politicsgogif-fy replied to your post: Life, etc.

Read your post from the wee hours of last night, and nothing I can say in these few words can address all that, but know that there is someone out there who sympathizes with a lot of the shit you’re dealing with. I’m taking my Arabic final in t-minus 1.5 hours, massively unprepared, and look. Well, I don’t really have a lot of time to say this, and you don’t need to hear my saga in addition to dealing with your own shit, but something a professor said to me earlier this semester when I had all these other existential crises and practical problems might give you a moment to feel like you can breathe - it’s okay not to be perfect. A lot of us over-achieving college students have spent so long excelling at so much that we’ve lost the ability to mess up. But you don’t have to be perfect. Far from it - sometimes you learn the most when you fuck up, when you get in over your head with responsibilities, when you fritter away time and cram at the last minute, when you prioritize family or friends or relationships or yourself over work, when you have a crisis of identity or purpose, when you spend time challenging yourself in ways that have nothing to do with what your university or parents or potential employers expect. These moments - this semester for you, maybe - are just as crucial to our development as humans as getting an A on that humanism paper.

I know it kind of sounds like liberal, hippie, feel-good bullshit. But just let it roll around in your head for a little while. Take a deep breath. I’m sure you did better on your finals than you think. At least that’s what I’m telling myself will happen with mine… haha

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Tender moments caught on Russian dash cams

jkottke:

Many Russian cars are outfitted with dashboard cameras to protect drivers against insurance fraud. These cameras have caught all sorts of crazy happenings — car accidents, low-flying jets, insurance scam attempts, meteors, and plane crashes — leading many to believe that Russia is a place where crazy shit pretty much happens constantly.

But Russia’s dash cams have also captured many more tender moments — people hopping out of their cars to help old ladies across the street, looking after little kids who wandered into the street, pushing cars out of snowbanks, etc.

I love the hell out of this video. Russia, you’re alright. (via devour)

Still taking a break from Tumblr while exams and essays sort themselves out, but had to take a moment to reblog this video. Things like this are what get me through times like these. 

futurejournalismproject: Do Social Media Sites Like Tumblr Need Their Own News Publications? We learned last week that Tumblr is shutting down Storyboard — the news blog responsible for reporting on creative and noteworthy posts by Tumblr users. Tumblr’s cofounder, David Karp, posted his explanation for Storyboard’s closing on the site’s staff blog, saying: “What we’ve accomplished with Storyboard has run its course for now, and our editorial team will be closing up shop and moving on.” Karp mentions that Storyboard partnered with the likes of WNYC, Mashable, Time, etc. and was even nominated for a James Beard Award (to name a few accomplishments). So, why is it best to “move on” when the project has been so successful?  The consensus (here, here, and here) seems to be that Tumblr needs to downsize to turn a profit this year. However, in an interview with The New York Times, Charlie Warzel, deputy technology editor at Buzzfeed, suggested Storyboard is closing because there’s no point in writing about what you can just go and see for yourself. He said: It is always peculiar when a social network branches out into publishing, it just seems odd to bring on even excellent editorial talent to cover what is already going on organically. And he’s not the only one who shares the sentiment.  The New York Times calls attention to Dan Fletcher (a journalism school graduate) who quit his “amorphous” job as managing editor of Facebook in 2012. His position required him to write about FaceBook trends. He said that reporters aren’t needed on FaceBook and that articles detract from user activity that is “inherently more interesting” than the articles themselves. FJP:  Why is it “peculiar” that an excellent editorial staff would be reporting on the “organic” events of social media communities? Isn’t that what journalists do? Just because social media communities exist in the cyber-verse doesn’t make them less newsworthy. Admittedly, Storyboard and other social media news blogs (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest) aren’t exactly watchdog reporters (they want to talk about the posts that make themselves look good, after all), and that should make us question whether these publications can really be “journalistic.” But social media news is in its larval stage. Maybe, in the future, social communities will be publishing articles about juveniles who break copyright laws, and sites will be locking people’s profiles in cyber-jail-blocks for weeks due to hazing. Surely, social sites are gonna need some objective, guardian watchdogs for that, right? Eh? — Krissy Image: Screenshot from Storyboard.
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futurejournalismproject:

Do Social Media Sites Like Tumblr Need Their Own News Publications?

