Internet Killed the Letter-Writing Star
Bloggers are starting to influence A2 politics…with our SECRET TECHNOLOGY FROM THE FUTURE!!! From an e-mail on the Old Fourth Ward Association’s mailing list that we’ve obtained:
[O]n the couch ordinance that was tabled in September, some council reps indicated that they had received more emails against than for the ordinance. To me, the suggestion that email campaigns can affect council decisions is troubling. Can a group of temporary residents with easy access to sophisticated technology now exert more influence on local decisions that the individual opinions of longer term Ann Arbor residents with less access to technology?…Certainly, email campaigns and blogs have certainly influenced national politics in this way. The question is whether local politics should be influenced in a similar way.
Whew, at least they haven’t found out about our orbital mind-control lasers yet.
The e-mail also promoted the OFW’s Candidates’ Night, at which Mayor Hieftje and challenger Jane Lumm will be speaking. It will take place this Thursday the 28th at 7:30 in Community High School’s Media Center.
I guess the anti-couch stalwarts in the Old Fourth Ward are still waiting for the passenger pigeons to bring back the results of their latest focus polls.
And they wonder why the rest of the world has passed them by?
posted by Boris on October 25th, 2004 at 12:41 am“Longer term Ann Arbor residents with less access to technology”?? What limits their access?
When people pay attention and participate in local politics, they have an impact. Nothing mysterious or weirdly technological about that.
posted by Larry Kestenbaum on October 25th, 2004 at 1:20 amBefore you know it they’ll revert to cranking out their newsletter on a ditto machine in some clandestine OFW basement. If they use lots of localisms maybe they can throw off the transients (who don’t count).
posted by Steven on October 25th, 2004 at 2:06 amtran·si·ent ( P ) Pronunciation Key (trnz-nt, -zhnt, shnt) adj.
1. Passing with time; transitory: “the transient beauty of youth” (Lydia M. Child).
2. Remaining in a place only a brief time: transient laborers.
3. Physics. Decaying with time, especially as a simple exponential function of time.
Under definition 3, aren’t most OFW’ers *more* transient than young, robust students?
Under definition 1, I wonder how long one must live in Ann Arbor to not be considered by the OFW as “transient”. The average Ph.D. takes 7 years. That’s hardly “transitory” in my book.
Of course, once the OFWers approach decay asymptote, I suppose there isn’t much difference between seven years and several days.
posted by Anna on October 25th, 2004 at 9:07 amAAAO—thanks for the morning chuckle.
I think what they mean to say is “We don’t want people who disagree with us to have neater stuff that can help more people to disagree with us”.
Does this remind anyone of the argument that young people shouldn’t vote becuase they aren’t as smart as us well-informed old people?
posted by todd leopold on October 25th, 2004 at 9:34 amWe’ll have the Mind Control Lasers and Nano-laced Birkinstocks operational by next year’s “Art Fair”, Mr. Scorpio, er AAiO.
posted by Leighton on October 25th, 2004 at 11:19 amWait until they see all the subversive images I can churn out with the cabbalistic Photoshop! I’ll get them with my computer voodoo yet, I will.
posted by art student on October 25th, 2004 at 11:26 amThis is the single most ridiculous evidence of Ann Arbor parochialism and whiny elitism that I have yet read on this site.
posted by Matt on October 25th, 2004 at 12:38 pmImagine, the masses getting access to this thing called a Printing Press, then imagine them reading things like the Bible. Pretty soon, we wont be able to control them like we used to.
Seems to be pretty much the same argument. Funny thing about technology is that no one group has control of it for long. You either adapt or you become irrelevant.
posted by Kozzie on October 25th, 2004 at 12:41 pmThe average American family moves about every five to seven years, according to the Census Bureau. Poor families tend to move more often, and wealthy families move much less. Young people tend to move more frequently than older people. So, what the OFW really means is that young and poor people are communicating with their elected officials — shock horror!
Even under pre-1867 voting laws in Britain, there were no time requirements for how long you had to be a householder before you could vote.
The OFW Association has a web site. The footer always gives me a chuckle. It reads:
Questions or problems regarding this web site should be directed to [CompanyEmail].
Copyright © 2002 [CompanyName]. All rights reserved.
Last modified: 09/01/03.
Apparently filling in forms is not their forte.
