AN APP FOR MURDER? WHAT IN THE HELL IS WRONG WITH SOCIETY?

We are coming up on the 50th anniversary of the JFK assassination, 50 years since America suffered its first televised tragedy. I have always maintained that November 22nd 1963 was the day America lost that veil of innocence and hope. When you examine everything that the Kennedy White House stood for, the loss is  far greater. In 1963 we lost a young president, the father of two small children, and a man considered reckless because he was willing to buck the system in order to make America the people's country. So why continue to relieve a dark period by focusing on the negative historical context?

In this age of apps it's incredible to think that an app is actually available for the assassination. There is an app called " The Grassy Knoll Report App" and I guess it takes users through the scene and provides a host of information that covers multiple angles of the assassination. I guess I'm just curious as to what the hell is wrong with society. This was a dark period that can never be erased and on top of that the crime itself was never solved and at this point it will never be solved.

What bothers me is that for the modest sum of 99 cents we can wallow in the macabre instead of letting this tragedy rest. JFK was a human being and the last leader that offered real hopes of a better system. Yes there were flaws to JFK's presidency such as the continued involvement in Vietnam, which eventually got out of control. We lost the Bay of Pigs invasion and yes there was serious tension with the Soviet Union. Somehow it was Kennedy's youth coupled with the allure of our first lady that made that era progressive and promising.

It's sad the there's an app that gives every amateur detective the idea that their theory is the correct one. Hey, it's okay because Jimmy Fallon says everyone has to see this app. If the star of "Taxi" says it's good let's all get it.

THE INVENTOR OF THE COMPUTER MOUSE

The inventor of the computer mouse, Doug Engelbart, has died at age 88. When I read the news of his death I began thinking about my childhood for some reason. I remember I used to spend weekends at a cousin's house, he had a Commodore Amiga and, with it, all the bells and whistles. I remember that when games were loaded we were not allowed to touch the mouse. The mouse was sensitive and served specific purposes, at least in terms of that computer.

I recall that I learned to respect the mouse as a result of what I was told that day by my cousin. Yes the mouse was simple, sensitive, and easy to use, but it seemed to signal that something better was on the horizon. I did not really think much about that until today. The mouse was one of those inventions that revolutionized an industry and created a necessity for a device that soon became part of almost every person's landscape.

It's sad to imagine that the inventor of the mouse did not really profit from his creation. I do feel that this is the kind of pioneer that should get highest praise because honestly, he was about change and not so much about what it could do to him. The mouse is now fading from view but it hasn't yet ceased to exist. I hope that people will make an effort to remember Engelbart as he was, a man of positive change.

GIVING DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A PUBLIC THING

It's really good to see that Steve Jobs' widow is only stepping into the spotlight in order to push philanthropy goals. Mrs. Jobs has been a supporter of education for the underprivileged for several years and is an advocate for gun control.What I find really great about the story is that this is a private person not trying to draw attention to herself.

I find it abhorrent when people engage in acts of philanthropy in order to draw attention to themselves so this is a nice change of pace. Money does influence and in most cases drive major decisions. To see a person take their fortune and position in order to try and improve the quality of life for those less fortunate is quite refreshing.

Perhaps Steve Jobs' widow will help usher in a new era where giving is once again hailed as an acceptable practice. Good job!

WHERE WE ARE GOING

Over the last few years there has been a proliferation of online degree programs. I remember ten years ago when I was finishing my BA there was talk of online programs. I heard about this and did not think much of it. Ever since that day I have seen the spurt of said programs and I have to say I am amazed. I think that education's future with very few exceptions is headed to the virtual classroom.

More and more people chose to work from an early age in order to make money and secure a stake in their lives. I think online education is a prime example of how society is oriented today. We stake a major part of our lives on the net. Now dating, friendships, and work all come from online connections.

It doesn't matter what people in a conventional world say we are all headed to a virtual universe and the sooner this is properly accepted the sooner the world can increase its effectiveness.