Urban Cactus

No, not a t-shirt company, Urban Cactus is a (proposed?) apartment block in Amsterdam. I’m not much for hi-rise living, but I can see the attraction of something done differently, and this certainly counts.

(HT: BoingBoing)

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Top 10 Podcasts

The definitive list of my ten favourites:

  1. Mark Kermode’s film reviews – discussion of movies from a professional who dresses like it’s still the 50s. And not ironically, unlike most of the things he says
  2. Filmspotting – discussion of movies from two semi-pros who, without being particularly amusing, are very engaging
  3. The Now Show – comedy and satire handled by experts
  4. the show with zefrank – comedy and satire handled by a man with too much time on his hands
  5. In Business – business news in the US always seemed to be about share prices or ways to get ahead. This one is about the things that businesses do, and the changes they bring about
  6. In Our Time – discussions about pretty much anything, from imaginary numbers to Carolingian history. Just subscribing to this will impress the ladies
  7. Penn Radio Podcast – a true libertarian who is also funny and good at shouting
  8. This American Life – whiny effete East-coast radio done right (did I already make that joke? I did, didn’t I? Oh look, now I’m being self-referential by over-analyzing the minutiae of my life. Hey, I should tape this and put it on This American Life
  9. On The Media – not the best news show out there, but the only one I know of where you get to hear a certain ‘you’re kidding me, right?’ tone in the presenter’s voices when questioning a blowhard from either party
  10. Best of Moyles – fart jokes

and the obligatory bonus item, French Maid TV – updates rarely, about nothing of any great interest, probably beholden to sponsors, but dude, it’s presented by chicks in french maid outfits! Seriously!

This American Life

Via Lifehacker I learn that This American Life is now available as a free podcast in the iTunes store. This was probably the best NPR show I routinely couldn’t find time for, and should particularly appeal if you like effete, East Coast liberal radio like I do.

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Libertarian

I have a great deal of sympathy with the idea(l)s of libertarianism, though I’d make a grossly hypocritical one because of my belief in the absolute necessity of the safety net. If you’d like a look at (or rather, a listen to) the views of a true libertarian try grabbing the podcast of Penn Jillette’s radio show. Jillette is a pretty consistent libertarian – many who claim to be libertarians are merely fiscal libertarians, but still look to impose their ideals on others through government. To illustrate what this means, in one broadcast I listened to this week he said that he had no problem with the Klan meeting on government property (because they have a right to free expression), so long as they allow admission to anyone (because government property is funded by ‘the people’, so ‘the people’ should be allowed to join). Clearly that’s a test that the Klan couldn’t pass, and as Jillette pointed out that’s a good thing because they’re scum. But scum with rights.

If that isn’t enough for you, he also tells funny stories about comedy and magic, and holds a patent for a device that provides pleasurable stimulation to women in hot tubs.

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