Good morning to a snow dusted Boston

From Betamax 2 Blockbuster by @epistemographer another influential book choice @ #infofuture

@smithsonian ' "Best of Both Worlds" influential book choice @ #infofuture meeting

"Culture" breakout reporting at #Infofuture meeting

McLuhan, Lincoln, and Dodos: Attending "Envisioning Our Information Future and How to Educate for It" at @SimmonsSLIS this week

I had the pleasure and honor to be invited to attend the Envisioning Our Information Future and How to Educate for It meeting at Simmons College this week.

The meeting will:

Focusing on the importance of leadership and cutting-edge skills in LIS education, this conference represents an opportunity for “evaluating and implementing relevant curriculum focused on innovation, continuous learning, and critical engagement within a global context.” The grant for this conference was led by Dr. Eileen G. Abels, Graduate School of Library and Information Science, Simmons College along with partners Dr. Linda C. Smith, Graduate School of Library and Information Science University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and Dr. Lynne C. Howarth, Faculty of Information, University of Toronto.

As part of the process, we were asked to bring a book and an object for a "pop up" gallery/exhibition. For my book, I chose The Gutenberg Galaxy: The Making of Typographic Man (1962) by Marshall McLuhan. In many ways a more evocative work than McLuhan's seminal Understanding Media (1964) -- at least for me. Like much of his work, it is hard to tell if McLuhan was a predictor of our digital present or a shaper/creator of it.

For my object, I chose a small, 3D print of the Abraham Lincoln life mask done by the sculpture Clark Mills from the collection of the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery. The 3D model can be downloaded and printed from the Smithsonian 3D site. I chose the model of the life mask not just because 3D printing is an overhyped part of any discussion of libraries (and museums), but because of the way that, beyond the hype around all things "3D", it really becomes transformative to hold in your hands (even in this small version -- I've held the life-sized replica also) this bit of the physical Lincoln and see the effects of four years of Civil War on the President's face.

More about the life mask:

It is impossible to look at this cast of Lincoln’s face—gaunt and careworn—and not think that it is a death mask. In fact, it was taken from life on February 11, 1865, a day before Lincoln’s fifty-sixth birthday, by sculptor Clark Mills. The 3-D object you see is a 1917 copy from the casting given to the Smithsonian in 1889 by the sculptor’s son.
Life masks were very popular in the nineteenth century because they created a near-duplicate of the sitter’s features. Throughout the Civil War, Lincoln was also very careful to make himself "visible" to the American people. This was evidence of his dedication, and there was no better evidence of his work than the lines on his face. Lincoln was well aware of how the war had aged and tired him.

And as for the dodo ... the dodo (Raphus cucullatus) is an extinct flightless bird, once a native of the island of Mauritius. First described in 1598, it was gone by 1681. Well adapted to its environment, the dodo had evolved to fill a needed niche. But times changed. And the dodo, lacking the ability to change with the times, became, instead of a symbol of perfect adaptation, the ultimate in the opposite.

In times of change, lack of adaptation leads to extinction. Let's adapt our educational model for librarianship to avoid the fate of the dodo.

As in Life, so in technology. As in libraries.

Some preflight deicing at DCA

US Airways 2104

US Airways 2104: DCA to BOS

Gate 44

"I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do." HAL 9000 #QotD

H.A.L 9000 turns 23 ... or maybe 18. HAL 9000, unit 3 was activated at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in either 1992 (in the film) or 1997 (the book).

Earlier this month, I stopped by the famed Chelsea Hotel in New York where Arthur C. Clarke worked on 2001: A Space Odyssey. Photo at right is the plaque on the hotel noting Clarke's stay.
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Here are some past 2001 posts:

• QotD: "I am a HAL 9000 computer. I became operational at the H.A.L. plant in Urbana, Illinois on the 12th of January 1992" - HAL 9000
• From Lunar Base Clavius to Tranquility Base
• HAL 9000 another year older!
• Happy Birthday HAL 9000!

Elvis at 80 ...

Happy birthday, Elvis! 80 years old and still, in the minds of fans, still young.

I saw Elvis in 1971 (he was at the Sahara Tahoe between July 20-August 2, not sure which night I saw, but here's a typical set list). See link below for memories of that concert.

Here are some past posts on the King of Rock and Roll:

• Elvis Aaron Presley, 1935 - 1977. Died today, 36 years ago today
• Welcome to my nightmare, I hope I didn't scare you ...
• 32 years ago ...
• Elvis ... (memories of an Elvis concert, 1971)
• Graceland, Memphis, TN

Snowy day at the Smithsonian Castle

Times Square, (1980) and Times Square (2015) ... what a difference 35 years makes!

I was in New York City in the fall of 1980. During that trip I took a couple of rolls of film. In addition to some pictures from the World Trade Center, I took some around Times Square. For those who remember the Times Square of the 1980s (and earlier), you'll recall the adult theaters, the 3 card monte "players" and a general seedy atmosphere.

Today, it's all glitzy big name stores and costumed "characters" you can take your photo with for "free" (just a tip).

The picture below is from between 48th and 49th Street on 7th Avenue. You'll note the Avon 7 Theatre (showing, can't quite tell, but looks like Deep Throat 3). This block is now home to M&M World.

1980

2015

Not quite sure where these below were taken, but somewhere around Times Square.

Likewise, this shot shows a Times Square that's now long gone!

Wow! The new Cooper Hewitt is amazing @CooperHewitt @SebChan

Another Side of Bob Dylan cover shoot at 52nd and Broadway

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats
Too noble to neglect
Deceived me into thinking
I had something to protect
Good and bad, I define these terms
Quite clear, no doubt, somehow
Ah, but I was so much older then
I’m younger than that now
- Bob Dylan, "My Back Pages"


I’d forever talk to you
But soon my words
They would turn into a meaningless ring
For deep in my heart
I know there is no help I can bring
Everything passes
Everything changes
Just do what you think you should do
And someday maybe
Who knows, baby
I’ll come and be cryin’ to you
- Bob Dylan, "To Ramona"


Album cover shoot of Another Side of Bob Dylan.

Location: Southwest corner of 52nd Street and Broadway, Times Square, New York looking east. Dylan is looking west.