The first news story is the extensive reporting that a significant number of Americans believe President Barack Obama is a Muslim. The stories I read focused on the politics of this, often times relating it to the 2008 presidential campaign. What these articles failed to do is critically examine the absurd failure of the media to educate and inform the public, the media’s primary mission. Allowing this sort of clear factual inaccuracy and not forcing a epistemological debate on the issue is not a reflection of the “stupidity” or beliefe structure of people, but the absolute collapse of the critical examination and discussion in the fourth estate.

The second news story is this NY Times blog entry about whether the best war-reporting method is as an embedded journalist or not. The reason this is important is because it illustrates the media’s tendency to both create and fall in love with false dichotomies. Why are these the two principal choices? Why is reporting not considered a comprehensive, multi-method approach? In large part, and something I mention at the start of this post, it is because journalists have left the theoretical or meta considerations of their vocation behind, as have policy makers and medical professionals. Without having theory as your guide and critical/scientific considerations in mind, any group will work in a stupefyingly manner. And it is not that this is the only instance of false dichotomies; we see it everyday on talk shows, in reporting only on two main parties, on granting equal time for statements that are wrong or lies, and in their self characterizations (e.g., old vs. new media, print vs. online media).

These criticisms connect to my larger eye rolling at the media. That is, they successfully portray themselves as victims, whether it’s a victim of their readers (not buying newspapers!), the establishment (they lied to us!), or the economy (ad revenues are down!). The truth is the media has itself to blame, whether we’re talking about media companies taking on too much debt, buying unrelated enterprises, not recognizing the shift to digital and online readership, or not improving their product (why can’t I buy one subscription and read it anywhere, whether that’s in print, on the Web, or on a mobile device, such as an eReader?). And we should not leave out the journalists, who fail to bring critical eyes to their work, go for page views, and fail to realize that dependency on sources leads to bad reporting. All of these factors explain why daily journalism is trying to find itself, but that investigative journalism is hitting its stride, based on profits, subscription numbers, and new outlets.

The night before the derby, we threw a pre-event party that was an absolute success. There was a solid turnout, lots of fun painting the car, social circles colliding, and plenty of food and money donations for Food for Others and National Transplant Assistance Fund. In fact, we collected 94 pounds of food. And even though I didn’t even make it one minute, meaning that the donations-per-minute system I set up failed, I’m donating $20 for each person who pledged.

The day began with JV towing the car to and dropping me off at the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair followed by registration and inspection. The derby old timers came by, intrigued by my newb vibe and teched out car. They told me to rip out the interior panels and door handles if I wanted to pass inspection, and then they joined in on the fun. One team even quickly claimed the car because it was in such good shape. They also suggested I remove the computers and cameras before the inspection and just put them back in afterward. It was a great idea, but, unfortunately, someone else was a little too manifest-destiny-ish and backed up to a ridiculous degree off their trailer and right over my pile of stuff, leading to the PowerBook being destroyed.

As you can see in the video at the top of this post, the derby started according to plan with me waiting until the other cars clustered in the middle. I was able to throw it into reverse and land a solid hit. I then shifted to first, something I was concerned about during the prep phase, and left the crowd of cars. I turned slightly to successfully dodge an incoming car, which managed to land only a glancing shot. But as I left that car behind and shifted my attention to the path ahead, two cars were heading toward me. Even though I knew the one tactic you need to know–avoid head-on collisions–it seemed unavoidable. There didn’t seem to be enough room to turn away from both cars so I decided to speed into the crash, knowing at least one of us wasn’t going to make it out. It turned out to be me, as the crash destroyed my camshaft (according to derby vets who claimed my car afterward). I spent the remaining minutes in the car a bit stunned, not from the accident but the quick ending, and the rest of the night coming to terms with the double fail of no in-camera video and a sudden demise.

This project was an overwhelming success. I managed to do something that I had long wanted to do, all the while learning about cars and video streaming, bringing a huge group of people together, landing legit corporate partners/sponsors, and raising food and money for those who need it. I’d like to once again thank every person and company who helped on the effort, regardless of exactly how you contributed. It would have been an improbable feat for me to do on my own.

Now on to the next project…

Today’s work was simple, allowing for coffee, beer, and chill-out time. Among the things we worked on and finished:

(1) Draining the coolant system and replacing it with water.
(2) Snipping some loose wires.
(3) Cleaning remaining glass.
(4) Removing the hubcaps and wheel weights (thanks CC!).
(5) Applying additional coats of paint to corporate partner logos.
(6) RP and PF adding their own pieces to the contributors-only roof.

