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The <i>Stereophile</i> Jalapeno Pepper

I tried, so many times, to write a little something about the Stereophile pepper and golf-coins, but could never get the ideas to grow, could never get them to drop in the hole. See here how Kristina handles it, while kindly declining our CD case (and CDs, in general).
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I have had a Jalapeno Pepper stress-reliever at my desk now for a little over a week. I have not needed to use it to relieve any frustration but I had no choice but to finally ask Stephen, "Why on earth do we have a Jalapeno Pepper stress-reliever with Stereophile stamped along the side…

One Step Closer to Positronic Brains?

Researchers led by the Institute of Cognitive Science and Technology in Italy are developing robots that employ Embedded and Communicating Agents to evolve and develop without human "intervention." Better start making 'em three laws safe.

Actually, I'm not kidding. "Logic" without a moral compass can get pretty ugly.

Tonal Balance and Deep Bass

As I mentioned yesterday, I had, for some time — long before acquiring a hi-fi, in fact — fought the idea of placing my couch against the rear wall of my living space. When I finally did, however, I found that things both looked and sounded different. And not only different, but: better. And I'm not confusing the two. So, what's up with this?

Well, first of all, the place is more comfy. But, besides that, I soon remembered something John DeVore told me about speaker placement, room resonances, and physics and stuff. (I believe that monkeys were also involved — John likes to talk…

What's The Difference Between Looking And Seeing?

Answer: You have to "attend" to an object for it to actually register. Jeff Wong sends along a couple of links on "change blindness." Click on the external link for the article and then click here for the examples.

The Sultan's Elephant

Again from Jeff Wong—he's such a nice boy, I may take the day off and let him guest blog. This video clip shows the girl giant waking up, taking a shower from the sultan's elephant, and wandering off in St. James Park to play. It's from a site specific art work by Royal de Luxe (story here) and I think it's magical. The girl giant's face is wonderfully expressive.

Wish I'd been there. Thanks to Jeff, we get at least a few minutes of the experience.

Another Summer Song

Heck, I find something that works, I stick with it.

Argentine surf music offered by Jeff Wong. Well, Argentina has a coast, so why not?

Rewind, Pause, Play, Fast-Forward

Jeff Wong's unintentional guest-blogging continues with this lurvely little paean to the cassette.

Recording the Beatles

Jeff's last link of the day—he can take the afternoon off.

This preview of Recording the Beatles has me drooling. My order is in.

Dancing Days

Back when everyone was rushing to convert LPs to CDs, the boxed set was a wondrous thing. The rush to "box" every artist propelled the record biz to some of their best Christmas seasons ever. It even inspired some labels to get off their then wealthy asses and dig around the vaults to find that most marvelous of record label offerings, the "bonus track."

Then there was the look. Once designers took over, they also became things of beauty. The Herbie Hancock clear cube comes to mind. Rhino's Fifties single box (with trading cards and every CD set inside a 45" record) or the Rhino sci-fi…

Vagaries and Vicissitudes

It's interesting: A small change can make such a big difference. I wake up, force myself out of bed, walk into my living room, and stop to admire the so-slightly-revised layout. So slight, the revision is, but I love it. It just seems right. It seems

meant
to
be.

In the office, I'll let you know, the guys sometimes make fun of the way I choose to break my lines. I don't blame them. But, I do have a reason. It's about rhythm and soul. It's hi-fiku. Also, of course, it's not unprecedented. Others may know it from elsewhere, but I take it from JP Donleavy’s…