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Addicting website featuring Don Ellis' stunning photographs and words (sometimes) and layout (mostly) that "clarifies" the statement.
Beethoven conducts Fidelio, Louis Spohr remembers in the February 7, 1865 edition of The Guardian.
You know, because, at first, all I had was the Arcam Solo, and the Arcam Solo does everything. It's a good-looking, easy-to-use, single-box multi-purpose solution; a CD playing, AM/FM receiving, integrated amplifying dreamboat of a component. It does everything I want it to do, does it all very well, and takes up almost no space and draws very little attention to itself while doing it. I love it. If you're interested in a fun and easy, one-stop ride into the high-end, then I think you should definitely get to know the Solo. But, like Reading Rainbow, you don't have to take my word for it…
I did some work for Muzak once and made the mistake of calling it "music" within the hearing of my boss. He corrected me, "It is a work enhancement technology." Muzak, he explained, was designed to operate subliminally and different programs were designed to have different effects. Office music was designed to keep you focused and working briskly, whereas shopping music was designed to chill you out and make you linger, perhaps to buy more.
A new study suggests that music can affect your choice of wine. Is that manipulation? Is Muzak? Are either of them worse than paying for shelf placement…
Do conspiracy theories displace critical engagement with public life in favor of a fascination with the private lives and personal interest of a mistrusted class (specifically politicians)?
Frank Furedi seems to think so.
Okay, last week we gave a shout out to great first lines; now let's give the last line some.
I concur with the choice of The Code of the Woosters, BTW.
Phil Plait, over at Bad Astronomy is outraged over the meddling of George Deutsch in NASA's press releases about science matters. Deutsch, a 24-year-old political appointee and college dropout, is entitled to his opinions on scientific matters, of course, but it does seem—shall we say presumptuous?—to insist on editing real scientists on matters of scientific "accuracy."
But that's just my opinion. Plait makes his case so well, I really don't need to add my 2¢.
Just as I was about to post this, I saw that the NYT announced Deutsch's resignation. It's still a great read, so I'll post…
A Dartmouth study suggests the brain doesn't stop developing at 18. Of course, women have been saying that about guys for years. Now there's proof.
Although to paraphrase Mason Williams on winning an Emmy Award, "It's like being kissed by a girl with bad breath—you appreciate the honor, but . . . ."
Ben Goldacre has devoted a whole column of "Bad Science" to Stereophile's stand on blind testing. (Bet I know what the next "As We See It" will be about.) He proposes a study to determine whether or not a power cable has an effect on the sound of a CD player; what he's asking readers to do is design the experiment. He invites suggestions. Read the article. Feel free to talk amongst ourselves—and to him.
A contributor to our forum has made a fine argument for the case that "the future of high-end audio, if it has one at all, is inexorably linked to video." And he cites my recent discussion of the Burwen Bobcat as proof.
Oh dear, if this is the impression I've made, I've certainly done something wrong. But, wait: Jon Iverson tells me there is no "wrong." Jon Iverson says, "There is only better." So, I guess I could have done something better.
Clay White, aka Cheapskate, writes:
The ears no longer decide. The eyes have it.
Stephen M, whom I consider an…