All Blog Posts from Couric & Co.

Admit it, we've likely all either succumbed to the temptation or watched someone else do it: check an e-mail or text message or talk on the phone while driving. We've convinced ourselves we're master multi-taskers and can handle any number of distractions from a screaming kid to changing the address in a GPS device to thumb-typing "honeee ill b home l8 2nite."

In the spirit of full disclosure, I'll raise my hand as a guilty party, too. But ever since I did a story last year on the serious accidents and even deaths associated with the hazards of talking or texting while driving I've really managed to curb my bad habits. Still, on a larger scale, the problem isn't getting much better. In fact, it might be getting worse.

This week, people from government, car makers, insurance companies, safety groups and more will meet in Washington, DC, at the Distracted Driver Summit. The purpose-- the find ways to educate people about the dangers, better enforce existing laws or create new ones (maybe on a nationwide level that could include banning all handheld use), and discuss technologies that could prevent people from using their devices while driving.

Today, we tagged along with about 40 teenagers as they took part in a safe driving course that put them in the driver's seat while being bombarded by distractions. For 17-year-old Joseph James, it was an eye-opening experience. Before getting in the car he was pretty confident about his performance. But after mowing down more than a few cones he came away humbled.

I hope you'll watch our story tonight on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric and maybe generate some discussion with your fellow loved ones (aka drivers). Of course, we can all agree there's a lot to be said for simple common sense in this case, but aren't we all a little guilty of forgetting that sometimes?

Over at Tech Talk, our sister blog, science and technology correspondent (and self-proclaimed "digital nomad") Daniel Sieberg has given us a little previewa of his story on tonight's CBS Evening News. It's about grade-school kids using the Web not just to share too much information about themselves - but to share potentially-illegal video tips on how to deceive their teachers and cheat on tests.

Here's a taste:

It's no secret that young people make mistakes; it's a necessary part of growing up. But the Internet - and specifically the rise of video-sharing Web sites - opened a new portal for potential pitfalls. On tonight's CBS Evening News with Katie Couric we're looking at how teens are posting controversial videos on sites like YouTube, often in the hopes of getting noticed or showing off. But in the process they may be setting themselves up for real-world consequences in the future.

For our story we talked to two young people about their decision to post "how to cheat on a test" videos on YouTube. Both of our subjects are unrepentant about their decision - but they also do not want us to use their real names. Both said they're seeking attention and aren't worried about being caught because "adults don't use YouTube."

Wait, adults don't use YouTube? Huh. Somebody must have forgotten to tell Oprah, Charlie Rose, and, or course, Katie. Anyway, check out the rest of Daniel's blog post right here, and don't forget to watch tonight at 6:30 ET.

Daniel Sieberg is CBS News' science and technology correspondent.

---

In the age of the Internet, it sometimes seems that nothing's private. But what if EVERYTHING - including gossip, name-calling, and slander - was fair game?

On some Web sites - particularly one popular with college students called JuicyCampus.com - that sort of thing is thriving. Anything goes.

Tonight, I'll take an in-depth look tonight at the Web Site that's giving plenty of college students - and their parents - nightmares.

For an early peek, just click below.

Daniel Sieberg is a CBS News correspondent based in New York.

---

The ocean's coral reefs are many times more diverse than rainforests and are disappearing four times as fast. Check out this behind-the-scenes look at Daniel Sieberg's report on the effects of climate warming on coral reefs and the researchers that are tackling the problem.

Over at Tech Talk, Science and Technology Correspondent Daniel Sieberg gives his candid closing thoughts on CES — and highlights a growing problem in the tech world: What on earth to do with all those shiny new gadgets once they grow dusty and old. And it's a big issue, considering there is already two million tons of e-waste in the United States. That's a lot of toxic trash.

Here's a taste:

So, as it turns out the Consumer Electronics Show got the best of us, in some ways. The producer on the shoot got a wicked case of the flu, I caught a minor stomach bug going around and basically we hobbled out of Las Vegas with some story ideas for the future. Overall, a decent show this year, but definitely somewhat subdued compared to previous gatherings. Hard to tell if it was a result of being overshadowed by the New Hampshire primary, our collective illnesses, or a cooling in the gadget world. Food for thought. In any case, we move onto tonight's piece on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric that highlights a growing problem in the technology marketplace — what to do with all the (literally) tons of discarded electronics?

