Do you know what to do with it? My contacts are empty because I know no one using it. I CAN'T WAVE! ,-)
- Jess
Right now, I'm pretty much just IMing, I mean WAVE-ing with my husband. He just sent me a file. Odd that it doesn't open in Google Docs. He could have sent me the same file via Gtalk with the same results. I'll have to dig deeper, I guess.
- Admiral Anika
Waves themselves have rich text collaborative editing which is the important thing about Google Docs anyway. Once they get the full fledged GDoc import/export functionality integrated it'll be pretty sweet. Docs, Mail, and Talk all in one tool.
- Daniel J. Pritchett
My husband is insisting this will make our work easier. As it is right now, we send photos via Gtalk, FF or I'll post them to Flickr. He does his edits and sends them back. I don't know...if there was more integration with all my Google stuff, I can see it being useful. Right now, I'd rather just use IM since I don't have to be on the page for it. Are there alerts for Waves? I'm not seeing that feature.
- Admiral Anika
It's not ready for primetime, Anika. The only place where I can really see it being useful TODAY is for collaborating on a proposal or blog post or something. The rest is all in the near future pending the addition of some glue features like email alerts and general Google integration. But when that gets here it should be fabulous. Fabulous!
- Daniel J. Pritchett
True. Know what I would really adore? A Wave widget for iGoogle. That would make this easier, I guess. I see my Gtalk contacts in Wave. Are those only people with Wave invites?
- Admiral Anika
ROFL We *could* be using Wave, but we are still yelling at each other through the window. Tech failure.
- Admiral Anika
My personal opinion ultimately has no weight beyond myself, of course but the only way this situation can get anything other than my derision is if he humbly declines the award. Otherwise, you have to be blind not to begin to question the man's character.
yep, we said the same thing this morning. which leads me to ask: has anyone ever declined a nobel prize, in any category?
- Blackeyed P
I'd have to think there's a pretty large team of staffers and advisors considering the logistics and etiquette of declining.
- Ken Sheppardson
Le Duc Tho in 1973. Was awarded the peace prize along with Kissenger, but declined because they hadn't yet achieved peace in Vietnam.
- Ken Sheppardson
who needs google, when you've got ff? ;) thanks ken.
- Blackeyed P
I'm not feeling quite as harsh as Akiva, but I also think that the president should decline the award.
- Tad
Yes, I wouldn't state it quite so strongly, but I agree that declining the award would be wiser in political terms and also, like, reality terms.
- s t e v e
Hey, I wrote that he had to accept the award first before we should call his character in to question! Unfortunately—and this is probably my cynicism overwhelming me this morning—, I doubt he'll decline the award. He'll probably go out there, accept it with a face full of phony humility and barely-constrained vanity, wow everyone with a heartfelt speech promoting ideals of homogenized peace and
- Akiva Moskovitz
I think it's quite a stretch to question the man's character for winning an award he did not seek and was granted to his own complete amazement. One could even make a compelling argument that if he commits himself to living up to the award that it would be, you know, a GOOD thing.
- Kevin Pedraja
So he needs to win an award that he doesn't deserve to get the inspiration to live up to the ideals that the award represents?
- Akiva Moskovitz
If you want to blame the guy for the decisions of others, go right ahead. Logic be damned. I was merely suggesting that it could provide additional motivation. But, please, continue to hate.
- Kevin Pedraja
So because I don't agree with him accepting the award (notice that I haven't faulted him for being chosen for it), it's 'hate'? That's a severe misuse of the word.
- Akiva Moskovitz
@Akiva, Also a racist, you racist bastard, you.
- Alex Scrivener
I'm using "hate" in the current, popular, ironic sense. As in "don't be a hater." Cuz I'm hip like that.
- Kevin Pedraja
And, you know, it's all love around FF.
- Kevin Pedraja
I'm pretty disappointed he didn't find a diplomatic way to decline the award.
- Spidra Webster
Spidra, if he did, I'm sure that the GOP would have found a way to criticize him for "insulting" the Nobel committee.
- Kevin Pedraja
Akiva/Spidra, did his acceptance speech and humility change your opinion at all?
- Stephen Mack
No. Saying that you don't feel like you deserve to be grouped in with some of the other Nobel Peace Prize winners but still taking the prize just doesn't cut it for me.
