Lubna Hussein: ‘Whip me if you dare’ for wearing pants

•  ‘Whip me if you dare’ says Lubna Hussein, Sudan’s defiant trouser woman
• Lubna Hussein: ‘I’m not afraid of being flogged. It doesn’t hurt. But it is insulting’
• Tear gas fired at protesters outside Lubna Hussein trial

[via 國際八卦 （陶傑）- 2009年08月09日] Here is an excerpt,

女人穿褲子有沒有罪？在道德塔利班統治的國家，女人不穿裙子，就是犯了天條。

[...] 盧布娜被判公開鞭刑。本來，她是聯合國職員，根據伊斯蘭國家的「法律」（如果真有法律的話），聯合國工作人員有外交豁免權，盧布娜可以避過重刑。
但這個女人作了一個重大的決定，她突然宣布辭職。辭了職，就沒有豁免權了，盧布娜故意這樣做，是為了替女人爭一口氣─穿褲子無罪，你敢當眾鞭打我，你就下手吧。

[...] 起來聲援盧布娜吧，上網找她的名字： Lubna Hussein，香港是一個自稱的「國際城市」，關心八卦新聞可不可以也國際一點，寫信給聯合國，看看可不可以為這個勇敢的女人請命？

Emily Project

Emily Project. (cool video, watch till the end. from image metrics)

[via Chris]

Peacock Family

Peacock family (Papa, Mama, and Babies) at Calgary Zoo.

Friday Afternoon Trivia

From Steven Chu (via the White House blog),

Here’s a trivia question for today:

What do a Boeing 777 and a Bar-Tailed Godwit have in common?  The Bar-Tailed Godwit is a bird, but that’s the only hint I’m giving you.  And no fair cheating by using Google.

Stumped? Find the answer (and what it has to do with energy independence) on my [Steven Chu's] Facebook page.

Can we get a funny, smart and cool scientist to be our Minister of Environment or Energy?

P.S. Steven Chu, “On Wednesday, President Obama announced a $2.4 billion investment in the development and deployment of the next generation of battery technology and electric vehicle components that will make this revolution possible. It is a step toward the President’s goal of having a million plug-in electric vehicles on the road by 2015. Learn more about it here“

Rupert Murdoch’s move to charge for news content

Check out this insightful piece from Jeff, “Rupert Murdoch’s move to charge for content opens doors for competitors“.

In my blog entries, I’ve already  avoided linking to paid content, and will avoid linking to content that is “free” for only a day or two. What’s the point of linking to something that is not accessible to my readers after two days?!

Smart bird drops stone to get worm

How the brainy bird gets the worm

Check this out as well, “Vending machine for crows. Yes, crows!“

My Toxic Baby

Sept 1st, 2009, Update: “My Toxic Baby – Min Sook Lee Interview (2009 Toronto International Film Festival)“

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My Toxic Baby is a new documentary film by Min Sook Lee. One mother’s search for safe, sane and affordable ways to raise her child in a toxic world. The film will have its world premiere at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival in Sept. Dates and other screening info will be announced later.

Check out my interview with Min Sook last year (in 2008) about her documentary Tiger Spirit.

My Toxic Baby Trailer

See below for four more “My Toxic Baby” clips.

Last Page, Last Sentence: Co-opetition, Chanel, Sheeple, What Intelligence Tests Miss

The “Last Page, Last Sentence” series is partially inspired by this quote in When Harry met Sally, “Oh, really? When I buy a new book, I read the last page first.“

Some books in this series are those that I am just starting. And some are books I’ve finished and love. Click the picture and then “All size” to see the largest size. I try to make sure it it is somewhat readable (even the words may still be small).

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Co-opetition is a book I love and blogged about previously. If I can decide what my business competitors read or not read, this is a book I wish my competitors have NOT read. :)

Last Page

Last Sentence:

“By challenging the status quo, co-opetition says things can be done differently — and better. And that is our challenge to you.”

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Chanel Fine Jewelry

Last Page:

Last Sentence:

“Chanel is dedicated to taking every liberty in its interpretation of the futhre on the basis of elements borrowed from the past. Thus, almost a century after its founder took her first steps in the world of fashion that she would eventually come to rule, her dearest wish has been fulfilled: “I want to be part of what is going to happen“.

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Sheeple: Caucus Confidential in Stephen Harper’s Ottawa

Last Page:

Last Sentence:

“I have stared up a hundred times. She’d blog.”

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What Intelligence Tests Miss: the psychology of rational thought by Keith E. Stanovich

Last Page:

Last Sentence:

“Instead, we continue to pay far more attention to intelligence than to rational thinking. It is as if intelligence has become totemic in our culture, and we choose to pursue it rather than the reasoning strategies that could transform our world.”

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Postscript: If I were writing a book, I will try to put an important idea or thought in the concluding sentences if I can. So it is interesting for me to read how other authors end their books. By the way, you may have noticed that I posted 2 pages and 2 sentences for each book, well, considered the extras gifts from me. :)

Dim Sum & Money @ Ginger Beef

Over the weekend, my better half and I tried the dim sum at Ginger Beef. They just had added dim sum to their lunch menu (a lot more varieties of dim sum than their usual lunch buffet.) Amongst the five things we tried, we liked this and this the most, this one is nice, and this and this less so.

