Category Archives: Current events

Farewell to a Legend

Posted on 2016/01/12 by Joe Larabell

I don’t imagine anyone capable of reading these words hasn’t already heard that the musical legend David Bowie is no longer with us. There’s not much I can add to the seemingly endless stream of articles and posts bidding farewell, … Continue reading →

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Where there’s smoke…

Posted on 2014/02/25 by Joe Larabell

Have you heard? Nokia recently announced the “Nokia X” — a new phone that’s based on Android… but it doesn’t have any Google apps and isn’t compatible with Google Play. It uses a “Windows Phone style shell” which I assume … Continue reading →

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Social Media Really Isn’t…

Posted on 2014/01/15 by Joe Larabell

Back in the days when cards and letters took days (sometimes weeks) to reach their destination and calling a distant friend on the telephone cost more than a decent dinner, people tended to make each contact count by including as … Continue reading →

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Politics as usual in Japan

Posted on 2009/07/03 by Joe Larabell

Well… it’s erection time again in Tokyo. Oops… I meant “election” (get your mind out of the gutter for once, will you?). How do I know, given that foreigners can’t vote in public elections? I know because my otherwise quiet … Continue reading →

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News as Entertainment

Posted on 2009/06/04 by Joe Larabell

I was just reading an editorial article on the recent “rise-and-fall” of media reports concerning the novel A/H1N1 outbreak. The author seems to confuse a lack of panic with “scoffing” at the alarmist stance taken by the media at the … Continue reading →

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