betaNYC, a Code for America brigade for NYC: betaNYC May 2013 Newsletter

betaNYC, a Code for America brigade for NYC: betaNYC May 2013 Newsletter

notentirely:

The Buycott App

Lets you check the connection of products to their parent companies to help you avoid buying from vendors such as the Koch brothers or those companies that don’t support LGBTQ rights.

And it’s super easy to use.

Today’s positive user response to the app has overwhelmed their servers. If you can’t get it today, try again later.

Read more:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2013/05/14/new-app-lets-you-boycott-koch-brothers-monsanto-and-more-by-scanning-your-shopping-cart/

Get the app:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/buycott/id585933440?mt=8

Sandy was a complex storm, resulting in 72 direct deaths across eight states and at least 75 indirect deaths, damages in excess of $50 billion, storm surge in excess of eight feet and up to three feet of snow in some places. At close to 1,000 miles in diameter, it was among the largest storms ever to strike the United States. The storm caused impacts in 24 states.

Written, directed and starring Vin, Multi-Facial is substantially auto-biographical, as the 18min short film serves as a meta-commentary on Diesel’s attempts to break into the biz. The title is a play on words; Multi-Facial=Multi-Racial, and the plot is comprised mainly of Diesel going to acting auditions and failing to be considered for gigs due to not meeting some form of type-casting criterion. Coming from an Italian/Black ethnic background Diesel finds himself at the distinct disadvantage of not being dark enough, or gangsta enough, or guido enough for whatever role he auditions for. Despite his impressive musculature, Diesel desires to be taken seriously, and tries to impress with his range and commitment to the craft. Ultimately, to his frustration, he finds that casting directors of commercials and music videos don’t rate such ambitions very highly.

wristwatchesareneat:

NSA Declassifies Internal Training Document: “A Guide To Internet Research”

At over six hundred pages, this .PDF is not something I’d consider light reading, but it is incredibly interesting.

It draws analogies between the internet and Greek mythology, and at one point the sassy author takes aim at IE7 and Microsoft:

“Frankly, after five years, you would think Microsoft could do better than come up with a browser that basically mimics the best features of Firefox and its other (much smaller) competitors.”

Read the whole document here.