Because dim sum is something new for them that they are trying out, they are also doing surveys to see what items customers like best and least, and also finding out what suggestions customers may have. So we will definitely give Ginger Beef another try as there are not many dim sum options in Calgary South and I like their attitude of trying to improve things.

Sep 2011 Update: Ginger Beef has stopped offerring dim sum in the weekends and has gone back to offerring all you can eat buffet.

Julia Child: Careful Cooking is Love

Check out my previous entry (with videos) about Julia, and then this nice interview.

Jailed Journalists Freed

Behind the scene story from CNN. News and video from CBC.

P.S. One day, Chinese journalists/bloggers, like Hu Jia, jailed by their own government will be freed too.

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7th Aug, 2009 Update:

Copyright Consultation Submissions in numbers (5 days in July)

Repost data from Michael’s “Tracking the Copyright Consultation Submissions: July 20 – 24, 2009“

We have less than six weeks left in the consultation – speak out on copyright today and keep the momentum going !

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Position	Number of Supporters
Submissions against another Bill C-61	90
Submissions in favour of shorter Copyright term	34
Submissions against anti-circumvention or in favour of limiting DRM/Digital locks	114
Submissions in favour of stronger personal use/copying and backup protections	100
Submissions in favour of an “open copyright” system	7
Submissions advocating an end to the Crown Copyright	3
Submissions opposed to adopting an American-styled DMCA	15
Submissions in favour of stronger fair use/fair dealing protections	17
Submissions opposed to implementing WIPO	4
Submissions in favour of eliminating all copyright	2
Submissions against a three-strikes rule	4
Submissions that favour a “notice and notice” approach	83
Submissions in favour of instituting a levy for file-sharing	4
Submissions in favour of greater exemptions for education/research	6
Submissions in favour of establish a good-faith defence that the user believed their use of a work was fair and non-infringing	83
Submissions in favour of stronger penalties for copyright infringement	1
Submissions in favour of turning copyright into a crime	1

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Like the Harper’s Index (more here), sometimes numbers can tell us a story.

We have less than six weeks left in the consultation – speak out on copyright today and keep the momentum going !

Copyright e-Consultation (July 20 to Sept 13, 2009)

Canada is having a fresh round of copyright consultations, face-to-face, and more importantly online e-consultation from July 20 to Sept 13, 2009. And all Canadians are welcomed to share their views and send thier inputs.

Since copyright affect all Canadians, did you know the old Bill C-61, if it had passed, would have made all Canadians who own a affordable/”cheap” Chinese-made DVD player a “copyright-criminal”? Since the Chinese-made DVD players can play DVDs from all regions, it “breaks” the DVDs’ digital locks and thus broke the law and making us all “copyright-criminals”!

Now, I am reposting the following message to members of the Facebook group “Fair Copyright for Canada – Calgary Chapter” and hope Canadians will take a few minutes to read and understand the issues and submit their concerns and views.

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Dear Fair Copyright Calgary Chapter members,

This group has been quiet for the last few months but I’ve some good news to share.

Our long & hard fought copyright battles (protests and meeting with various MPs) since Dec 2007 have resulted in Canadians winning the rights to have the federal gov consult with us first before they try to update the existing copyright legislation.

With the clear and unacceptable defects in Bill C-61 are still fresh in our memories, it is extremely important for each of us to take a few moments to email our submissions. Yes, it is as easy as an email !

*** Online Consultation ***

The public and online consultation period is from July 20 to Sept 13, 2009.

The Copyright e-consultation site has instructions to submit your views and many useful resources (events archives, discussions, comments, and public submissions).

Prof. Michael Geist has created a specific site to share his insights specific to this consultation.

And Michael’s “short answer” on copyright.

*** Calgary Round Table on Copyright***

On July 21, 2009, Rob Tiessen (chair of the Canadian Library Association‘s Copyright Working Group) attended the Calgary Round Table and Rob has kindly shared with his meeting notes. Pls follow this link to read his notes.

*** Sharing our views about copyright ***

Yes, we won the rights to be heard. Now, lets speak out by sending in our email submissions.

So lets keep it up by redouble our effort to share our views and remind the government of the problems in the ill-conceived Bill C-61. Especially we now have two new ministers that are working on the copyright file, Minister Tony Clement (Industry) and Minster James Moore (Heritage), who seem to be willing to listen to Canadians.

Lets exercise our rights and “Speak Out On Copyright” by check out the above links, and send in your submission via email.

Cheers,
Kempton Lam
Fair Copyright for Canada (Calgary Chapter)

Copyright Round Table in Calgary

Rob Tiessen (chair of the Canadian Library Association‘s Copyright Working Group) has kindly provided us with his meeting notes at the Calgary Round Table on Copyright on July 21, 2009. The following are his notes.

