MichaelLortz.com/JordiScrubbings.com

Quick post today based on something interesting I read on Wired.com:

In an article entitled “Pseudonymity, Anonymity, And Accountability Online“, author Sheril Kirshenbaum discusses her opinion of another article on the Wild, Wild West of Internet commenting.

(Yes, this is a post about a post about a post.)

This discussion of how people choose to comment on the Web behind the cloak of anonymity has gone on for a while among people who observe culture, media, and technology. The Web is not for the sensitive, bringing out the worst in racism, sexism, and overall meanness.

But there is another less-talked about effect of the Web. That which may even have an effect on lives offline.

There is an allure to be egotistical online. What you write comes from you and is your opinion and your words and often times, being from you, they have to be right. And when faced with the slightest bit of objection, people online tend to either coat their expression in the Internet language of snark or they become highly combative. Neither of which is very healthy.

The Internet has unfortunately decreased our ability to have civil discussion and instead preached argument. It has fostered a culture in which a solo opinion is all that matters and that people have to outshout or outargue everyone else.

If you do a lot of work online, this can be particularly dangerous.

Although you can turn off the computer and mutter under your breath how much of a moron the person you cyber-argued with was, that is not a healthy habit offline. Because it only takes one to type and comments are rarely made by consensus, the Internet has devalued cooperation, listening, and compromise.

As I live by myself, sometimes I have noticed these traits slip into my own interactions. Nothing major, but the ego and hostility that bear its fangs in online debate sometimes slips out offline.

That’s not good.

Stupid internet.

I need a dog or maybe a Russian bride.

Since this blog has gone in a million different directions lately, I figured I might as well go somewhat political or military-strategic with it today.

In the last few years hackers have caused almost as commotion and aggravation to governments and businesses as terrorists. I’m sure there are people out there that would label them “cyber terrorists”. Two of the premier hacker groups are the associations Anonymous and LulzSec. Both of these groups aim to debilitate the powers that be that they feel are taking advantage of the little guy. They are sticking it to The Man as they see fit.

More power to them.

But my question is, are there any rappers who name-check them yet? Rappers are big in name-checking African rebels, Muslim terrorists, domestic terrorists, freedom fighters, and other folks who fight the power. But do they ever mention either of the two groups who are causing the most ruckus? I’m sure there is a lot you can rhyme with Anonymous or LulzSec.

Second thought:

I was reading an article on a conspiracy web site that talked about how a terrorist attack at Disney World could severely destroy what remains of Florida’s economy. According to the counterterrorism analyst, if the tourism goes, so does Florida’s economy. Makes sense to me.

But I have always thought terrorists could take a Disney attack to the next level. Why stop at Disney World? Why not attack Tokyo Disney, Euro Disney, and Disney Land as well? If a group of suicide bombers synchronized their watches and exploded bombs at the main entrance of each Disney park at the same time, it could send ripples through the global tourism industry. Granted at least one bomber wouldn’t claim any victims as the parks would be closed, but I don’t think that’s not the point of most terrorism.

If the point is to show global reach and the ability to scare people from doing what they would normally not be scared to do I think an attack on each Disney main entrance at the same time would do that.

Disclaimer: I like my blog. I like writing on it. I am not advocating or supporting the actions of any group mentioned in this post. Nor am I advocating any violence. I own Disney stock, why would I not want people to go there? What I am doing to expanding on issues that are in the news and brainstorming a little.

So I emailed myself a link almost a year ago with the intention of writing something analytically intelligent about it. Unfortunately, it was buried among other emails on baseball, cartoons, hip-hop, and kung-fu.

Oh well.

But since I found it once again and still really want to share it with you all, here is the link followed by a bunch of discussion questions. Feel free to start conversating in comments.

Back in September 2010, Wired.com posted an article entitled “The depression map: genes, culture, serotonin, and a side of pathogens“. This article discussed how different people in different parts of the world were more or less chemically prone to depression. Studies found Western people were less prone to depression and Eastern cultures, particularly those in Asia, where more chemically prone to be depressed.

However, there is a bit of a problem. Diagnoses prove the opposite is actually occurring. Western people are getting depressed far more often than people from the East.

