Tuesday, 23 March 2004

We lie less online A few days ago, I blogged a New York Times Magazine essay I'd written about why people are more truthful online than in "real" life. I was inspired by research done by Cornell scientist Jeffrey Hancock, who found that his students lied in 37% of their phone calls but only 14% of their emails. [collision detection] How strange is that! I wonder why. 9:27:47 PM    comment []; Black + White OL:...for those of us who aren't guitar players...what is the difference between the negra and blanca guitars? Do "negra" and "blanca" have anything to do with the way it sounds, or the type of woods used, hence "black/white"? - Naomi • 3/23/04; 1:36:20 PM Negra/Black - Rosewood sides + back Blanca/White - Cypress sides + back. A Flamenco Negra is physically heavier and it sounds darker and fuller. A Blanca is lighter, sounds brighter and is sometimes perceived as being louder. Originally Flamenco guitars were only used to accompany the singers and dancers. There was no amplification and the guitarist often stood in the back, which meant that the guitar had to be loud as well as light in weight... Ever since the guitar was starting to be featured in solo concerts by Sabicas and other pioneers of flamenco in the middle of the last century, the guitarists started gravitating towards Negras. The weight did not matter because the guitarist would sit and the fullness would work nicely in a solo concert. In other words an ultra-traditionalist would have to play a Blanca with wooden pegs... 2:56:06 PM    comment []; more on the Prius... In terms of low-emissions, the Prius demolishes any other car on the road. Particulate matter is non-existent. It has the lowest carbon dioxide emissions of any vehicle on the market - 32% less CO2 comes out of its exhaust than from a normal petrol-burning car. Over the course of a year, the Prius produces more than a tonne less CO2 than even the best medium sized diesels. It is also the best-performing internal combustion production car in the world in terms of smog forming nitrous oxide and HC emissions. Inside and out, Toyota has made extensive use of high-recyclability materials, and huge efforts to reduce the use of any substances of concern in the car's construction. And yes, I still love the car. I am getting about 45mpg so far, but it's mostly city driving, stop and go...and I have to admit I am leaving for my appointments too late - as if I was still driving the TT...gotta take it a little easier... 2:40:18 PM    comment []; Cocteau - from "La Semana" OL's Cocteau has a deep, mysterious tone, like an opium den in perpetual night... or a hidden Moorish fortress where an imprisoned musician sends his melody across Time. The drone-line or urlinie pulls us into this strange world of contrapuntal melodies and cultures. The spacial architecture is superb, with ample space in the sound for these Arabian gypsy modalities. We float, we hallucinate... and wonder if this is reincarnation or the sleeping mind of a confirmed sinner. LR wrote a story based on "Cocteau", on of the songs from my upcoming "La Semana" album. It's a great story, too! Less than three months until you can listen to the music... Man, I am getting good at these teasers! Now, somebody please give us a bundle of cash so we can make a movie from LR's story and my music! 2:37:08 PM    comment []; it might rain.... Both of my dogs came inside as they don't like thunder...we need the rain!! 2:18:58 PM    comment []; DeVoe Guitar on Ebay James pointed me to a Lester DeVoe guitar on Ebay for 3.5k - yeah, but that's pounds sterling, or about 6.5k in weak-ass dollars... I read the description. Didn't know that Sabicas had DeVoe guitars as well... My second DeVoe, a blanca, should arrive today. I forgot - you have 5 more days to bid on this guitar. Me, I would order a guitar from Lester and wait for it...you'll get to put all of your own mojo into the guitar... Thanks, James 2:17:52 PM    comment []; Palmas 8:42:07 AM    comment [];

© Copyright 2004 Ottmar Liebert. Last update: 01.04.04; 22:27:06.