Mind Expansion 2.0

(Just don't ask what version 1.0 comprised.)

I'm frequently asked what blogs I read. I, of course, closely watch all the tech policy blogs in the column to the right, but also try to stretch the brain a bit by going beyond our little niche. The following is by no means an exhaustive list of   prized nuggets on the Web, but a good sampling...

Pop Culture and Philosophy
chartreuse (BETA).  Lots of evocative photos. A few very choice words.  This blog says less but makes you think more.  This recent post on Paris Hilton stirred things up.

Money + Opinion
A VC.  This lively blog is written by venture capitalist Fred Wilson.  If you ever wanted to know what was on a (cool) venture capitalist's mind, Wilson doesn't seem to hold back much here.  Plus, he has a good taste in music.

Crazy Money + Opinion
Blog Maverick.   Mark Cuban's blog.  Nearly every post sparks a fire somewhere (the NBA, finance world, digital media, journalism, etc.)

Big (Interesting) Mouth
BuzzMachine.  Jeff Jarvis was old media (a founder of Entertainment Weekly).  Now he couldn't be more new media.  He's a loud mouth, aggressive and pushes buttons.  Yet, even those who disagree with him clearly read him.

Digital Media Mind
Bit Player.  For a long time I couldn't figure out how the LA Times stood out with their insightful editorials on digital content issues and then I learned that former reporter Jon Healey was writing them.  Ah, makes sense now.  Even better, Healey started Bit Player this summer and does an excellent job in providing a balanced, middle-ground perspective amid the flurry of rhetoric and hyperbole.  Only occasional posts.

Mr. Video
the show with zefrank.  Think Jon Stewart, Conan O'Brien and Stephen Colbert but without any network censors.  Then throw in lots of randomness, smart commentary and (true) audience participation.  But, hurry, the show will only go on for six more months.

Newbie
Potomac Flacks.  This new blog was just launched a few weeks ago by Dittus Communication's Adam Kovacevich.  It's all about the one million PR people in DC who would rather read about themselves than blogs about issues (whoops).  Foretelling its future success at giving the people what they want, the site has already helpfully collated and published collated published all Senate press secretary salaries.

Quick Hits
I often write a post and find that the issue has already been covered at both the excellent and indefatigable IP Democracy and TechDirt. 

If you live outside Silicon Valley and want a perspective on what's going on here, see Matt Marshall's new VentureBeat and Tom Foremski's Silicon Valley Watcher.

Going on a trip?  Review the city's coverage at Gridskipper.

If you are a San Francisco Giants fan like me, I'm sorry, and go to McCovey Chronicles to be with people who care.

-S. Garrett

Comments

[Cynthia Brumfield]

If only IP Democracy were truly indefatigable....thanks for the nod. The 463 is always at the top of my list.

Cynthia Brumfield