- Akiva Moskovitz
This situation is a very sad commentary on society. Global society, not just U.S. We have reached a point where we are rewarding intent and aspirations, not results. This could mark the tipping point in the self-destruction of humankind.
- Larry Hawes
In this particular case it really is about wirled peas, Barry.
- Eric Logan
I agree with Kevin. The "Obama opposition" is determined to paint him in a poor light no matter what he does. Had he decllined it would have been an insult and show America to be ungrateful. Instead he has accepted it and now he's shallow, lacks character, blah blah blah. He's damned if he does and he's damned if he doesn't. As an outsider all this bickering just shows how truly pathetic politics in the U.S. has become That is coming from a Canadian where we've just about gotten that down to a science.
- Kenton
I can't find one person who can tell me who won the Nobel Peace Prize last year without consulting Wikipedia, yet somehow we're spinning this as something that "could mark the tipping point in the self-destruction of humankind." Give me a break.
- Ken Sheppardson
"...the self-destruction of humankind." Wow Larry, you need a vacation. This is the Nobel Peace Prize we're talking about here. They awarded this prize to Yasser Arafat. If a bad choice for winner of a prize that really doesn't mean anything is enough to drive the self-destruction of humankind, then we've got way bigger problems. Oh wait, we do have way bigger problems.
- Kenton
Thanks Ken. Akiva, do you take issue with the committee's reasoning? And if so, where? I'll take my answer offline as I'm off for the commute... I may not check back until tomorrow... Be well everyone.
- MASTER OF THE OBVIOUS
Although I don't necessarily buy into the committee's motives and reasons, it's not up to me to decide such things. I mean, if they can give one out to Arafat, they can give one out to anyone. I take issue with the fact that Obama accepted it.
- Akiva Moskovitz
Ken & Kenton: Yes, perhaps I'm being a bit dramatic. You're focusing on "who", not "why"? I agree that "who" is essentially irrelevant to this prize (as is the prize itself). The "why" should be important and is, in this case, the reason for my discomfort and concern. Very bad precedent to set.
- Larry Hawes
Theres no way (even for a speaker as gifted as our current President) to refuse The Nobel Prize for Peace with out it being perceived as an insult. One that could undermine much of the (diplomatic) progress that has been made up to this point. Does he "deserve" it? I honestly don't know, but as opposed to criticizing him for accepting it, why not seize on this as an opportunity to make him earn it?
- J. Abdul-Qahhar
Interesting point, J. In fact, you can take it a bit further and say that by accepting the prize, he has most likely set himself up to fail because, now that he has accepted it, he'll most likely be unable to live up to the expectations generated by it. Very interesting.
- Akiva Moskovitz
Very well put, J. -- you've captured my opinion perfectly.
- Stephen Mack
Akiva, the Nobel committee's note with the award says they believe he's already earned it: http://nobelpeaceprize.org/en_GB... -- meanwhile, President Obama's acceptance speech makes it clear that he intends to try to live up to those expectations. I believe there's no way he can decline without it being a grave and irreparable insult to the world stage.
- Stephen Mack
J., I made the same point earlier and Akiva ridiculed me for it. But I still think he has a cute baby...
- Kevin Pedraja
Perhaps it is also a statement on the "also running" and the "current climate opposed to world peace in government power" as well as "to one whom we have pinned our hope on and have invested all our broken dreams within". In that case, it is not an award of personal achievement but rather one that is given to make a statement. However, I'm not sure we need any more statements, rather the "poetry must be acted rather than composed." (Chesterton)
- Melanie Reed
DEAR COMMITTEE: GIVE THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE TO AUDREY MOSKOVITZ. YOU CAN TELL THIS PLEA IS HEARTFELT BECAUSE IT IS IN ALL CAPS. SHE REPRESENTS INNOCENCE AND PEACE FOR ALL HUMANITY. LOVE and PEACE, me.
- Stephen Mack
And, for the record, lest anyone be confused, I don't think Obama deserved the award. Call it the last giant F/U to George W. Bush, who the world pretty much thought was a buffoon. I just think it's a stretch to say it reflects a flaw in Obama's character that he accepted it.
- Kevin Pedraja
For the record, I didn't ridicule anyone. I just asked a clarifying question. Secondly, notice that I rather liked J.'s interpretation of the situation which should suggest that I feel that I may have been hasty in calling into question Obama's character. That would be true if it wasn't for things that Obama has done, like lying to AIPAC, etc.