According to Wired.com, several scientists concluded that the answer lies in culture. Eastern people had become more communal to compensate, while Western cultures had breed individuality, almost to the point of breaking people.

It’s all rather deep, although very worth the read.

So here are the questions I have, and if you have read any of my stuff on String Theory and Natural Rhythm, the Philosophy of Community, or Whether or Not Man is Inherently Evil, you can kinda guess what I think about these ideas.

Are the results of this article scientific evidence towards collectivism? There is no doubt the risk/reward for western individualism is high, which, if un-achieved, could lead to depression and health risks.

How could we foster a culture of collectivism? Should the institution (government) be the one to promote it from the top-down? Or should it be from the bottom-up?

All major religions preach collectivism. The only predominant theory that advocates individualism is capitalism – the overarching economic (political?) philosophy of the West.

Also, keep in mind, a melting pot without the right integrative attitudes will cause splintering and semi-individualism – a permeating us vs. them conflict.

So what should we do? Is it possible to balance community with capitalism or, on the other hand, individualism with communism? What role should religion play? What about the family element?

Feel free to discuss.

(This post originally appeared on Bus Leagues Baseball.com)

In early June I wrote about the bad luck of Marlins farmhand and current Jupiter Hammerhead Chad James. At the time the 20-year old lefty was 0-9 with a 3.10 ERA. He was pitching well, but as I have mentioned several times before, the problem with the Hammerheads is outside of slugger Kyle Jensen, they can’t hit.

Well, after four more losses James finally picked up his first win over the weekend. He only had to hold the Brevard County Manatees to one hit over seven innings to do it. Even then, although James left the game up 5-0, the Hammerheads bullpen provided little solace as Jose Rosario and Chris Squires allowed five runs in the final two frames. Fortunately, the Hammerheads added to their advantage with four insurance runs in the 7th and 8th innings, and were able to pull out the win 9-5.

But back to Chad James.

I’m sure people will look at the back of his baseball cards in years to come and wonder how he worked his way up the Marlins system with a double-digit loss year in 2011. Those who measure effectiveness on wins and losses will be perplexed, but the reality is that James is a good pitcher.

Despite his 1-13 record, he has a 3.59 ERA, good for 14th in the Florida State League.

He has a 3.79 FIP and a 72.3 Left on base percentage. Those are both really solid.

Although he is allowing a little more than a hit per inning, his BABIP is high at .352. That means the defense isn’t making the plays behind him that they need to make. He has also allowed 12 unearned runs which can’t help his cause.

He has struck out 7.44 per nine innings while only walking 2.84 per nine. His strike out rates are better than average and he is learning control.

As I mentioned, James has the stuff. He has the chance to be a very good pitcher if he can stay consistent. Getting a 13-game losing streak out of the way is a big step in developing the confidence needed to make it.

Now if only the Hammerheads can continue giving him run support to work with.

(Image from milb.com)

A few weeks ago, I read an interesting editorial by Ernest Hooper of the St. Pete Times. In this editorial, Hooper tries to create a playlist of essential American songs, songs that, in his words, “reflect life in our nation”.

After having over 3 CDs worth of ideas, Hooper narrows his selections down to 30. There’s some Elvis, some Skynyrd, some Michael Jackson, and many others.

But in my opinion, however, his list leaves a bit to be desired. It’s not bad, but I think it could be better.

Here are a few changes I would make:

1) First of all, Hooper has zero blues songs on his list. That is unacceptable. He has a lot of soul and Motown, but nothing directly influenced by the Mississippi Delta. Since Hooper starts his list in the mid-1950s, that eliminates a lot of the classics, from Robert Johnson to BB King’s The Thrill is Gone (1951). But since there is also no Jimi Hendrix (perhaps Hooper considered him a “British act”), I would include Red House. If possible, I might also add a Stevie Ray Vaughn tune.

To make way for Jimi, let’s remove Saturday in the Park by Chicago.

2) Hooper’s hip-hop selections are off. He lists The Message by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, which is great, but then he lists Dear Mama by 2Pac and Lose Yourself by Eminem. I would delete both of those and replace them with Fight For Your Right by the Beastie Boys and Nuthin’ but a G Thang by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg.

