Amy Bruce Strikes Facebook!

I remember back in '99 when a chain email appeared all over newsgroups and mailing lists proclaiming:

'Hi, my name is Amy Bruce. I am 7 years old, and I have severe lung cancer from second hand smoke. I also have a large tumor in my brain, from repeated beatings The doctors say I will die soon if this isn't fixed, and my family can't pay the bills. The Make A Wish Foundation, has agreed to donate 7 cents for every name on this list. For those of you who send this along, I thank you so much, but for those who don't send it, what goes around comes around. Have a Heart, please send this.'

Sad, but untrue I am afriad.

Now, however, it appears Miss Bruce is back and striking the hearts and minds of Facebook. Today my profiles 'notifications' were nearly all 'Bruce-centric', and struck me with a question: "why do people not do a quick google check?", surley this sad case would be hevily publised, especially when a huge charity entity such as the Make a Wish Foundation are involved? Personally I think it may be "...but for those who don't send it, what goes around comes around", a line loaded with sinister implications.

I was struck with a sense that although we apparantly live in the digital age, where an abundance of information is readily available via the internet, we still fear the most basic 'curses' and 'spells' allegedly exterminated by the industrial revolutions and modern mainstream religions.

for more information on Internet hoax's and 'net-lore' visit About.com's Urban Legend page.

Right Where you are Sitting Now podcast coming in 2008

2008 see's the arrival of the RWYASN podcast! A bi-monthly adventure into the countercultural jungle of the Internet. I have a bunch of very cool interviews lined up with musicians, writers and practioners of weird religions groups to stick in your iPods or shove through your speakers!

The podcast will be recorded at the UCCA Farnham studios and on location for face to face interviews and will stride to bring great quality interviews and ponderings from some of the worlds coolest people!

The Pilot episode will feature interviews with some of my favourite podcasters, inc. the cast of WUOG's 'Out There Radio' and i am hoping to grab some time with P. Dilly of Podcast Pickle (tbc). What better way to start a new podcast than getting input from other podcasters?

The Pilot will be available on the 7th January via this blog, and will feed to iTunes, Juice and all other podcatchers and news services.

Rollins goes YouTube!

'Ageing Alternative icon' Henry Rollins has begun posting streaming video to his website, providing a behind the scenes insight into his life and the 2.13.61. office. There is currently no way to embed the vid, so i'm afraid you'll have to click this link instead.

Rollins is known for being the lead singer of the 'Rollins band' and the seminal hardcore outfit 'Black Flag', as well as a long spoken word career:



I'll be keeping an eye on this, as it provides us fans with a valuble insight into the life of one of America's hidden gems!