Thanks Rob.

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As chair of the Canadian Library Association‘s Copyright Working Group, I was asked to represent CLA at the Calgary Round Table on Copyright on July 21, 2009.  The Federal Government is consulting Canadians on modernizing copyright in Canada.  Part of the process includes Copyright Round Tables in Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Gatineau and possibly more locations.

The following organizations gave presentations at the Calgary Round Table:

• The Canadian Association of Broadcasters – Gary Maavara
• The Canadian Chamber of Commerce – Lee Webster
• The Canadian Library Association – Rob Tiessen
• The Canadian Publishers Council – Catherine Campbell
• Digital Alberta – Rene Smid
• The Retail Council of Canada – Peter Pilarski
• Shaw Communcations – Cynthia Rathwell
• The University of Calgary Student’s Union – Kay She

The following Government representatives attended the Calgary Round Table:

• The Honourable Tony Clement.  Minister of Industry.
• Ms. Colette Downey.  Director General – Marketplace Framework Policy Branch – Industry Canada.
• Ms. Barbara Motzney.  Director General – Copyright Policy Branch – Canadian Heritage.
• Ms. Zoe Addington.  Policy Advisor to Minister Clement -

All the Government representatives were very engaged in the process.  Minister Clement asked many follow up questions to the participants.

The Canadian Library Association presented on the following points.

Fair Dealing:

• We would like to see the most important elements of the CCH Supreme Court Judgment incorporated in the Copyright Act.
• Canadians who act with a good faith belief that their actions with respect to a work are within fair dealing or are protected by some other user right should not be subject to statutory damages, similar to the provisions in section 504 of US copyright law.

Husband Diplomacy – Euna Lee & Laura Ling freed

It is wonderful that the two American journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling are on the way home on the plane with President “private citizen” Clinton.

SIGGRAPH 2009

I am looking forward to Oscar winning animator Chris Landreth sharing his experience of attending SIGGRAPH 2009 in his blog.

Here is a really cool and specialized SIGGRAPH 2009 Technical Papers Video Preview

And a neat (and technical again) “Deforming Meshes that Split and Merge, SIGGRAPH 2009″

Here is a cheesy SIGGRAPH 2009 Preview Video. No idea why SIGGRAPH made this preview so cheesy to look and sound like a bad ad. :)

Watching all these videos reminded me of the old days in 1991 when my friends were rending teapots and simple objects in the computer lab calculating the shadows and reflections, etc. We’ve come a long way.

Goodbye President Cory Aquino

Maggie Fox of Reuters said it well in her insightful piece “WITNESS: Aquino’s “people power” swept up reporters, too“,

Even though Cory Aquino did not preside over a glorious transformation of her country, she did help change the world. Her People’s Power revolution helped inspire others — in the Czech Republic, where the model of peaceful resistance worked, and in Tiananmen Square three years later, where it did not.

Many of us who covered Aquino’s triumph were there in Tiananmen Square, and I remember feeling arrogantly that maybe we were making a difference by being there, too, a shield protecting the young men and women gathered in the Chinese capital to demand democracy. That idea was destroyed 20 years ago this past June, when troops cleared the square, with a still uncountable toll.

At least Aquino was able to die of natural causes. And she left her country free to choose its own way.

I happened to come across some photos of ddiannelouise paying final respect to President Aquino, saying “Thank You and Goodbye.” With her permissions, I have reposted the photos in this post.

FCC, Apple, App Store, Schmidt resigns from Apple’s board

• Apple Draws FCC Inquiry WIth Shady iPhone App Rejections
• Opening the Wireless Internet: The Importance of Carterfone
• Why Schmidt Had To Go (WaPo)

Here is an excerpt from WaPo,

Google wants the mobile Web to be as open as the Internet. It’s entire mobile strategy is predicated on open access for all apps, devices, and services because that creates a larger, more vibrant, and more searchable mobile Web.

Apple is not about being open. It never has been. Every app on the iPhone (all 50,000 of them) must be approved individually, for instance. [...] It is his fiduciary duty. That conflict is only going to grow. And that is perhaps why Jobs says his “effectiveness as an Apple Board member will be significantly diminished.”

Schmidt had to go. Not just because of the dust-up with the FCC and the Google Voice app. But because Google has a different set of agendas which already are putting strains on the relationship. Google wants to diminish the importance of any single computing device in favor of Web apps which sit in the cloud and are accessible fromall devices? [...]

Ultimately, that is a bigger threat to Apple than Microsoft ever was.

Shred Sleds & Shutterbugs – VFS

Watch this in HD if you. Beautiful photos and nice doc and story telling.

Created by Vancouver Film School students through the VFS Film Production program:

Director: Martinus Pool
Producer: Patrick Servais
Camera Operator: Gary Koay
Lighting: Tim Edwards
Music Score: Martin Pool
Editors:
Tim Edwards
Patrick Servais

Giant Leap – VFS

Created by Vancouver Film School student Kyle Botha through the VFS 3D Animation & Visual Effects program. Short and sweet. Enjoy.