Online Gossip: Out Of Control Or Reflection Of Real Life?
Pssssst -- a quick posting today to mention a story I'm finishing for tonight's Evening News with Katie Couric. It's all about gossip. And that's no rumor. It's primarily about sites that cater to college students like Juicycampus.com and JHUConfessions.com. The operator of Juicycampus (2005 Duke grad Matt Ivester) wouldn't speak to us despite repeated attempts to get him on camera. But the founder of JHUConfessions, which focuses on Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, did speak to us. He's a physics/astronomy grad named Andy Mann, and he was pretty candid in saying that the older generation just doesn't "get it," and that sites like his provide a worthwhile forum for young people to engage in a wide variety of subjects. But we also talk to a Pepperdine University student who was quite hurt by what was written about him on Juicycampus.
Video: In any case, the trend hardly seems to be slowing down (although it will cool somewhat during the summer months). So is it simply free speech at work or should there be a limit to what's tolerated on these types of sites? I hope you'll tune in tonight.
Space Cadet Reporting For Duty
It's the end of the week and I'm feeling a little space-y. But can you blame me? It started with experiencing zero gravity, was followed up with watching the Phoenix Mars Lander touch down on the Red Planet, and this weekend Discovery is scheduled to head to the international space station, in part to deliver some critical components: a toilet repair kit.
Last weekend our intrepid CBS crew (pictured here from left: Andre Palai, space cadet rank 0, Anthony Laudato, and Mike Hernandez) ventured to Las Vegas to go up in the Zero-G plane to experience -- what else -- zero gravity. We took the suggested amount of Dramamine beforehand, and probably took one pill too many since we all felt a little sleepy on the way up. But we quickly snapped to alert as the plane went through its 15 parabolas mimicking lunar, Martian, and finally zero gravity. Challenging circumstances to shoot video, but I think we availed ourselves well and managed to not get sick. Stay tuned for the finished story all about commerical space travel on CBS Sunday Morning sometime in the next month or two.
Back on the ground and positioned in front of a TV at the JFK airport baggage claim, Anthony and I watched the Phoenix Mars Lander ease its way down, going through the final stages of landing that NASA dubbed "seven minutes of terror" since there was no inflated balloon to cushion its descent. But all went according to plan with the chute and thrusters, and the engineers at JPL in Pasadena, CA, erupted in cheers.
Unlike the plucky NASA rovers Spirit and Opportunity, the lander will now spend the next several months in a stationary position, using a digging arm to search for signs of life in the Martian soil. For more on this mission, click here to listen to my CBS radio interview for SciEye with Tony Reichhardt, a senior editor at Air & Space magazine. (By the way, he believes Mars has already been "colonized" -- for an explanation, listen to the interview!)
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(Steve Boxall / Zero G)
Back on the ground and positioned in front of a TV at the JFK airport baggage claim, Anthony and I watched the Phoenix Mars Lander ease its way down, going through the final stages of landing that NASA dubbed "seven minutes of terror" since there was no inflated balloon to cushion its descent. But all went according to plan with the chute and thrusters, and the engineers at JPL in Pasadena, CA, erupted in cheers.
(CBS)
Continue »
Space Cadet Reporting For Duty
It's the end of the week and I'm feeling a little space-y. But can you blame me? It started with experiencing zero gravity, was followed up with watching the Phoenix Mars Lander touch down on the Red Planet, and this weekend Discovery is scheduled to head to the international space station, in part to deliver some critical components: a toilet repair kit.
The Platypus, The 'Thunder' & The Swimsuit(s) Of The Future
(AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
In gadget news, it seems the ranks of the iPhone "killers" are preparing to swell again. Word has leaked of RIM's latest Blackberry edition, the code-named "Thunder" (no word if it's from "Down Under," like the platypus). So, to recap, we've had offerings from Samsung, HTC, Verizon, and Nokia plus a few others, and no doubt more will follow. I'm just not convinced mimicking the touchscreen part of the iPhone is the way to compete again Apple in the overall cellphone market. But when has the herd mentality stopped tech companies before? I can't recall.
