Current TV

The Current TV Channel is an inspired application of the web and television. It's a venue for broad exposure of short documentary style videos by people who have something important to say.

The programming is targeted toward a thoughtful, youthful audience. The videos are created by very talented amateurs (I assume). The subject matter is usually enlightening as much as entertaining. Many of the docs are intimate glimpses into foreign cultures and domestic subcultures from an insider's viewpoint. Many are biographical studies of remarkable people. And some who aren't so remarkable, but who's lives are interesting and different.

On the surface, it appears to be just thrown together. Much of the content is created by viewers. Even the commercials. That could turn out lame, but it seems adequately funded, extraordinarily well produced, and intelligently presented. It appears to be run by professionals, so it's polished and it moves along smartly. I would really like to know more about the people behind this phenomenon.

(I found the answer on Wikipedia)

After the 2000 U.S. presidential election, U.S. Vice President Al Gore and businessman Joel Hyatt wanted to start a conventional cable news network. They were disenchanted with the existing networks, especially CNN. The plan evolved into making a viewer-generated channel aimed at an audience demographic age 18-34.

The current.com website compliments the TV programming and provides a Rolodex of program listings where you can find background information and download the videos.

Very Slick.

Just For Myself

I'm writing this blog just for myself. Sometimes I have thoughts I'd like to write down somewhere and come back to later. I've never kept a diary or journal for very long because it's hard to keep track of. This seems like a pretty good way to do it.

I'm excited about some things:

. Current TV and current.com
. craigslist.com
. Obama
. digital photography and video
. the Python programming language
. HD TV


And I'm concerned about some things:

. America
. extreme religious conservatism; extreme anything
. global climate change