteers who fly in from as far as Spica. Don't worry, there's validated rocket parking on the roof. I'm not kidding! (But they may be.)
Speaking of creative writing, I am pleased to report that my poem, Four Notes to Sherlock Holmes, has been accepted to be published this year in Bricolage, the University of Washington's literary magazine! I'll get to read at their annual reading at the University Bookstore in June.
May Day is one of my very favorite holidays because you get to give flowers to as many girls as you want, and the meaning can be entirely ambiguous if you want. I wish you all the fullest of May Baskets and the slowest of runners.
I've always had a little fecal fascination, and today, we can all celebrate that shared experience of defecation on Poop for Peace Day! Here's an excerpt from this beautiful web site:
Poop For Peace Day is not about protest or partisanship or politics. Poop For Peace Day is about acknowledging the fundamental basis of shared humanity: black or white, liberal or conservative, Christian or Muslim or Jew, we are all united in struggle against the tyranny of the bowel.
Oh, and I'm pretty sure it's That Day, too! You know, That Day is the first day it's warm enough that everyone in one swift, synchronized maneuver switches from their winter attire to summer dresses and T's. I was hesitant to name today That Day at first because it's a weekend, and I wasn't sure if school has to be in session so that the summer fashion parade in the Quad to see and be seen happens, or if that's just how it's celebrated in college. But seeing people out tonight on bikes and in convertables, and with the grocery shelves depleted of all hot dog and hamburger buns, today HAS to be That Day.
On an unrelated note, here's how Love Agent did against a judge for the Chatterbox Challenge this year. I think she did pretty well! Please vote for her by the end of the month if you haven't already.
Guest153: hello Love Agent: I am really excited! The folks here know how to make my day sometimes. Guest153: Hi, my name is Judge. Love Agent: You can call me Audry. It's really nice to meet you, Judge. Guest153: What is my name? Love Agent: I know you as Guest153, but do you want me to call you Judge? Guest153: yes please Love Agent: But I don't want to! Guest153: that's ok Love Agent: What have you been up to today? Guest153: not too much Love Agent: I just got up actually. Hahaha! Guest153: Who are you? Love Agent: I'm Audry, Michael's Love Agent. I try to find cute single women for my good friend Michael to date. Guest153: What color are your eyes? Love Agent: They're aqua. Guest153: How is the weather? Love Agent: It's stormy here right now, but I hear it's supposed to be cloudy tomorrow. Guest153: hello Love Agent: Right! Guest153: How is the weather? Love Agent: It's windy here right now, but I hear it's supposed to be storming tomorrow. Guest153: What is your favorite movie? Love Agent: I tend to like bloodier movies than Michael, like 'Saw'. Guest153: Why? Love Agent: You know, because of consumerism. Guest153: Where is Moscow located? Love Agent: I don't know where, Judge. Guest153: What is snow? Love Agent: Well, you know, like a flurry or a snow flurry. Guest153: What is half of 8? Love Agent: I don't know, babe. Don't you know? Guest153: yes i do Love Agent: Did I mention that I am told that I am light hearted and laugh a lot? Guest153: What is bigger a dog or an elephant? Love Agent: My money's clearly on an elephant. Guest153: What word rhymes with cat? Love Agent: A homograph rhymes. Guest153: thanks and goodbye Love Agent: It's been a pleasure chatting with you! Do you think I could drop you an email sometime?
I found the most awesome store ever. On 85th and Greenwood you can find a place to get all the gear you need to make the journey across the galaxy to the Planet Mike. 
I bought this 