I'm working on a few stories for the coming days (yes, including the weekend) -- on CBS Sunday Morning I've got a story about new, high-tech swimsuit designs from companies like TYR and Speedo. The report includes interviews with two Olympic-calibre swimmers: Peter Marshall and Jessica Hardy. Plus me in a swimsuit! (Sort of.) Actually, be sure to watch this Sunday -- the whole show is about design (and annual tradition), and host Charles Osgood taped it from Berlin. On Sunday's Evening News there may be an encore presentation of our story about saving coral in Florida, and Monday morning on the CBS Early Show we're planning to demo Nintendo's Wii Fit live from Central Park. Gamers getting in shape -- NO WAY!!
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Disappearing WiFi, Apple Gets Poor 'Green' Grade, Friday Odds & Ends
Tapping into the wi-fi feature on an iPhone can be handy, and definitely faster than the current AT&T EDGE network allows. But now users are wondering what the deal is after AT&T first told subscribers that all AT&T public wi-fi hotspots could be accessed for free, then apparently removing any trace of the offer from its Web sites. Has anyone else experienced this? In other Apple news, a report looking at the "greenness" of various tech companies gave Steve Jobs' company low marks for greenhouse gas emissions. The ClimateCounts survey put Apple at the back of the pack, well behind firms like IBM, Canon and Toshiba, which finished at the top. For more, check out the story here. This particular survey aside, does the "green practices" of a tech company have any bearing on your purchases? Worth thinking about.
We've all heard about "GTAIV"'s release last week, and the sales numbers seem to be breaking all records. At last count, total revenues have exceeded $500 million, with even the single-day record set by "Halo 3" being shattered. But if you're looking for something that still involves smashing things without all the "M-rated" violence, it's worth checking out Steven Spielberg's collaboration with EA on "Boom Blox." It's amazingly inventive and immersive, and actually quite addictive. I had a chance to play it a couple months back and it really caught me by surprise.
In other news -- scientists have mapped the genetic makeup of the platypus, which actually has ramifications for understanding how us humans evolved, and the countdown continues for the super cool (and rather expensive) Phoenix Mars Lander. Just a little more than two weeks! Finally, I'll be attending the Berkman Future of the Internet conference at Harvard next Friday and supplying CBSNews.com with interviews, photos and video of the event. The following week I'll be at the Ziff Davis Electronic Gaming Summit, and I hope to provide some insights from there, too. In the meantime, stay connected!
We've all heard about "GTAIV"'s release last week, and the sales numbers seem to be breaking all records. At last count, total revenues have exceeded $500 million, with even the single-day record set by "Halo 3" being shattered. But if you're looking for something that still involves smashing things without all the "M-rated" violence, it's worth checking out Steven Spielberg's collaboration with EA on "Boom Blox." It's amazingly inventive and immersive, and actually quite addictive. I had a chance to play it a couple months back and it really caught me by surprise.
In other news -- scientists have mapped the genetic makeup of the platypus, which actually has ramifications for understanding how us humans evolved, and the countdown continues for the super cool (and rather expensive) Phoenix Mars Lander. Just a little more than two weeks! Finally, I'll be attending the Berkman Future of the Internet conference at Harvard next Friday and supplying CBSNews.com with interviews, photos and video of the event. The following week I'll be at the Ziff Davis Electronic Gaming Summit, and I hope to provide some insights from there, too. In the meantime, stay connected!
Sieberg's Reporter's Notebook
"Only On The Web": Daniel Sieberg shoots a behind-the-scenes look at his report on the effects of climate warming on coral reefs.
Saving Coral
Our colorful story on what one marine biologist in Miami is doing to help save coral reefs airs tonight on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric. I hope you'll tune in to watch! He's got an interesting approach to preserving the symbiotic relationship between corals and algae, and he's hoping to really make a difference with his research. Corals are like the rainforest of the ocean, and they're disappearing at an alarming rate at places around the world. And even though they only cover less than one percent of the Earth's surface, coral reefs are vital as a home for massive biodiversity. You can also watch some behind-the-scenes video clips that I shot on my Flip camera, including our trip about 10 miles offshore to Biscayne Bay and how we tried to keep our balance onboard the tiny boat in some choppy waves.
From A Dip In The Ocean To A Ride Into Space (Well, Not Quite)
My weeks can be rather eclectic given all the travel I do and the subject matters I cover, but this past week certainly ranks among the most fascinating and diverse. In the span of several days I snorkeled in waters off the coast of Miami while observing coral samples get collected, chatted with rocket scientists in the Mojave Desert who want to take people into space, and spent time in a famous pool in Mission Viejo as I tried out one of the new Olympic swimsuits that cover most of the body. Yes, my week started and ended with me being all wet.