- Akiva Moskovitz
Akiva, that may well be one of the most ridiculous arguments I've ever heard. He's showing his ego by accepting the award? Hell, you have to have a monumental ego to run for political office to begin with, let alone think that you have what it takes to be President of the United States, to say nothing of the first black President. The fact that he hasn't cracked from the pressure he's...
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- Steven Perez
Kevin, you're right the GOP would bitch no matter what so it's best to ignore them and play to the sane. Stephen, I haven't read a transcript, but I just watched some video of his speech. While it's a graceful speech, I still would have tons more respect for Obama had he and his advisors found a diplomatic way to decline the award. Remember that the medal also comes with a large...
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- Spidra Webster
Steven, I am under no requirement to let him have anything. Also, just because his job might require ego doesn't mean that I can't be critical of him for his application of it. I mean, I don't remember people giving Bush's ego a pass just because he was in office.
- Akiva Moskovitz
One of the press asked him after the speech, Stephen, and he walked away without answering. I hadn't seen any news about the amt yet.
- Spidra Webster
The charity to which he donates the money will most likely say a lot about his mindset about the politics of his receiving and accepting the prize.
- Akiva Moskovitz
When Obama acts with the same level of hubris that Bush acted with, then I'd agree with you.
- Steven Perez
from IM
I'd suggest that Obama is the poster child for hubris.
- Akiva Moskovitz
"Hey, Obama. We think you're a pretty cool guy. How about an award you didn't stump for and probably don't deserve?" "Nah, I'm above all that. How about you give it to the next guy down?" Yeah, that's really not egotistical at all, Akiva.
- Steven Perez
from IM
Yeah, that's a good idea. Let's sit around and compare names until we can determine where in the World Cup of Hubris Obama falls. More than Netanyahu? Less than Houssein? Hmm!
- Akiva Moskovitz
Alternatively, perhaps a team of staffers and advisors spent the morning trying to assess whether declining would be seen as an insult, cause more harm than good, etc. vs the "outrage" among various bloggers, press, and folks who'd find fault with him no matter what he decided to do.
- Ken Sheppardson
Right, Steven, and that's exactly what I suggested he do.
- Akiva Moskovitz
Also, for the record, I don't find fault in him no matter what he decides to do. In fact, if you guys would go back up the thread, you'd find that I changed my mind upon realizing that the repercussions probably would have been worse had he not accepted it as J., Ken, and others pointed out.
- Akiva Moskovitz
So, Akiva, how then does Obama express his "overweening pride?" I'm just curious to see how you back up your assertion.
- Kevin Pedraja
I think it's pretty extreme to say that Obama is the poster child for hubris. I don't think Obama believes his own press, for instance. I don't think he's flying too close to the sun.
- Spidra Webster
I never used the phrase 'overweening pride', Kevin.
- Akiva Moskovitz
Spidra, that remark was mostly hyperbole. I do, however, see him as strikingly prideful. There's a fine line between overly prideful and presidential and, with him, it's sometimes blurred.
- Akiva Moskovitz
I would also like to direct all of you to the very first sentence of my post, too.
- Akiva Moskovitz
Heh, Akiva, "notice that I rather liked J.'s interpretation of the situation which should suggest that I feel that I may have been hasty in calling into question Obama's character" -- that was too subtle for me. :)
- Stephen Mack
Stephen, I like to fly under the radar sometimes.
- Akiva Moskovitz
Again, examples please. I'm truly interested.
- Kevin Pedraja
Sorry, Kevin, but what you're asking is equivalent to asking me why I find Scarlett Johansson attractive. It's subjective.
- Akiva Moskovitz
That's a cop out, Akiva. If you think he's too prideful, you should at least be able to provide an example or two. It's not that subjective.
- Kevin Pedraja
I don't care if you think it's a cop out, Kevin. I do however humbly apologize that I don't have a record of the moments when I thought to myself, 'Well, he's sure looking egotistical today.'
- Akiva Moskovitz
I'm too lazy to read all 70 comments. Is there a place where Akiva took back the "you have to be blind not to begin to question the man's character" part? Those words imply that his analysis involves minimal subjectivity.
- Bruce Lewis
Nope. I did not take that back. Everyone I know today has been questioning his character based on this. Some people find that it doesn't affect their opinion of his character at all; some find that their opinion of him has improved; and still others have found that their opinion of him has become more negative. Anyone who just sits there and agrees with what he does simply because he's Obama are no better than those who disagree with what he does simply because he's Obama.
