How to Write a Nonprofit Blog 24 Aug 2013 | 05:02 am

I know I rarely post such practical tips, but I created this list for a consulting client and thought I’d share.  The list is remixed from a blog post by Desi Cabrera of Miratel in Toronto. Write Foc...

An Argument for Studying the Civics of Code 21 Aug 2013 | 11:51 pm

Ethan Zuckerman, director of the Center for Civic Media at MIT, has done some summer reading on civics in the digital age and presents us with his finding in a new post on his blog.  He presents previ...

The Internet Surveillance Rap We’ve Been Waiting For 14 Aug 2013 | 11:28 pm

Just kidding, no one has been waiting for an internet surveillance rap, but it’s still awesome.  Sample lyric: ”…the internet, it’s empowering humanity.  We need to get this SNAFU under control rapidl...

My First Academic Pub! 8 Aug 2013 | 10:10 pm

No, I didn’t just open a scholarly tavern, but this week I did receive a copy of my first academic publication: a review of Rebecca MacKinnon‘s book Consent of the Networked for the journal Internatio...

Saturday Song: Young the Giant 3 Aug 2013 | 11:15 pm

Data Pop 3 Aug 2013 | 03:32 am

Like war, data cleaning is tedium marked by moments of sheer terror. The purpose of data cleaning is to ensure that the values on which you will base your analysis are correct (or at least not obviou...

The Activism Knowledge Gap 1 Aug 2013 | 11:08 pm

Earlier this week I met Nathan Matias, who will be starting his PhD at the MIT Media Lab this fall.  He pointed me to a great blog post he wrote about the many intelligent people talking about how lit...

Fruitvale Station 1 Aug 2013 | 01:32 am

Everyone telling you to see it is right.  It’s better than the trailer (below). Knowing the ending from the beginning will not prepare you emotionally.  You’ll leave the theater as if you were hit by...

The Future Isn’t Digital, It’s Hybrid 26 Jul 2013 | 11:42 pm

I was very hopeful when I saw this headline from a local Fox affiliate in Houston: Digital activism replacing marches and rallies in Houston.  The term “digital activism” rarely gets play in tradition...

“Life goal? Never had such a thing” 25 Jul 2013 | 09:53 pm

My uncle recently asked me (in his own particular way) what my life goal is.  I think my answer is among the most clear and succinct I’ve been able to devise, so I thought I’d share it: Uncle John: L...