The universe within

Published in July 31st, 2005

If you haven’t heard about it yet, this may shock you…
There’s an exhibition in San Francisco displaying real dead human bodies, preserved through a process called plastination. It’s billed as an educational show, but it seems more like a radical art show to me. The human bodies are from China and are placed [...]

Gilroy is not the garlic capital of the world

Published in July 31st, 2005

Posted by Sonia in General

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I’m a bit of a foodie, so the location of the garlic capital actually matters to me. Here’s the scoop from the SF Chronicle, which was covering the annual garlic fest this weekend:
“In reality, Gilroy hasn’t even been the garlic capital of California for 20 years, since most growers moved their operations to the [...]

Human-looking robot

Published in July 29th, 2005

Posted by Sonia in Cool things, Future Tech, Robots

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Well, we’re getting closer to creating a ‘real’ Data. Check out this Japanese robot.

Flattening Barriers to Communications

Published in July 29th, 2005

Posted by Sonia in Sonia Arrison Columns, Telecom

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In a bold move to modernize America’s outdated communications laws, this week Senator John Ensign (R-Nev.) introduced the Broadband Investment and Consumer Choice Act. It’s about time Congress embraced this issue, particularly since technology has vastly changed the way communications affect economic growth.
Technology boosts productivity and allows for greater opportunities around the world, a [...]

Tech Closeup interview

Published in July 26th, 2005

Posted by Sonia in General, Sonia Arrison cites

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I was interviewed by Tech Closeup on a bunch of tech issues recently. The producers of the TV show were nice enough to grant me permission to post it for those of you who don’t watch traditional TV anymore. Here’s the clip (24M 15 min) and here’s a link to the show’s [...]

Canada wins dumbest government award

Published in July 22nd, 2005

Posted by Sonia in Things Canadian

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What can I say? This is a long time coming… Here’s the story. Thanks to KH for bringing this important fact to my attention.

I want my IPTV

Published in July 22nd, 2005

Posted by Sonia in Sonia Arrison Columns, Telecom

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What’s that — Hawaiian noises? Bangin’ on the bongos like a chimpanzee…
Fortunately, we’ve moved past the 80’s and on to bigger and better things like IPTV. But while the tech has accelerated, policymakers are holding back progress. Read all about it here.

Digital Village: A Lesson from London

Published in July 17th, 2005

Posted by Sonia in Privacy issues, Sonia Arrison Columns

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The subway and bus bombings in London on July 7th added new fuel to the continued debate over security and liberty in a high-tech world. But it remains an open question whether the two must be opposites.
“They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety,” Ben [...]

xMax — broadband over narrowband?

Published in July 6th, 2005

Posted by Sonia in Telecom

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The latest buzz in the telecommunications community surrounds xMax, a tool designed to provide broadband over narrowband wireless channels. Some are still in disbelief over the tech, but it looks promising. Here’s a link to an article on it and to the company’s press release.

Map of men and women who have died in Iraq

Published in July 5th, 2005

Posted by Sonia in Culture of death

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A friend sent me this map today. It’s updated as of June 29th.

Canadian Ambassador Takes on Fox News?

Published in July 5th, 2005

Posted by Sonia in Things Canadian

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Did you know that:
- Canada is the largest source of imported crude oil in the U.S., bigger than Saudi Arabia or the yet untested reserves of Iraq.
-Canada has rotated 13,500 troops in the war on terror, has committed $300 million to rebuilding Iraq and is about to deploy a reconstruction team to Afghanistan.
-None of the [...]

Clear up misinformation about electronic voting

Published in July 1st, 2005

Posted by Sonia in General

2 Comments

That’s right. Read what Vince Vasquez and I have to say about evoting in this Houston Chronicle op-ed.

X Marks Start of Broadband Reform

Published in July 1st, 2005

Posted by Sonia in Sonia Arrison Columns, Telecom

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The United States Supreme Court this week ruled against Brand X, a small California company that sells Internet access. This ruling is good for consumers and marks the beginning of what could be much-needed reform in broadband policy. To read more, click here.