Anita Renfroe’s Momsense (the mom song)

Quite hilarious: comedian Anita Renfroe’s estrogen flavoured, sassy Momsense song, performed to the tune of  Overture to William Tell and paraphrasing everything a mother says in one 24-hour period. It’s the YouTube viral video that’s been around for a while (since 2007 it seems) and that’s gotten over 9 Million hits – unsurprisingly 😉 .  And on a more reflective note: ol skool parenting doesn’t really die out, it seems. I experienced it when I was young, and when I look around today, it’s still there.

iChange – the iPhone controlled car that changes its shape

World Debut at the 79^th Geneva Motor Show, March 5^th through 15^th, 2009

Swiss Automobile Visionary Frank M. Rinderknecht Builds a Concept Car with Adaptive Energy Concept

„iChange“ Alters its Shape – and Automotive Thinking

The Swiss auto powerhouse Rinspeed presents the ‘iChange’, the world’s first car whose body adapts to the number of passengers on board. In seconds a streamlined one-seater sports car transforms into a comfortable car with ample room for three. The trick: At the push of a button the rear end of the teardrop-shaped car magically pops up.

The basic idea behind the streamlined, lightweight zero-emission ‘iChange:’: The energy demand of a vehicle depends mostly on its weight, the type of engine it uses, and its aerodynamic properties. The engineering-services company Esoro that traditionally builds Rinspeed concept cars has built an extremely lightweight car weighing in at only 1’050 kilograms. To power the car, the Swiss specialists chose an electric motor. The idea of the pop-up rear end was conceived to account for the sizeable effect aerodynamics play in fuel consumption.

While other cars always have to ferry around their puffed-up exteriors that can accommodate up to seven passengers even if they’re just transporting a single soul, the „iChange“ features an adaptive body. The sole driver is conveyed in a teardrop-shaped car that offers optimal aerodynamic properties and thus minimized energy consumption. If more than one person need to be transported the expanding rear provides room for two passengers. As a result of the increased weight and no longer optimal aerodynamics the energy consumption increases – but only for the time passengers are actually on board.

The energy for the electric motor comes from lithium-ion batteries that are available in two different stack configurations for short- and long-distance driving. The electric motor of the „iChange“ produces 150kW, capable of propelling the car to a top speed of 220 km/h. The sprint from rest to 100 km/h takes just slightly over four seconds. This impressive performance is made possible with the help of a six-speed pre-selector gearbox from the Subaru WRX car.

The central research department of Siemens AG (Corporate Technology, CT) supplied the integration technology for engine/generator, electronics and battery connection interface.  Siemens has long been one of the world leaders for energy systems and eco technology with pioneering concepts for electric drive systems. Its products cover the entire electric value-added chain from generation to distribution to consumption.

The gearbox and drivetrain are lubricated with eco-friendly lubricants from Motorex. Custom-made lightweight 17” and 18” forged wheels with aerodynamic shrouds are supplied by light-alloy wheel specialists AEZ. Pirelli P Zero tyres in size 215/40-17 in front and size 245/40-18 in back provide optimal grip. The front lights derive from the Opel Insignia, the rear lamps come from the Opel Astra Twin Top.

An initial walk-around reveals that the concept car has no doors. The entire electrically powered roof section of the car measuring just 1.03 meters in height tilts forward to allow passengers to board. Also gone are such mundane things as a key. Its role is filled by an Apple iPhone, which also controls the most important vehicle functions.

The „iChange“ is drastically different than ordinary cars in every detail: At the heart of the concept car lies the groundbreaking next-generation Harman/Kardon infotainment system. The system uses an innovative Intel processor technology that guarantees minimized power consumption. The same is true for the Harman/Kardon high-efficiency audio system. This revolutionary technology meets highest demands on sound quality, weighs much less than ordinary systems and at the same time uses only a fraction of energy. This opens the door to a new dimension of energy efficiency. The route guidance of the navigation system is also especially eco-friendly: The system calculates the most energy-saving route and displays the directions in realistic 3D view.

When it comes to the subject of heating systems, the “iChange” is as versatile as its car body. Because the electric motor produces too little waste heat, the concept vehicle depends on a high-performance auxiliary heater. The Esslingen-based Eberspächer Group – one of the world’s leading manufacturers of vehicle heating systems – designed two tailor-made ecological heating systems especially for this project: an electric heater as well as an ethanol 85 heater. This optimally accentuates the advantages of the two technologies: The entirely emission free electric PTC heater proves itself at short distances. Over long distances, the battery-independent alternative fuel-powered heater ensures a significantly longer operating range of the vehicle. As a result, even the heater of the “iChange” variably adjusts to the respective requirements.

