The Genius in All of Us

A Data Smog Prediction Comes To Fruition

Penelope Green in today's New York Times:

"It’s hard not to see the product of so much effort as anything but a sincere gesture, perhaps the last sincere form of expression we have. But there are those for whom social papers are simply an expression of economic muscle, or a poignant example of social anxiety."

-- "The Lettered Set," an article about elites shunning email in favor of high-quality stationery. 

András Szántó, twelve years ago, in the book Data Smog:

"In the future, elites are more likely to express their tastes through purging the data around them. To be involved in a data purge culture will be to show that you are a sophisticated user of data, that you know where it comes from, you know how to pick up on the little info that matters and to how to get rid of the rest. [Meanwhile] the have-nots are going to end up with the data dumped on them." 

Five Great iPhone Apps for the Mind

GeniusBlog is highly-ambivalent about technology. We wrote Data Smog, after all. If you read us long enough, you will see some tough skepticism on whether the newest tools are always put to the best use.^[i]   

But GeniusBlog is also a gadget lover, and thinks the iPhone is a fascinating window into the future. Here, then, is the first an occasional series. Five Great iPhone Apps for the Mind:

1. DocsToGo: A long way from perfect, but still a very good tool to create, edit, and share Microsoft Word docs with your computer and with others. $4.99. 

2. Chess With Friends: I cannot stand playing chess with a computer, and it's not just because I always lose. I always lose against the humans too, but there's an indescribable quality that makes human-to-human games more satisfying. Here's an outstanding chess app that lets you play live with other iPhone owners. (If you need to learn about what chess can do for the mind, read this book). FREE. 

3. SleepStream. A good night's sleep is crucial to an alert and productive life, and this app actually works. I know, it sounds crazy. You won't believe it until you try it. $1.99. (There's also a free "lite" version for you to sample.)

4. Kindle and Stanza. Two very good book-buying and book-reading apps. I'm not saying its the best way to read a book. But the portability often makes it very worthwhile. Free.

5. Public Radio Tuner and NPR Addict Two very good and complementary public radio apps. ("Addict" was actually built by a listener, and allows you to peruse and listen to stories according to a specific show or a particular correspondent.) For those who haven't experienced it, radio over the iPhone works pretty darn well when you have a decent 3G signal. Free. 

Ok, we admit that was seven apps. We'll work on our math.

Which apps do you like?

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[i] GeniusBlog occasionally enjoys the royal We. It makes us feel importanter.