- Akiva Moskovitz
I might question his character based on handling of FISA or wiretapping, but I don't think I would have thought about the character implications of failing to turn down the Nobel prize if not for the FriendFeed comments I see about it. Only after reading those did I think and find my opinion unaffected. Johnny's wikipedia quote helped too.
- Bruce Lewis
Well, there ya go, then. That's what this is all about. You read some stuff, you read some other stuff, you formulate your own opinion. For some reason, though, some people have trouble doing that.
- Akiva Moskovitz
However, Bruce, now that I think about it, I see those issues independently. The Nobel Peace Prize is a personal award; it's distinct from the Office of the US President. It's for that reason I questioned his character. Wiretapping or FISA or other issues are political issues and issues relating to his job. To me, those are two different things (although, of course, there's some overlap to be expected).
- Akiva Moskovitz
But to clarify your original post, suppose I hadn't read the character-questioning comments on FriendFeed. Suppose it never crossed my mind to raise the character question? Would you say I was blind?
- Bruce Lewis
C'mon, Akiva. I'm not picking on you, but jeesh, you make a sweeping statement like Obama is the poster child for hubris and then you can't provide even the least bit of factual evidence to support your statement. You're in Glenn Beck territory now.
- Kevin Pedraja
Interestingly, veo, Martin Sheen has done a lot more time on the front lines of anti-war activities than Obama has, I believe.
- Spidra Webster
I'd have to disagree, abandoning the missile defense shield program which would have rushed the world into another arms race has a huge impact now and for the future, it shouldn't be marginalized that in and of itself sets a global tenor for peace.
- sofarsoShawn
As well Obama's backing of multi-lateral institutions & his outreach to the muslim world are significant; and taking a look at the other candidates, I would judge as well it's a fair choice. Barlet however...he'd have us all singing arm in arm "It's a Small World". WWBD
- sofarsoShawn
"This could mark the tipping point in the self-destruction of humankind." ROFL
- Andrew C
At any rate, any things that I do bring up will invite a swath of commentary, argument, debate, and so forth. Worthy topics all, I'm sure, but probably deserving of their own threads. I'm done with political discussion for now, though. The weekend's here!
- Akiva Moskovitz
Interesting thread. It was like a Gumpian box of chocolates.
- Micah Wittman
Yes, thanks Akiva. Enjoy the weekend, your babby and your blushing bride. I will hoist a Curveball at Pyramid in your honor tonight.
- Kevin Pedraja
You mean besides the fact that Twitter service is unreliable? :>P
- Larry Hawes
I'm glad this is being pointed out. I've gone from a guy who wanted Twitter to succeed when many were enjoying their many tech failures... to someone who is now repulsed by the the hyper-valuation of the service, data and company in general. Today, Twitter looks like a huge scam. And who will get scammed by Twitter? Any company who signs a business contract with them. In particular, CNN...
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- sull
from FriendFeed MT Plugin
We can't assume that Google and Bing won't innovate relating to how they would handle the firehose from Twitter. I think Twitter can benefit from some heavy duty analytics (which Bing and Google have the scale to accomplish). It's a brilliant strategy- if anyone can monetize the "search" aspect of Twitter with scale, that's probably Bing and Google. But I agree with RWW that I won't be expecting a big down payment for this deal- rather a ramp-up driven approach where it could get big gradually, over time.
- William Mougayar
from FriendFeed MT Plugin
+1 on need for hashtag dictionary. Perhaps Twitter should require conferences to register hashtag in directory?
- Larry Hawes
Brizzly offers wiki-style definitions for trending topics but not for *every* hashtag. I like the idea and I'd like to see it scale out to every hashtag and every client. Here's a writeup on that: http://www.louisgray.com/live...
- Daniel J. Pritchett
A couple of things spring to mind 1) Moores law wasn't common knowledge back then. 2) People's desire to get laid means they will use any means of communication at their disposal.
- James Robertson
Hehe. I thought it felt more like "acquiring" than "buying" to me, because it will be such an important part of my life. I expect it to be with me much longer than most of my other possessions. My last bike has served me for over 13 years. Unfortunately, the gearing hub broke down recently. Since I don't think I can get back the exact same gearing hub, I decided it was time to retire it. I think this will be a worthy successor. Same brand, similar model actually. Just all "2009".
- Meryn Stol