The Cult of Sincerity is an independent film about hipster culture and postmodernist irony set in Williamsburg in Brooklyn, New York. It was released on April 8, 2008. The film has not received conventional distribution and is notable only as being the first feature film intentionally released in its entirety on YouTube. The film is also available as a US$3 digital download for an iPod or other mobile video device, most of which will be donated to Fount of Mercy, a charity for grassroots organizations in sub-Saharan Africa to provide help to widows and orphans.
Plot
When his mother informs Joseph that she’s divorcing his father, Joseph enters into a protracted existential crisis. Unhappy with the way society is moving, Joseph decides to attempt to turn back the flow of cynicism with a series of well-intentioned gestures and a slogan that he can put on a t-shirt. As Joseph struggles to find that slogan he quickly realizes that it is not very easy changing the world.
[Quoted from Wikipedia]
Uncategorized
Understanding Asperger Syndrome: A College Professor’s Guide
There are many autistic students in higher education, especially since some autistics (particularly those with Aspergers or NLD/NVLD) have above-average verbal or math skills, or a strong interest in a particular topic. It would be good for college professors to have some idea of how to spot students on the autistic spectrum, and how to meet their specific needs. The following videos by the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) aim to equip teachers in higher education with some basic knowledge to help them in facilitating learning for autistic students.
November 1 each year is Autistics Speaking Day, when people on the spectrum are encouraged to tell their own stories on social networking sites and blogs. The aim is to raise awareness and acceptance of autism; and show that behind the stereotypes are a diverse range of individuals with very different stories, some common experiences, and much to contribute if given a chance (with a little patience and understanding). I only found out about the campaign today, but you don’t have to wait till next November 1 to participate. If you’re autistic, you can tell your story anytime on the campaign blog. Visit it today to read what others are sharing!
The plan is that on November 1st social networking sites like Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, as well as YouTube and blogging sites will see a huge increase in the posts of autistic people. We will post links to as many of these as we can to share the works of the autistic people. Our hope is that this will help promote autism awareness and autism acceptance. If you are a blogger or own a website, you can write a post on or around November 1st for Autistics Speaking Day and we will share the posts through this blog, Twitter, and Facebook. Everyone is free to participate in ASDay however they want. Some will just read through the posts, some will help to distribute the posts, and some will actively write them. [from the FAQ]
Musical Interlude: The Pierces – Kathy’s Song
The Girl in the Panda Hat
Wearing a Back Brace For Deep Pressure?
Google SketchUp and Autism
Many autistic individuals are visual learners, who think and express themselves better in pictures than words (with the notable exception of people with NLD, for whom the opposite is usually true). Google has developed Project Spectrum as a way to give people with autism the opportunity to express their creativity and develop useful (potentially marketable) skills using Google SketchUp 3D modeling software. Drawing can be difficult for some autistics, who may find SketchUp a viable alternative to realise their potential as artists and designers. Learn more at http://sketchup.google.com/spectrum/
Getting a Diagnosis of Asperger’s: A First-Hand Account
This is a video by a young person of her rather long and winding road to getting diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (unfortunately, this kind of hit-and-miss, two-steps-forward-one-step-back experience is all too common). She was 14 when the process started, and 17 when she got the diagnosis. The key take-home points are don’t get discouraged, be persistent, do your homework and see the right experts.
Good News: Only 5% of Global Electricity Production From Oil. Now the Bad News…
A little off-topic, but I have a side-interest in Peak Oil. For the Peak Oil worriers out there, there is a glimmer of good news. Only about 5% of world electricity production comes from oil. Since there’s still a fair bit of coal and gas in the ground (which accounts for 60% of electricity), hopefully the lights won’t go out any time soon. Now the bad news. A lot more power stations will have to be built, because we’re likely to be using electricity in cars and trains when peak oil hits the pump. For economic reasons, most of those power stations are going to be coal-fired. Which contributes to global warming.
“This is definitely not in line with a safe climate scenario – it would put us on a really dangerous trajectory,” said the WRI’s Ailun Yang, who compiled the report, considered to be the most comprehensive in the public domain. But she said new emissions limits proposed in the US and a voluntary cap on coal use in China could begin to turn the tide. “These policies would give really strong signals about the risks to the future financial performance of coal of climate policies.” [from The Guardian]
Obviously, global warming isn’t a generally good thing. But there is another glimmer of hope. If temperatures don’t rise too much, climate change is likely to have a relatively small quantitative impact on global food production (but will have a massive regional impact, as food production declines in the South and rises in the North).
The latest IPCC report predicted improving conditions for food production in the mid to high latitudes over the next few decades, including in the northern USA, Canada, northern Europe and Russia. Conversely, parts of the subtropics, such as the Mediterranean region and parts of Australia, and the low latitudes, could experience declining conditions. For example, across Africa, yields from rain-fed agriculture could decline by as much as 50% by 2020. Beyond this, if global temperatures rise by more than about 1–3°C, declining conditions could be experienced over a much larger area. [From The Guardian, my italics]
It’s that’s last line of the quote that’s bothersome, “if global temperatures rise by more than 1-3%…”. Firing up more coal-powered stations is not going to help with avoiding that outcome.
Mr/Ms Asperger: What’s Your Profession?
If you have Asperger’s and are wondering what to do for a living, why not check out this forum thread from psychforums.com? From delivery drivers, to graphic designers, to lab technicians. Lots of useful insights on the pros and cons of different lines of work, from an Aspie perspective.
The part of my job when I need to try to think in the way as other people think – potential customers and clients – is the part I really dislike very much on my job, it makes me anxious and it is responsible for impairments of my symptoms. I like only technical and esthetical part of my job. If I could choose I would definitely change my job. I would like to do something more healthy, somewhere on the fresh air and under the daylight, I hate so much artificial lights or completely dark rooms. [quote from forum member]
DESIGN FOR ASD 