Time to hit the shuffle button:

“The Chaconne” by Dessa — Dessa is a local artist who got her start with the Doomtree hip-hop collective and has just released her first solo album. She brings a writerly sensibility to her songs, like this one about a musician who finds fame but not happiness. Her vocal delivery is lush without being showy and her lyrics defy hip-hop convention; you won’t hear many artists rap about the Chicago Manual of Style. Dessa represents all that’s exciting and fresh about the Twin Cities music scene.

“Lewis Takes Off His Shirt” by Owen Pallett — This elaborately crafted pop song is part of Pallett’s album Heartland, which tells the story of a psychotic farmer named Lewis who gets into shouting matches with a deity named Owen. The soaring orchestral stylings of Pallett’s music reminds me a bit of Sufjan Stevens, but Pallett’s tendencies are more confrontational. This song’s refrain of “I’m never gonna give it to you” is almost joyful in its defiance.

“When I’m Small” by Phantogram — Phantogram is a New York duo that combines elements of rock and electronica to create icy cool songs like this one. It sounds like something the house band of an intergalactic dive bar would play on a Friday night. Expect to hear this song on Grey’s Anatomy any day now.

Dear Google,

Please consider me as a candidate for the roll-out of your experimental uber-fast broadband network. I promise to use it for noble purposes that won’t include downloading copyrighted material or streaming porn. What those noble purposes are, I cannot yet say, but I’m sure I’ll think of something.

Would it help to point out that I’m a loyal Gmail and Reader user? I even fire up Chrome once in a while.

Pretty please?

Sincerely,

Mark

Terry Pratchett, the British author who was previously diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, is pushing for legalization in the U.K. of assisted suicide for those who are terminally ill. A BBC poll finds that the British public seems largely supportive of the idea, but becomes more ambivalent if it’s made available to those who aren’t terminally ill.

It’s interesting to note that the issue of assisted suicide has fallen off the radar in the last few years. I can’t remember any state legislature debates or ballot measures on the issue in recent memory. I can’t tell if that signifies a shift in attitude or if we’re simply distracted by our economic woes. It wouldn’t surprise me if most of Western Europe passes laws legalizing assisted suicide before the end of the decade, but a revival of the debate here in America doesn’t seem to be on the horizon.

Even though the Americans with Disabilities Act has been law for almost two decades, businesses and institutions still remain oblivious to its requirement regarding reasonable accommodations. The Star Tribune reports on a local hospital that recently paid damages for failing to provide interpreters to deaf patients. As a result, one patient didn’t comprehend that her cancer was terminal until she was close to death.

Even though hospitals work with people with disabilities every day, they are agonizingly slow when it comes to complying with the ADA and similar laws. Whether it’s because of institutional inertia, arrogance, or indifference, it’s inexcusable. In this particular case, no amount of note-writing or informal interpretation by friends and family can substitute for a trained interpreter who is familiar with medical jargon. The hospital simply should have known better.

From The Onion:

Thanks to Charles for the link.