And, of course, we buzzed around the neighborhood.

With the mod sessions behind us, the effort focuses on:
(1) Streaming the derby to the Web (PMS w/ the assist).
(2) Towing the car to the derby (JV w/ the assist).
(3) The pre-event party (Palantir Technologies providing the pizza!).

Each of these items are doable, it’s just a matter of turning the focus to them and finishing them.

Thanks again for the awesome help provided by RP and PF!

Chain Everything Down
Securing the various probably-required points on the car has been a task on which we’ve been working for some time. Yesterday, though, we can remove it from the to-do list. Because the preparation had been done already, the actual securing was fairly simple. In fact, the hardest part was the trip to the hardware store to buy chain and a few connectors. Even though we can take this task off the list, there are a couple minor related items I’ll do this week:
(1) Buy washers to add to the nuts and bolts that connect/secure the wires.
(2) Cut the chain to the correct length.
(3) Based on my re-reading of the rules, I think we need to add two more fastenings to the trunk. I think we have the wire and just need the nuts and bolts. I’ll figure this out.

Removing Glass
Some of the glass had already been removed when we ripped out the front and rear lights, but the windows and windshields remained. PF did a great job w/ the windows, which he did while RP focused on the front and rear windshields. It was the windshields that required the most amount of work and time.

My research suggested using WD-40 would eat away some of the seal, making it easier to remove the glass. Well, that’s true, but it doesn’t eat away enough. In addition to the corrosive, we used utility knives and screw drivers, with the latter probably being the main reason the rear windshield shattered. We learned from this, though. In doing the front windshield we taped the outside and inside of the windshield and then kicked out–yes, kicked out–the glass. This went extremely and surprisingly well, leaving very little cleanup and additional work.

To-Do Items
I started by mentioning that yesterday was our last mod session. This is sorta true. This coming weekend is the last last mod session, but it is reserved for tying up loose ends and not major work. Here is what is on the agenda, although I’ll knock out what I can in between now and then:

(1) Flush radiator and cooling systems; add water
(2) Double check for loose wires hanging that need to be trimmed
(3) File sharp edges
(4) Have RP and PF paint their bits on the hood, which is reserved for people who directly contributed to the effort.

Update: Additional To-Do Items
(5) Clean inside of car, especially of glass.
(6) Consult CC’s email w/ derby advice.
(7) Apply additional coats of paint to existing paint.

The Battery
Finally, the battery requirements can be scratched off our to-do list! Although we had a few hiccups, we mounted the battery box to the floorboard and put in the battery. There are no more battery-related requirements.

Remove Front Header Panels
The rules require that the front header panels be removed, which we interpreted to mean remove all the header panels. It took us some time, but the process was relatively straightforward and manageable. In the end, we learned that drivers of Honda Accords are protected by Styrofoam. And now I’m not even protected by that.

Chain Everything Down
In order to secure the hood, trunk, and doors–as the rules possibly require, depending on one’s interpretation of the poorly written list–we had to remove the header panels. Once we finished that, we were able to identify the holes through which the wire and chains will run and exactly how we will do it. Unfortunately, my drill’s battery decided to die a permanent death and we weren’t able to finish the job. We did, however, identify where the holes will be, and I’ll drill them as soon as I buy a new drill (another Amazing Prime purchase, here I come!).

In addition, we chained down the engine mount.

Next steps:
(1) Jason buy a new drill.
(2) Jason drills and deburrs the holes that will be used to run the chain and wire.
(3) Jason buy the bolts and nuts we will use to secure the chain and wire.
(4) Jason measure and cut the wire for the securing.
(5) At the next mod session, we determine when each point will be secured (we still need access to certain areas and inspectors must check the hood and trunk before securing those areas).
(6) Remove the hood latch, as required by the rules, once appropriate.

The Agenda for before the Next Mod Session
(1) Jason take care of all relevant to-do items for securing the various parts of the car.
(2) Jason continue to research the gas tank dilemma.

The Agenda for the Next Mod Session
(1) Assess and finalize the securing of various parts of the car, which may include leaving some parts unsecured until day of. This includes dealing with the hood latch.
(2) Remove windows.
(3) Reinforce the driver’s and front passenger’s doors.
(4) Determine timeline for flushing the various systems and filling them with water (e.g., radiator and cooling system).
(5) Gas tank decisions.