I started out in Miami on Sunday night and Monday as part of a story about a marine biologist there named Andrew Baker who's trying an innovative if somewhat controversial approach to improving the future of disappearing coral reefs. His research, in simplistic terms, involves transplanting more heat-resistant algae from other parts of the world to the coral off the coast of Florida. Coral and algae have a symbiotic relationship, with the coral receiving life-giving photosynthesis through the algae, and the microscopic algae finding a safe haven from predators as part of the coral.
But as waters in the area warm even by only a degree or two the algae can die and in turn cause the coral to "bleach" and also wither (there are other factors, too, like over-fishing and pollution). Baker wants to strengthen the algae in the waters in Florida, and he's got a Pew Foundation grant to help make it happen. But there are those who say it won't work, that "messing" with nature isn't the answer. At this point, his story is slated to air on the Evening News with Katie Couric on Monday night.
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I started out in Miami on Sunday night and Monday as part of a story about a marine biologist there named Andrew Baker who's trying an innovative if somewhat controversial approach to improving the future of disappearing coral reefs. His research, in simplistic terms, involves transplanting more heat-resistant algae from other parts of the world to the coral off the coast of Florida. Coral and algae have a symbiotic relationship, with the coral receiving life-giving photosynthesis through the algae, and the microscopic algae finding a safe haven from predators as part of the coral.
But as waters in the area warm even by only a degree or two the algae can die and in turn cause the coral to "bleach" and also wither (there are other factors, too, like over-fishing and pollution). Baker wants to strengthen the algae in the waters in Florida, and he's got a Pew Foundation grant to help make it happen. But there are those who say it won't work, that "messing" with nature isn't the answer. At this point, his story is slated to air on the Evening News with Katie Couric on Monday night.
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Grand Theft Auto IV
(CBS)
I got a chance to talk about it with reviewer and author of "Get Rich Playing Games" Scott Steinberg. Continue »
Behind-The-Scenes Moments; CSP Saves Humanity?
How does a typical day unfold for your humble correspondent? Well, needless to say, it varies depending on what's making news, my availability, our internal resources, etc. A couple weeks back I used my Flip camera (see video below) to capture a rather hectic travel and filming day as I went from New York to Baltimore, then drove to Frederick, Maryland, back to Baltimore and then into Phoenix. (In the same day!) The story we shot in Frederick was going to air this week, but now it's slated for next Thursday, April 24, as part of a mini-series on the environment. That's the one about the CRAGs or Carbon Reduction Action Groups. You'll see a little of what it takes to get the story, and how some long days turn into REALLY long days. The trip to Phoenix was to cover the Space Access conference, which is an annual gathering of the commercial space industry. In other words getting you and me into space -- safely -- without the involvement of NASA. Of course, it's prohibitively expense right now, but that'll change.
In other news, interesting article here at Salon.com about the other solar power -- solar thermal electric, or basically using heated water to power engines and generators. The headline alone is enough to get your attention: "The technology that will save humanity." A good read.
Oh, and, um, who is really behind "Raining McCain"? The answer is here.
In other news, interesting article here at Salon.com about the other solar power -- solar thermal electric, or basically using heated water to power engines and generators. The headline alone is enough to get your attention: "The technology that will save humanity." A good read.
Oh, and, um, who is really behind "Raining McCain"? The answer is here.
Lasers, The 'God' Particle, And An Announcement
Most everyone in tech agrees: lasers are cool. These days a red laser pen is sort of 2003. A green laser pen is very 2007. ThinkGeek has blue laser pens for 2008 costing about $900 each. But what would you pay for a laser that when turned on -- even for a fraction of a second -- is 2,000 times more powerful than all the power plants in the U.S.? Does $7 million seem reasonable? You can read more about the work being done at Unveristy of Texas at Austin here.