We learned last week that Tumblr is shutting down Storyboard — the news blog responsible for reporting on creative and noteworthy posts by Tumblr users. Tumblr’s cofounder, David Karp, posted his explanation for Storyboard’s closing on the site’s staff blog, saying: “What we’ve accomplished with Storyboard has run its course for now, and our editorial team will be closing up shop and moving on.”

Karp mentions that Storyboard partnered with the likes of WNYC, Mashable, Time, etc. and was even nominated for a James Beard Award (to name a few accomplishments). So, why is it best to “move on” when the project has been so successful? 

The consensus (here, here, and here) seems to be that Tumblr needs to downsize to turn a profit this year. However, in an interview with The New York Times, Charlie Warzel, deputy technology editor at Buzzfeed, suggested Storyboard is closing because there’s no point in writing about what you can just go and see for yourself. He said:

It is always peculiar when a social network branches out into publishing, it just seems odd to bring on even excellent editorial talent to cover what is already going on organically.

And he’s not the only one who shares the sentiment. 

The New York Times calls attention to Dan Fletcher (a journalism school graduate) who quit his “amorphous” job as managing editor of Facebook in 2012. His position required him to write about FaceBook trends. He said that reporters aren’t needed on FaceBook and that articles detract from user activity that is “inherently more interesting” than the articles themselves.

FJP:  Why is it “peculiar” that an excellent editorial staff would be reporting on the “organic” events of social media communities? Isn’t that what journalists do? Just because social media communities exist in the cyber-verse doesn’t make them less newsworthy.

Admittedly, Storyboard and other social media news blogs (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest) aren’t exactly watchdog reporters (they want to talk about the posts that make themselves look good, after all), and that should make us question whether these publications can really be “journalistic.” But social media news is in its larval stage. Maybe, in the future, social communities will be publishing articles about juveniles who break copyright laws, and sites will be locking people’s profiles in cyber-jail-blocks for weeks due to hazing. Surely, social sites are gonna need some objective, guardian watchdogs for that, right? Eh? — Krissy

Image: Screenshot from Storyboard.

rememberingchrisstevens: Here is the text of the speech given by Mohammad bin Lamin at the opening of the Ambassador Stevens Art Exhibit at UC Davis: Dear distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, It’s a honor for me today to stand before you, I cross the Atlantic to be here and honor people that “ love the other “ was their title in life, and without a nation like you with human and family values this wouldn’t have had happened. Ladies and Gentlemen,The US-Libyan bond is older than the modern history we knew, these bonds go back to 1800s, and as today we got or freedom back with the help of our Western allies, especially the US, we are determent more than ever to reestablish that bonds even stronger, a good example of this relations is the social activities and common people interactions, Culture, Arts, Media, Music, Education and a rich history of common interest to make our planet a better place. Ambassador Chris Stevens was one of those eager to open such channels, his social activities and traveling inside Libya made lots of Libyans become clear in understanding the Americans positively.An example of Chris good well was his interest in Libyan Art and his insist to give his time to attend every single Art activity was held in the country.In his last visit to “ ADIL “ photography exhibition, in which I was a partner, we had a quick first chat in which I have discovered a simple open minded personality, a down to earth and -human love full- person.It was only twenty minutes of conversation but it was enough to feel that I was talking to a person who really care about the others, and it was also enough twenty minutes for him to accept my invitation to visit Misratah my city. His support to me was one of the reasons that gave me the inspiration and courage to give more, and may success in the last event in UAE go somehow back to Chris’s support.  His support to the first 24/7 VOAMis radio in my city Misratah was another example.  VOAM is an affiliate of VOA Music Mix that was immediately started after the liberation and signed an agreement with the BBG US to rebroadcast 24/7 and took responsibility for all the finance and costs.  From my close follow up to the Radio activities I learned that Chris wrote several emails encouraging the owner to expand the rebroadcast to Tripoli, he was eager to make it happen, he wanted to bring Libyans and Americans closer.Therefore we commit ourselves to continue what we have started together with Chris and make his dream come true.An other example of our historic relations, is the movie “Tripoli” that was expected to lunch on 2007 about the US-Libyan war on 1805, in which Keanu Reeves supposed to play William Eaton, this could have been an impressive way to show the strength of those bonds.If we recall history and look closely at the facts that the first US flag raised on the other side of the Atlantic was in Derna Libya December 8, 1805, our beloved capital Tripoli is mentioned in the Marine hymn and a copy of the Libyan traditional Sword is on the side of every single US Marine, then we will get the strength and momentum to work together even stronger to make better day for our new generations. My friend the American poet Dennis McHale sent to me these grieving words about our beloved Ambassador Chris, Please allow me to read it to youOh, Brother! Heaven your great soul does claimAs we humbly sing of your immortal fame;Libya’s vast beauty you did us engage,For you sought nobler objects in our civil rage:And, with wise conduct, to your country showedThe hope, the promise on this land bestowed.The crown of a hero you now must wear,On your victorious head, lay prostrate there.We that loved you, grieve, concerned to seeSuch a price for liberty, which is never free.Angels weep at such an untimely deathWe Libyans mourn with a single breathFinally I would like to thank every person made this event reality and would like to offer you our hand to visit our country one day, where you will find all warmth and love from all of the ordinary Libyans.Thank you.
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rememberingchrisstevens:

Here is the text of the speech given by Mohammad bin Lamin at the opening of the Ambassador Stevens Art Exhibit at UC Davis:

Dear distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, It’s a honor for me today to stand before you, I cross the Atlantic to be here and honor people that “ love the other “ was their title in life, and without a nation like you with human and family values this wouldn’t have had happened.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
The US-Libyan bond is older than the modern history we knew, these bonds go back to 1800s, and as today we got or freedom back with the help of our Western allies, especially the US, we are determent more than ever to reestablish that bonds even stronger, a good example of this relations is the social activities and common people interactions, Culture, Arts, Media, Music, Education and a rich history of common interest to make our planet a better place.


Ambassador Chris Stevens was one of those eager to open such channels, his social activities and traveling inside Libya made lots of Libyans become clear in understanding the Americans positively.
An example of Chris good well was his interest in Libyan Art and his insist to give his time to attend every single Art activity was held in the country.
In his last visit to “ ADIL “ photography exhibition, in which I was a partner, we had a quick first chat in which I have discovered a simple open minded personality, a down to earth and -human love full- person.
It was only twenty minutes of conversation but it was enough to feel that I was talking to a person who really care about the others, and it was also enough twenty minutes for him to accept my invitation to visit Misratah my city.

His support to me was one of the reasons that gave me the inspiration and courage to give more, and may success in the last event in UAE go somehow back to Chris’s support.  His support to the first 24/7 VOAMis radio in my city Misratah was another example.  VOAM is an affiliate of VOA Music Mix that was immediately started after the liberation and signed an agreement with the BBG US to rebroadcast 24/7 and took responsibility for all the finance and costs.  From my close follow up to the Radio activities I learned that Chris wrote several emails encouraging the owner to expand the rebroadcast to Tripoli, he was eager to make it happen, he wanted to bring Libyans and Americans closer.
Therefore we commit ourselves to continue what we have started together with Chris and make his dream come true.
An other example of our historic relations, is the movie “Tripoli” that was expected to lunch on 2007 about the US-Libyan war on 1805, in which Keanu Reeves supposed to play William Eaton, this could have been an impressive way to show the strength of those bonds.
If we recall history and look closely at the facts that the first US flag raised on the other side of the Atlantic was in Derna Libya December 8, 1805, our beloved capital Tripoli is mentioned in the Marine hymn and a copy of the Libyan traditional Sword is on the side of every single US Marine, then we will get the strength and momentum to work together even stronger to make better day for our new generations.