The Battery
The last mod session included replacing the inherited battery with an extra RP has. Although the battery worked fine when we jumped it that day, it failed when I tried again a couple days later. That leaves us with two batteries that don’t want to work. RP brought his battery charger, which I will set up in the next couple days to begin properly charging both batteries for a real test of their ability to rock and roll.

Yesterday’s mod session picked up where we left off with the battery switch by moving the battery from the engine area to the passenger seat floor area. We already had the needed parts, so the actual work was quite easy, also in part because there was a plug we removed in the floor that allowed us to run the battery cables without drilling. The final result looks very nice, and just needs a “covering”.

Next steps:
(1) I figure out what the organizers mean by “covering” the battery.
(2) We cover the battery and secure the battery to the floor (currently, it just sits on the floor).

Hole in the Hood
One of the requirements is that there be a hole in the hood over the carburetor, which is used by firefighters to gush water into the engine to extinguish fires. We used RP’s Dremel, buying fresh bits, to cut a hole in the hood. Again, the result looks great.

The bad news is that I failed to register that the rules state the hole must be “approximately 12″ or larger, square or diameter”. Our hole is 13 x 9, so I think we’ll have to go back and cut more, which sucks for several reasons (it’s not a fast process, we have to cut a reinforcement piece again, it wears bits away like crazy, and we thought we had this one done).

Next steps:
(1) Jason buys additional Dremel bits.
(2) We expand the hole.

20100623 Edit: PMS and IR visited to help me with expanding the hood hole a few inches. This task is now complete.

Chain Everything Down
The rules require we secure a number of different points in the car. The last mod session included time where we discussed how we would do this. This mod session, we bought some initial hardware to do the job. We needed these initial pieces to bring back to the car so we could measure out chain and wire needs, although we did buy wire for some of the securing. Next mod session will include purchasing the remaining chain, wire, and hardware, and then installing it.

Next steps:
(1) After we remove the fiber glass bumper covers, etc., measure chain and wire needs.
(2) Purchase relevant items.
(3) Install.

The Agenda for the Next Mod Session
(1) Work the battery situation, to include doing real checks on the existing batteries, covering the battery, and securing the battery to the floor.
(2) Expand hood hole.
(3) Removing fiber glass parts of bumpers, as required by the rules.
(4) Secure or almost secure various parts of the car, requiring us to finish (2), measure chain and wire needs, buy remaining items, and execute.
(5) Discuss gas tank moving plans. I have some research to do on this, in particular finding a metal gas tank.
(6) Discuss removing the hood latch, which is required but should wait until we have a way to secure the hood (e.g., chains).

Future Mod Sessions
If we accomplish the four items on the next mod session’s agenda, then we have the following left to do (in no particular order):
(1) Reinforce the driver and passenger doors (PMS may ride along).
(2) Window removal.
(3) Flush radiator and cooling system and replace with water.
(4) Gas tank decisions.

We reviewed the to-do list and sketched out priority, timeline, and basic approaches, with a hands-on review of the car afterward. Here are the major mods to be done:

The Battery
The current battery does not hold a charge, meaning I need to jump it every time I want to practice driving. RP happened to have an extra battery he thinks is good, so the first step was to swap out the old battery with the “new” one. That was easy enough, and the only item left is to start the car today to see if the newly installed battery works.

Edit: The battery did not work. Bummer, USA.

In addition, the rules require we move the batter to the passenger area. We, well, really he, sketched this out. RP doesn’t think will be a problem, just an effort that takes some time. We bought wire for the battery move and RP has terminals that will be donated to the cause. Presuming the battery is okay, the next steps are:
(1) RP finds the terminals.
(2) RP finds where to buy the other end terminals and tells me.
(3) I buy the terminals.

Edit: The cables we bought have one set of correct ends, and RP has the other set.

Gas Tank
There is some concern that the current gas-cap area will not pass demolition derby inspection. There is no concern that I am in danger. RP suggests, and this follows the derby organizer’s recommendation, that we move the tank to the rear passenger area and insert a tube into the existing gas-cap area tube. This will primarily serve to assure organizer’s that the rusted out gas-cap area is a non-issue with the added safety bonus of putting a gas tank a couple feet from me. Note, the battery and gas tank will not be in the same area.