Their domain is registered through 2013, so if this new InfoBahn thingy takes off, the OFW is ready for it!
posted by Dan on October 25th, 2004 at 1:53 pmWhat’s the website? And if I go look at it and crack bad jokes about poor web design, will I be justified?
posted by art student on October 25th, 2004 at 2:42 pmSophisticated technology…let’s see…the relatively opulent appearance of most of these NIMBY houses I see all over town suggest that their owners can afford computers and access to the Internet, let alone their own websites (such as, say, the OFW website–WHICH I’VE SEEN!!). I have a computer but no Internet, I access this site from the library and I don’t even have a phone at present. This is the first time that OFW whining has ever pissed me off personally. Just thought you should know…
posted by Lazaro on October 25th, 2004 at 4:47 pmAnd this isn’t just in case Alex(andra)’s reading–by “suggest,” what I really meant was “suggests.”
Thank you. Does anyone know if you need to make reservations for this Hieftje-Lumm punch-up Thursday night? I really need some evidence before I’m going to actually vote for a Republican (voting for McCain in the 2000 Ohio primaries doesn’t count).
posted by Lazaro on October 25th, 2004 at 4:49 pmI think you just show up. Actually, the Hieftje-Lumm event I definitely plan to attend is this urban planning forum Friday…I’ll post something about it later.
posted by ann arbor is overrated on October 25th, 2004 at 6:39 pmWait…where am I…how did I get here…oh my gosh, is this the new fandangled technology everybody is talking about. Wait, Rabbit, I’m coming–where did he go?
posted by Anonymous on October 25th, 2004 at 8:03 pmBoris! You’re thinking of carrier pigeons, my friend. For the (beautifully-written) lowdown on passenger pigeons in Ann Arbor, please consult the November Ann Arbor Observer.
It’s news to me that my recalcitrant dialup is high-tech, but–live and learn.
posted by czech ossuary on October 25th, 2004 at 8:09 pmActually, anyone can show up to the Candidate’s Night (no reservation necessary). They are sometimes quite amusing, depending on who shows up.
posted by OFW insurgent on October 25th, 2004 at 9:12 pm“OFW insurgent”–(laughs).
posted by Laura on October 25th, 2004 at 11:12 pmKozzie, you crack jokes about the printing press and people being afraid of it. But it was exactly such things–and people’s increased access to the Bible–that fostered a little thing they like to call the Protestant Reformation. I can’t tell if you’re mocking their fear of technology or not, but they’re actually right to worry about how blogs and email will affect their local politics. The OFWers *should* fear technology precisely because it’s one of the few things that will actually tend towards disrupting the status quo. Viva the interweb!
Don’t worry Lazaro, I’m not reading for grammar. I grade on content only.
posted by Alex(andra) on October 26th, 2004 at 10:43 amI like that the author complained about the supposed deleritious effects of technological access for the wealthy transients in an email to other non-transients who, by virtue of their receiving the email, presumably have access to this strange, new “internet”.
posted by Anna on October 26th, 2004 at 10:53 amfor the record, not everyone who lives in the OFW is an “OFWer” any more than being an American makes one a devotee of Bush…more than a few read this blog with unrestrained glee.
Anyone have an old shitty couch I can put on my porch?
posted by OFW insurgent on October 26th, 2004 at 11:26 amBest of luck finding that porch couch, insurgent - mine kept setting themselves on fire last summer and I haven’t been able to find another myself.
And Anna - mmm, deleritious . . .
posted by Nick on October 26th, 2004 at 12:42 pmI was not cracking jokes about the people’s fear of the printing press but the fear of the establishment of the Printing Press. Moveable type put the Bible in the hands of the masses (not quite but more spread than Monk written copies). Pretty soon more people were able to read the Bible for themselves and see how wrong some things were. It was around that point that the status quo was shaken up.
I see the same thing in that letter from the OFW folks. The same fear in the letter. With the Internet, more people can see different accounts of the same things, piece that together and get an accurate portrayal of events. It will shake up the current status quo.
posted by Kozzie on October 26th, 2004 at 1:18 pmEr. Yeah… I got some at Zingerman’s.
posted by Anna on October 26th, 2004 at 1:32 pm“The College Students, aided by the Blogosphere and the Orbital Mind-Control Lasers, attack to neutralize the City Council. I’m rolling on a 10–OFW, you want to interfere?”
