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Written by Landshark
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Monday, 24 August 2009 10:23 |
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Last week, my lovely wife emailed me asking if I knew of a service that would keep her notified when her favorite authors released new books. I didn't, but I was certain such a thing must exist. A few Google searches later, I realized it doesn't. So I wrote the following php script. It basically scrapes Amazon for any upcoming releases by each author on the list, and outputs the results into an html and an rss file. It only lists hardcover and paperback releases (no ebook or audio books), and unfortunately, Amazon does not differentiate between "new titles" and "new editions", so some of the items aren't actually new. Still, I think it could be useful.
Possible future plans include expanding to music (and possibly game) releases, maybe switching to a database-driven format, and sending out email alerts and/or posting new releases to Google calendar.
I welcome any comments.
Download Watchlist .01
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 25 August 2009 07:32 )
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Written by Landshark
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Tuesday, 11 November 2008 09:51 |
Our nation made a great stride forward in regards to race relations Tuesday when we elected our first black president. But Americans have a long, proud history of intolerance and bigotry that will not so easily be laid to rest. Fortunately, it is still permissible to hate Muslims; in fact, it is acceptable to mistrust people with funny-sounding names or swarthy complexions even when they are demonstrably not Muslim. And it is especially acceptable, even encouraged in some circles, to hate the gays.
There were no less than four ballot initiatives targeting gays put before the electorate on election day. Arkansas passed a measure limiting the rights of gays to adopt or serve as foster parents, over the objections of the state's Department of Child Services and practically every child welfare agency in the free world. Meanwhile, Arizona and Florida joined the growing list of states to amend their constitution to deny gay couples the right to marry. None of these outcomes was especially unexpected, given the states' socially conservative leanings. But then there was California.
Progressive, trendsetting California also voted to amend their constitution to restrict same-sex unions, earning the dubious distinction of being the first state to strip that right only months after affirming it. Supporters of the measure wisely opted to forego the "gays are immoral/evil" argument, instead focusing on the "it's best for the children" argument. Citing bogus evidence that "children from traditional heterosexual households are happier and better-adjusted", despite ample evidence demonstrating otherwise, supporters were able to carry the day. I'm sure this came as both a surprise and a relief to conservatives in other parts of the nation. See, red-staters? Not all Californians are Godless liberals; some are small-minded bigots just like you!
Our ancestors long ago made the decision to enshrine a religious institution into law. This was to be expected, as the line between religion and government was itself blurred. Accordingly, today the notions of civil marriage and of sacramental marriage are so conflated in the minds of many Americans that they cannot separate the two; they cannot grant a legal recognition that violates their religious sensibilities. Yet civil and sacramental marriage should be considered separate and distinct. Civil marriage is a legal contract, and government's only concerns should be with assuring both parties are competent and willing, and with the enforcement of that contract's provisions. It has absolutely no bearing on sacramental marriage, which is defined solely by the participants and by their religions. Religions are free to recognize or not recognize any union, just as some today refuse to recognize marriages outside the faith or between divorcees. Legal recognition for same-sex unions does not force them into anything.
So why not make the distinction explicit? Governments could simply stop issuing marriage licenses, and instead grant civil unions to both straight and gay couples alike. "Marriage", for those who want it, would then be left squarely in the hands of the churches, mosques, and synagogues where it rightly belongs. Some, no doubt, would argue that this would be an unsatisfactory arrangement, that recognition of same-sex marriage should be our only goal. But why argue over semantics when we should be arguing for equal protection and legal parity?
Despite the setbacks, there are bright spots ahead. Californians will likely revisit the issue in 2010, while support for same-sex unions is already greater than half among the youngest generations. That number will only grow. Meanwhile, research and anecdotal evidence will continue to show that children raised by gay parents are just as happy and well-adjusted as their peers. The day may soon come when "gay rights" is no longer an issue, and the bigots among us will be forced to find a new target for their prejudice and their scorn. My money is on the atheists.
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Written by Landshark
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Wednesday, 05 November 2008 11:53 |
Americans have many things to be proud of today. Yes, we elected our nation's first black president, finally coming full circle from the ignominious days of slavery in which our country began. In many ways, we finally embraced the ideals and principles upon which this nation was founded; as a white man, I cannot begin to imagine how this victory must feel to a person who endured the Jim Crow south, who perhaps has spent his entire life feeling that he is less than a full citizen. It was truly a victory for democracy.
Yet we also did much more. We rejected the politics of divisiveness and fear, and instead embraced unity and hope. We elected a constitutional law professor to an office that has recently viewed the Constitution as an inconvenience or a nuisance. We have rejected American hegemony. We have renewed faith in America and have begun to regain the respect of the world.
We have elected our president. Barack Obama was never the establishment candidate; he began his campaign without big endorsements, or even the support of his party's elite. Instead, he took a page from his days as a community organizer, so ridiculed by his opponents, and created a grassroots campaign effort that redefined the way campaigns should be run. Millions of Americans who had never shown interest in politics, who had never felt their vote mattered or that politicians cared about them, became involved and energetic and passionate. They gave their money, they knocked on doors, they made calls, they talked to their friends, and they turned out in record numbers to cast their vote for a man who would finally give them voice. On Tuesday night the entire world heard them loud and clear.
Most of all, we can be proud of our president-elect. He is a brilliant man who has consistently shown good judgement, leadership, discipline, and vision. He is a liberal but not an ideologue; he has shown a willingness to compromise on small issues in order to achieve success on the big ones. The activist in me may find this frustrating, but my inner realist knows it is necessary. And, even in victory, he has shown great character and humility: after his 2% win over John Kerry in 2004, George W. Bush spoke of a "mandate" and "political capital"; following his 6% win Tuesday night, Barack Obama spoke directly to those who did not support him and said "I hear your voices...I will be your president too."
We have been witness to history, and I, for one, can feel proud and hopeful once again.
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Written by Landshark
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Friday, 12 September 2008 20:50 |
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Still don't know what the large hadron collider is or what it does? This should clear everything up...
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Written by Landshark
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Wednesday, 10 September 2008 19:35 |
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For those concerned that the Large Hadron Collider may create a black hole that will grow to swallow the earth, I present the following useful tool... http://www.hasthelargehadroncolliderdestroyedtheworldyet.com/
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