My Brilliant Mistakes

Everything Is a Remix, part 4: System Failure

Cynthia Closkey — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:57:35 +0000

The fourth and final installment in the Everything Is a Remix series looks at how patent and copyright law, in the U.S. and elsewhere, has grown beyond its original useful intent, and now stifled the very creativity and progress it was intended to foster.

For more on patent trolls, check out an episode of This American Life: “When Patents Attack!“

Something’s got a hold on me, child, and she won’t let go

Cynthia Closkey — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:55:27 +0000

Thank you, Etta James, for your talent, style, and brilliance.

Hold the mayo

Help stop terrible legislation that would break the Internet

Cynthia Closkey — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 03:08:58 +0000

As I explained over on the Big Big Design site, on Wednesday 1/18/2012 I’ll be protesting the proposed PROTECT_IP act (AKA PIPA or “Protect Intellectual Property Act”) by blacking out my websites.

You can protest too, by running the blackout on your site (there’s a WordPress plugin to make it easy) and by participating in the Facebook protest.

Why all the fuss? This video explains it nicely:

Please join me in letting Congress and the world know that PROTECT_IP is not how we want the Internet to be run.

No related posts.

Inspirations for Raiders of The Lost Ark

Cynthia Closkey — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 18:03:20 +0000

Fantastic, meticulously researched and edited video comparing the opening scene of Raiders of the Lost Ark to shots from movies released earlier:

(via Everything Is a Remix)

No related posts.

“I hope that in this yearto come, you make mistakes.”

Cynthia Closkey — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 14:17:06 +0000

“I hope that in this yearto come, you make mistakes.” — Neil Gaiman’s New Year wish for 2012

No related posts.

Big Big Design’s Christmas tree

Cynthia Closkey — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 16:14:29 +0000

Big Big Design’s Christmas tree, originally uploaded by cynthiacloskey.

Aspie Talk: Phobias

Cynthia Closkey — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 20:31:04 +0000

My friend Sue’s son, Adam, has Asperger’s Syndrome, and he’s started a video series on YouTube to share his experiences. It’s brilliant — I love his editing style.

Here’s a great example: a video about phobias, particularly his fear of one particular toy in his childhood.

Louis C.K. explains how humans survived the Ice Age

Cynthia Closkey — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 16:59:07 +0000

An outtake from Louis C.K.’s new standup special, Louis C.K. Live at the Beacon Theater:

The special is available exclusively from the Louis CK website for a measly $5. You can stream it from the site, or download the file and burn to DVD to watch as many times as you want. It’s a great deal for a very funny show — from the same tour that I saw in Pittsburgh some months back. Go, buy, and enjoy.

Not my best disguise

Cynthia Closkey — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 15:06:09 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6YfohvSmC4 Coming December 16, the new Sherlock Holmes movie. Woo! Related posts: “What is it like in your funny little brains. It must be so boring.” Hell on wheels Related posts:

“Give the people what they want” as a legal strategy

Cynthia Closkey — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:14:53 +0000

Journalists in Britain have traditionally justified shady practices by arguing that they are in “the public interest.” Asked by an inquiry lawyer how he would define that, Mr. McMullan said that the public interest is what the public is interested in.

“British Inquiry Is Told Hacking Is Worthy Tool,” New York Times, 30 Nov 2011 (emphasis mine)