The reasoning there is that Nuthin But a G Thang is perhaps the best West Coast rap song and it talks about the scene, where as 2Pac only talks about his family relationships. The Beastie Boys need to be on there as they were one of the biggest links between rock and rap and it was they, moreso than Run DMC, who made hip-hop acceptable to white audiences, without of which it would not be what it is today. And Fight For Your Right is a great party tune.

There is also a huge need for Public Enemy on this list, especially since he lists Marvin Gaye’s What’s Goin On and Sam Cooke’s A Change is Gonna Come. I would add Fight the Power. Let’s remove Don’t Stop Believing by Journey.

3) Hooper also misses out on heavy metal. Nirvana is as heavy as he gets and Bon Jovi is the only hair band on the list. Keeping Bon Jovi as the 80s hair representative and Nirvana as the model grunge band, I would add a Metallica tune, since they typify American Metal probably more than any other band. As for which Metallica tune, I would go with Master of Puppets. Not only is it one of Metallica’s best, but it also addresses the social issue of drugs, which doesn’t get talked about much in Hooper’s list.

To make room for Metallica, I’d take out I Want You Back by The Jackson 5. Hooper already has Michael Jackson on the list, so there is no need for Tito and the rest of the gang.

4) There is a definite lack of punk rock on Hooper’s list. I’m no punk expert, so I’ll leave that to others who might be, but at least a song or two from that genre needs to be on the list.

So I added five songs, with a chance to add more with punk input. That means I kept 25, which I definitely have to give Hooper credit for. His list might not be perfect, but it is a great start.

(This post originally appeared on Bus Leagues Baseball.com)

I should start by saying as a Florida State alumnus, this is an interview I’ve wanted to do all season. Brewers farmhand and current Brevard County Manatee D’Vontrey Richardson is not only the Brewers #24 ranked prospect according to Baseball America, but also a former Florida State University two-sport athlete. During his time at FSU (2007-2009), he played centerfield for the baseball team and was a backup quarterback on the Seminole football team.

During a recent visit to Tampa to play the Tampa Yankees, I caught up with D’Vontrey and we talked baseball, the transition from FSU to the minors, and whether or not he sees alumni pulling for him throughout the state of Florida.

BLB: Let’s start with some “getting to know you”-type questions. What is your favorite sports movie?

DR: Favorite sports movie … hmm. Probably The Longest Yard.

BLB: The first one or the second one?

DR: The second one.

BLB: Who are your favorite all-time athletes?

DR: I don’t have many, but probably Vick football-wise. In baseball, probably Gary Sheffield. Whenever I was growing up, I would see him play. In basketball, probably (Derrick) Rose now, with how explosive he is.

BLB: Now, wait, The Longest Yard, that’s the movie with Burt Reynolds in the original, right? How can you like the second one more? You stayed in Burt Reynolds Hall, right? Burt might not be too happy.

DR: Ha ha. Right. Well, I ain’t seen the first one. I’ve only seen the second one.

BLB: You were injured earlier this season. How is the hip?

DR: It’s better. It comes with the game. Just trying to play. I have to get stronger and try to stay in the lineup. It was a struggle initially as it was my first real injury. So I am trying to get out there and do something.

BLB: You are warming up at the plate after a slow start. What’s going right?

DR: Just bunting, actually. I’m still not seeing the ball the way I want to, but that’s baseball. You have a lot of ups and downs. I’m just trying to battle through the struggle. I feel like I am still not seeing the ball like I should, so it’s just relaxing and bunting and trying to get myself some confidence.

BLB: You say you are not seeing the ball the way you should. What are you doing to try to help that out?

DR: Just taking it day by day. Because all it takes is one swing. Just seeing the ball more, I guess. You’re going to be cold, you’re going to be hot, and more times cold, so I gotta learn how to battle through that cold streak.

BLB: I’d like to talk to you about your 6 for 6 day a couple of months ago.

DR: That was a little bit of luck. The night before that, I went 1 for 4 and hit every ball on the barrel. The day after that, I hit one ball on the barrel and that was a double, and then everything else I hit on the end of the bat, I got jammed and all, and the hits just came. That’s the game. It was a little bit of luck but I took it.