My friend the American poet Dennis McHale sent to me these grieving words about our beloved Ambassador Chris, Please allow me to read it to you

Oh, Brother! Heaven your great soul does claim
As we humbly sing of your immortal fame;
Libya’s vast beauty you did us engage,
For you sought nobler objects in our civil rage:
And, with wise conduct, to your country showed
The hope, the promise on this land bestowed.
The crown of a hero you now must wear,
On your victorious head, lay prostrate there.
We that loved you, grieve, concerned to see
Such a price for liberty, which is never free.
Angels weep at such an untimely death
We Libyans mourn with a single breath

Finally I would like to thank every person made this event reality and would like to offer you our hand to visit our country one day, where you will find all warmth and love from all of the ordinary Libyans.
Thank you.

futurejournalismproject: Jailed But Not Forgotten Reeyot Alemu, an Ethiopian journalist currently serving a five-year prison term for her work reporting on banned opposition groups, just won the 2013 UNESCO-Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize. Alemu was originally arrested with others for “lending support to an underground network of banned opposition groups, which has been criminalized under the country’s 2009 antiterrorism law.” Among the evidence used against her and her colleagues were some 25 articles they’d published in the Ethiopian Review. In January 2012, Elias Kifle, the publication’s Washington, DC-based editor, was given a life sentence in absentia. In a letter to Ethiopia’s Minister of Justice earlier this month, the Committee to Protect Jouranlists’ Joel Simon wrote: Prison authorities have threatened Reeyot with solitary confinement for two months as punishment for alleged bad behavior toward them and threatening to publicize human rights violations by prison guards, according to sources close to the journalist who spoke to the International Women’s Media Foundation on condition of anonymity. CPJ has independently verified the information. Reeyot has also been denied access to adequate medical treatment after she was diagnosed with a tumor in her breast, the sources said… …All of the charges against Reeyot were based on her journalistic activities—emails she had received from pro-opposition discussion groups and reports and photographs she had sent to opposition news sites. Reeyot, who received the International Women’s Media Foundation Courage in Journalism Award in 2012, has covered key developmental issues in Ethiopia such as poverty, democratic opposition, and gender equality. In 2011, The CJP reported that 79 Ethiopian journalists were in exile. The ruling party, which controls 546 of the 547 seats in parliament has passed laws over the last five years restricting independent media, political opposition groups and civil society organizations. Image: Reeyot Alemu, via the IWMF.
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futurejournalismproject:

Jailed But Not Forgotten

Reeyot Alemu, an Ethiopian journalist currently serving a five-year prison term for her work reporting on banned opposition groups, just won the 2013 UNESCO-Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize.

Alemu was originally arrested with others for “lending support to an underground network of banned opposition groups, which has been criminalized under the country’s 2009 antiterrorism law.” Among the evidence used against her and her colleagues were some 25 articles they’d published in the Ethiopian Review.

In January 2012, Elias Kifle, the publication’s Washington, DC-based editor, was given a life sentence in absentia.

In a letter to Ethiopia’s Minister of Justice earlier this month, the Committee to Protect Jouranlists’ Joel Simon wrote:

Prison authorities have threatened Reeyot with solitary confinement for two months as punishment for alleged bad behavior toward them and threatening to publicize human rights violations by prison guards, according to sources close to the journalist who spoke to the International Women’s Media Foundation on condition of anonymity. CPJ has independently verified the information. Reeyot has also been denied access to adequate medical treatment after she was diagnosed with a tumor in her breast, the sources said…

…All of the charges against Reeyot were based on her journalistic activities—emails she had received from pro-opposition discussion groups and reports and photographs she had sent to opposition news sites. Reeyot, who received the International Women’s Media Foundation Courage in Journalism Award in 2012, has covered key developmental issues in Ethiopia such as poverty, democratic opposition, and gender equality.

In 2011, The CJP reported that 79 Ethiopian journalists were in exile. The ruling party, which controls 546 of the 547 seats in parliament has passed laws over the last five years restricting independent media, political opposition groups and civil society organizations.

Image: Reeyot Alemu, via the IWMF.

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