The pure wool used in the interior was further refined into high-tech wool by Schoeller using state-of-the-art processes. The wool is spun and died in accordance with the highest eco standards. It provides an extremely extravagant ambiance in the ‘iChange,’ looks stunning and is delicate to the touch. The competence partner Strähle + Hess transformed this natural product into a striking interior. Its surface character and materiality combine to create a symbiosis of shell, firmness and frothy air. Unconventional techniques create unusual surfaces. The seams of the seats are reversed and the removable seats cushions are adorned with the prototype’s name. Xmobil provided further customization services.

While textiles can be found in the „iChange“ in their original form in other areas, they are newly interpreted on seats and cargo floor using various refinement techniques such as braiding and gathering and a combination of both. Leather strips alternate with technical textiles. The seat cushions are interchangeable, braided felt alternates with technical textiles formed into three-dimensional shapes. This transfers the adaptive concept of the „iChange“ to the interior as well. The diamond-coated anti-slip floor is supplied by abrasives specialist KGS.

The Swiss Federal Ministry for Energy (Bundesamt für Energie) supports the „iChange“ project as a groundbreaking research and development project. Solar panels on the top and sides of the roof provide electricity to the fan to keep temperatures in the „iChange“ comfortably low on hot summer days. The large Sharp solar panels also provide additional eco-friendly charging of the batteries.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Rinspeed’s iChange EV is an iPhone-integrated shape shifter (engadget.com)
• Geneva Preview: Mighty Morphin’ iChange proves Rinspeed is up to its old tricks (autoblog.com)
• Rinspeed iChange Concept: Mighty Morphing Electric Changer [Geneva Motor Show] (jalopnik.com)
• Rinspeed iChange Transforming Concept To Debut At Geneva [Rinspeed IChange] (jalopnik.com)
• Concept car controlled by IPhone at Geneva Motor Show (textually.org)
• Rinspeed’s iPhone-controlled concept EV looks unlikely (crunchgear.com)

How to catch American war criminals … or maybe not

Politicians in general are pretenders and liars and they are obsessed with power and themselves. They also are part of and in support of a nation’s elite and, partly as a consequence, they are ideologues. They don’t necessarily stand for what a country’s people need or want but for what they and the power elite believe and want. And given that they have the ultimate tools of power at their disposal, they make the masses believe what they believe and, by and large, they’re successful with their propaganda and other, more sinister ways of social control. That is why people like Bush, Cheney, Blair, Howard and Kissinger get away with committing war crimes without being committed to war crime trials.

The following article by Jeff Cohen, which was published in ZNet under the title “Coming to NBC: “To Catch a Cheney”” looks at two war criminals and the role and success of the media in protecting them: Dick Cheney and Henry Kissinger.

Feb 24, 2009 By Jeff Cohen
Jeff Cohen’s ZSpace Page / ZSpace

I have a plan to get NBC out of last place in the ratings. I’m promising blockbuster audience and international buzz. As a once disgruntled ex-employee, I now just want to be positive and help NBC, which needs all the free advice it can get.

Here’s my idea: A series of NBC News primetime specials featuring spectacular ambushes of big-time criminals lured into what they expect to be pleasurable surroundings. But, with hidden cameras whirring, the startled villain is dramatically confronted with the evidence of his massive crimes as millions of viewers look on in scorn and righteous amusement.

If it sounds familiar, it’s because NBC News has scored huge ratings with its “To Catch a Predator” sleaze-fest – in which potential sex offenders by the bushel were lured via the Internet to what they thought would be sex with kids and instead got caught by NBC cameras and cops in hiding.

But my proposal doesn’t involve sex abusers. I’m talking about men who’ve launched illegal war, mass murder, torture, dictatorship. And they’re household names.

Before you laugh off my proposal for “To Catch a War Criminal,” check out last week’s New York Times report by Brian Stelter: “On Trail of War Criminals, NBC News Is Criticized.”

NBC is already at work – “To Catch a Predator”-style – on a two-bit version of my idea, and not surprisingly, they may be screwing it up. For over a year, a camera crew has been on the trail of alleged war criminals; in December, an NBC producer confronted a Maryland foreign language professor who NBC sources accuse of war crimes in Rwanda.