Yeah. So. Here’s the AU post on the Urban Planning students’ candidates’ forums. Fora. Things: http://www.arborupdate.com/article/375/local-candidates-discuss-planning-issues
Thursday night is the 3rd Ward Council candidates, (Carlberg & Reichardt), State Rep Chris Kolb, and County Commissioner-to-be/A2 Cool Cities Task Forcer Conan Smith. Friday night is Hieftje/Lumm. Both events are free and open to the public, and please please come ask the candidates questions. If anybody goes to the Thursday OFW forum, please pass me some tidbits from that so that we can bring them up on Friday.
posted by Murph on October 26th, 2004 at 1:50 pmIs the blogosphere a spell-like ability that allows a saving throw?
posted by ann arbor is overrated on October 26th, 2004 at 1:59 pmI’m not sure who gets more nerd points AAIO, you for the above comment, or me for knowing what it means.
posted by todd leopold on October 26th, 2004 at 2:22 pmI’m so confused.
posted by Brandon on October 26th, 2004 at 2:43 pm*groan* I get the saving throw comment too. There is no hope for me!
posted by KGS on October 26th, 2004 at 3:44 pmWikipedia is your friend:
posted by tom on October 26th, 2004 at 3:55 pmsaving throw
Hmmm…You both got a different reference out of that than the one I was intending (also wikipedia). I’m not sure whose is nerdier.
posted by Murph on October 26th, 2004 at 4:05 pmBut will it save you from an attack by a raging gazebo?
posted by Kozzie on October 26th, 2004 at 4:06 pmYeah, I figured it was probably a different reference because otherwise we really should’ve rolled for initiative first.
posted by ann arbor is overrated on October 26th, 2004 at 4:15 pm…..
Why do I get the feeling this conversation has taken a turn that I want to stay far, far away from?
posted by art student on October 26th, 2004 at 4:22 pmAm I right in thinking that once AAIO and Todd begin referring to “hit points,” “armor classes,” “g.p.s,” and “The Mind Flayer,” that we’ll all be in big friggin’ trouble??
posted by Lazaro on October 26th, 2004 at 4:32 pmWorst thread ever.
posted by Nick on October 26th, 2004 at 4:34 pmI dunno, I kinda dig it
posted by Alex(andra) on October 26th, 2004 at 4:46 pmAAiO, I think we automatically win initiative, because the OFW failed their surprise roll. We’ll have to roll before next round, though, since they know we’re here now.
posted by Murph on October 26th, 2004 at 5:19 pmThings could get dicey when they get to use their dexterity bonuses. (Help, somebody make it stop!)
Actually, I’ve only played Illuminati once, but it has some similarities to this other game that I play once in a while, Cosmic Encounter, which was one of the inspirations for Magic: The Gathering (I’ve never played Magic, though.) If any of you are interested in playing Cosmic sometime (on my out-of-print early 90’s version that’s way better than the one they have out now!) send me an e-mail.
posted by ann arbor is overrated on October 26th, 2004 at 5:58 pmAnd you don’t have to have played it before - not that many people have played it before.
posted by ann arbor is overrated on October 26th, 2004 at 6:04 pmI think you just confirmed all my worst nightmares about engineers, in one blow.
:)
posted by art student on October 26th, 2004 at 7:15 pmCosmic Encounter…Love that game.
posted by kozzie on October 26th, 2004 at 8:21 pmI’m suddenly feeling particularly non-nerdy… it’s about damned time.
posted by Brandon on October 26th, 2004 at 8:28 pm!!!
I’ll play Cosmic. I’ve only played it with more house rules than real rules, though, so I probably need to be retaught.
posted by Murph on October 26th, 2004 at 9:13 pmI’ll play, if it’s after the election.
posted by Larry Kestenbaum on October 26th, 2004 at 9:17 pmI’d play Cosmic Encounter too! haven’t played it in years, but it is very fun.
Just think of the political & land use commentary we could make from the game… *heh*
posted by KGS on October 27th, 2004 at 8:40 amAAiO Nerdgame Party! Yay!
posted by Murph on October 27th, 2004 at 10:11 am“saving throw” — I thought this was a corruption of Heidegger.
posted by Dale on October 27th, 2004 at 11:12 amWell, I guess that I’m dating myself, but I was referring my brief stint with Dungeons and Dragons in 6th grade….way the hell back in 1981.
I haven’t heard of any of the games you’ve mentioned, so you win this round nerdboy.
posted by todd leopold on October 27th, 2004 at 11:20 amCosmic Encounter is a sort of card game where you represent an alien race vying for power of the galaxy. Each alien race has a different power (or set of powers) that gives them certain advantages. It’s a fairly cool game, but I haven’t played it in ages.
posted by Kozzie on October 27th, 2004 at 12:52 pmYeah, that’s a pretty good description. And some of the powers have strange or almost paradoxical effects, like the one that lets you come up with secret win conditions for the game that only you know about, so no one even knows what the objective of the game is. (I’ve never played with that one.)