BLB: Did it help the confidence out a little?

DR: It helped me out. Especially with the series after that, I was starting to feel good.

BLB: So what adjustments did you make this year over your first year last season?

DR: Just mentally. Last year was my first full season of just baseball. I couldn’t deal with the struggles, but this year I’ve adjusted to it, understanding that it is just part of the game.

BLB: What are your goals for this year?

DR: My goals for this year are to finish strong, start fresh, and get stronger in the offseason. To try to stay health through to the offseason so I can get stronger.

BLB: So I have a few background questions for you. Why did you choose baseball over football?

DR: Well, it was an opportunity that opened. I was playing both football and baseball there and my whole life people were telling me that I was going to have to choose, so it just came and I felt like I had to take it.

BLB: Did you see (fellow former FSU two-sport athlete) Taiwan Easterling signed with Chicago?

DR: Oh, he did? Which Chicago team?

BLB: The Cubs. Have you talked to him? Did you have any advice for him?

DR: No, I haven’t talked to him at all. But he got drafted 5^th round out of high school before so he could be good. I mean, he is a great competitor. He is gonna compete. He is gonna continue to get better every day. But I haven’t talked to him. The last time I talked to him was in February before Spring Training and he said he was going to leave. So congrats to him and I wish the best for him.

BLB: Did you talk to anyone in regards to your own decision to play baseball over football? Did you talk with Coach Bowden or Coach Martin?

DR: Not particularly. They kinda thought I was gonna take it anyway.

BLB: How is life in the minors versus life at Florida State?

DR: It’s different. I mean, it’s more laid back. All the road trips. Not really at a custom place to stay. It’s different, but I guess that’s why they say the minor leagues is more mental. It’s a grind. But at Florida State, you know, everything was basically taken care of. It was a D1 college, and they had good locker rooms and everything was nice there. It wasn’t bad at all.

BLB: You hear a lot that Coach Bowden is very influential in people’s lives. What have you brought with you from your time playing for him?

DR: The years I was there he always preached God to us. To put God first and make sure you always have God in your life. That’s one of the main things that I have with me now. To have that in mind, because he was always preaching that.

BLB: Ok, what about Coach Martin?

DR: Same really. When he coached, he had a drive to him. He always wanted us to get better. So it’s just something I learned there was to keep trying to get better.

BLB: Did you watch the baseball team or the football team this season?

DR: No, no I didn’t.

BLB: Ok, you mentioned you stayed in touch a bit with Taiwan. Is there anyone you still stay in touch with regularly?

DR: On the football team, no one anymore. But baseball, yeah. I still know Sherman (Johnson, FSU 3^rd baseman), Hunter (Scantling, pitcher), (Brian) Busch (pitcher), Tyler Everett (pitcher), Devon Travis (infielder). I talk to a couple of people. That’s all I usually talk to when I go back, not many people.

BLB: Now that you are in the Florida State League, do you get many alumni who recognize you and pull for you?

DR: I haven’t really talked to too many, no.

BLB: I find that interesting, because when I looked at the Manatees roster, your name jumped out and I said to myself, “I should talk to him”.

BLB: So is it a struggle in any way to put your Florida State background behind you? Do you want to be known as just a Brewers outfielder?

DR: Yeah, I just want to be known as a Brewers outfielder and a baseball player. I mean, I didn’t really do too much at Florida State. It’s a great school and great coaches, but I had to take an opportunity here.

BLB: I totally understand that. Were you surprised when you were drafted?

DR: Yeah, because I didn’t get a chance to really prove myself. But obviously they saw something in me and they took me. And I am grateful for that.

We would like to thank D’Vontrey for his time and thank the Manatees and Tampa Yankees for making the interview possible.

Way back when this blog was but a little tyke, before I settled into whatever groove I have going on, before the days of poetry, emotional psychoanalysis, and tales of yore, I wrote what I thought was a really interesting post on my thoughts on the future of public transportation.

Quick synopsis: I think the ideas behind transportation will change as people want to text and talk instead of drive. We will see more public transportation and less cultural emphasis on automobiles.

That was my theory in February, 2010.

Since then, we’ve seen a bit more movement in that direction.

