Open Conversation. One little insight/technique from Malcolm Allan from last week's knowledge-cafe. In a conversation when someone says something with which you disagree - to keep the conversation open and creative - reply with the words:

"And my map of the world is a little different - can I share it with you?"

or a similar phrase. [Gurteen Knowledge-Log]

» It was a good point and I've tried it many times since then.  At least I've thought about trying it.  Most of the time I'm in conversation and slap my head just after saying "but, ..."

With luck I get better at it over time...

Anil Dash: Microsoft's Weblog Software. [Scripting News]

» The only thing wrong with this is that Microsoft won't use the words 'weblog', 'blog', 'weblogger', etc...  They wouldn't use such old tired terminology when they could invent new and improved (and trademarked) terminology of their own!

News.Com: The Google Gods. [Scripting News]

» Interesting.

"But Google is examining its system, well aware that growing criticism could damage its credibility with the public at large."

Too late in my case.

I wrote a little while ago I wrote about how I felt warm and fuzzy about Google.  Well this article and a another recent article about Google delisting sites without explanation has brought me to my senses.  Google is a business, not a public servant.

Amy Wohl on the agony of blacklists. [Scripting News]

» Yep.  I am afflicted by the same problem.  My hosting company are also brutally uninterested in helping out.

Monday: "Secure Beneath The Watchful Eyes". This official London Transport "Secure Beneath The Watchful Eyes" poster handily beats the USPTO's Homeland Security eye/keyhole graphic for spine-tingling ... [istori/log]

» My first thought when I saw the poster was that it would not have looked out of place outside Dr. Goebbels ministry.

I'd like to be amazed at how quickly we've adapted/succumbed to the surveillance state.  I'm persuing my MP about these issues, I'd like to think that others are too but I wonder.  I also wonder if it will do any good.  I took a look at the issues page on my MP's site, hardly inspirational...