I have the expansion pack with the moons and stuff too (for some reason, the expansion is usually $25 on eBay, but the standard game that I have sometimes goes for about $200.) I usually don’t use the expansion stuff, though, except for the extra powers.
posted by ann arbor is overrated on October 27th, 2004 at 1:30 pmThe people who taught me to play Cosmic felt that it wasn’t much fun unless each player has *at least* 3 or 4 different alien races, and all accompanying powers. Which generally meant the game bogged down in figuring out just how the 20 different powers in play interacted.
posted by Murph on October 27th, 2004 at 3:01 pmI’ve never played with more than two powers…the game has so many wacky random events that I think it’s actually more fun when it’s a little simpler.
posted by ann arbor is overrated on October 27th, 2004 at 4:31 pmI LIKE BASEBALL. GO RED SOX.
It just seems as though the thread needed a little injection of that. Maybe to help balance things out. Because you people are, quite frankly, terrifying me. And *I’m* the one who just spent an entire afternoon trying to figure out how to make giant pink plastic tardigrades and stick them on people’s lawns.
posted by art student on October 27th, 2004 at 5:05 pmWhat’s a tardigrade? And I concur about this thread weirding me out.
Also, if anyone wants to report on the Old West Side’s community meeting which will feature what sounds like propaganda promoting the railroad-bed greenway, here’s the info. I can’t make it as I’ll be at the candidates’ forum on North Campus. Is it me or is everything happening at once this week?:
“OWS Fall Meeting, Thursday, October 28, at 7:30 in the Bach School Multi-purpose Room (600 West Jefferson St)”
posted by Brandon on October 27th, 2004 at 5:27 pmBrandon, it could have something to do with, oh, say, the election?
And with the fact that (speaking as one of the co-organizers of the planning forums) we really weren’t all that on top of things, and couldn’t make it happen sooner.
posted by Murph on October 27th, 2004 at 6:17 pmA tardigrade:
http://nema.cap.ed.ac.uk/teaching/odl/odl2/tardigrade.gif
Imagine them shocking pink, on lawns. I do.
posted by art student on October 27th, 2004 at 7:01 pmOh, shit! I played Cosmic Encounters in middle school, but had no recollection of it until I saw the description. /dork-fu.
posted by js on October 27th, 2004 at 7:59 pmI’ve got a bullshit annual budget meeting at 6 tomorrow, so I don’t think that I can make the Hieftje v. Lumm nekkid wrastle. I am planning, at least right now, to make it to the Urban Planning thing on Friday (and then go see Captured By Robots and Lord of the Yum-Yum at the Elbow. Who’s in?!)
As for the email jive talk, y’know, I have two thoughts on this. First off, how can anyone see more legitimate discussion from citizens to lawmakers as a bad thing? And the second thought is that this means the OFWers will be hittin’ up the email petitions next time they’ve got a cause (like banning unapproved sconce installation or eliminating local suffrage for those between 18-35).
But hell, I sent ‘em a copy of my anti-couch ban screed when I wrote it, so it’s not like they were left out of the loop altogether…
JS, the Hieftje-Lumm thing is actually Friday. Tomrrow’s is just city council, state, and county candidates.
posted by Brandon on October 27th, 2004 at 9:05 pmAh, you meant the OFW thing. Carry on, then.
posted by Brandon on October 27th, 2004 at 9:09 pmI’d like to note that the OFW is doing more than just raising alarm bells–they may be going so far as to purge “suspect” e-mail addrs from their mailing list. I mentioned this post to my Source for the leaked OFW porch couch e-mail, in one of the student co-ops in the OFW, who was surprised–the co-op is a dues-paying member of the OFW, and they seem to have, mysteriously, dropped off the e-mail list, and didn’t get this e-mail that you’re excerpting from.
posted by Murph on October 28th, 2004 at 4:15 pmI’ve been hearing these rumors on the internets…
posted by Dubya on October 31st, 2004 at 2:09 amSpeaking of the Old Fourth Ward, I was at a Halloween party on Kingsley Street last night. The hosts had informed their neighbors they were having a party, were keeping everyone indoors, and from the sidewalk there was no audible noise pollution. A neighbor called the police anyway (at around 11:30 even, mind you) and they showed up, admitting the party didn’t seem too loud, but just in response to a neighbors complaint that folks might come out of the house on occasion and yell. This neighbor didn’t even live directly adjacent to the party house, moreover. Happy Halloween… I’ll try to comment more on the mayoral race later.
posted by Brandon on October 31st, 2004 at 11:29 am