facebook – Ben Ward

July 14, 2018July 14, 2018

The Google Search for God

Long read but well worth it. A couple of passages to whet your appetite:

What is God? It is only a subject that has inspired some of the finest writing in the history of Western civilization—and yet the first two pages of Google results for the question are comprised almost entirely of Sweet’N Low evangelical proselytizing to the unconverted. (The first link the Google algorithm served me was from the Texas ministry, Life, Hope & Truth.) The Google search for God gets nowhere near Augustine, Maimonides, Spinoza, Luther, Russell, or Dawkins. Billy Graham is the closest that Google can manage to an important theologian or philosopher. For all its power and influence, it seems that Google can’t really be bothered to care about the quality of knowledge it dispenses. It is our primary portal to the world, but has no opinion about what it offers, even when that knowledge it offers is aggressively, offensively vapid.

And this ending…

And when an adolescent asks us about God? We can at least answer in the negative, by holding up our phones and saying, “It’s not this.”

August 5, 2009

The media is all abuzz the past couple of days over new “Social Media Policies” that some entities are issuing. Mainly it has to do with some NFL teams and now ESPN (see link) saying that their players / employees cannot tweet (or Facebook for that matter) as freely as they would probably like.

In the case of the NFL teams, it’s more a matter of not wanting the teams / coaches tweeting from the sidelines and possibly revealing secrets. Slightly understandable. But the ESPN order is a classic corporate land grab. In their minds they own their broadcast personalities and any opinion or word they have on sports.

Both entities in this case should make the lawyers and bean counters sit down and just listen (or get a Twitter account, for that matter). Celebrities / personalities that tweet are drawing fans and the curious in droves. This is not only interesting for the fans, it connects them with the personalities and encourages them to be a part of their activities and endeavors (i.e. fans are more likely to buy things like tickets, merchandise, subscriptions, etc.).

So, if ESPN and the teams would cool it they might find that the players and personalities that are “utilizing social networks” will bring them more revenue. And they don’t even have to pay them more! That’s a heck-of-a deal –- count those beans :).

Who’s your favorite celebrity / personality that you follow on Twitter?

July 10, 2009March 9, 2015

Live, Live, Live

A couple months ago I posted a status on Twitter/Facebook stating that I loved live albums and asking people for their favorites. I got a great response. Lots of classics. So I decided to follow that up with a list of my favorites in no particular order…

James Taylor – Live – Great musicianship and, of course, songs. No overdubs!

Coldplay – LeftRightLeftRightLeft – The enthusiasm of the crowd is amazing.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band – Live in New York City – The energy of this band is unparalleled.

Simon and Garfunkel – The Concert in Central Park (1981) – Great harmonies and great fun.

David Wilcox – East Asheville Hardware – Funny, poignant, real.

Darrell Scott – Live in NC – Mix country, bluegrass, southern rock, jam band, and a voice like no other.

John Mayer – Where the Light Is – Comprehensive. The acoustic set is my favorite by far.

Darrell Evans – Let the River Flow – Taught me so much about worship.

Hillsong – Shout to the Lord – Classic. Nothing else to say.

U2 – Rattle and Hum – Not a complete live album but the closest I had in the 8^th grade. I loved the passion on this…I wanted to sing like Bono so bad (Part of me still does:)!

How about you?…