Author Archives: dowbrigade

About dowbrigade

Semi-retired academic from Harvard, Boston University, Fulbright Commission, Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manta, currently columnist for El Diario de Portoviejo and La Marea de Manta.

Live from Bar Camp

Posted on April 17, 2010 by dowbrigade

Blogging live from Bar Camp Boston 5, the latest iteration of my favorite Geek conference, which is at the Stata Center (Frank Gehry designed monstrosity/masterpiece near Central Square) at MIT. Very cool stuff, only some of which I can understand, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Spark One Up for the Tea Party

Posted on April 16, 2010 by dowbrigade

Well, the Dowbrigade broke down and went to that big Tea Party protest on the Boston Common yesterday. We’ve been going to the 420 shindigs at the same place for years, and they rock. We’re not sure if they had … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

All the World’s aTwitter

Posted on June 23, 2009 by dowbrigade

Discussing logistical matters on Twitter is simply going to attract unnecessary attention of the government and other detractors. This is why most such discussions take place on secure private platforms like e-mail or instant-messaging….Thus, Iran’s regime is quite knowledgeable about … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Politics, Prose Screeds, Technology | 62 Comments

The View from the Cluetrain

Posted on June 17, 2009 by dowbrigade

Ever searching for intellectual stimulation, the Dowbrigade wandered into Austin Hall at the Harvard Law School for a ten-year semi-reunion of the blogging bad boys who brought us “The Cluetrain Manifesto“, a cry for significance by a thin slice of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 9 Comments

Last Word on the Millionth Word

Posted on June 14, 2009 by dowbrigade

On Wednesday, a Texas-based media consulting firm announced the birth of the millionth English word, which arrived on June 10, 2009, at 10:22 a.m., Stratford-on-Avon time. The lucky lexeme? “Web 2.0,” which edged out “slumdog,” “octomom” and “N00b,” a disparaging … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Humor, Language | 8 Comments

A Pitcher’s Worth a Million Words

Posted on June 10, 2009 by dowbrigade

Austin, Texas June 10, 2009 – The Global Language Monitor today announced that Web 2.0 has bested Jai Ho, N00b and Slumdog as the 1,000,000th English word or phrase. added to the codex of fourteen hundred-year-old language. Web 2.0 is … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Language, Wacky News | 12 Comments

Going Down With the Ship

Posted on June 10, 2009 by dowbrigade

from awesome.goodmagazine.com

Posted in Uncategorized | 7 Comments

A Frog in our Throat

Posted on June 7, 2009 by dowbrigade

A FROG that constantly changes colour is being worshipped as a GOD in India.Hundreds of curious followers flock to Reji Kumar’s home every day to pray and ask for miracles. Now one of the country’s top zoologists plans to study … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecuador, Uncategorized | 9 Comments

Recession Recipies

Posted on June 7, 2009 by dowbrigade

Rib of Rocky Raccoon To many the raccoon is the “cutest” of the backyardcritters.  But to anyone who’s received a rabies shot afterbeing bitten by one, or to anyone who’s woken up to discover aweek’s worth or trash, dirty diapers … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 8 Comments

Dead Invade the White House

Posted on April 15, 2009 by dowbrigade

The surviving (and formerly feuding) members of the Grateful Dead had a secret impromptu meeting Monday evening with the man they credit with reuniting them: President Obama. The president welcomed all the members of The Dead, who are performing tonight … Continue reading →

Posted in Media News, Politics | 8 Comments

Dowbrigade Does Denver

Posted on March 27, 2009 by dowbrigade

Day 1 of the TESOL Conference in Denver, March 26th 2009, and we are snowed in at a cheap motel in Boulder.  Our brilliant idea – stay in scenic hippyish Boulder, a short 20 miles from the Denver Convention Center, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Multidimensional Preposition

Posted on March 20, 2009 by dowbrigade

WHAAAAAT? Bailed Out Bank Of America Paying Consumers To See Hollywood Film This is unbelievable. Though I suppose it was just a matter of time before the Hollywood moguls figured out a way to get their hands on some of … Continue reading →

Posted in Events, Humor, video | 1 Comment