In June of 2010, we found out that driving and texting is not just a teen issue, meaning the idea of steady conversation has permeated other demographics.

Then we learned Generation Y is not as car-enthused as previous generations. But they are definitely more communications-enthused.

In October of 2010, it was reported that Google is making an automatic car based on Google Maps. A car that drives itself. So people can talk, text, or surf the web while driving. Through Google, of course.

Finally, three days ago another survey was released that said 25% of all vehicle crashes are because of gadgets.

No law is going to stop that. It’s funny that people compare driving and texting to drinking and driving. I think you could compare trying to regulate people’s communication habits while driving to prohibition. The government can’t stop it. No matter how many tickets, no matter how many signal-killing doodads they use, they will not prevent people from attempting to communicate on the roads.

The need to talk has replaced the need to travel.

Local governments should work with Google or maybe some soon-to-be-out-of-work military contract companies to develop people movers such as the Google car or the things that the overly obese people in Wall-E move around in.

That would be cool.

Every once in a while I think about science. I read a few science blogs, so I guess it’s only natural. The other day, after reading about a comet that somewhat “buzzed” the Earth, I started thinking about The Moon.

Everyone likes The Moon, right? It’s our moon. It is the only moon in the universe addressed as “The Moon”, which gives it sort of a “Cedric The Entertainer” vibe. People sing about The Moon, they depict The Moon in art, they even include The Moon in their songs. There is generally a lot of goodwill directed towards The Moon.

(Unless you are a vampire, then you don’t like full moons. Or a reluctant werewolf, who also despises full moons. But half moons, quarter moons, et al, those are ok in everyone’s book.)

But what if the moon was in trouble? We have many movies about saving the Earth from comets, but I don’t think I have ever seen anyone give a second thought to the Moon. Which I think is a shame.

The moon regulates tides. It’s quite important. But what if it were on course for a collision with an asteroid or a comet? That would severely mess up life on Earth. But it would also surely cost us a lot of money to defend land we don’t live on.

And who would pay for defending the Moon? Would America take charge? Would it come out of our defense budget? I could definitely see Congress debating about the costs and allocations while whatever was threatening the Moon inched closer.

And who would execute this grand plan? Would the US ask the whole world to chip in? What if other nations don’t see the benefit? After all, it is just the Moon. Do the costs of Moon defense outweigh the benefits for the entire world?

Would we feel neighborly guilt if we don’t save the Moon? Romantic evenings staring at the Moon would be a thing of the past if it was taken out by a comet. What if the Moon got whacked out of orbit a bit? According to Discovery Magazine, the Moon might have gotten whacked so hard billions of years ago it actually flipped in orbit. So it can happen.

I’m not too worried about the Moon pinballing into the Earth. If that happens, we are screwed. But I’m worried about the safety of the Moon.

Maybe I am the only one.

(This post originally appeared on Bus Leagues Baseball.com)

On Saturday night I had the opportunity to swing by Steinbrenner Field for the first time in a long time to check out the Tampa Yankees host the Brevard County Manatees. It was quite the game. A tit-for-tat back and forth battle throughout most of the contest, the Manatees jumped ahead with a 7-4 lead in the 5th inning. After a few innings of scorelessness, the T-Yankes scored one in the bottom of the eighth, and then as the nightly Florida thunderstorm rolled in, the Yankees scored three in the bottom of the ninth to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Of course, no trip to the game would be complete from a Bus Leagues Baseball perspective without mention of some of the great fans and people at the ballpark. I spoke with the Manatees’ bus driver, the Yankees’ Assistant General Manager, as well as their head of in-game entertainment. Everyone was friendly as always.

The highlight of the night however, was a chance encounter with local photographer Robert Rostick. When I saw Robert with his camera, I asked if he would be so kind as to volunteer some of his images to Bus Leagues Baseball. He was nice enough to say yes. So what follows is his quality work and images.

We would definitely like to thank Robert Rostick again for these great images. You can see all the pictures Robert shared with us at this link: Robert Rostick – Brevard County Manatees vs Tampa Yankees.

Behold, the magical sounds of a guitar and a bulldozer, also known as the best American song of all time.

Turn it up and loud and proud. If the neighbors complain, they are probably Commie pinkos.