Category Archives: apps

Poetry Generator

Posted on May 13, 2019 by

Last week, Google launched its AI poem generator, PoemPortraits.  How  does it work? It’s really quite simple. The generator asks you to input, or “donate,” a word to be produced into an algorithmic couplet, as lifted from millions of words … Continue reading →

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Does anybody really know what time it is

Posted on January 14, 2019 by

Artist, writer, and data scientist Ross Goodwin created this brilliant website that tells the current time in your own time zone using passages from public domain digital books available at Project Guttenberg. When you visit Text Clock, you will find paragraphs with … Continue reading →

Posted in apps, Books, ebooks, Tech, Writing | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Follow The North Star

Posted on November 10, 2018 by

Last week, civil rights activist and progressive journalist Shaun King announced that he will be resurrecting the North Star, the abolitionist newspaper started by Frederick Douglass and Martin Delany 171 years ago, after receiving legal permission and a blessing from Douglass’ family. King … Continue reading →

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Are You Ready For Insta Novels

Posted on August 23, 2018 by

Yesterday the New York Public Library launched a brilliant new way to enjoy classic literature. Insta Novels brings short stories, novellas, and even novels to readers in a new digital format. All readers need to do is follow @nypl on Instagram to … Continue reading →

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Hi, Art Lovers

Posted on July 8, 2018 by

Whenever I visit Washington D.C., I try and make time to stop in at the always amazing Hirshhorn Museum of Art and Sculpture Garden on the Mall. This branch of the Smithsonian Institution offers superb contemporary art and is often … Continue reading →

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Don’t be a tourist cliche

Posted on February 5, 2018 by

These days it’s impossible to avoid the deluge of cliché travel photos on Instagram, Facebook, blogs, and other social media. There’s no escaping the boring sameness of everybody’s vacation pics. Don’t get me wrong, I’m just as guilty of sharing … Continue reading →

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They Promised Me Ponies

Posted on November 13, 2017 by

I am not the least bit embarrassed to admit that I am a devoted fan of the Simpsons. The show often offers unparalleled insights into American culture and frequently functions as a guide to moral philosophy. From the first season, … Continue reading →

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What The Font

Posted on November 6, 2017 by

Monotype’s MyFonts font service has created a neat new app for both iOS and Android smartphones which use AI tech to allow users to identify random fonts. The app, which is called WhatTheFont, matches typefaces to an enormous database. There’s also a … Continue reading →

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Death Takes A Holiday

Posted on November 3, 2017 by

Everyone needs a break from their job now and then, even the grim reaper. This darkly humorous Instagram campaign titled “The Swim Reaper” was created by the government of New Zealand to raise awareness about watersport and beach safety. You … Continue reading →

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Get Smart

Posted on September 29, 2017 by

Smartify is a very clever free app that allows users to scan artworks to identify them and then get meaningful background information. This Shazam for art is already available for more than thirty major international art venues and more are being added monthly. … Continue reading →

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