The next steps for this effort are:
(1) RP will identify the parts (e.g., fuel line, valves, etc.) and tell me.
(2) I will buy the parts.

p.s. RP, the rules state that a metal tank is required, so no plastic one. It also must be within arms reach of me so I can turn the tank off in time to prevent my animated gif from becoming reality.

Hole in the Hood
The rules require we cut a whole in the hood above the carburetor, which from my attendance at derby’s is used by the fire fighters to gush water into the engine compartment to put out fires. RP does not think this will be a problematic, just a bit time intensive. There is no timeline on when this will be done. The next steps are:
(1) RP identifies needed Dremel bits (his are old or whatever).
(2) I buy the new ones.

Chain Everything Down
Various parts of the car (e.g., hood, doors, etc.) need to be chained down. Following MW’s initial suggestion of using chain and carabiners, RP and I will make a future hardware-store visit to buy the equipment. This will be combined with an almost guaranteed other trip for this or that. Next steps are:
(1) Buy the hardware and install it, waiting to lock it up until the night of the derby.

Other Tasks To Do
In addition to these major efforts, there is other homework (in no particular order):
(1) RP looks for a jack handle, figuring out where I can buy a replacement if possible.

Other Tasks Done
(1) RP recommended I buy a Haynes manual for the car, so we know for sure where everything is and how to go about doing different things. Thanks to the patented one-click buy of Amazon and my new Amazon Prime membership, the manual should arrive early this week along with about $200 of other stuff I’ve bought since going Prime. Specifically, the manual will help us move the gas tank and deal with the carburetor. Oh, and it was super inexpensive ($5, I think).

(2) I find a solid relevant car forum, in part to seek help and in part to taught the people that we’re destroying this car. The best one my search revealed is Honda-Tech.com, which has a “classic” Hondas section. There is also 3geez.com, which is dedicated to third-generation Honda Accords. Both will be used, and added to the wiki page. I still need to go through 3geez to see if there’s anything useful.

Galaxy Hut isn’t the only music venue with silly calendar practices. For example, Rock ‘n’ Roll‘s calendar page used to note that its calendar is not a reliable source of upcoming shows.

And the problems don’t stop there. Other music venues fail basic spelling tests (Red and Black) or mobile technology (HR57), just to name a few current quibbles. None of these issues are much of a problem given the “quality” bands/groups these venues book, with the exception of HR57 (although it does feature a rather stale rotation). Plus, the vast majority of sites use a splash screen for some reason.

Just to prove I’m not a total hater, Black Cat is always a reliable and informative site, as is Velvet Lounge, which I consider to be the best basic DC-area music-venue site.

And to demonstrate I can criticize the things I still–because I’ve moved on from these scenes–I consider the Kennedy Center‘s page to be nearly unusable.

Listen.. people be askin me all the time,
“Yo Mos, what’s gettin ready to happen with Hip-Hop?”
(Where do you think Hip-Hop is goin?)
I tell em, “You know what’s gonna happen with Hip-Hop?
Whatever’s happening with us”
If we smoked out, Hip-Hop is gonna be smoked out
If we doin alright, Hip-Hop is gonna be doin alright
People talk about Hip-Hop like it’s some giant livin in the hillside
comin down to visit the townspeople
We (are) Hip-Hop
Me, you, everybody, we are Hip-Hop
So Hip-Hop is goin where we goin
So the next time you ask yourself where Hip-Hop is goin
ask yourself.. where am I goin? How am I doin?
Til you get a clear idea
So.. if Hip-Hop is about the people
and the.. Hip-Hop won’t get better until the people get better
then how do people get better? (Hmmmm…)

Therefore, in my hunt for some real information about Kyoto Slow-Drip Coffee Makers (aka Japanese Slow-Drip Coffee Makers, aka Cold Slow-Drip Coffee Makers), I have to stop criticizing everyone else’s sloppy reporting that focuses on where these devices are and not how these devices are constructed. Instead, I need to work on researching blueprints to build one.

The first step, though, is that if I want the coffee reporting to get better, and the coffee reporting won’t get better until the people get better, then how do we get the people better? Well, I’m going to jumpstart things by asking if any of you have experience with these devices and insight into how they work and how I can build one. That’s step one.

Step two is that I’m going to harass coffeeshops.

Stay tuned…and post a comment if you know something!

p.s. Thanks to ZS for exposing me to this awesomeness.