Hi, I'm
Chuck Reynolds

Google and images of Michelle Obama

Where do you draw the line?  Despite “miserable failure” appearing no where on The White House web page, Bush was the top ranking. Should Google have changed the algorithm for that? What is racist and what is political and what is “fair” opinion and what is censorship?

I do not agree with the things expressed in that forum, or with the image, but, I wonder what else people may feel they should change because they are not opinions you agree with, or because you feel that “everyone agrees” that that is a bad opinion to have.  Obviously, some people do not (I think, in this instance, it is).

cdixon:

Can we bring some common sense into this debate?  This image is currently the top result when you type “Michelle Obama” into Google Images:

This repulsive, racist image comes from this page Google is trying so hard to defend.  Is this juvenile, offensive forum really the definitive source for presidential images?

If the page in question were some authoritative source for images, I could understand Google having a dilemma. But this is a crappy, offensive forum.  One of the top comments in the forum is “This nasty bitch was yet ANOTHER reason I didn’t vote for nObama: I didn’t want her representing this country as First lady.”

If I created a search engine that ranked this page up top, I’d reconsider my algorithm instead of “buying ads” to defend it.

It’s the end of the day and you and your nerd are hanging out on the couch. The TV is off. There isn’t a computer anywhere nearby and you’re giving your nerd the daily debrief. “Spent an hour at the post office trying to ship that package to your mom, and then I went down to that bistro — you know — the one next the flower shop, and it’s closed. Can you believe that?”

And your nerd says, “Cool”.

Cool? What’s cool? The business closing? The package? How is any of it cool? None of it’s cool. Actually, all of it might be cool, but your nerd doesn’t believe any of what you’re saying is relevant. This is what he heard, “Spent an hour at the post office blah blah blah…”

- The Nerd Handbook

At Least It's Not Cleveland

I must say, that the idea that there is no ‘scene’ in Pittsburgh just means that you are not looking hard enough.  From the sounds of it, Stacie from Bloomfield hasn’t taken the change to really search for a scene.  I must admit that being a native Pittsburgher is harder than being a transplant (like me).  I have the same reservations that there is no ‘scene’ in DC, my native home - but just because I haven’t found it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

That is beside the point - the reason that Stacie thinks “the reason why young people tend to flee from Pittsburgh en masse” (which is an anecdotal observation) is because there are no jobs here. There are plenty of things to do and many scenes to be a part of.  The “art” scene offers tons of activities.  The “entrepreneurial” scene is flourishing. You could, if you wanted to, say there is a ‘twitter’ scene given the number of Tweetups and active Pittsburgh conversation on twitter.

A ‘scene’ is a vague term, but I would define it as a group of repeatable events that you partake in with a number of friends and where you meet some of the same people, thus expanding your network.  Finding the right scene takes time.  Finding your scene may mean finding new friends.

My advice to you, Stacie, don’t give up on Pittsburgh.  There are tons of things to do, many people to meet, and lots of opportunity. But, if you really feel as though there is nothing to do, head out to the “big city” - you just opened up another spot for me at … well nothing since you don’t seem to take part of any ‘scene’ now.

writingpittsburgh:

The Following was submitted by Stacie from Bloomfield.

I tell people I’m from Pittsburgh, but I live in Bloomfield. This tears my mother apart, as does my insistence on calling ‘pop’ it’s rightful name, which is soda.

My mother is a die hard Bloomfield lifer. She is from Bloomfield. She gets shifty when crossing over Penn Avenue. She’s a hopeless devotee of that Bloomfield/Garfield news letter that most people toss the minute it arrives in the mail. She has never lived anywhere other than this charming little neighborhood.

And now I find myself in the same position; almost 30 and still living in Bloomfield. I suppose you are wondering why, seeing as I dislike the place so much. Well, I could blame it on something noble, like love, and that wouldn’t be completely untrue. But I fear owing my living situation to that alone would be disingenuous.

Years past I was Bloomfield’s resident weirdo. The assorted Big Hairs and Rabid Jocks didn’t know what to make of me. Now the weirdoes have taken over and Bloomfield is teeming with the sort of people who call to mind the phrase ‘alternative lifestyle’. This is progress, I think, and a comeuppance for all those who ridiculed me because I crossed some line in the sand that I didn’t even know existed.

The reason I don’t wish to stay is the reason why young people tend to flee from Pittsburgh en masse; there is just nothing here for us, unless you are a functioning alcoholic or devoted churchgoer. There is no ‘scene’ to speak of, and if you assert otherwise you are just fooling yourself. This is a starter town. It’s a good place to get your feet wet, but if you want real, big city living, seek elsewhere.

I’ve grown a little more fond of Pittsburgh with each passing year. I just hope that someday I will be able to admire it from afar.