The Null Device
2000/5/7
New Scientist reviews Malcolm Gladwell's memetic epidemic book The Tipping Point, a book which looks very interesting: (via RobotWisdom)
Gladwell outlines a three-point plan for engineering your own social epidemic in The Tipping Point. First, do not waste time marketing your idea to the masses: focus your energies on the trendsetters, the socially promiscuous and those with the power to influence... Tweaking your idea or product to make it more infectious or "sticky" (Gladwell's preference) is the second step.
The final chapter, which outlines Gladwell's own master plan to engineer a massive reduction in cigarette smoking, quite frankly scared me with its Brave New Worldesque cocktail of drug therapy and informational warfare. This is the social Darwinism of ideas--ideational eugenics. And if it works, it will provide the doctors of spin and hype with a very dangerous new toy.
Ken Livingstone, known leftist maverick reviled by the more right-wing Fleet Street press, wins London mayoral race. No idea as to what happened to Malcolm McLaren's inspired campaign. (BBC News)
Some horror stories from the recent MS Outlook worm outbreak:
Our bussiness.Jacks Fork Pottery, has a computer contolled kiln that was filled with pottery and firing when the virus hit. Upon opening the kiln we found, to our dismay, " I Love you", written across every piece. Curse that little Flip. - 5/6/2000 5:25:00 AM, Joe Johnson