I am a big fan of conceptual art – I LIKE being forced to rethink the ontological staus of objects and my unexamined assumptions by daring and jarring contextual juxtapositions and other such similar theoretical theorizing. My own best art uses “found” objects (audio and physical) as creative fodder. But …

By any reasonable measure the American medal count is impressive as hell, leading its closest rival Russia by 23 medals as of Friday morning. The lead at the moment in golds is only 28 to 25 over China, but the total medal lead over China is about 30, and recall …

Hmm, it seems to me that the people who would be interested in something like this: She needs to be coddled with sweet talk and pampered with gifts, but you’ll never see her in the flesh. A Hong Kong company has developed a “virtual girlfriend” for new cell phones with …

Possibly divine phone call preempts domiciliary roadkill scenario: Mary Dhume was watching television Monday night when the phone in the next room rang. She got up to answer it, but there was no one at the other end of the line. Suddenly, she heard breaking glass and saw her living …

Jake Shimabukuro is one ukulele-playing mofo. I am totally pissed I didn’t find out about this guy before our Tiki party last weekend. He sounds like a freaky combination of instrumental Poi Dog Pondering and the South Pacific side of Bela Fleck: breezy and melodic, but intricate and forceful as …

U.S. News’s annual college rankings are out and available on the web – methodology and FAQ are here. All kinds of breakdowns and tabulations are available, as well as a Get Into College guide and the all-important Financial Aid section – it’s a very valuable resource. My alma mater Wittenberg …

We told you about the legal wrestling over the use of Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land” in JibJab’s presidential election animated film parody. JibJab wins: On Tuesday, Ludlow Music agreed to allow JibJab to distribute its film, which is based on the tune, without interference. Also Tuesday, JibJab …

I mean, damn. This review of the phinal Phish weekend is either the most pretentious noodling hippieshit nonsense I’ve ever read, or I’ve been Helen Keller for the last 20 years. About 20 years ago, Trey Anastasio left Burlington with his dog Marley and moved into a sparse West Charleston …

One of the most influential single instruments in popular music history – Mother Maybelle Carter’s Gibson L-5 acoustic – has been donated to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum: Philanthropist Bob McLean donated $1 million to the Hall of Fame to purchase the guitar, saying historic instruments such …

Okay, I’m paraphrasing: The singer claimed his shoulder was dislocated and his wrists and back hurt during his arrest on 19 November 2003. Santa Barbara Sheriff Jim Anderson said an inquiry by the California Attorney General and the Bureau of Investigation had found Mr Jackson was not injured. ….Mr Anderson …