The so-called (and perhaps unfortunately dubbed) "God" particle was back in the news this week as researchers at CERN discussed their optimism in discovering it. CERN is where scientists will be smashing miniscule particles together later this year at nearly the speed of light to get a better look at what's inside. The "God" particle is more mundanely known as the Higgs boson or Higgs particle, and it's described as the missing link or glue that defines mass at the smallest level. Its existence (also up for debate) would give physicists major insight into the origins of life and the true composition of everything. Sounds lofty, sure, but if it exists it could truly unlock a lot of secrets. Is it "God"-like? Well, even the researcher behind it isn't so sure. But it's fascinating to imagine what it could reveal...
Finally, a little shameless self-promotion. In addition to my duties here at CBS News, I'm also going to be co-hosting a daily, one-hour show on Discovery Channel's new Planet Green network. Called GWord, it's meant to explore the slightly edgy and practical side of "going green" with the environmental movement. For more, check out this article from TV Week or this announcement from Planet Green. The channel is set to debut on June 4. Stay connected, and I hope you'll be watching!
Continue »
The so-called (and perhaps unfortunately dubbed) "God" particle was back in the news this week as researchers at CERN discussed their optimism in discovering it. CERN is where scientists will be smashing miniscule particles together later this year at nearly the speed of light to get a better look at what's inside. The "God" particle is more mundanely known as the Higgs boson or Higgs particle, and it's described as the missing link or glue that defines mass at the smallest level. Its existence (also up for debate) would give physicists major insight into the origins of life and the true composition of everything. Sounds lofty, sure, but if it exists it could truly unlock a lot of secrets. Is it "God"-like? Well, even the researcher behind it isn't so sure. But it's fascinating to imagine what it could reveal...
Finally, a little shameless self-promotion. In addition to my duties here at CBS News, I'm also going to be co-hosting a daily, one-hour show on Discovery Channel's new Planet Green network. Called GWord, it's meant to explore the slightly edgy and practical side of "going green" with the environmental movement. For more, check out this article from TV Week or this announcement from Planet Green. The channel is set to debut on June 4. Stay connected, and I hope you'll be watching!
Continue »
Cyber Thieves Picking Your Pocket?
It borders on "tin foil hat" territory but the vulnerablility is real. Many credit cards these days have an RFID (radio frequency identification) chip or "tag" embedded inside. It contains your credit card number and other personal details. The chips are "passive" meaning not powered, and in order to send a signal it must be placed in front of a reader at close range like a few inches. Plus the information is encrypted. But if a hacker got close enough to your wallet and was equipped with a special scanning device, the number COULD be stolen and read later. It got a couple of companies thinking about how to solve the problem, however unlikely or minor.
Of course RFID has plenty of handy uses like when driving through tolls or tracking inventory. But on Sunday night's Evening News we'll show you what a couple of entrepreneurs have created by lining wallets with a metal mesh shield to protect the information on credit cards. Mike Aiello from DIFRWear is one of them (get it?). Is it for the realm of the paranoid? In some ways, sure. But the potential for cyber thievery is there, says Johns Hopkins researcher Avi Rubin, who is known for his work on analyzing the security (or lack of it) with electronic voting. Finishing up the story tonight, and I hope you'll watch.
Next week will mark the debut of the Flip camera video, and I've got a special, work-related announcement to make on Monday, too. Stay connected!
Continue »
Of course RFID has plenty of handy uses like when driving through tolls or tracking inventory. But on Sunday night's Evening News we'll show you what a couple of entrepreneurs have created by lining wallets with a metal mesh shield to protect the information on credit cards. Mike Aiello from DIFRWear is one of them (get it?). Is it for the realm of the paranoid? In some ways, sure. But the potential for cyber thievery is there, says Johns Hopkins researcher Avi Rubin, who is known for his work on analyzing the security (or lack of it) with electronic voting. Finishing up the story tonight, and I hope you'll watch.
Next week will mark the debut of the Flip camera video, and I've got a special, work-related announcement to make on Monday, too. Stay connected!
Continue »
ValleyZen, Ancient Organisms, And Happy 'Beatles Birthday' Pop
Drue Kataoka is full of surprises. Not only is she a master Sumi-e artist, an ancient Japanese brush stroke technique, she's also an accomplished musician, world traveler, and Web pioneer. Her site, ValleyZen.com, has only been around for a couple months but it's getting attention for its message of simplicity in a tech world often cluttered with distraction and consternation. Indeed, her motto on the site is: "At the intersection of Zen and technology." I know, I know, if you're always stressed out and multi-tasking then then you might think Zen+technology seems like an oxymoron, especially in a place like Silicon Valley. Au contraire, mon frere. That's exactly why Kataoka believes it's such a worthwhile pursuit.