But there are problems – as often happens when you leave the “news” to NBC. Human Rights Watch questions the evidence against the professor, who’s been seeking asylum in the U.S. A journalistic ethicist questions NBC’s close relations with Rwanda’s government.

So here’s my advice: Go big. Go after superstars and only well-documented, slam-dunk cases of war crimes.

Coming to NBC next week: “To Catch a Cheney.”  Next month: “To Catch a Kissinger.”

How do you lure such big names to an NBC News lair for their ambush interview? You simply invite them.

Given the soft treatment they’ve received over the years, they’ll come running quicker than a Net perv to Lolita. Trust me: the element of surprise is on NBC’s side – since these uber-officials are confident their crimes will remain eternally off-limits.

To lure Dick Cheney from his undisclosed location, NBC’s “To Catch a War Criminal” producers could pretend to be booking “Meet the Press.” Cheney has been as comfy on that show as Alec Baldwin on “Saturday Night Live.” It came out under oath in the Scooter Libby trial that Vice President Cheney’s office viewed “Meet the Press” as “our best format,” a program in which Cheney could “control the message.” Putting him on that show, testified his communications chief, “was a tactic we used often.”

It was on “Meet the Press” after 9/11 that Cheney warned: “We have to work the dark side, if you will. We’re going to spend time in the shadows.”

So Mr. Dark Side shows up at NBC studios expecting another puff job, and instead is confronted on camera with witnesses, documents, victims of his various war crimes. It’s riveting television and real journalism as his violations of the Geneva Conventions of War in matters of torture and kidnapping are detailed.

The program climaxes big-time with Cheney cross-examined about Iraq and his lead role in committing the ultimate war crime (as described by the Nuremberg tribunal): launching an unprovoked attack upon another country.

And what about Henry Kissinger? His participation in crimes of war, murder, mayhem and military coups is neatly packaged in Eugene Zarecki’s 80-minute documentary (award-winner at Amnesty International Film Festival): “The Trials of Henry Kissinger.”

Think he’s too old to spring into NBC’s trap? Actually, the spry 85-year-old still appears frequently on NBC channels – assured that his criminal past will never come up.

Invite him. Kissinger will come.

And he’s not old news. Just as there’s no statute of limitations on murder, there’s none for Kissinger’s crimes. Remember that military dictator Augusto Pinochet, who ended democracy in Chile thanks to Kissinger’s crucial help, was arrested in England for international crimes many years after leaving office.

Besides ratings, my “Catch a Major War Criminal” idea delivers something else for NBC: It’s fairly cheap to produce. The New York Times reports that NBC News has spent a year chasing down foreign war criminals and “possible perpetrators of human rights abuses in several countries.” Going after big-name U.S. war criminals is quicker and more cost-effective – with so many documents, archives and witnesses in or around D.C.

In truth, there’s one main reason my proposal will never launch on NBC: It’s the longstanding nationalistic, ethnocentric (even racist) bias in our country that blocks serious scrutiny of “our” criminals.

That bias allows “objective” journalism to refer matter-of-factly to “Saddam’s torture rooms,” but not “George Bush’s torture rooms”; to “mass murder” of Kosovars and Rwandans, but not “mass murder” of Guatemalans or Salvadorans or Vietnamese caused by U.S. officials; to “terrorism” from homemade bombs and IEDs, but not the far more lethal terror against civilians from advanced, aerial bombardment.

War criminals tend to have funny names, dark skin and wear foreign garb. They can’t be powerful Americans in tailored suits.

This giant illusion is fostered by major U.S. news media that are allergic to discussing deadly U.S. interventions in the context of Nuremberg principles, Geneva Conventions protecting prisoners of war and noncombatants, and the United Nations Charter, especially articles 41 and 42 on the initiation of armed force. These international laws and treaties are the law of our land – as clear as laws against murder.

So NBC News will traipse the globe in search of Rwandans – while Dick and Henry sleep like babies tonight. And then appear tomorrow on U.S. television offering their exalted opinions on international affairs.

Maybe NBC should stick to catching sex offenders. Any pretense that they want to seriously track down war criminals is a farce.

Jeff Cohen is an inactive lawyer and the director of the Park Center for Independent Media at Ithaca College. In 2002, he was a producer and pundit at MSNBC (overseen by NBC News). His latest book is Cable News Confidential: My Misadventures in Corporate Media.