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March 29, 2006

Pro-Life or Pro-Choice? You decide!

Now don't worry, I'm not talking about my personal beliefs in the eternal debate about abortion, but would this really change your mind?

Posted by eva on 7:54 AM

March 22, 2006

Hold on to your chopsticks!

On your next trip to China, think twice before throwing out those cute bamboo chopsticks. Chinese authorities are considering establishing a 5% chopstick tax in an effort to protect forests decimated for the production of the utensils and to equalize the rich and poor.

It is a creative solution, but according to the BBC article, the response is mixed. Some applaud the idea, while others think that this behavior will continue on.

Will this measure work to curb chopstick disposal? Has taxing cigarettes stopped smokers from lighting up? Granted they are different circumstances, but nonetheless affect habitual behaviors. Yes, cigarette taxes irk the smoker, but when they have a craving for nicotine, they dole out the cash begrudgingly to satisfy their urge.

Will the tax make people think twice about picking up chopsticks? In reality, it will probably take a while for any real effects to be seen, as it involves educating and modifying behaviors which have been followed for years.

Meanwhile, the Chinese government will benefit from this new form of revenue. Hopefully they will use it fund new initiatives to protect the very forests endangered by the rampant chopstick abuse. Or perhaps they can start recycling them, finding new and creative uses for them.

So next time you get some take out, grab onto those chopsticks!

Posted by eva on 7:57 AM

March 21, 2006

Digital Warfare v 2.0 : Merci beaucoup!

The French may be leading a new offensive in this ongoing war of the digital downloads. In a recent BBC article, the French parliament is proposing a law which would force companies like Apple and Microsoft to share the copyright protection software, giving the consumers the choice when it comes to digital music services.

Currently, your choice of MP3 player pretty much decides which service you will inevitably use. For all the iPod devotees, iTunes is your provider. Most other services use various players created by Rio, Creative, Microsoft and Sony to name a few. The French are proposing giving the consumer the choice of service, in an effort to curb the growing monopoly that Apple has over the realm of digital music.

Even though this law still needs approval from the French senate, this marks the beginning of a new phase in this fast-moving technology. Is this the death knell for Apple's empire? Probably not, but the honeymoon will soon be over and they ought to prepared for similar legal actions across the world, if the French establish this crucial precedent.

Perhaps Apple needs to revisit their past...

Posted by eva on 8:25 AM

March 6, 2006

Life Ain't Easy for a Pimp...

Besides giving us one of the most enthusiastic acceptance speeches, Three 6 Mafia definitely made life easier for pimps all over the world, bringing the street to the stiff upper lip crowd at the Oscars. There is nothing like interpretive dance to illustrate the hardships and struggle of the street hustler.

However it did not escape my notice that there were only three songs nominated in the category of best original song. Surely there must have been more songs released. Of the songs that were up for Golden Globes, only one, Travelin' Thru by Dolly Parton, was nominated for an Oscar. The other four songs, were nowhere to be seen on Sunday evening
(A Love That Will Never Grow Old - Brokeback Mountain, Christmas in Love - Christmas in Love, There's Nothing Like a Show on Broadway - The Producers and Wunderkind - Chronicles of Narnia).

What exactly does this mean? Is there a changing trend in movie-making? Are directors relying on the atmospheric soundscapes composers weave as opposed to songs? Whatever the case may be, it does bring up an interesting question and only time will tell what will come of it.

Meanwhile, listen to Oscar nominated and winning soundtracks for free! For a limited

Posted by eva on 10:24 PM

March 2, 2006

Ice Follies

There is nothing like inclement weather to bring out Connecticut's finest drivers. This afternoon as I left work I shared the road with mighty 4x4's and massive semis in this treacherous weather. As I drove along at a moderate pace, some of my fellow commuters zipped past, not thinking anything of the speeds they were traveling, for they thought they were invincible.

I'm glad that they are so confident in their driving skills but I'd like to remind you all the ice does not care whether you are driving an almighty SUV or a compact. It is the great equalizer. Once you encounter that slick surface, you better pray that you can maneuver yourself to safety and not hit anyone else in the process. The false sense of security a 4x4 gives you encourages you to throw caution to the wind and make you think that nothing can happen to you in your massive trucks.

Well, I've got news for you. Your SUVs won't protect you if you aren't using your brains when you are driving. Once you hit an ice patch, you will lose control and you will be just as helpless as if you had been driving a small compact with nothing but front-wheel drive.

So for the sake of all your fellow commuters, be careful and use common sense!

Posted by eva on 6:57 PM