James Burgett, a former drug addict and homeless person, is taking the challenge head on. His motto is: obsolescence is just a lack of imagination. Burgett runs a non-profit re-use operation outside San Francisco. While he's in favor of better recycling options for electronics — and feels more companies need to alter harmful manufacturing methods — he is primarily an outspoken proponent of re-use. He and his team, many of who are convicted felons or former drug addicts, take thousands of pounds of computers, fax machines, printers, PDAs, game consoles, etc. every month and re-furbish them before donating them to schools or charities.

You can see Daniel's full story tonight on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric. Or in the meantime, check out his entire post over at his blog, Tech Talk.

Oodles of touchscreen phones, an array of uber-thin flat-panel TVs and 140,000 tech-savvy folks drooling over these and other innovative electronics: This is CES 2008. Our science and technology correspondent Daniel Sieberg is braving the biggest gadget expo of the year, and is filing dispatches over at Tech Talk.

Check out a preview below – or just head on over to see his latest report on the gadgets you'll be buzzing about for months to come.

What do you get when you combine elements of the Super Bowl, Mardi Gras, and TV's "Get Smart"? Well, the Consumer Electronics Show or CES 2008, of course, which is now in it's 41st year. For me, it's number six. Yeah, there'll be big crowds all fighting for the first look at the most coveted devices to contain a microchip. (By the way, is a gadget more desirable if it's "cool" or if it's "hot"? Discuss.) Once the show starts Monday morning there's very little wiggle room anywhere; prepare to queue up for everything from food to taxis to bottled water to getting your hands on the flashiest doodad.

Read full post…

Over at Tech Talk, Science and Technology Correspondent Daniel Sieberg has some background on his Evening News piece for tonight, a special story of when science meets human perseverance — and when man meets machine.

Here's a taste:

It’s not often you meet a researcher looking for a solution to a condition they themselves are dealing with. But when you do their quest has added resonance. Hugh Herr is a double amputee, having lost both his legs below the knee while mountain climbing at age 17. He’s also one of the world’s leading prosthetics innovators through his work at MIT. Herr was recently awarded the $250,000 Heinz Award for Technology, the Economy and Employment, but more importantly his efforts have resulted in breakthroughs for other amputees like Iraq war veteran, Army Spc. Garth Stewart.

Stewart was the first recipient of Herr’s rather bionic lower leg, which uses a combination of subtle mechanics and delicate robotics to better recreate human muscles and bones. Stewart, who previously had a decent but limited prosthetic, is astounded at the difference. He had part of his lower left leg blown off when he stepped on a landmine. Now, he’s excited about the future possibilities, which include reduced lower back pain, something many amputee wearers suffer. And Stewart should know about fatigue since this is a guy who still practices jujitsu. (Seriously.)

You can see Daniel's full story tonight on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric. Or in the meantime, check out his entire post at our sister blog, Tech Talk.

If you're looking for someplace cool to escape the summer heat, have no fear. You can join Daniel Sieberg up north. Way up north. Like, at the top of the world.

Sieberg has embarked on a remarkable odyssey to the Arctic Circle, to get an up-close-and-personal glimpse at climate change. And he's filing regular reports for CBS News and CBSNews.com.

Wander over to this link for his ongoing reports, with the latest photos, video and blogs. Fascinating stuff.

And no sweat. Really.

The new CBS News science and technology correspondent Daniel "Cyber" Sieberg is up and running with his new blog, Tech Talk.

One of his first assignments is to head to Las Vegas for the annual Consumer Electronics Show next week (not the worst gig to hand out to the new guy by any means.) He'll be updating his blog on the major events from CES and he's lined up an interview with the grandmaster of technology, Bill Gates. Welcome, Daniel, to CBSNews.com, and we look forward to seeing what you dig up at CES.

Read full post…