World AIDS Day.

You may have noticed the ribbon now atop my website. Today is World AIDS day.

With forty million people infected Worldwide, that's not a disease, that's an epidemic. And personally for me as a Christian, it's also a moral call to action. So today, even if you can't give money to a relief organization or donate time yourself, think about writing an email to your Senator to make sure they know they have your full support in stopping this deadly disease.

Heck, even a brief speel on your personal blog can spread the word to friends and family about what's going on, and that can make the difference between life and death for someone else.


Andrew Venegas , San Jose , SJSU , Soapbox Prophet ,Tech , AIDS , Bono,senator ,World AIDS Day , Web 2.0,

Cookie Evans Loves You?

Who is Cookie Evans you may ask... and why did he rank above the famous country singer of the same name on Google? Or why is he setting up a flash mob... and why is his Press Release in Mad Lib style?!!!!

All interesting questions I've been asking myself lately.
Here's all I know. "Cookie's" from San Jose, and as he's successfully coordinated one Google Bomb already, I'm interested to see what and where this Flash Mob of 300+ people turns out to be.

Is it just me, or does the Web sometimes feel like a Bill and Ted's movie:
Ted: "Strange things are afoot at the Circle K." (and then the telephone booth falls from the sky)
And no... I am not Cookie Evans, nor do I know him. I'll put those rumors to rest right now.
Still, who is Cookie Evans?!

Andrew Venegas , San Jose , SJSU , Soapbox Prophet ,Tech , Flash Mob , Cookie Evans,blog ,Google Bomb , Web 2.0,

Thailand Says Bye-Bye to a Brighter Future

Need more evidence that wars and coupes aren't good for children, animals, and other living things? Look no further than Thailand, whose newly installed government (remember the military overthrow in September) is now backing out of the deal the previous administration had with OLPC to provide $100 laptops for every child in the country.

So instead of speeding ahead into a technology rich future where its citizens are able to compete in global markets, what plan does the education minister have in store for Thailand?

"We will not focus too much on technology and materials," said Wijit Srisaarn, Thailand's education minister, this week. "We will focus on substance."

Translation: "Poor kids aren't on our radar screen."
So much for change.

Andrew Venegas , San Jose , SJSU , Soapbox Prophet ,Tech , Chronicle of Higher Education , Thailand,blog ,OLPC , Hundred Dollar Laptop,Necroponte ,