Her site contains stories, ideas, and videos that revolve around the Zen ideal, and some of the clips are illustrative of Zen through their spontaneity, such as the time a Silicon Valley exec decided to flip Drue (Judo style) and she gracefully went along for the ride. You have to see it. Anyway, I recently interviewed Drue for a CBS Radio segment, so keep an ear out for that, too.
Wanted to mention a cool story from the BBC today, which shows how researchers in France are using a high-powered X-ray to peer through dense amber (fossil resin) and analyze bugs and insects that have been trapped there for millions of years. It's part spycam, part high tech, and very gee whiz. They can even build 3-D images. Check it out here.
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Her site contains stories, ideas, and videos that revolve around the Zen ideal, and some of the clips are illustrative of Zen through their spontaneity, such as the time a Silicon Valley exec decided to flip Drue (Judo style) and she gracefully went along for the ride. You have to see it. Anyway, I recently interviewed Drue for a CBS Radio segment, so keep an ear out for that, too.
Wanted to mention a cool story from the BBC today, which shows how researchers in France are using a high-powered X-ray to peer through dense amber (fossil resin) and analyze bugs and insects that have been trapped there for millions of years. It's part spycam, part high tech, and very gee whiz. They can even build 3-D images. Check it out here.
Continue »
Hurtful Hack Attack
Working late tonight as we finish a segment for tomorrow's Early Show. The story is pretty alarming, especially for people with a certain type of epilepsy. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, within the last two weeks hackers broke into its site and planted flashing pornographic images and patterns on some message boards that were clearly designed to trigger headaches or seizures with people who have photosensitive epilepsy. It's a type of epilepsy experienced by about 3-5% of people with the condition. And it may be the first computer attack solely designed to cause physical harm.
For our story on the Early Show (and likely posted on CBSNews.com soon) we talk to a woman with epilepsy who says she experienced the hurtful images on the site, and after the story we'll talk to a neurologist about what triggers this type of reaction in some people. It's not entirely clear which hackers are responsible for the attack, but some security experts are pointing to the underground group known as "Anonymous," which has recently been in the news for its campaign against the Church of Scientology. Others aren't convinced it was them since the assault seems so malicious. In any case, I'm sure we'll hear more about this troubling cyberassault in the coming days and weeks.
For our story on the Early Show (and likely posted on CBSNews.com soon) we talk to a woman with epilepsy who says she experienced the hurtful images on the site, and after the story we'll talk to a neurologist about what triggers this type of reaction in some people. It's not entirely clear which hackers are responsible for the attack, but some security experts are pointing to the underground group known as "Anonymous," which has recently been in the news for its campaign against the Church of Scientology. Others aren't convinced it was them since the assault seems so malicious. In any case, I'm sure we'll hear more about this troubling cyberassault in the coming days and weeks.
Hay Is For Horses
About to head on the road for a couple of upcoming stories -- one on personal space travel (a la Richard Branson and Virgin Galactic) and another on neighborhood-based groups looking to reduce their carbon footprint through working together (a la WeightWatchers Meetings to reduce, well, weight). In the meantime, I have a troubling story airing tonight on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric that definitely will have some people cringing and outraged at the same time. It's about the hay shortage in parts of the southeast, caused primarily by last year's drought. As a result, the price of hay has gone up dramatically (doubling, even tripling) such that small famrs simply can't cope with the rising costs. Some owners are making sacrifices in their own life to feed their horse friends, but others are abandoning horses along highways or in city parks.
Human center are at capacity in some cases, and the problem isn't getting any better at the moment. Hundreds of horses are starving, and some are dying as a result. The Kentucky Horse Council held an emergency meeting this week, and a hay "hotline" has been established to bring in donations and match them with those in need. But more needs to be done. I hope you'll tune in tonight to see this important story.
UPDATE: here's the
Human center are at capacity in some cases, and the problem isn't getting any better at the moment. Hundreds of horses are starving, and some are dying as a result. The Kentucky Horse Council held an emergency meeting this week, and a hay "hotline" has been established to bring in donations and match them with those in need. But more needs to be done. I hope you'll tune in tonight to see this important story.
UPDATE: here's the
Evening News piece.
